The Dos & Don’ts of Working With a Healthcare Recruiter

July 26, 2024

Between now and 2036, experts predict a shortage of over 68,000 primary care physicians. The shortage of registered nurses is even worse, with predicted vacancies estimated to exceed 193,000 by 2032.

Widespread shortages across the healthcare industry have created tons of opportunities for qualified candidates to explore vacancies in new states. If this sounds like something you might be interested in, you’ll likely encounter healthcare recruiters.

What is a healthcare recruiter? More importantly, what does a healthcare recruiter do, and how should you go about working with one? Here’s everything you need to know, including what to expect when working with a recruiter.

What Is a Healthcare Recruiter?

A healthcare recruiter specializes in identifying, attracting, and placing healthcare professionals in various roles within medical facilities. Their primary role is to understand the needs of both the candidates and the employers, ensuring a perfect match that benefits both.

The best healthcare recruiters have specialized knowledge about the medical field. GHR Healthcare has a particularly skilled set of recruiters, all of whom work in-house and have relevant experience in the specialty they recruit for. For example, one of our top therapy recruiters is an accomplished occupational therapist herself!

Before you team up with recruiting professionals, make sure they have a strong working knowledge of the healthcare sector. They’ll be able to accommodate your short-term needs while also meeting your long-term career goals.

What Does a Healthcare Recruiter Do?

A healthcare recruiter is responsible for sourcing candidates for healthcare organizations and filling open positions. However, they do much more than pair providers with healthcare facilities. They also assist with several other steps.

Job Matching

The best recruiters work with hiring managers to match people with ideal opportunities based on candidates’ qualifications, competency, career paths, and years of experience. They don’t just plug holes. They want to put you in a position to thrive.

You want to team up with a recruiter who cares about your short and long-term goals. They are more likely to consider your preferences, skills, and needs when finding vacancies. Their goal is to see you thrive both now and in the future.

They also want to make sure the facility’s needs are met so that the business will continue using their recruiting services.

Interview Preparation

A great recruiter will get you ready for your interview. They will go over possible questions with you, provide valuable tips, and help you land your dream job. If your recruiter is familiar with the facility you are interviewing for, they may be able to offer insider insights that help you stand out.

Staffing professionals will also help with resume optimization. Remember, their primary goal is to help you get hired.

Negotiation and Offer Management

If you crush your interview and get an offer, your recruiter will help you negotiate the best possible terms. They will also help you keep track of all offers if you applied for and are accepted to multiple facilitates.

You want a strong negotiator in your corner. They may be able to help you obtain better pay, extra benefits, or per diem perks to cover your travel and housing costs. It’s all about finding the right fit for you.

The Healthcare Recruiting Process

Here’s a glimpse at how recruiters pair healthcare professionals with facilities.

Initial Contact and Screening

Recruiters use various tactics to find candidates, including job boards, social media, and professional networks like LinkedIn. They screen candidates through initial phone calls or interviews to assess their qualifications and fit for the role.

Candidate Interviews

Top candidates will proceed to the interview round. This phase may involve several stages, including a phone interview followed by an in-person or virtual meeting with hiring managers.

Your recruiter should be closely involved throughout the interview process. They should also assist with prep and ensure you have all the details about your appointment.

Follow-up and Feedback

Gathering feedback from candidates helps human resources departments optimize the applicant experience. Be prepared to complete a survey or submit open-ended feedback to your prospective employer.

Your recruiter should keep you in the loop even after completing placements. If you don’t get the position, they should help you jumpstart your search for the next optimal landing spot.

Dos and Don’ts When Working With a Healthcare Recruiter

Before you team up with a talent acquisition specialist, it’s important to consider these dos and don’ts.

Dos

Anytime you team up with a recruiter, you should do the following.

Be Honest About Your Skills and Experience

Transparency is vital. Accurately represent your qualifications, skills, and experience so your recruiter can find the best spot for you.

Stay Responsive and Communicative

Recruiting is a two-way street. Respond promptly to emails and phone calls and keep them updated on your job search status.

Prepare for Interviews Thoroughly

Take the time to prepare for interviews by researching the organization. Work with your recruiter to sharpen your response to common questions.

Don’ts

Here are a few don’ts to help make the most of your time with your recruiter.

Don’t Ignore the Recruiter’s Advice or Feedback

Recruiters offer valuable insight into what employers are looking for. Don’t ignore their input.

Don’t Misrepresent Your Qualifications

Exaggerating or lying about your qualifications can backfire. Recruiters rely on the info you provide to identify suitable landing spots.

Avoid Being Passive in the Job Search Process

Take an active role in your job search. Follow up on applications, express your interest, and proactively seek feedback.

A visual highlighting the dos and don'ts of working with a healthcare recruiter

Connect With Experienced Recruiters

Healthcare recruiters play a crucial role in the medical job market. Their specialized knowledge and dedicated support make the job search process smoother and more effective.

Partnering with an expert recruiting company will make your journey that much easier. They will go above and beyond to find the ideal placement for professionals like you. Ready to get started? Explore job opportunities with the help of GHR’s in-house recruiters!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Your first meeting with a recruiter is all about getting to know you and your career goals. Your assigned staffing specialist will go over important details like your location preferences, short- and long-term professional aspirations, and other clarifying information to complete your candidate profile and find an appropriate placement.

You can usually fill out a candidate profile in as little as 10 minutes, but those who work in specialized fields may also need to complete a skills checklist. Within a few days to a week of submitting your application, a call will be arranged with a staffing specialist.

The amount of time it takes to find a job varies based on factors such as your location preferences and specialty. If you are open to a broader range of opportunities and locations, a placement can be found more efficiently.

You could work with multiple recruiters, but it’s best to focus on just one who you can regularly collaborate with as you evaluate potential job opportunities and negotiate benefits and pay.

If you work with multiple recruiters, you might encounter information overload and struggle to respond to opportunities efficiently. And the last thing you want is to miss out on your dream job because you stretched your attention too thin.

Even after you accept an offer and are placed in a job, your recruiter will provide ongoing support, regularly checking in to address any concerns or questions. If you are unhappy with your placement, the recruiting team will attempt to resolve your concern by communicating directly with your employer or by finding you another opportunity.