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“Red flags” are things to look out for, preventatively, to keep you out of a bad situation. I get this question often from other new traveling therapists looking to arm themselves with knowledge before choosing a recruiter or recruiting company. 

Read on to learn about…

3 Red Flags to Look Out For When Choosing a Recruiter

1. They won’t tell you where they are subbing you.

Some recruiting companies fear travelers will take the name and information of that job opening to another recruiter or company to find the job. And they have been burned by travelers in the past like this, so they no longer disclose this information with them. So with good reason, some companies don’t share this information. But promise me (and them), you won’t do that, and as mentioned in our post about Etiquette when working with multiple recruiting companies, never share posting between companies. 

In the last post, we learned about why it was so important to get the name of the facility and exact location of where you are being submitted to, in order to keep from being double submitted to the same job posting through 2 different recruiting companies. So, although some recruiting companies had good reason for not telling you this exact information, it is imperative that you know it in order to work seamlessly with multiple companies. So, if you promise them not to disclose this information, and they still cannot share it, find a new company. 

2. They don’t adhere to rules and regulations, putting you at risk.

We walk through the halls of CSM and often hear recruiting companies educating aspiring travelers incorrectly about tax home,  As long as you travel 50 miles away from your home…” WRONG!  This is a myth. If you don’t understand the rules of a tax home and cannot sniff out when a recruiter or company does, sign up to watch this travel therapy webinar HERE to get up to speed before you determine whether a company can get it right.

Click HERE to watch the Free Webinar

And while everyone likes to get paid more, some recruiting companies may try to pay you more money than you are allowed as a ploy to offer you more money than the next company, but putting you at risk. The government sets certain guidelines for payment of per diems, and it’s important that you adhere to these standards:   https://www.irs.gov/publications/p463 .

3. They are pushy.

The second you hear a recruiter say, “SNF is a really good setting for new grads,” let your red flag raise.  

Not because SNF isn’t necessarily a good setting for a new grad, but because that recruiter does not know about your individual experience and comfort level, your internship experience, the amount of support you need, what is involved in patient care in that setting, and your schooling. Only YOU do. Do not let a recruiter tell you what is good for YOU. 

Only YOU know that. 

Ready for some red-flag-free, kick-ass recruiters (because we work with them)? 

Click HERE to get connected with our recommended recruiters.

If this article helped you to feel more prepared about becoming a traveling therapist, please share it with other friends who also may benefit from it.