TO ALL THE JOBSEEKERS - DON'T GO WITH MANPOWER! YOU WILL NEVER HEAR FROM THEM. PROMISE

I actually had AppleOne call me back but only to tell me that they had no jobs in my area and to try again "as the year rolls around" and pretty much never heard from them there on after.

Marilyn,

You'll find the right job, everyone has their unique skills to offer. Remember Einstein received D's in school, and could not get his thesis accepted. Now he's remembered as a founder of quantum theory.

Fred, I have to agree with Marilyn this time concerning ManPower. I am extremely employable and I only apply to jobs I know I have the experience for. I am a safety director for a nationally recognized fortune 1000 transportation company for the last 8 years and ManPower has never replied to my resume even for a transportation safety director! In my experience ManPower is a waste of time.

Fred from Chicago said: Marilyn-
maybe you aren't good for the job?? Did you ever think about that? If you were a good fit, of course they would put you to work, because that is how they get paid.
don't blame the recruiting agency because you are worthless and unemployable.

Ouch, those are harsh words about being worthless and unemployable. However, Marilyn, your post does appear very unprofessional, but I do understand that you are upset with Manpower and that makes things frustrating. As a staffing specialist, I view hundreds of resumes a day, and I work in a town of only 50,000 people. Surely in larger towns, staffing specialist view thousands of resumes daily. It is hard to contact each candidate to tell them that they are not qualified and/or the position is filled. What I recommend is submitting your resume for the position and then follow-up with a quick phone call if you have not heard from Manpower in one or two days. Just remember, we only have eight hours in each day to get lots of different work accomplished. If we had five staff members dedicated to just resume review, each person would get a personal reply, however, life is not perfect! Anyway, I hope this is helpful. I truly wish you the best of luck in your search for work!

I agree with AppleOne. They are horrible. After my former supervisor decided to end my contract early before the dept. closes, my contact person told me to go find the job myself. What in the world was she talking about? 6 months in a position isn't a whole lot of experience and with the job market being so competetive, I had no choice, but to remain at a staffing agency. she then told me that she no longer have the assignments that I am qualified to do. So is she saying her agency doesn't even have a simple filing assingment at all? Weird. Liars too. I wish that AppleOne would close up shop.

Margaret Fong said: I agree with AppleOne. They are horrible. After my former supervisor decided to end my contract early before the dept. closes, my contact person told me to go find the job myself. What in the world was she talking about? 6 months ...

I was laid off about 6 yrs ago, after 18 yrs w/company. Since then, most of my jobs have been temp or temp to hire positions. For all but one, the job time ended, I found something better, or laid off.
Revamp resume with specific points with main focus in the first 10 words. Use key words from other job descriptions. Recruiters, etc. search resumes with key words and only skim these, so make it easier to read.

KEY POINT: If you have your resume online, change a word or two each week and "refresh" it in their searches. Resumes with older dates probably will not show up.

My suggestion is this, register with plenty of agencies, update your resume with the "new skill". Yes, I said new skill. I'm not purporting to be a continuous temp'r, however, put a positive spin on these assignments. Don't be classed as a job jumper. If you were laid off, that's the truth. However, in interview, say that temping is a way that you have been able to learn new skills. When temping, try to see if you can learn any online courses. You'd be amazed how much you can learn during a lunch time.
Or, you can use MS's free classes
office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/default.aspx
or google for "free tutorials" in whatever.
Even if it's for 30-45 minutes a few days a week. You're improving yourself. Good luck.

I was laid off about 6 yrs ago, after 18 yrs w/company. Since then, most of my jobs have been temp or temp to hire positions. For all but one, the job time ended, I found something better, or laid off.
Revamp resume with specific points with main focus in the first 10 words. Use key words from other job descriptions. Recruiters, etc. search resumes with key words and only skim these, so make it easier to read.

KEY POINT: If you have your resume online, change a word or two each week and "refresh" it in their searches. Resumes with older dates probably will not show up.

