Insights

Your phone rings.

You know it’s the behavioral health recruiter you agreed to speak with, but you still have a moment of:

What exactly are we going to talk about?

Do I need to prepare like it’s an interview?

Are they going to ask about salary?

Should I already know exactly what kind of job I want?

What if I’m only exploring?

The good news: your first conversation with a behavioral health recruiter isn’t supposed to feel like an interrogation or a formal job interview.

It’s a conversation.

At VHS, that first call is an opportunity for our recruiters to understand who you are as a behavioral health professional, what you’ve done, and what you’d like your next opportunity to look like.

It’s also your chance to decide if working with a recruiter makes sense for you.

Here’s what you can expect.

First, We Want to Hear Your Story

Your résumé tells us where you’ve worked.

We want to know what that experience actually looked like.

Let’s say your résumé lists three years of behavioral health experience.

That’s a starting point.

Were you working in an inpatient psychiatric unit? An outpatient behavioral health program? A substance use treatment environment? A correctional facility? Were you primarily working with adults, adolescents, or another patient population?

Those details help a behavioral health recruiter understand your experience beyond the job title.

Don’t worry about having the perfect elevator pitch prepared.

Be ready to talk about where you’ve worked, what you’ve enjoyed, what you’ve learned, and what you might want to do next.

Sometimes that last answer is simply:

“I’m not completely sure yet.”

That’s okay, too.

We’ll Talk About What You’re Looking for Next

This is where the conversation starts moving from your past to your future.

What would make you consider leaving your current position?

Are you looking for a travel or contract assignment?

Are you interested in a permanent opportunity?

Would you consider another state?

Is there a particular behavioral health setting or patient population you want to work with?

What schedule works for your life?

Are there things you absolutely don’t want in your next position?

Those preferences matter.

A recruiter who understands what you’re actually looking for can focus on opportunities that make sense instead of calling every time a job vaguely matches your credentials.

At VHS, we’d rather learn what matters to you at the beginning.

Yes, We’ll Probably Talk About Compensation

Money doesn’t need to be the awkward part of the conversation.

Your recruiter may ask what you’re currently earning, what compensation you’re targeting, or what would make an opportunity worth considering.

Be straightforward.

If you have a specific number in mind, say it.

If you aren’t sure what is realistic, ask.

A recruiter can help you understand how compensation may vary based on the role, location, schedule, experience requirements, and type of assignment.

And remember: compensation isn’t always the only factor worth discussing.

For a contract or travel opportunity, you may also want to understand the full structure of the assignment.

For a permanent role, you might care about schedule, responsibilities, professional development, benefits, location, or opportunities for advancement.

The goal isn’t to produce the “right” answer.

It’s to make sure your recruiter understands what would make an opportunity worth exploring.

We’ll Ask About Your Credentials and Experience

This part may feel a little more administrative, but it matters.

Depending on your behavioral health profession and the opportunity, your recruiter may need to understand things like your active licenses, certifications, states where you’re currently licensed, years of experience, and relevant clinical background.

If you’re exploring opportunities outside your current state, licensing may become part of the conversation as well.

You don’t necessarily need to have every document ready during an introductory call.

But having a clear understanding of your current credentials can make the conversation easier.

This is especially important because behavioral health encompasses many different professionals and requirements.

A psychiatric RN, therapist, social worker, psychiatric nurse practitioner, and psychiatrist aren’t going through identical hiring processes.

Your recruiter should understand that.

You Don’t Have to Say Yes to the First Opportunity

Suppose your recruiter says:

“I actually have an opportunity that might fit what you’re describing.”

Great.

That doesn’t mean you just accepted a job.

Ask questions.

Where is it?

What kind of facility is it?

What’s the patient population?

What does the schedule look like?

Why is the organization hiring?

What experience are they looking for?

What does the interview process involve?

If it’s a contract opportunity, ask about the expected assignment length and responsibilities.

If something doesn’t sound right for you, say so.

That feedback actually helps your recruiter.

“I don’t think I’d want that role” gives us much more information than politely saying you’re interested in everything.

Your Recruiter May Ask Questions You Haven’t Considered

This can be one of the most useful parts of the conversation.

Maybe you called because you wanted another inpatient behavioral health position.

But after talking through your experience, you realize you’re actually ready to explore a different setting.

Maybe you assumed you wanted a permanent job, but a contract opportunity sounds interesting.

Maybe you’ve never considered taking your behavioral health experience to another state.

Maybe the thing you dislike about your current position isn’t the specialty at all. It’s the schedule.

A good recruiter shouldn’t tell you what you want.

They should ask enough questions to help you get clearer about it.

Sometimes your first recruiting conversation doesn’t end with a job opportunity.

It ends with a better idea of what you’re looking for.

That’s still valuable.

This Is Your Chance to Interview the Recruiter, Too

Don’t spend the entire call answering questions.

Ask some.

If you’re considering working with a recruiter, you should understand how they work.

You might ask:

• What types of behavioral health opportunities do you typically recruit for?

• Which locations do you cover?

• Do you recruit for contract, travel, and permanent opportunities?

• What happens after I tell you I’m interested in a position?

• How will you communicate with me throughout the process?

• What information will you share with an employer?

• What should I expect during the interview process?

• Who do I contact if I have questions during an assignment?

Pay attention to the answers.

You should leave the conversation understanding what happens next.

What Happens After the First Call?

Sometimes there is an immediate match.

Sometimes there isn’t.

If there is an opportunity that aligns with your experience and goals, your VHS recruiter can explain the position, answer questions about what is known, and walk you through the next steps.

If there isn’t a fit right now, that doesn’t mean the conversation was wasted.

Healthcare hiring changes.

A position that doesn’t exist today could open later.

That’s one of the benefits of building a relationship with a behavioral health recruiter before you desperately need a new job.

Instead of beginning from zero when you’re ready for a change, someone already understands what you’re looking for.

How to Prepare for Your First Recruiter Conversation

You don’t need to spend hours preparing.

Give yourself 10 minutes beforehand and think through a few basics:

• Your recent behavioral health experience

• The patient populations and settings you’ve worked with

• Your active licenses and certifications

• The locations you’d consider

• Your preferred schedule

• Whether you’re interested in contract, travel, permanent, or multiple options

• Your compensation expectations

• What you want more of in your next position

• What you want less of

Most importantly, think about this question:

What would make me excited to hear more about an opportunity?

You don’t need a perfect answer.

But it’s a useful place to start.

Your First Conversation With VHS Starts With You

Your career is more than a list of previous employers.

That’s why our behavioral health recruiters want to understand the person behind the résumé before trying to determine which opportunities might fit.

Maybe you’re actively searching.

Maybe you’re curious about travel or contract work.

Maybe you’re ready for a permanent change.

Or maybe you’re just wondering what else is out there.

You don’t need to have your entire career mapped out before talking with VHS.

Tell us where you are now. We’ll start there.