It’s common practice to work with multiple agencies so you have more opportunities when it comes to finding your next contract. A lot goes into choosing which ones and how many agencies to work with. In this article we will discuss some tips and tricks on how to do this successfully.
The first thing to be aware of is spreading yourself too thin. While it may be beneficial to work with multiple agencies, it can also be overwhelming if you work with too many. You would have to keep track of which recruiter goes with which agency, what jobs you’re submitted out to, and completing all those applications/references. This can be daunting and difficult to keep up with. It’s best to limit the number of agencies you work with to 1-3. This way you have your main agency that you prioritize due to a great working relationship with the recruiter or consistency in finding awesome contracts and locations. You also have your backup agencies to ensure that you have job security and more opportunity for your preferences to be met. Working with 1-3 agencies instead of 4-6 will make the job search process smoother and less frantic.
Now that you have decided the number of agencies you would like to work with, how do you choose which ones to begin an application with? It’s preferable to choose more reputable and long-standing companies to work with for a couple of reasons. First, the number of jobs you can be submitted for is increased as agencies, such as Aureus Medical, get exclusive job opportunities due to long-standing relationship with facilities. In addition to having more opportunities, the likelihood that your contract gets cancelled is lower, and if a cancellation does occur, we can transition you into another position from our pool of opportunities available. Smaller agencies may not have the volume of positions available as a back-up if a cancellation does occur. No matter the agencies you choose to work with, it’s important to read all contracts carefully so you’re aware of the cancelation policy, guaranteed hours, and specific pay package break down. This will protect you in the long run if a contract gets cancelled or guaranteed hours aren’t met.
Once you have the number of agencies sorted and how to choose which agencies to work with, you can move onto the most important piece of working with multiple medical staffing agencies—communication. Possibly the most important distinction in working with Aureus Medical is our transparency. We are never going to misrepresent pay packages, location availability, or place ability in your job market. It’s important to our recruiters that we make your job search as painless as possible and part of this is offering clear and concise information on the current market. Likewise, communication style can be another point in choosing what agency to work with. To avoid lack of communication or your recruiter ghosting, it’s imperative to work with agencies that have tenure and uphold a strong reputation within the industry.
Communication is, however, a two-way street. It’s crucial that you inform your recruiter of what other agencies you’re working with and what jobs you may have been sent out to. This gives your recruiter the opportunity to understand what other processes you’re being exposed to as well as how to prioritize your search. Facilities don’t like to see applicants double submitted for positions, so having good communication and being transparent with your recruiter is best practice. It’s also important to communicate about any unexpected events that arise. If there’s some sort of family emergency or something that is stopping you from upholding a contract, talk to your recruiter to discuss your options moving forward. We want to be as accommodating as possible, because at the end of the day your experience as a traveler is the most important thing to us.
Ultimately, the key things you can do when wanting to work with multiple agencies is to be thorough in your selection process and communicate what your intentions and goals are. You’ll want to limit the number of agencies you work with so it’s easier to keep track of information and have a stress-free job search. You’ll also want to go with agencies that have more experience placing healthcare workers and have the volume of opportunities to back it up so you’re getting opportunities without being at risk for losing job security. And, of course, communication goes so far in finding you exactly the right contract for you without risking your standing as a traveler! If you have any questions, please visit the company website for more information and to get started. Happy hunting!