Multiple recruiters

A recruiter told me it only becomes a problem if two agencies submit you to the same job. If I am working with more than one company I tell them where the other has submitted me.

Never let an agency submit you to an assignment without your express permission. Never let them submit you without knowing what the compensation is. If you miss either of these, you will invariably find the agency with the worst pay submitted you first and now it is too late to select the agency you want for that assignment.

Of course you should tell recruiters you are working with others. You want them to be honest with you, right?

Let's say you want to buy a car. Will you tell the first salesperson that you meet that you trust them and will work with them exclusively? Will you get a good or even a fair deal? What if you tell them you are going to shop around? Will they work harder to give you a good deal?

What's your best advice for negotiating pay?

Well, in general, most agencies leave some wiggle room in their compensation quotes. If you don't ask for more, you won't get more! Otherwise, what is your negotiating leverage? Of course, if the agency places you, they earn a fair profit. If they don't, they make no money. So that is your basic leverage, both you and the agency have something of value to exchange. Knowledge and facts bring power. Have you talked to other agencies? Do you have a better compensation quote in hand to prove your point that you are worth more?

There is a question of profitability. Are you in a hot specialty with big demand and high bill rates? The agency stands to make more money and can pay more, even if they lower their normal gross profit margin.

Other factors include risk to the agency. Are you a proven traveler? Have you worked for this agency before successfully? Is this an extension?

Are you returning to the same facility where they know you and want you back?

Did you find the assignment yourself, and perhaps even interview already (not through another agency)? This post has more on this subject.

Have you talked to lots of agencies and have now a good idea of who pays the best (no negotiating may be needed)?

Have you established a good working relationship with one or more recruiters?

Do you have excellent written references in hand from managers, at least two from the last year?

Have you maximized your profile with certifications and advanced education and well known hospitals on your resume?

Have you been using PanTravelers calculator to get real numbers to compare different agency offers? It can also be used to negotiate higher stipends (with agencies willing to do that) while holding total pay constant. That increases your net pay which is real money!