[robojester]

Hey Gang,
Anyone use one?
What were the results? For example did you get hired on with a company. What kind of work did they offer.
Bennies or perks?

Thanks,

RoboJester

[longton52]

In my previous life here, in 2000, I had GREAT success with temp agencies ... constant assignments and a job offer at each position. But this time around was an entirely different experience. The way agencies operate is disgraceful. This is the typical experience I've had with several agencies :

I send my resume. The recruiter is SOOOO excited to meet with me. We have a great interview. The recruiter likes my resume and accounting experience and says " You're an ideal candidate. I have several jobs you would be perfect for. Would you be ok with a long-term assignment at a major resort? We have several temps out there and you would be a perfect addition. How soon could you start? I'll call you later today with the details. " They don't call that afternoon or the next day. I call and inquire. They say " I haven't heard back from their HR yet, maybe later today. But if that doesn't pan out, I have several other positions. So stay in touch." Never hear another word from them. For a few months I report in weekly to state my availability, but nothing comes of it.

This has been the same scenario at several agencies. It's bizarre. Their lobbies are always full of applicants, they post positions on-line to attract more applicants, but there doesn't seem to be any work. I guess they have to justify their own jobs so they just keep on interviewing. But it's almost cruel the way they lead you on. They should just say "we don't have any work:.

I finally gave up. Now I just do temp work at conventions .... the conventions are a lot of fun. Lousy pay and infrequent hours but thankfully I don't count on a paycheck to pay my bills.

[jjameson922]

Are you by any chance a senior?

[Kay Effzee]

Used one in 2009, been where they placed me since then!

[MovingtoLVinAugust]

Just something to keep in mind if you get called by a temp agency for a casino/resort job...

My wife first applied for Wynn (and some other resorts in town). She also applied at a temp agency.

The lady from the temp agency called & was very interested in placing her in a position at a casino/resort UNTIL she found out my wife had already applied for other resort/casino jobs. Apparently the contract between the temp agency & Wynn doesn't allow for the agency to send over candidates IF the candidate has applied at ANY other resort/casino recently (recently being defined as the past 6 months)

[von949]

Your experience with a temp agency will depend on the contracts they have with other companies looking to hire. I had a brief experience with a temp agency a couple of months ago. I applied for a job, didn't know that it was a temp agency in disguise, and they responded right away. The pay was good, company was good but I didn't like the shift. The temp agency tried to negotiate with the company to change the shift. Temp angency REALLY wanted me to accept the position but I couldnt. They called, e-mailed and text a few more times until they realized I wasn't going to accept the position. I was also asked if I had any prior service friends with similar skills that were interested in the position.

That's when I went to the horse's mouth(website of the company hiring) to figure out why this temp agency was so eager to fill these positions. I found this on their website. There was no mention of this to me at all so I assume the temp agency would receive this for every position they could fill.

[swagger]

Oh, you're asking from the other side of the table.

We used a temp agency for some bookkeeping work.

The first person was good - until she asked for a raise (on a temp contract) on a Monday that she called in sick, after also calling in on the previous Friday.

Called in for a replacement and the person they sent (this is the person they initially recommended) was CLUELESS. We used her for a while anyway, teaching her stuff she should have already known (e.g. what the general ledger is.. ) until she just stopped showing up. We ended the relationship with the temp agency at that point.

So my experience with a temp agency was not very pleasant. It's unlikely I'll use one again unless it's for something that's completely mindless and requires no thought or decision making.

[kespen]

I think you have to follow up with your contact every day or at least every other day. Otherwise they interview you and give you false hopes, then you never hear from them again. And if you're over 40, forget it. They toss your resume in the trash when you're halfway out the door.