My suggestion is this, register with plenty of agencies, update your resume with the "new skill". Yes, I said new skill. I'm not purporting to be a continuous temp'r, however, put a positive spin on these assignments. Don't be classed as a job jumper. If you were laid off, that's the truth. However, in interview, say that temping is a way that you have been able to learn new skills. When temping, try to see if you can learn any online courses. You'd be amazed how much you can learn during a lunch time.
Or, you can use MS's free classes
office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/default.aspx
or google for "free tutorials" in whatever.
Even if it's for 30-45 minutes a few days a week. You're improving yourself. Good luck.

I already know all the Ms Applications. the problem is that most of the clients want me to use it in a work setting. If I never used it in my experience, how can I nail the interview. Eventually something will come up.

Margaret Fong said: .. lunch time.

I already know all the Ms Applications. the problem is that most of the clients want me to use it in a work setting. If I never used it in my experience, how can I nail the interview. Eventually something will come up.

I fyou have used MS in other jobs, show that in your resume. Some examples:

1) Managed meeting notifications, distributed agenda/info, and tracked responses using outlook, powerpoint, and adobe.

2) Compiled sales presentation using excel for powerpoint presentation graphs. Imported sales information from Epicor and showed 6 month trends.

3) (This is good if you work with a team that is at multiple sites).

Sent completed sales update numbers and news to director and management team using excel for trends and word for news letter.

This shows that you HAVE used the MS skills. That's what they're asking you for. How you have used the MS. A quick way to really look at your experiences is to take about 30 minutes and write/type what you've done. You'll be amazed at how much you really have accomplished.
This can be time consuming, but, it is a good start.
Compare your list with job descriptions online.
Between the two, you'll probably see a pattern, or common set of skills/tasks that come out.
Highlight these in yellow. Then go back and underline your stronger points in like pink/orange.
The orange ones are what you might want to put first in resume.

ALSO - do some draft work in word, ppt, etc. Have some examples when you interview. They don't have to be elaborate, just be sure the grammar, spelling, and any math is correct.
Overall: this took me about 2 days to really get a good resume and examples down pat. Some of these tips are actually from recruiters, some of my own. But, I was so much better prepared and got a good job.

Hope this helps. Reply if you have more questions.

anonymouse said: I actually had AppleOne call me back but only to tell me that they had no jobs in my area and to try again "as the year rolls around" and pretty much never heard from them there on after.

One of the things I don't see in these posts are where people actually went TO the agency. I was registered at over 10 agencies and visited each one within 45 miles (two were in other states).

At OfficeTeam, a 45 minute drive, receptionist called the recruiter of the week - they alternate this each week - was told that I would have to call back for an appt. This person was rude and loud enough that I could hear her over the phone. I really felt badly from the receptionist. Even though this branch had over 10 positions posted, none of the recruiters could take 5 minutes to speak with me for an appointment. Their loss, had 3 offers that week for temp-perm jobs.

Don't wait for someone to call you back. You have to be the one that persues the job. If you seriously want to work, keep calling. The agencies that set up actual appt times seem to be the ones that will work with you, coaching, call backs, etc.
Register at these places, take their tests to see what your level is AND use it as practice. Most use the same test, so, the more you practice, the better you'll be.
No matter what job, search internet for "job type+free+tutorials", etc. Getting a job is harder than working at a job.

As for networking with your friends, trade resumes and see what may be missing, strenthened, and brought out as your better points. Practice interviewing each other.
This may sound hokey, but, your friends know you the best and you may be more receptive to their constructive criticism.
There are some great interview questions on monster.com.
content.monster.com/articles/3479/16598/1/default.aspx

This is a good site with alot of tips. If you don't like, try Careerbuilder, or internet for your particular line of business.

