Temp Agencies

[jiacinto]

I have an appointment with one tommorow. Can they get me a job licking envelopes or doing receptionist work? What should I expect?

Anyway, on a good note, I did get an offer at the dept store. But they only wanted me for nights and weekends. They gave the FT job to someone else.

I guess that they gave it to the other person becuase they saw my degrees and realized that I would probably drop to part time when I found something better.

The good part is that this job, although it is seasonal and only part time, pays $1.50 more than my last dept store job.

[liberalhistorian]

1. As far as I'm concerned, temp agencies are a joke and a

rip-off. When I was out of work, I registered with every one of them I could find, especially the legal staffing agencies, and either never got a damn thing from any of them, or they offered me shit like minimum-wage part-time stuff 50 or more miles from home, so that I'd be working just to pay for the fucking gas.

A temp agency's loyalty, first and foremost, is to their client, and NOT to you. They will take the employer's side more often than not, and not care if they treat you like shit. Also, keep in mind that they are being paid far more per hour for your work than you are. For instance, if you're being paid ten bucks an hour, they are probably being paid around 18 bucks an hour for your work. That, frankly, is a total rip-off. If a company is willing to pay a temp agency 18 bucks an hour for your work, they should be willing to pay you that much!

[jiacinto]

2. Yeah

But I need a job. And if they can get me into a min wage position for the short term that's fine with me. I just need to start earning money soon.

[laconicsax]

15. I registered with one this past summer

They asked me how far I'd be willing to commute (the exact question was, "do you only want to stay on the Eastside, or is Seattle ok too?").

I wound up working for Costco Membership Processing for a few weeks. I only made $10 an hour for an 8 hour day, and although the job was the most tedious, mind numbing activity ever, I was grateful for the $400 a week (before taxes), especially since I was doing work that a well-trained monkey could have done.

The way I see it, being paid less than regular employees for a few weeks at a time is better than being unemployed all together.

[Occulus]

33. or, in other words,

"be glad you have a job". I HATE that attitude.

My take is, "Be glad I'm WILLING to work for you."

[ploppy]

21. It's too bad

you feel that way and you had a bad experience. Not all temp agencies are bad, a rip off, or treat their employees like shit. Just like not all law firms.

[eyesroll]

3. I'm not sure what the temp opportunities are in your area...

But when I applied to temp, they had me fill out a form listing my skills and experience, and then had me take typing, data-entry and MS Word tests.
I got mostly data-entry and receptionist jobs after that (two days to a few weeks in duration).

A hint for the Word test: When I took it, it prompted me to "correct the spelling in the following passage." Let's just say the passage was, "She enjoys arobic exercise." I highlighted "arobic," deleted it, and typed in, "aerobic." It marked me wrong. (It wanted me to use the spell check. In other words, it penalized me for knowing how to spell.)

Good luck!

[jiacinto]

8. Thanks

I hate those tests. They really fucked me over when I took them once. I know how to use those programs but I can't do well on the test.

[indigo32]

4. I have found them very useful

It's true sometimes they don't have any work (I wouldn't know what it is like there and now, it's been a while)... and the work they do have mostly sucks... BUT
I've gotten more than one good permanent job by showing what I could do as a temp and/or contractor. Its easy networking.

[Aristus]

5. Temp Agencies exist for skilled workers, as well.

Dental Hygienists, Accountants, etc. They are a terrific resource for recent skilled graduates who want to 'test the waters' before commiting to a job, or who need a paycheck between permanent positions. Temp agencies can be good things. It's all in how you look at it.

[liberalhistorian]

9. I don't know what "skilled" agencies you're

referring to, but in my area (Northeast Ohio), I registered with every single legal staffing temp agency around, about ten, and NEVER got ONE SINGLE DAMN JOB from them. And I had a B.A. in addition to my paralegal certificate, excellent internship recommendation and writing and research samples and references. NOT ONE DAMN JOB! And I know plenty of others with the same story. So they're useless, as far as I'm concerned.

[Aristus]

14. There is an agency around here called

Dental Connections. It is for Dental Hygienists, Dental Assistants, and for Dentists, as well. (Not every dentist owns his own practice; some work for offices as simple employees.) They treated my wife wonderfully when she was between permanent positions. They really came through, and my hat is off to them.

[jiacinto]

10. Well

I am just out of grad school. I had to move to FL for a job that didn't work out becaues of several issues. Anyway I am trying to find my first "real job" but I do have an MA and a BA. So I am caught in a gray area.

[HereSince1628]

6. Good luck n/t

,

[jono]

7. I had a really good experience

when I went to the temp agency, but I think perhaps I just got really lucky. I went and took the proficiency tests, then had to wait a week or two to get work (which was the hardest part, since I had already been out of work for several weeks and rent was coming due). But I got placed in a temp-to-hire position and got hired about a month later. I've been with this company ever since.

[jiacinto]

39. Ok

What agency did you work with?

