Temp Agencies

You let yourself be decieved.

You don't have a job until you are working it. Why people stop the job search when they have been "hired" by an agency but given no immediate assignments is beyond me.

I have been told by employers all the time outside of temping that "Oh well, we are going to hire you! Love your resume. Got to talk to my boss/HR manager about it first though. Blah, blah, blah." Then a week later, it is some excuse like budget cuts, internal hire with seniority, decided we didn't need this position after all, X decided not to leave the company, etc. If you think this kind of crap is limited to temping, you are dead wrong. If an agency says a job fell through, well, maybe it did. Who knows. Companies outside temping are just as full of crap as agencies are when it comes to hiring.

I never, ever stop looking for a job until the first day on the job where I am making cold, hard cash. Not a minute sooner.

I also think it is arrogant of some of you to think that just because you think you are the most qualified for a position makes you the only person who will ever apply that is qualified for that position. It is the internet people. 80 other people may read that posting and think "WOW, perfect. I am fully qualified!" and send off their resume.

If you don't get a call from a company, screw them, their loss, keep looking. I sent out around 70 resumes my last search for a perm position. Of that, only around 15 called back for interviews. Only 7 of those were jobs I was still interested in taking after the interview. I had only 4 offers after that. You have to have a thick skin to play the game.

anonymous in Richardson, Texas said: YES, YES, YES!!!! The other clue is when you go in and they say: "call us to check in" (because they know that they won't bother messing with you!!!!)

I know what you mean ... I mean they only talk to about 300 people a day...so I would have to agree that following up on your own is alot to ask.. i mean they do owe you something you know.... Heaven forbid that you have to make an effort to get a job these days.....
SOLUTION: FIND YOUR OWN JOB

christina in Englishtown, New Jersey said: Temp agencies are ridiculous. I went to one, took the test, scored high and they sent me on one interview. I ended up not getting the job, but they never sent me on another one! I called back regularly and got nothing. So my advice to people? Don't go to temp agencies.

they probably got bad feedback on you....

Down with Office Team!!!!!!!

Well, this is ridiculous, I did get off my duff last week, had an interview for a job with the state as a claims processor in Family Court; it looks really good. I think I am going to land this job since I worked for the state but another agency for four years, and always got glowing reports from all my managers.

Yep, Office Team lies all the time - they advertise tons of jobs (one day approximately 65), and then, lo and behold, when I called about a specific job they said, oh, those are anticipated jobs. Don't waste your time signing up wtih them. THEY ARE A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME

That is not the truth... They are a temp agency, so they have a sense of urgency to get people to work. When a job comes in...they fill it. It like employee leasing. Do you understand that?

I think that people on here do want to work. Why call them names? You don't know their situations in life. Using temp agencies doesn't make anyone on here a loser. As long as people on here want to do something with their lives, they are not losers. And I'm sure there is a variety of body sizes among this board's users, so why bring that into it?

I know it may seem as though going through a temp agency is, in a way, having others look for jobs for you. But, I'm sure all of us on here are smart enough to do our own job searching to go along with the use of temp agencies. So it isn't right to assume that people on this message board are just sitting back and waiting for a phone call from some temp agency.

It seems that the problem is more with the temp agencies. How else do you explain multiple temp workers having the same problems, either with the same temp agency (sometimes even the same location) or with every temp agency they've been to?

Constantly placing people in the wrong types of jobs...recruiters I have dealt with seem only concerned with their commission, not their lack of ability to place people in jobs related to their education that cost a great deal of money, by the way. How hard is it for a recruiter to understand that you don't want (for example) a secretarial job, because your background is accounting? Or you don't want accounting, you want a legal assistant position. If the recruiter is going to constantly ignore what's on your resume, then they are in the wrong.

You'd rather have something that reflects a costly education, right? Let's not forget the lack of benefits, unless you are lucky enough to find 1200+ hours of work straight through with the same agency.

So I think there are some good reasons for the complaints about temp agencies in general.

