Why my recruiter loves me more than you

Over the winter of 2016 Ellen took a last minute contract way out in Eastern Colorado. Prior to this we were living back home in Durango, Colorado (Southwest Colorado). Our attempt at returning to permanent contract work had fallen through in fantastic fashion and we were desperate for steady income in a hurry.

Quickly tiring of living 7 hours away from me and the pups, she ended the contract after only 5 weeks, while I wrapped up things back home. But even in doing so, it was an amicable split with her clinic and there was not even the slightest push back from our recruiting agency. Normally bailing on a contract this abruptly strains, and often ends, the working relationship with the recruiting agency (making them look very bad to the clinic that hires one of their travelers).

Why was this situation different? Because our recruiter loves us.

The clinician-recruiter relationship is an often overlooked component of building a successful career as a travel therapist.

Here are the top 5 reasons why our recruiter loves us more than you!

1. Open and Honest Communicator

This sounds so benign I can already hear you closing your laptops as you read this. Hang in there.

Being open and honest implies two things. Obviously it is important to be honest with the recruiter. You would not appreciate shadiness on their part, so don’t be shady back.

Less obviously, be open and honest with yourself. Often travelers get caught up in the hype of the adventure and lose perspective on what really fits them best. Just because the cool Insta pages are all posting epic shots of the Pacific Northwest, if you easily catch as case of the rainy day blues, maybe that just isn’t the place for you.

Also, it is the recruiters job to get you stoked about every new job opening. That doesn’t mean you too have to be stoked for it. Don’t get caught up in their wave of excitement. Some waves are best to let pass by.

2. Clear Goals/Values

With each new contract we try to communicate what our objectives are in the immediate short-term. For this particular assignment our goal was to land a high paying job in the Pacific Northwest, ideally near one of the major cities. Practice setting was not stipulated. Sure enough, we landed home health jobs in the Seattle/Tacoma area. The pay is great, and the sun has even come out once or twice.

3. Stick Up for Ourselves (but are not A-holes)

I think this is an important one. For many of you reading this posting you will have some cursory familiarity with the other travel healthcare type sites like ours. There is some great information out there! However, some of these sites present an almost combative interchange between you and your recruiter. Stressing that you must always be leery at every turn for the recruiting agency to hose you. While there is most definitely a kernel of truth behind these claims, we feel that largely it is unfounded.

While travel therapy is an epic adventure, it is still a business. At some point there will be negotiation and always there will be compromise. Clearing $2,500 a week sounds amazing, but just because Betty Lou on Facebook landed a contract like that does not mean you will (or anyone else – goodness!).

Do your research as best you can, stand your ground where it matters most, and always find a happy compromise.

4. Do Good Work

I cannot stress this enough! You are a hired gun of a PT. You are expensive, but you are worth it!

Your performance reflects back on your recruiting agency. They have worked tirelessly to establish connections with clinics and facilities to place people like you there. One bad therapist could lose them the opportunity to place others there as well.

5. Share the Love

Referrals. Simple as that. If you love your recruiter enough to send others their direction, they will love you back! Finding a recruiter that is trustworthy and hardworking is worth sharing. Pass the word on social media or tell a friend the old fashioned way (texting?). However you chose to do it, they will appreciate anyone you can send.

 

Flashback to winter of 2016, Ellen was in panic mode trying to find work, but because she had already established a strong relationship with our recruiter she effectively communicated to them our complex situation and what she was needing in a position. Later, when it came time for her to move on, there were no surprises and no hurt feelings. The SNF loved her and everyone wished her well as she and I set out for more adventures as a traveling therapy team.

So there you have it! 5 Reasons why my recruiter loves me more than you.

If you are looking for a recruiter yourself, shoot us an email at OurPTAdventures@gmail.com and we will hook you up with a few of our preferred recruiters.

 

Written by: Stephen Stockhausen