Networking with Recruiters

NedRN · Jun 1, 2017

I think a book is a great idea and I applaud you wanting to study this in depth, but finding the right one will be difficult (perhaps not unlike finding a great recruiter). There are many books on sales techniques that might help, but not quite on topic. Same applies to books about management (but you are looking for chapters that deal with employee management, and communication with other managers). I'm going to start this thread off with some tips since I cannot really help you with a book suggestion.

Your word "loyal" does not really apply here. You want a good business relationship with your recruiters and having them understand that you either have or are looking at relationships with other agencies is key to getting them work hard for your continued business every assignment. If they are snippy about this, and say/imply that they are seeking loyal travelers, run. They are looking for travelers to low ball and take advantage of. Even if not, they are unprofessional and not worth your time.

The recruiter is not your friend. In fact, a recruiter's first loyalty is to the agency, not you. You are certainly trying to find a true professional of course who will work hard for you and even fight for you with other factions in the agency if necessary, but it is important to know where they are really coming from. In fact, they are all commissioned salesmen and women (perhaps salesthey in these gender identity free days?) and so you cannot trust them anymore than a car sales critter. Until they earn it! If they earn it, you can extend a certain level of loyalty, but always have a plan B available, which means maintaining a relationship with another recruiter/agency.

That said, a friendly or congenial relationship is very important for success. You can share some personal details both directions to help establish connection, which of course is important in any relationship. Do not share gossip or war stories/complaints from your current assignment. Ever. This can only hurt you, not help you. And it is unprofessional. If you have a professional issue at work, deal with it exactly as if you were that hospital's employee. The recruiter/agency is unlikely to be able to help you, and it is also unprofessional to ask in general and will usually harm you at that agency (like they won't consider you for better paid and more important assignments). Timecard/pay issue? Certainly!

Be very careful about personal gossip as well, again, recruiters are not your friend and you need boundaries. Complainers never come off positively. Same goes for on the job as well. Any sort of gossip can only hurt you, and travelers have no get-out-of-jail-free card that employees have as part of the family. One sharp remark to a staff member (even support staff), patient, family, or physician can result in termination. Which of course will impact your business relationship with your agency as well.

You have probably already read my comments on finding good recruiters for you. Interview lots, pick the best 3 to 5 of them to work further with. Your criteria will be first how well you communicate with each other. It will seem obvious once I say this, but it is almost impossible to have a good business relationship with someone you cannot communicate with and are not on the same wavelength. Other important criteria is apparent honesty and the trust and rapport you think are possible. Last really are the actual assignments and pay, although you should "qualify" the recruiter here as well. Recruiters unwilling to tell you about current and real assignments in your specialty and vague about compensation could be OK, but really not worth the effort - they will want you to do an immense amount of work to sign up and fill out all their documentation before you find out they have nothing you want. That sucks!