Teresa in Gilbert, Arizona said: I applied to about 5 temp agencies when I first arrived in Arizona...They never had any of the jobs they advertised, don't rag on Office Team, they are just like every other temp agency..full of crap!

Well, I have only ever applied to one temp agency and I can say they are awesome. I have refered over 10 people to them and all ten and myself have regular jobs all the time. We usually get paid around $8.00/hour, but once in a while, they'll send me to a job that pays as much as $15.00/hour. And the people at the staffing agency are awesome. They always make sure you are happy with your job. I did walk out on one job, but it wasn't because of the agency, it was the work environment and the agency sent me out that next day to a $12/hour paying job. So, not all agencies are bad. I am always going into their office when I have a few extra minutes to see if they have jobs. You have to do that. Most agencies have waaaay too many people in their database to contact every body every single day. But, my agency is good, they knew me by first name basis the second time I walked in there. :)

Ram Man said: Cast my vote to put temp agencies in the "worthless" category.
Some, not all, of the people that work at these agencies must have very little incentive to actually place people in jobs. I think its comparable to HR departments within corporations-most of the people have infinite job security with very little incentive to do much of anything. Its definitely not like SALES, where you must excel constantly or else you will be fired!!!

Ram Man, you have NO idea what you are talking about.

Yah, went with 8 Chicagland agencies. Spent alot of time traveling and taking tests. The only job I got was about 22 hrs, and nothing since. So I starting making cold call, and have gotten a few responses. You are correct, you cant give up, but it sure is wearing on me.........
I need encouragement every day........

Michele in San Antonio, Texas said: Using a temp agency is a hit or miss at times. I have worked for several temp agencies during my 20 years of working off and on during times of unemployment. Some of the assignments (all clerical in nature) I was placed to were in positions that were hard to fill because there was a problem with the work environment at the job site. My previous employer used a temp agency because they did not know how to screen applicants. They only used this method for their in house staff. I have worked for about 5 different temp staffing agencies during my work life. Sometimes I did not hear from them after applying and taking their tests and interviewing with them. Others, I worked for did send me out on assignments right away, but the jobs environments were "different" to say the least. My last one, I had to quit because the manager was "a nut case" who seemed to have several personalaties. Of course the temp agency was not happy that I quit. I found out later that as many as 5 people had left that same position during a six month period. Things have changed alot for the job seeker these days. Long ago, in the 80's (ha,ha) you could actually apply in person and get an interview. Not so anymore, it's online applications, telephone interviews, group interviews, etc. A person has to have the "right" key words on their online application or be deleted, I guess. I wish I had the answers. I am just another person, looking for work. Best luck to us all.

I SO understand about the nutcases, and why some companies must rely solely on agencies to fill those spots. I once worked as a temp for an outfit in Florida. The boss/owner was a hound! He'd hover over my desk & one day grabbed my chin in his hand and held me there while he was flirting. A few days later I arrived to hear him- enraged and screaming bloody murder at his CFO, saying he was going to kill him. I ran back down the stairs, went home and called the police. Oh, then I quit

[I'm just wondering why you stay with Office Team if you have only had one interview in 10 years. Are they paying you to stay on without work? I'm just in my beginning stage of research on this company to see if I should apply for work.

QUOTE who="anonymous in Monterey Park, California"]I have been registered with Office Team for about 10 years now. Tested extremely well - however, they only sent me out on one interview. I agree with you 100%!

So my advice to people? Don't go to temp agencies.

You are 100% orrect! Do NOT waste your time going to temp agencies. You are nothing but 1 out of 1,000 or so! Here's some great advice:

1. apply directly to companies on their websites or however they accept resumes
2. FOLLOW UP. DO NOT WAIT FOR THEM TO CALL YOU! They have 100 resumes to go through! Call the hiring person after you've sent your resume. Find their name thru their website or by asking questions. There are lots of ways to find this information out -- ask the receptionst.

