When you’re new to traveling, finding the right agency to work with is critical. But maybe more important is finding the right recruiter.

This relationship is critical. If you get it wrong then your travel experience is going to suffer. So what do you want in a recruiter? Here are four things to look for.

You want a recruiter who you generally get along with.

Of course you do, right? That should go without saying. But too many travelers, especially those who are new, continue relationships with people who they don’t genuinely enjoy working with.

Ideally, this will be a years-long relationship. Find someone whom your personality matches with, with whom you share a working style.

While getting along is key, remember that doesn’t mean they’ll always tell you what you want to hear. You also want someone who can be direct when needed and deliver bad news quickly, should there be any.

You want a recruiter who knows the industry.

The truth is that travel healthcare recruiters can get into the industry without a lot of prior knowledge. So pairing an inexperienced recruiter with a first-time traveler can be dangerous. First-time travelers should look for someone who understands the industry and can help them navigate the aspects of it that can be confusing, especially as they get started.

You want a travel healthcare recruiter who can not only help you understand the ins and outs of things like housing and pay packages, you also want one who can help you fix problems once you are on the job. He or she should be comfortable being your advocate and addressing problems with the hospital and working toward resolutions.

It should be obvious early on that you are working with an experienced recruiter, but if it’s unclear ask how long they’ve been in the business. And if you aren’t comfortable doing that, there are a couple of red flags that you are working with someone who is inexperienced.

• They aren’t forthcoming with information. Do you get the used car salesman vibe from them? They won’t answer your questions with a straight answer, dancing around your query as long as they can? If so, they likely lack the experience and knowledge to answer your question.
• They are magically able to meet everything you’re looking for. While perfect placements can exist, an experienced recruiter knows that finding a job that hits the trifecta of location, pay, and shift is unlikely. If you are always being told yes, then you are working with someone who doesn’t understand the industry.

You want a recruiter who puts your interest first.

A good travel healthcare recruiter is going to put you in a situation that works for you. They will listen to what you want, then find you the closest thing they can to that. If you are looking for A, they won’t push B.

A recruiter that puts his or her agenda first is one you want to walk away from.

You want a recruiter who is responsive.

Technology has made it very easy to communicate, so a recruiter who lets days go by when you are reaching out to them is a recruiter you don’t want to work with. That’s especially true when an issue arises on the job. Your recruiter is your lifeline. You need them to be available, and that means through email, phone or text message.

If your travel healthcare recruiter isn’t responding when you reach out, it’s time for a new one.