Good luck

Marilyn said: YOU WILL NEVER HEAR FROM ANY OF THESE FOLKS. MANPOWER IS NOTHING BUT A WASTE OF TIME, I GUARANTEE YOU. I'VE SENT MY RESUME TO THEM PROLLY LIKE 1000 TIMES ALREADY, LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR BEFORE LAST YEAR...AND SO ON...THEY HAVE NEVER "EVER" CONTACTED ME OR MY FRIENDS THAT HAVE APPLIED WITH THEM THEY SUCK. I'LL TELL YOU WHICH COMPANIES SUCK, APPLE ONE, LABCORP, AND MANPOWER! THESE ARE THE THREE THAT ARE VERY HORRIBLE STAFFING AGENCIES. LIKE THEY SAY, SEND YOUR RESUME AND BE IGNORED..FOREALS! YOU WILL BE IGNORED! GOSH MANPOWER, STOP SENDING ADVERTISEMENTS TO THOSE WHO NEED JOBS~! YOU GUYS ARE MISSING OUT ON THE BEST PEOPLE TO WORK FOR YOU. SO PLEASE GET OFF THIS LIST. YOU GUYS SUCK AND PLEASE "GO TO ****." STOP LYING TO PEOPLE.

Oh! that is funny because that is all I do is call people that send me thier resume. Most people I find just send thier resume for everything that is on the web. They do not read where or what the job is. So I always respond to everyone though and let them know that either it isnt in there area or they are not quailified.

Margaret Fong said: I was laid off about 6 yrs ago, after 18 yrs w/company. Since then, most of my jobs have been temp or temp to hire positions. For all but one, the job time ended, I found something better, or laid off.
Revamp resume with specific points with main focus in the first 10 words. Use key words from other job descriptions. Recruiters, etc. search resumes with key words and only skim these, so make it easier to read.
KEY POINT: If you have your resume online, change a word or two each week and "refresh" it in their searches. Resumes with older dates probably will not show up.
My suggestion is this, register with plenty of agencies, update your resume with the "new skill". Yes, I said new skill. I'm not purporting to be a continuous temp'r, however, put a positive spin on these assignments. Don't be classed as a job jumper. If you were laid off, that's the truth. However, in interview, say that temping is a way that you have been able to learn new skills. When temping, try to see if you can learn any online courses. You'd be amazed how much you can learn during a lunch time.
Or, you can use MS's free classes
office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/default.aspx
or google for "free tutorials" in whatever.
Even if it's for 30-45 minutes a few days a week. You're improving yourself. Good luck.
I already know all the Ms Applications. the problem is that most of the clients want me to use it in a work setting. If I never used it in my experience, how can I nail the interview. Eventually something will come up.

Knowing it and using it are two different things. The only way I can get a job is to find an employer who wants to give me a chance to be there for a year. I only have 6 months working at a bank and before that I was in school and in the retail industry which isn't my field. So, who would give me a chance to prove myself in the clerical field. That is all I am qualified to do.

I understand what you are saying. Try to take temp to perm positions and get the experience. You just have to learn how to sell your skills the best you can.

Talk with recruiters and get their input. Not all will be receptive to helping, so, just have to keep trying. I know that's a pain.
BOTTOM LINE: Believe in yourself first, and other will to.
I'm not a Pollyanna type, this sounds minial, but, it does work.

SS said: Oh! that is funny because that is all I do is call people that send me thier resume. Most people I find just send thier resume for everything that is on the web. They do not read where or what the job is. So I always respond to everyone though and let them know that either it isnt in there area or they are not quailified.

I admire your that you do follow ups. However, check your grammar lately? Don't mean to be too harsh, but, come on.
I guess the 20/80 rule applies both ways. I've had 8 toads for every good recruiter I've worked with.

I would recommend to apply everybody to www.bbb.org (Better Business Bureau) to punish this company officially

I agree, but, what do you suggest the "charge" be? Bad business practices, bait and switch? Unless I've actually paid for some type of service, what can I proceed with?