(Even if they don't allow you to talk to them, your call will most likely be noticed AND they may call you back! You are separating yourself from the other candidates who didn't show the same initiative!)

Sandra J. Earley said: I turned 54 yesterday. I totally agree that we 50ish people are being discriminated against. The only jobs I am offerred are the ones that I don't want (low pay, no health insurance). Seems like the only good ones that come my way are the people who find ME online. Perhaps I hould not send out any further resumes and let them come to me. Will that work?

I'm 47 but I've really never felt that I have been 'discriminated' against. I think employers look for ENERGY level -- not age so much. Once maybe I felt that way, but I didn't want to work with a bunch of 20-somethings anyway!!! :)

Informed in Saint Petersburg, Florida said: they probably got bad feedback on you....

How much feedback could be from one interview???

That is very good advice! I have found one agency that is really hanging in there with me, though, and that is Helpmates. The recruiter has sent me on several interviews and is continuing to keep an eye out for me. My experience with most other agencies is that if they do send you out on an interview and you don't get that job, you don't hear from them again.

marilyn in Van Nuys, California said: I don't think it has anything to do with age (or maybe it does)... I'm starting to doubt myself and blame it on racism, ageism, fatism, etc. all types of things, but the TRUTH. The "truth" being that to get a permanent job nowadays you need to have "connections". I thought it was just an LA thing, but it seems to have spread across the country.

Marilyn, this is off-topic for the post but my heart went out to you after reading this. Try registering with Select at their downtown office. Don't pay for parking take the Red Line to 7th and Metro they're only a couple blocks away. The recruiters are wonderful mature people who've been with the company for years and they place "our people" I did have to interview at the job, but it was so worth it and the company wanted to hire me, even to pay the agency fee. I've decided to move from LA or I'd take the offer.

This is ridiculous in Phoenix, Arizona said: Why don't you get off your fat ass and find your own job. How much time do you spend on this website writing nasty comments about agencies. Quit your complaining and go look for work.

You must work for Office Team! Ha-ha-ha-ha!!!

There are many websites that offer employment services some are better
than others. The problem that prevails most often is that once a job seeker
applies for a job online they have a greater chance at being struck by a meteorite than getting an actual interview. Staffing agencies typically exploit and abuse job seekers at the most vulnerable times in their lives. There is such a massive reserve of available bodies that people are no more valued than cattle. Of the staffing agencies who rank worst in their treatment of people Aerotek is by far the worst offender. One job seeker told me of his experience applying at Flextronics in Louisville Kentucky. When I went to the door the security officer handed me an application and told me that I had to fill it out in my car. It was raining and cold that day, and I had a terrible time going from the car to the reception area. I felt as though I were a thief trying to steal something. When I did get an interview I was almost not called, really! It was as if nobody noticed I was there. When I spoke up I was interviewed and told to return in two days. When I returned I went for a drug test and was told that a background check would be done. At that time I checked on the disclosure that I had a disability. The following Monday I was called by a colleague who was in the same group with me who asked what had happened. I told him that I wasn’t called. After calling Aerotek I was told that my background check had taken longer that everyone else’s and it wasn’t known when I would get to start work. I knew this was a lie, but I didn’t say anything. Later that week I called the recruiter who said that I had called too many times and that I was rude, and would not be hired. I knew then that my disability disclosure had doomed my chances to get a job. If you want to be treated like a person, avoid Aerotek. These people are cold heartless and don’t care if you die so long as they make money.

