Switching recruiters within an agency

NedRN · Dec 14, 2018

Have you already done or are in an assignment as a traveler? With this agency?

These circumstances do affect how you approach this. As a first thought, don't put all your eggs in one basket. Your question carries a presumption that you only are talking or working with one agency. My general advice to most travelers (and potential travelers) is to talk to perhaps a dozen agencies (or more), and pick 4 or 5 recruiters who you believe are straight shooters and that you communicate well (or "click) with to work further with (don't do any paperwork until who you want to work with is established).

This is the general approach I would take to switching recruiters inside one agency: Ask to speak with the recruiter manager. Keep it professional and do not share any complaints about your current recruiter. Simply say the current recruiter is not a good fit for you and ask to switch. I suggest thinking about what might be a good fit for you to suggest characteristics so the manager can pick an appropriate recruiter. Tough to do without reflecting negatively on your current recruiter but give it a try. Characteristics might include business like or gabby, friendly and personable, good at explaining the nuts and bolts, experience, knowledge of agency hospital working conditions and so on. If possible, pick desirable characteristics that you want that do not reflect negatively on current recruiter, communication style might be best.

WanderingVee · Dec 14, 2018

This is an agency I've worked with in the past. I'm currently with another agency and I'd like to continue working with the previous agency but with a new recruiter. Who do I ask to speak with the recruiter manager though? Do I ask the recruiter I had been working with?

NedRN · Dec 14, 2018

Call the general phone number and ask to speak to the recruiter manager. Don't give your name to the person answering the phone. Ask the person you get referred to what his/her title is to make sure you are not just speaking to another recruiter (if that happens, I would bail - agency clearly has work culture issues).

If the general number shoots you to your specific recruiter, use caller ID blocking before placing the (another) call. I've worked with one agency recently that recognizes caller ID and transfers you to your recruiter. Not a bad idea (depending on the size of this agency) to use ID blocking anyway as it is common for your name to show to the person picking up the call. If answered by a recruiter, that recruiter may recognize your name and give your current recruiter a heads up that you called causing unneeded negativity. Dial *67 before dialing the general number.

I'm not trying to induce paranoia here, just prudence on a sensitive call.

If there are any red flags at all, I'd suggest moving on. Lots of agencies (around 400 for travel nurses), and there are no indispensable ones that are the only ones who can get you a specific assignment (yes, that goes for Cross Country and American Mobile too). I know signing up with a new agency is a big investment of time and documents, but better that than distrust for any reason of a particular agency or recruiter.

WanderingVee · Dec 14, 2018

Thanks for the advice!