I can only speak for the temp agencies in West Michigan. I've been treated well by Manpower (who have never failed to follow up) and K-Force, and consider them to be more "professional" than their competition in this area. I've also been treated poorly by Robert Half and Accountemps, despite being well qualified. I have a low opinion of their local offices, as well as some others that have failed to follow up as promised.

My advice is to try several agencies. Seek to find someone you "click" with. Avoid or dump the ones that fail to provide follow-ups and professional courtesy, and don't let their failures influence the way you might treat the others.

I have one contact at a temp agencythat stands out above the others. We seemed to get along quite well in our initial interview. I followed up with a snail mail thank you letter, and I believe that can make a difference.

Why not consider starting your own company or getting your own website or something like that? That will totally put you in a position to gain experience and be employable in future either self-employed or otherwise!

Andrew Hamilton
Videographers Las Vegas
www.hiproductions.com

Michigan jobhunter said: I can only speak for the temp agencies in West Michigan. I've been treated well by Manpower ..I have one contact at a temp agencythat stands out above the others. We seemed to get along quite well in our initial interview. I followed up with a snail mail thank you letter, and I believe that can make a difference.

I agree with you and glad to see someone else has written this. I have worked with Manpower about 4 times over the past 5 years. Only in the last 1.5 years have I had success with two recruiters. Also, I had to upgrade my resume and attitude a bit. Comes with maturity I guess.

Please, if recruiters are the ones that have the job leads, just like any other job - you can find a way to work with them. OR, find another agency.

Keep your head up and faith in yourself.

Marilyn said: YOU WILL NEVER HEAR FROM ANY OF THESE FOLKS. MANPOWER IS NOTHING BUT A WASTE OF TIME, I GUARANTEE YOU. I'VE SENT MY RESUME TO THEM PROLLY LIKE 1000 TIMES ALREADY, LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR BEFORE LAST YEAR...AND SO ON...THEY HAVE NEVER "EVER" CONTACTED ME OR MY FRIENDS THAT HAVE APPLIED WITH THEM THEY SUCK. I'LL TELL YOU WHICH COMPANIES SUCK, APPLE ONE, LABCORP, AND MANPOWER! THESE ARE THE THREE THAT ARE VERY HORRIBLE STAFFING AGENCIES. LIKE THEY SAY, SEND YOUR RESUME AND BE IGNORED..FOREALS! YOU WILL BE IGNORED! GOSH MANPOWER, STOP SENDING ADVERTISEMENTS TO THOSE WHO NEED JOBS~! YOU GUYS ARE MISSING OUT ON THE BEST PEOPLE TO WORK FOR YOU. SO PLEASE GET OFF THIS LIST. YOU GUYS SUCK AND PLEASE "GO TO HELL." STOP LYING TO PEOPLE.

. If you had any professionalism about yourself you wouldn't bad mouth a company. The issue is not Manpower or any other staffing firm, It's probably you. If you are a qualified person than you will be contacted. Stop blaiming someone else for your down falls. Oh by the way I was placed the first time I sat foot in the door. 65K

Qualified said: . If you had any professionalism about yourself you wouldn't bad mouth a company. The issue is not Manpower or any other staffing firm, It's probably you. If you are a qualified person than you will be contacted. Stop blaiming someone else for your down falls. Oh by the way I was placed the first time I sat foot in the door. 65K

Qualified? Right. With which personality this week?

We have every right to state our opinions here. As I've stated before, the seeker has to be proactive with as many contacts as possible.

To Qualified:
My question is, how were you placed with such botched grammar? I don't believe that you got that 65K job with your skills. Get back to RHI.

Hi Fuquay-Varina,

I live in Garner, NC and I have been reading all your job-search advice closely. I have been trying to find a position in Raleigh since January. I have interviewed with Manpower, Aerotek, Frankel Staffing, Kelly, and Today's Staffing and I have had no luck so far. I am surprised how low the positions pay in Raleigh, it is almost insulting the salaries I've been offered for 16 years experience and a college degree. I turned down a few opportunities because I didn't feel they were a good fit, so now I'm black-listed at a few of the agencies as they won't return my calls or e-mail. I use to teach Word, Excel and PowerPoint to colleagues. I have found the skills tests to be very different at all the different agencies---some I scored master and expert, others I did so poorly I cried. Can you tell me which agency in the Raleigh area was the most helpful to you? I'm starting to get very frustrated. Thanks.