I recently went with a temp agency-for exactly two weeks. The problem with the agency was not a lack of work, there was plenty of work-at different places every few days. The rate I was being paid was a joke (about $14 an hour when my previous permanent job paid a little more than double that plus benefits) and the work was far below my skill level. What made it even worse was that these companies that I was sent to weren't even looking for anyone, they just needed a temp for workers who were out sick for a few days, but the agency tried to convince me that this might result in a permanent job (yeah, right-not with what they had me doing). They had me working as a receptionist answering phones all day when I have over 16 years of HR experience. The HR position that I applied for (that brought me to the agency in the first place) was mysteriously "closed" (whatever that means) after I was told for over a week that they were going to get me an interview and that the employer was possibly looking to do a direct hire. All I can figure is that they don't have many HR jobs right now and they'd rather just farm me out to anyone who has a receptionist out sick and profit from the $25 or whatever they charge per hour. My overall impression was that they weren't trying to help me find a job at all and they were tying up my schedule with menial crap so that I wouldn't be able to go out there and apply for jobs myself. So, I quit after the second week. I figure I couldn't do any worse. I'd never worked for a temp agency before, and I never will again. The agency that I worked with had about as much integrity as the average pimp. I really think that those with significant skills and experience are better off managing their own job search-there are still many employers out there who don't use temp agencies. I suppose that if your unemployment benefits have run out and there's no other option to pay the bills, but short of that...

They are just filling jobs that come in. They don't care about the job seeker at all. They are not looking for a job that suits you at all -- One agency sent me (4 year degree, 15 years + experience) stuffing envelopes. They said "we have a job helping with a marketing campaign." Talk about pimping!

As you have probably heard, the job market stinks right now; maybe the kind of jobs that you are qualified for are not available. I was recently placed in a temporary job that was below my capacity, and while I didn't like it very much, I was grateful for the paycheck.

I understand that the job market is not good in many parts of the country. However, I am in the Washington DC area which has plenty of Administrative and HR positions, and this temp agency specializes in HR and Admin positions. There are more jobs out there than receptionist jobs, but this agency is only interested in paying me $14.25 and hour and billing the client $25 + an hour. As for simply being grateful to have a job, that's kind of difficult to do when the pay won't even cover the rent after taxes. But it doesn't really matter at this point, I've already lined up 2 interviews for permanent jobs in the few days since I left the temp agency, which is 2 more than they managed to line up for me... As I said before, based on my experience, I would avoid a temp agency like the plague unless it's an absolute last resort.

If it's a one or two day temp job, most people are better off using that time looking for a job than on something that will hardly cover paying the gas on the temp assignment. It's two days lost on looking for a real job.

Informed in Saint Petersburg, Florida said: My point exactly. FIND YOUR OWN JOB LOSERS!

you sound like a real prick! I would like to kick your butt!

Please google "Ameriplan scam" before you ever think of clicking the link of the spammer above this post.

Here's how the usual experienc with a temp agency will go:

You see an ad on craigslist, monster, career builder, etc. for a great job that sounds interesting and that you aren't under qualified for.

You send your resume to that job listing.

A temp agency will then call you and ask you things like what type of work you're looking for, full or part time, and then ask for you to come in for an interview and some testing.

You go in and take the tests and then interview. In the interview you'll be told about serveral "exciting opportunities" that you'd be "a great fit for." Notice, however, that they'll never actually mention the job that you originally applied for. Why? Cause it doesn't exist! Most of these agencies lure people in with promising them great jobs that they'd be perfect for, but notice how they rarely, if ever, actually mention a company name or what it is exactly you'll be doing.

Of course, at the end of the interview they'll tell you that they'll "be in touch." Meaning days and weeks will go by without you hearing from them until you call them only to be given a variety of excuses from "we're still waiting to hear back from the company" to "they decided they didn't need that position filled." They'll then tell you that you'll be put on the availability list...or as I like to call it the "don't call us, we'll call you" list.

So, yes, in short, they're a huge waste of time. Maybe you'll be incredibly lucky and actually get a job through one of them...for $10 an hour stuffing envelopes or some equally monotonous task.

I have to agree that temp agencies are lacking in scruples. I signed up with Office Team a short time ago and regret wasting my time and the money I spent to pay for parking since they didn't validate. The rep told me the assignment was customer service and only 20 minutes away. Turned out to be a call center that was nearly an hour away. Four days into the job I called to tell them I couldn't continue the assignment. I got voicemail (as usual). I left a message but no-one called me back. The next day I received a frantic message from someone else in the office asking me why I didn't go to work. Money hungry & DISORGANIZED.

