5 Tips for Nurses Using Recruiters in Their Job Search

May 12, 2020

With faster job growth than the majority of occupations, applying for nursing opportunities sounds like an easy task. But ask a nurse how they feel about conducting a job search and they’ll say “time consuming” and “overwhelming.” However, this shouldn’t keep you from finding a position with the best schedule and benefits for your lifestyle. Many nurses turn to recruiters to help sort through the clutter. But here’s the catch: not all recruiters are equal. Check out our top tips for working with a nurse recruiter.

  1. Find a recruiting firm with healthcare experience. Some recruiters will try their hand at industries ranging from healthcare to IT to executives. While this helps the recruiter increase their salary, it doesn’t help you. Finding a recruiter who exclusively works with healthcare providers means they’re knowledgeable and more capable. What’s more, they could help you in the future if you further your education and become a nurse practitioner.
  2. Only work with recruiters who can provide specific job information. Many recruiters work for a placement fee (which means a big paycheck if they convince you to accept a job). For this reason, these recruiters withhold facility specifics to prevent you from applying directly to the employer. Take the time to find a recruiter who works without these types of fees. When you make a career change, you deserve to know exactly where you are applying and what they’re offering you.
  3. Your recruiter should want to connect you with multiple opportunities. Many recruiters will only connect you with one opportunity at a time (typically the one offering the largest placement fee). A worthwhile recruiter will connect you with all of the opportunities you match with. The bottom line: a recruiter’s motivation should be finding the best opportunity for you, not their paycheck.
  4. Be honest and open. Recruiters can only help you as much as you’ll let them. Remember: the right recruiter is here to serve you. Provide your recruiter with your salary, schedule, and benefit needs so they can find you a true match. While you might be uncomfortable asking for this information during an interview, your recruiter isn’t interviewing you. They’re working with you.
  5. Actually use one. Don’t make the mistake of not utilizing a great recruiter who’s available to you. Your schedule is already full. Wouldn’t it be nice to have opportunities sorted and filtered to your needs before you even start looking? Let a recruiter do the hard work for you.

If you’d like to view a full list of opportunities for RNs, click the link below to view our jobs page.

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