Employment-temp agencies About This Page:

[disneyknut]

Anyone have any experience with them? good ? bad? arecomendations ?

Since I quit my Summer job I am looking for something to fill that gap but don't want to really get into a long term commitment due to personal stuff going on .. so I thought a temp agency might be good.


Ds1, (18YO) might also be looking for something for the Summer before he goes off to college .. so I thought a temp agency might be good for him.. thoughts??

[KMB733]

After I got out of college and was having trouble finding a job, I went to a temp agency, filled out all the paper work along with my resume. I never heard from them. I even called them a fews times to let them know I would take anything they had available. Thankfully I found a job on my own. Now I've know others who got calls all the time for jobs.

Hopefully you'll have better luck than I did!

[HiddenMickey]

I used a temp agency (a local one) when I moved back here years ago. I was interviewed, took a typing test and filled out paperwork. My first job was found pretty quickly, working for a department at our dental school. Then my next job was working as a receptionist for where I currently work. That was a temp to perm job and after 10 weeks I was hired here. I've been working here for 22 years now (in various positions). So my experience was very good. Where I work used that same temp agency to fill several positions over time and also when I went on maternity leave one year. We thought they usually did a great job with placements (a couple people weren't all that though...but since they were temp, we could ask to have them replaced).

I think you should go for it.

[Teresa]

My DH used one years ago when he was laid off. He was given a position at a baby supply company, in their warehouse. He was hired on at the company after a 3 month probation, and was there until the warehouse closed. It was a great job!
The company ONLY hired through temp agencies.
SiL went to one and she was never used - but I think it probably has more to do with her than the company!

[JoanneS]

I've worked for a couple of temp agencies and have had good experiences. The most difficult part is not knowing when work might come in, but all the jobs I got from the agency were good. I think its definitely worth a shot.

[disneyknut]

Also, what are the general fees involved ( if any)?

[HiddenMickey]

The company I worked for did not place any fees on the worker (definitely look for one of these). The fees were paid by the employer. In my case, I was paid minimum wage (I think?, and whatever that was back then) and the company paid something like $10 a hour for me. That covered the Temp agencies overhead, the temp agency paid me, and took out the taxes required. I was paid on a weekly basis.

[JoanneS]

I didn't need to pay any fees whatsoever. I think the employer pays a fee. The rate of pay varied depending upon the assignment.

[Huntermom]

Many years ago, I used a temp agency to provide me with income after I graduated from college as well as during vacation periods during the school holidays. I always got work and always enjoyed the short term employment (from as little as a week and as long as until I left one job for a permanent position in social work which was a good 3-4 months)

Several times I was offered a job at the company I was temping with.

I have told my kids to look into temp work. I think it's a great option for short term work and it's nice to be able to turn down a job if you don't feel like working when you get called.
I never paid a fee and thought I was paid well for the work I did-mostly secretarial/clerical.

[MinnieMary]

I worked for Kelly Services during college, mostly on weekends doing food demos, etc. and then office jobs during the summer. I guess they liked me because they offered me a job when I graduated from college. So I started as a receptionist in their office and then moved up to Supervisor. I enjoyed working for them as a temp and as a permanent employee.

Generally if a company wanted to hire a temp as a permanent employee, there was a waiting period of 90 days, then they could hire you without a fee. At that time, there were no benefits for temps, but I think that has changed since then. It is a great idea to work temporary if you need flexibility in your schedule.

[llgmommy2]

I have used them and always had luck. Sign up with more than one temp company.

[Alex'sMummy]

When i needed a year's placement as part of my college degree i used an employment agency to find a job and found them very helpful. I would also register with several agencies as previous posters have said and hopefully you will get a good job that you like from one of them.

Good Luck.

Rachel

[Belle*]

I used to run a PrideStaff office placing administrative temps and temp-to-hire positions. Our employees did not pay us any fees but did have to pass an interview, reference check and pretty rigorous testing including typing, data entry, MS Office products and spelling and grammar. It can be a great way to try out different companies or find a short term position covering someones sick or maternity leave. A good agency (Kelly, Manpower, etc) should not charge you any fees. The more flexible you can be with your availability and hourly rate, the faster you will find a position.

[Lemap760]

When I was unemployed a few years ago I went to a temp agency. I too, went through all the paperwork and took all the computer tests and then....Nothing. I never heard a word from them. I tried following up a couple of times but still nothing. Sorry, I don't know what advice to give you.

[disneyknut]

Thanks everyone! I might have to look into it... While I love staying home & working from home.. I'm just at a point in my life where I need to 'get away' but don't want to make a long term commitment...

Will keep you posted..