I've registered with a couple of staffing agencies and they have never sent me on an interview. On my own I was able to get a lot more interviews... and eventually a job. If I ever find myself in a situation that I need a job, I think I would rather not go to a staffing agency. They post jobs that they don't really have and they get mad when you refuse some jobs that they suggest. It's very frustrating dealing with them...

I've been out of work since July, and I'm only going to go to the temp agencies that take all types of skills, as well as part-time work. I can only work part-time because I'm on Social Security Disability, and I cannot make more than $980 a month.

Agencies such as Randstad, Adecco, Careers USA, Spherion, Adjilon, and Kelly don't even deserve my business. Most of the jobs that they get are either high-level/executive-level secretaries/administrative assistants or any other type of high-level job where you have to have a college degree and/or years of experience in the field that they're recruiting for. Some of the other agencies are specialized in either finance, accounting, IT, paralegals, legal assistants, and attorneys. Talking about Robert Half, I don't even want to waste my time with them because they only hire for accounting and financial positions; and I am definitely not qualified to do this type of work.

Because I've had experience working in the call centers, I am looking for a part-time call center position, but I don't think any of these agencies have these type of positions. For example: I emailed my resume over to Office Team for an outbound calling poistion, but then they said it was full-time. Ditto for a similar position at another agency.

I had an appointment with Spherion on Friday, August 21, and they said that they don't usally get part-time positions in. Before I went home that day, I dropped off my resume at Randstad, and the only thing that they were hiring for were licensed insurance agents. Therefore, I contacted Adjilon, Adecco, and Spherion and told them to just simply withdraw my resume, and that I would instead go directly to the companies. When I called Adjilon, the girl that I spoke to there said that I had to be flexible in today's job market.

I sent Randstad a letter letting them know that I feel that posting non-existent job ads was misleading. Therefore, I am not wasting my time dealing with any of these agencies.

While I can appreciate Randstad’s search for excellence, I do have a problem with their approach. I was recently unemployed and advised that Randstad had jobs available. I registered online and submitted a resume. After speaking with a recruiter I was told that I had to undergo testing for any of their positions. Clearly my background is that of a manager.
I was given a set of tests for a clerical position. I am not a clerk typist. Consequently I was told that I must achieve a score of 80 per cent or better.
Nevertheless, I also underwent a battery of 155 personality questions and testing that took some 2 (two) hours. Once again, I was told to apply for any of their positions, I must submit to these tests.
After taking these tests, I was told that I did not achieve the appropriate scores. Oddly enough, I have been to other recruiters and taken other tests. I scored well above average on the other tests.
Suffice it to say, I was discarded like a piece of trash and told they only had clerical positions. Clearly on their website they listed managerial positions.
I am not the type of person that writes comments on forums, however I felt so strongly about this that I want everyone to know.
While taking these assessments, I was also privy to the interactions and conversations of the recruiters in the office. Not good. The recruiters traded sarcastic responses and very catty epithets with each other for the entire time. This was a store front operation which does demand the utmost decorum. Anyone could have walked in and heard this unprofessional banter.
In the future, I would not recommend Randstad. This is the Old Town Alexandria VA office. Their hiring practices and techniques are questionable. In addition, I will not use them for anything whatsoever.

I have noticed a lot of negative comments on temp agencies. I a programmer with a lot of experience, though not necessarily with the hottest new technologies. I worked for EDS for almost 15 years on and off (two different times, actually) in the 80s and 2000s. We moved to the Orlando area recently and I now find myself looking for a job. I have never used a temp agency. Should I avoid them entirely and stick to answering direct ads by IT companies? I don't really know anyone in the Orlando area that I can network with to find an inside link to a job, unfortunately.

Any suggestions?

Hammertail in Kissimmee, Florida said: I have noticed a lot of negative comments on temp agencies.
Any suggestions?

