If I had to choose one skill that was the most valuable tool, universal to all industries, it would be networking. According to Merriam Webster, networking is defined as “the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business.” You might be asking yourself, “How does this help me as a traveler? My recruiter does the networking for me!” It is true, your recruiter is responsible for finding you a fulfilling job, sending your resume off for review and setting up interviews – but ultimately they are just one piece of the puzzle.
Contract medical professionals often spend a minimum of 13 weeks working at one particular facility. If you have been traveling for five years, you may have worked within 20 different facilities, 20 different towns – maybe even 20 different states! It is possible you have been asked to extend a contract, or maybe, have revisited a past contract’s facility. These undertakings are products of networking. Networking through which you established strong working relationships as a product of your success as a medical professional.
As a traveler you are a chameleon to your surroundings – whether it is procedure, culture or climate. No two hospitals are the same. Many times you are the unsung hero, helping when needed and rising to the occasion where staff might be spread thin. Taking advantage of the resources, or rather, the network around you to perform to the best of your abilities not only gets the job done, but aids in your search when you are looking to secure your next contract. Those 5 star ratings go far!
Most likely you haven’t been a traveler your entire professional career. How did you become a traveler? Maybe one of your co-workers decided to travel and they referred you. How did you secure your current contract? Maybe a past supervisor landed a job at a new facility and needed your help covering a medical leave. The lesson here: Continue to develop relationships, giving each contract your best version and you’re sure to find success in the world of medical traveling professionals. It is hard to deny—good, old-fashioned networking is the real MVP.
Karoline Haskell is a Team Lead for the Medical Laboratory division of Aureus Medical Group.