I understand your frustration. You just have to keep calling agencies and find which ones you're comfortable with. Everyone is different. I enjoyed my contacts with Manpower - very much.

As in any endeavor, you will just have to keep trying. I used google for agencies, narrowed by distance to house - and just kept calling, interviewing, and testing. After meeting over 20, I found some that I really liked. I hesitate to recommend anyone in particular, not to be selfish, but everyone must decide what is suited for them. By the same token, I hesitate to decline some. There are two that I have called and told them to destroy my application; one was interview with an absolute WRONG job/WRONG person, wanted to pay one person/3 jobs. Another was-no trust. Left SS cards on desks and told me maximum rate was $12/hr. This is no where near level of job I was looking for.
Points:
1) Look at monster's and Indeed web sites. They have great tips for resume, interviewing, etc. Take some time to review their info. Get some confidence, fine tune resume and interviewing skills. Find out your “rights”, what is expected of interviewee.
2) Look at their web sites for openings to see if they match your interests.
3) Make a list of agencies to call (I have mine on excel sheet) call, and get a feel for them.
4) Call as many as you can in a day and find out what you need to meet with them: testing, resume, references, etc. Limit: 3 interviews/day.
NOTE: Give them minimum info as possible. If they ask for SS#, ask them if they really need that now. ALSO, be sure that they aren't doing a credit check on you only if there is offer for job. DO NOT complete applications @ company, the agency is your employer. You don't need to share personal info past agency.
5) Before interview, get name of company and research.
ALWAYS believe in yourself and keep positive attitude. Pitty parties are limited to 7 mins/day.
Good luck.

Just Me in Fuquay Varina, North Carolina said: I understand your frustration. You just have to keep calling agencies and find which ones you're comfortable with. Everyone is different. I enjoyed my contacts with Manpower - very much.

As in any endeavor, you will just have to keep trying. I used google for agencies, narrowed by distance to house - and just kept calling, interviewing, and testing. After meeting over 20, I found some that I really liked.

I am dismayed to see how there seems to be no "new" comments in many of the Indeed.com pages. Can anyone enlighten me on this? I still go with the comments above, 2 yrs later.

I was actually a very happy Manpower employee at one time. I got great assignments and told everyone about the personal service and attention despite the fact that it is such a large company. I got three great jobs through Manpower.

After several years with a company that didn't make it through the financial crisis, I returned to my Manpower office this year (Raleigh). Everything's changed. The receptionist, while polite, turns everyone away with a sheet of paper that contains the company's website information (like I didn't know that). I was shocked that I could not meet with even an intake coordinator, let alone a staffing representative. NO PERSONAL SERVICE WHATSOEVER.

Despite the fact that I have a great track record with the company (three merit increases and one case where I was hired by the client company), I am being completely ignored. My skills haven't been tested, I haven't received even one phone call or email just saying, "welcome back." Nothing. NADA. ZILCH.

I used to refer people to this organization. Now all I can do is tell them to stay away unless they like the sound of total silence.

Telling everyone who big and important Manpower is -- that's not impressive. That's an excuse, Mr. Spock. It's not going to win the company any friends or understanding. To me, it says that the company has gotten to be what my country cousins call "too big for its britches." This company was built by people who recognized that today's employee might just be tomorrow's employer, and that everyone has friends who want to know how things are going at Manpower. All I can tell them now is "DON'T CALL MANPOWER." Whether they are looking for workers or for work, that's what I tell them.

Manpower today is a complete and total disgrace. I was once so proud to put "Manpower Professional" on my resume. Now, I'm going to change the verbiage to "contract assignments."