STOP - BREATHE, then proceed.
First of all, review the job postings and get an idea of what the key words, terms, etc. are in the postings and see if your resume' includes these terms. Do you have letters of recommendation? These can be better than contact names/numbers-in today's world, co-workers, bosses, etc. leave jobs, move, retire, deceased, etc.

Networking: Do you have a Linked In account? See about setting that up. Don't activate until you are comfortable with it.
Do you have a Facebook, Twitter, etc. account? If you do, review to see if there is anything you'd rather "your mother not read" or that are negative, etc.
Look @ Employment Security sites and see if there are any colleges, etc. that offer classes to help you with today's market. Last year I took a series of 6 classes (free to those unemployed). and got alot of good information from them. Updated resume, networked, and really helped with brining my spirits back. Others can give you feedback and really lift your spirits. The networking here can be invaluable.

Just keep in mind, there are also those sour pickles in classes, online, etc. - ignore them. You have to keep a positive outlook as you go forward.

Small Town near Big Town in Raleigh, North Carolina said:
Just keep in mind, there are also those sour pickles in classes, online, etc. - ignore them. You have to keep a positive outlook as you go forward.

Thank you for the input. My take on the whole recruiter issue is you will find incompetent individuals in that field, just like anywhere else. You just have to hope you don't run into them right out of the gate...

I have a Facebook account, a Twitter account, and a LinkedIn account. I have not posted anything negative that would sour my image in an interview, fortunately. I have long understood that the best way to get a job is via networking; the issue for me at this point is I do not know anyone in this area to network with.

Thanks for the idea about the classes as a possible in for networking. I hadn't thought of that.

Hammertail in Kissimmee, Florida said: Thank you for the input. My take on the whole recruiter issue is you will find incompetent individuals in that field, just like anywhere else. You just have to hope you don't run into them right out of the gate...

I have a Facebook account, a Twitter account, and a LinkedIn account. I have not posted anything negative that would sour my image in an interview, fortunately. I have long understood that the best way to get a job is via networking; the issue for me at this point is I do not know anyone in this area to network with.

Thanks for the idea about the classes as a possible in for networking. I hadn't thought of that.

I'd also check with community college to see if they have any info. Here, we have about 4 churches where people meet each week to network with their particular niche. One I attended had >150 people and the info was great. You introduce yourself, there's networking, resume', idea exchange classes, etc. Found out some folks used it as their weekly social, so, be it. However, I was only 1 of 2 admin's in the whole group. Three previous sr. level people did come talk with me and gave me encouragement. Also, met one other admin that I could help (she had no MS skills). So, things can go both ways. I'll be returning on weekly basis in about a month. You get what you give to yourself and others.

Tkx, keep your head up and keep the faith.

Paula said: I got a job today! I went through APR Consulting in Diamond Bar, CA. They are different - they truly care and they don't just take a bunch of people so it looks like they are busy. From what I know now, I would always look at the company website before applying with anyone - you might be able to tell empty promises from real ones! Nevah Nevah Nevah give up!

I thought the same APR was a great company.. WRONG!!! Not once but TWICE I trusted APR working for Kaiser..1st time assignment ended.. lack of work.. no warning .. 2nd I ask my recruiter I DO NOT want to be surprised with assignment ending no warning.. happened again 2.14.2012.. I passed up several full time PERM positions I was lied to. Now APR is holding up the background process for another job..Had the new girl NANCY laugh, she thought my situation was funny NOT.. Monica, VERY RUDE Christina Caldera, was too busy to either take time to respond back to the request for the documents requested. She was RUDE, UNPROFESSIONAL and a nasty person on the phone. I bet if one of her friends she would have submitted the info requested ASAP. If you ever get let go from a position no reason given don't expect APR to do anything for you. They could care less.. waiting to hear back from Ms. Stone assistant. will be contacting any and all I can (news stations, news papers, social sites, BBB)etc to inform of this horrid company and especially the employees