[Terran]

11. I worked for Man Power

during two different periods after I moved to Missouri, back in '94 and '95. The pay isn't great, but it does give you good contact with the organizations that they assign you to, and that is invaluable. And given that you're fresh out of grad school, Carlos, you could probably use some work experience doing office stuff. I got a lot of that from my Man Power assignments and it has proven very useful over the years. Knowing how to write a proper business letter is important.

[demnan]

12. You can have good and bad experiences, just like in anything else

I actually got my first tech job through a temp agency. They were really good. When I told them I wanted to transition out of secretarial and into technical they helped me. This was about 11 years ago.

A temp agency can be a godsend between jobs when you just want to work and your self esteem is low. Also if you have a variety of skills make these skills known to the agency and tell them what you'd really like to do. Perhaps they can help you.

At any rate, you will be out in the working world, and any contact might be the next one that can help you find that permanent job you want. (Even if it's through someone in the office who's husband's/daughter's/friend's company needs someone with your skills.)

They will probably test you depending on the type of job applied for. Usually they give either a straight typing test and grammar test. I have taken as well tests on my knowledge of Microsoft Word, for instance.

Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!! :loveya: I'm rooting for you.

[jiacinto]

13. Thanks

I just want a job right now, anything to bring in money.

[RebelOne]

16. I have had good luck with temp agencies

When I was laid off in 1993, I registered with Norrell here in the Atlanta area. They kept me working on a pretty steady basis. And I made much more than minimum wage, about $10 an hour, which wasn't too bad 10 years ago. But you definitely will have to take tests on computer skills if you are looking for office work.

[jiacinto]

17. Ok

I have used computers my whole life so I should be able to at least do enough to convince them.

[ploppy]

20. You may

want to try a local temp company. They tend to be more interested in the entire placement. It can be a great experience, can lead to a full time job and expose you to new work environments.

[Robb]

18. If it were me

...and it has been, I'd go work in a restaurant nights. Waiting tables takes personality and organization. Show up with those things and you'll fly. Plus, while you're looking for the "real job" you have your days free, and lots of cash -- to say nothing of employee meals! :)

[jiacinto]

19. Yeah

But I'm 25 and have no waitering experience.

[Robb]

22. Neither did I

And I was about the same age.

Just pick out five restaurants nearby that you think have good food. Stop by each one between 10 and 2 (go around back) and tell them you have no experience, but are willing to learn and can pay attention, follow directions, good at people banter, and such.

Fill out an application. You'll be working by the weekend, I'd bet.

[jiacinto]

23. I'll think about it

nt

[Heddi]

31. You'll think about it?

You're out of a job, right? You have no money, right? You have shitloads of student loan bills and utilities and rent, right?

What's there to think about?

Take the jobs that are out there---you're in no position to jockey for the 'greatest job in the world'---take the damn restaurant jobs that are out there. You'll make MORE money than you would temping--I ASSURE You of that. When I was a waitress (unskilled, never waitered before in my life), I brought home TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS A NIGHT on friday and saturday nights--OFF SEASON!

During 'tourist season' I could easly bring home $400 a night on weekends. Weeknights during tourist season would be an easy $150 - $200.

Weeknights during 'off season' would be between $80-$135---FAR MORE than I would make sitting at a desk pushing papers. I cleared MORE than my husband did, who had a BA and worked in a nice cushy office.

Do it.-- PLUS---- you get free food, so your grocery bill is less than it would be if you were working in an office or non-restaurant environment.

ALSO---since you'll be working mostly nights, you'll have the entire day free to look for other jobs, go on interviews, etc---a luxury that is NOT afforded with other jobs--temp or perm.

[jiacinto]

37. I already have a night/weekend job at a Dept store

that is starting next week.

[jburton]

27. hmmm...

This is a different economy. Lots of people filling out applications for a single position.

[Robb]

30. You're right, but

Educated people often feel waiting tables is "beneath them". A restaurant (to my experience) is less likely to be concerned about "overqualified" candidates -- they just want someone who can do the job well, with as little training as possible.

My chef and I are still good friends, and it's still the same. Turnover in restaurants is high anyhow; the six months or a year you get out of a college graduate (who makes a dang fine waiter) is something you feel grateful for as a restaurant owner.

The only trouble with waiting tables is there's no "future" in it. The money in your second week is about the same as what you'll be seeing in two years, all things being equal. But I think it's a better stopgap than temping -- I know I had a lot more fun, and made better money, and learned some stuff about food I would never have known if I had kept licking envelopes.

Different strokes, of course. :)

[Bridget Burke]

24. I've worked temp & I've worked in food service....

I'd pick temping.

This was years ago in Houston, but I was never out of work. The jobs varied widely--the worst was really boring, but that's do-able for a couple of weeks.

Basically, it got me out of the house & paid the rent. Got several job offers, took the last one & am still here, 15 years later.

[Interrobang]

25. What I've learned about temp agencies...

...is that you have to call them every few days or so (3-4 days is about right, or say 2x/week) to remind them that you're still looking. If you don't get aggressive with them, they'll either a) forget about you, or b) assume you've found another job. If you're polite and friendly and KEEP CALLING they'll eventually put you on something if only to shut you up (and because you sound like you're polite, friendly, and eager to work).

