Meely-Mouthed Recruiters

[mountainaireNP]

I can't tell you all how many recruiters, when they call and I talk to them and they realize I'm not what they are looking for, will start hemming and hawing and lying rather than being forthcoming and honest and I'm so sick of it. "Let me have my associate call you right back in a few minutes," or "we'll be in touch later today or in the morning," or some other such nonsense.

I exchanged emails and calls with the last one for about a week. Wrote a new resume, they kept saying their client was "excited" to talk to me. I was about to start the process of obtaining a New Mexico license (yes, I was willing to relocate from Tennessee to New Mexico, and he told me to go ahead and start the process to show their client I was serious.)

This was the last time I heard from him. I emailed him to ask if they were still interested and he emailed me back with some crud about being in meetings all morning and asking if he could call and follow up with me this afternoon. I wore my cell phone and waited and nothing. NOTHING. Now, I'm sure he is just avoiding me. I'm not a pushy person, but I've made the mistake of believing these people (or wanting to). They are all a bunch of liars and I guess I'd be doing myself a favor to just give up. I'm not being an unreasonable job seeker at all, if anything I undershoot myself when it comes to talking about salary (I've always said I just want to be paid the going rate for entry level NPs, which could be 70-90k a year.)

I give up.

[BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN]

Coincidentally, I got an email yesterday from a TX recruiter about a job somewhere in Albuquerque, NM. It says: "Seeking lead NP in Outpatient Facility, Monday-Friday, 8-5, $55/ hour with full benefits."

If you are truly interested I will PM you the guys name (I don't think we are allowed to put the links directly on this site, but it is a recruiting firm) however, I thought you had said previously that relocation was not an option. If I am mistaken and you really want to move to NM, I'll shoot you this info; I am very happy with my present situation and have no interest in moving.

[carachel2]

Specifically, what do you think it is that is making them change their minds on the phone ? Is there an accent or is it a male or female voice thing?

[mountainaireNP]

BlueDevil, relocation is now an option. Please send me the info on that job.

carachel, I have a southern twang but that doesn't seem to be the deal breaker, as they will talk to me quite a bit. This time, they didn't even see me, so I can't blame it on that. I'm fat and dumpy, on the wrong side of the mid 30's, any looks I ever had have long faded...I still need a job, though, and I can't believe I'm not even able to find a place that will give me a chance.

[carachel2]

Ok, but fat and dumpy is usually not communicated over the phone. If you really want to make your job search more meaningful, I would invest in some sort of job search coach or career counselor who can objectively listen to you and make suggestions. You should be able to figure this out in a few sessions...but there may be a legit reason you are not coming off professional and crisp on the phone and fixing it might be the key to finding your dream job.

[Psychcns]

When I first started doing locum tenens 3 years ago, I called everybody-often- and followed up often to see if they had anything. I still do this when i am looking for a new spot. Staff care usually calls me back first with interviews. I keep interviewing until I get an offer. I think staff care is pretty organized in this regard. I think Jackson Coker is too, Barton maybe, advanced practice. Com. I am not sure who does permanent vs locums. (Staff care does both). Locum tenens can be a way to get started. Best wishes!!

[carachel2]

I couldn't see how to edit this post but I also wanted to remind you of an unfortunate truth in our field: appearances count. Now you don't have to go all Brooke Shields bikini on everyone, NOR does anyone expect you too! BUT...you need a professional haircut (and probably color) and few key professional wardrobe pieces (which most RNs do not have). You need to look polished, like you take time with your appearance and look like you FEEL you are a professional. If I were hiring, overweight wouldn't bother me one bit..but lack of attention to appearance and dress WOULD bother me. You do not have to have or spend a fortune to do this either.

[Annaiya, NP]

I couldn't see how to edit this post but I also wanted to remind you of an unfortunate truth in our field: appearances count. Now you don't have to go all Brooke Shields bikini on everyone NOR does anyone expect you too! BUT...you need a professional haircut (and probably color) and few key professional wardrobe pieces (which most RNs do not have). You need to look polished, like you take time with your appearance and look like you FEEL you are a professional. If I were hiring, overweight wouldn't bother me one bit..but lack of attention to appearance and dress WOULD bother me. You do not have to have or spend a fortune to do this either.[/quote']

I couldn't agree more with this. I'm always amazed when anyone interviews in anything other than a suit. It just doesn't make the same impression.

Also along these lines, be very certain you are not making any statements in phone interviews that sound negative in any way. Keep everything you say very positive and enthusiastic. Don't say you're sick of being at the bedside and decided to be an NP. Talk about your passion for preventative care and how you feel like you can make a bigger impact on the lives of your patients as an NP, etc, etc. If you aren't getting past phone interviews than something you're saying is coming off wrong.

[NPAlby]

Can you pm the company's name? I get phone calls daily from one company but then when I told them the pay rate I was looking for (locum tenens) they hung up on me! Just wondering.

[futureeastcoastNP]

NPAlby, I am thinking about locum tenens for my first position - what pay rate did you ask for that made them hang up?

[mountainaireNP]

The latest drama involves a staffing agency agent who keeps telling me to expect a phone call from his client in New Mexico...After two days he emailed me to ask if I had heard anything and when I emailed him back saying they must not be interested because I never heard from them he shot back a kind of snotty email and I have cut an pasted it here:

(MountainaireNP) they are interested in speaking with you. As I am sure you can imagine their daily schedules are busy due to the needs of the hospital. In speaking with them yesterday they mentioned that they would be reaching out to you, so just hang tight and keep your phone available. I would not take them not contacting you yesterday as a sign that they are not interested. I have spoken with them and confirmed that they are interested in moving forward in the interview process, so let's stay positive and patient. I am sure someone will be reaching out to you soon either today or in the coming days. Please touch base with me following your conversation with them to let me know how things went. Thanks

I'm so desperate for a chance, anywhere, that I'm holding onto this little bit of hope, as pitiful as it is. I went and got a new haircut, dyed my hair a conservative color (my hair is dark brown, almost black but I went a shade lighter because they say it makes you look younger). I just can't do anything about my huge chest and middle aged figure. The recruiter mentioned I might need to be available to fly down there very soon so I'm trying to figure out what kind of suit to wear? Something black, I assume. I'm a dress person so I'd like a long black skirt, but most everything I see at Lane Bryant is too short for my liking. I'm kind of in a tizzy and to top it off was told by my supervisor at my hospice job I'm "kind of scattered." I don't want to be scattered but when you have 5 kids and a husband...anyway. I need a lot of help to be organized. I'm fastidious and clean but my thoughts really are kind of scattered. For example, right now I have a one year old fighting for my attention while I type this.

Will they pay to fly me down there and rent a car?

Do you think this recruiter is just stringing me along or...?

He told me on the phone that when I talk to them emphasize I'm interested in the community and being in NM and not just interested in the "opportunity."

What can I do to be more polished and organized, if indeed I get to go down there? If this is for real it's a good deal: a good salary and they pay back your student loans. I don't want to miss out.

Thanks for any advice.

[Psychcns]

The recruiter should arrange an interview. A conference call and they usually listen in at first and then talk to you and the client individually after the interview.

i would say keep looking.