Are you a new grad looking to start your healthcare or education professional career and wondering how to get started in the business? Here are five great reasons why working with a recruiter is a great idea.

Are you a new grad looking to start your healthcare or education professional career and wondering how to get started in the business? A staffing company may be a great option for you to explore your options and discover what direction your career path should take next. Depending on what staffing company you work for, you may be able to work part time, full time, or even per diem shifts that fit your schedule. Some staffing companies offer contract opportunities that last for a specific amount of time or temp-to-perm options that let you decide whether you want to eventually become a permanent staff member at a specific facility. In any case, working with a staffing company usually means working with a recruiter. Here are five great reasons why working with a recruiter is a great idea.

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	<li>Recruiters Do the Work for You</li>
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Searching for a job is difficult enough, but when you&rsquo;re just starting out in your career, it can be terrifying! A recruiter can help you alleviate some of that anxiety. They will take the time to get to know you and your goals, both professional and personal. Then, they look at the job opportunities they currently have open and choose the ones that match closest with your goals. If you have a specialty or unique skills, they will know which facilities will make the best use of them. It&rsquo;s in the recruiter&rsquo;s best interest to ensure you are happy in your new role, and they are very skilled at finding the right match. This means you won&rsquo;t have to blindly apply to job openings, wondering if anyone even sees your application. The recruiter will also help you gather all the necessary credentials and documentation and even help prep you for the interview.

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	<li value="2">Recruiters Negotiate for You</li>
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Once you and your recruiter find an opportunity that looks like a good match for you, they&rsquo;ll need to submit you for it. If the facility is interested, they will set up an interview for you and help you prepare for anything else that may be necessary during the application process. Finally, if the facility wants to bring you on board, your recruiter will help negotiate a salary. This is especially helpful when you are a new grad, and don&rsquo;t have a clear understanding of pay ranges. Your recruiter will help you make sure you are getting the best possible pay rate, and you&rsquo;ll never have to have an uncomfortable or awkward conversation with your new employer. Unless the opportunity you are being submitted for is permanent, your benefits, such as health insurance, will likely come from the staffing company.

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	<li value="3">Recruiters Can Give You the Inside Scoop</li>
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Imagine you are thinking about applying for a job, and you just happen to have a friend who is currently employed there. You would probably ask your friend for details, right? You can do the same thing with your recruiter! Chances are, the recruiter has already placed multiple other candidates at the facility in question, so they know exactly what the culture is like, what will be required of you, and what people like and even dislike about working there. Your recruiter may have even visited the facility in person and might be familiar with the hiring and nurse managers, as well as some of your potential future coworkers. If the job is in a different city or state, your recruiter can probably share additional details about housing, shopping, entertainment, schools and outdoor activities that you may find useful, as well.

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	<li value="4">Your Recruiter is Your Sounding Board</li>
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When you do finally land the job, what do you do if you need a sounding board? There could be multiple reasons you need to talk to someone familiar with the facility. Maybe you are having trouble dealing with a difficult coworker, or you just aren&rsquo;t happy with the clinical setting or city you currently find yourself in. In most cases, your recruiter will try to give you advice that will help you be happier while you finish your current contract (if applicable). Then, you and your recruiter can talk about any specific challenges and how you can avoid them during your next assignment.

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	<li value="5">Your Recruiter is Your Lifeline</li>
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The last think you want to think about when you are trying to secure a new job is something going wrong, but just in case it does, your recruiter is your lifeline! Anything that affects your work while you are on an assignment should be discussed with your recruiter. It could be something as simple as needing a day off work or something more serious, like being injured at work. If you are in unfamiliar city, your recruiter is an especially helpful resource if anything out of the ordinary occurs, like a labor disruption at the facility or dangerous weather such as a hurricane.

Now that you know a little but more about why new grads should work with a recruiter, why not check out some of our newest job opportunities or get more career advice on our LinkedIn Page for <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9171300/">New Grads</a>.

Five Reasons New Grads Should Work With a Recruiter