[Barad Simith]

26. One thing you need to know before you start!

I used to work at several temp agencies. You need to know this before you start:

Their 'clients' (i.e., the employers you'll be assigned to) are not, for all practical purposes, bound by state or federal labor laws.

Sure, they're technically (or, "legally") required to play by the rules. But they don't, and they get away with disregarding the rules they don't like.

The reason they get away with it is that they are never under obligation to call you back the next day. If they forbid you from taking your allotted breaks, for example, and you complain, they will undoubtedly tell the temp company to send someone else. (When your rep asks why, all they have to say is, "S/he isn't working out.")

So just remember to take the word temp literally.

By the way, many of the companies I was assigned to were ethical. Probably half of them. You may get lucky.

In fact, it can even be oddly exciting when you're assigned to one of the scoundrel companies - like taking a time machine back to the days before labor laws.

[RebelOne]

35. Guess I was lucky

I was assigned to big-name companies such as Campbell's Soup, Hitachi (sp. Japanese company) and others and never had a problem. The secret, I suppose, is to make sure you sign up with a reputable temp agency.

[jburton]

28. 50/50

When I temped it was hit or miss. Some positions were nice (usually long-term assignments when regular staff were on medical leave or something) and some were terrible.

It was better that not working at all.

Also, if the first position they offer you is a lame assignment for only a few days, take it anyway. Having a record with them will help--temping is a job where showing up on time is sometimes the only qualification they care about.

[Nikia]

29. A good way to get a job

I've worked through temp agencies before. They sometimes involve taking tests to prove your skills. Even if you think that you know Word and Excel, you might want to play with the programs a bit tonight because they ask questions on things you might not normally use within the program. I had a mean interviewer one time who put me down for not having a job, but most are friendly and eager to help. Doing clerical work does not have to be a bad thing, you might even get hired doing a different job at the same company if you meet and impress the right people.

[Heddi]

32. Another thing about temp jobs to think about----

when hubby and I moved to seattle, we went to temp agencies to see if they could get us something until something FT came through.

WATCH OUT FOR THE FEES----

One temp place wanted to charge us $300 EACH just to hold our resume. Then, we'd be charged $100 for every job they offered us---and $165 if we TOOK the job---uh, no.

There was another temp agency that listed itself as "FREE"---well, free to have them hold your resume on file. Once you were offered a job, they charged you $200--and that wasn't even with a guarantee that you would get the job---you paid $200 to go on an interview for a job that you may or may not get.

IT's starting to get Christmas-timey, which can be both a boon and a bane for temping.

A friend of mine temped for UPS with the understanding that she would have the opportunity to go full-time after the Xmas season. She was a single parent adn NEEDED the income from this temp job. Well, basically, they fucked her and fired her the week before Xmas. Because they did that then, she wasn't able to get another job through the temp agency until FEBRUARY, and didn't get a call back from resumes she sent out at all.

So be careful----seriously. THese temp places, as pointed out above, are NOT LOOKING OUT FOR YOUR BEST INTEREST. You are put in a position where you're basically FORCED not to complain, FORCED to work unpaid OT, FORCED to do things you weren't hired for---because if you complain, you lose your job. You don't get called back. You don't get considered for the permanent position. Your hours are cut----The employers aren't SUPPOSED to be able to skirt labour & wage laws, but they do, because they have the backing of this temp agency. If you complain, they can fire you and say "Well, he was a temp, and he was 'temped' out and we don't need him anymore".

Also, alot of temp agencies are really the same company but under different names---which is another reason to watch out for the fees---you could apply to 3 different temp agencies, pay them each $150 in "resume fees" only to find out later that you put 3 resumes on file with the same company----

Good luck with the job search, tho.

[ploppy]

34. If you go on

an assignment and they try stuff like no overtime pay for overtime and no breaks just call the Bureau of Labor in your state if your temp service won't help you out.

I work at a staffing company and my clients know they can't get away with treating our employees badly or we will stop sending them people.

[noiretextatique]

36. think of them as your pimp

:D and you will be just fine. i worked for accounting agencies for five years duing the dotcom explosion. it helps if you have a specific skill...the pay tends to be much better than general office type work. the money is generally decent, but of course they take the lion's share of the fee, just like pimps. many have started offering some minimal benefits, like health insurance. you should sign up with several, if you can...don't pin your hopes on just one.
and be prepared to suspend your ego to please the client. i've been brought in as a senior accountant, and then asked to do filing...i don't care as long as i get senior-level money.

one thing, if the work changes substantially, make sure you ask for more money. some clients try to give you higher-level work, and you should be paid for it. they sign a contact specifying the type of work you will do, and if it changes, make sure you let the angency know YOU want more money, even if they are too chicken to ask the client for an increase.

i've negiotiated side deals with long-term clients...this is a no-no technically, but if the client likes you they will do it..vs. paying the agency a higher rate.

good luck!

[jiacinto]

38. Ok

I will take that into consideration. Right now I just need a job and will probably check out other agencies.