What is your experience with Temp Agencies?

Question

I have recently graduated from college and looking for a full time or part time position to supplement my income while I am in graduate school and to gain some professional experience in the workplace. I have applied to over 10 different temp and staffing agencies but have not heard anything back from them? Is there anything I am doing wrong? Should I call and schedule an appointment or speak to someone at the temp agency so I can at least get tested or get a preliminary interview or should I just wait to call them?

I am a graduate student so I only attend classes in the evening. I have never been called back from a temp agency at all. I heard that during the initial interview they perform skills based test on you.

I am looking for some work in a professional work environment. I currently work in a fast food setting and I previously worked as a CNA and an administrative assistant for the summer. I am looking to get my feet wet.

Answer 1

That makes no sense. Did they at least "test you"? Did you give them a resume?

From my experience, you go in to a temp agency, fill out an application, go through an interview with a placement agent, take some kind of test, and they can usually find something fairly quickly. If they haven't put you through this procedure, go in with your resume and show them your serious. Make sure you dress professionally and ask if they offer any additional training. They often like that.

Lastly, if the temp agencies aren't finding you anything, try Craigslist.org. There are all kinds of jobs by area you can find there...and they're direct.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

I worked at a temping agency, and had an overall good experience. They gave me training, and found some pretty interesting jobs for me. But one company wanted to hire me, and I needed to keep my options open. So, after I turned down the job, the temp agency gave me some pretty nasty jobs.

My advice: skip the temp agencies, and apply to part-time jobs. I found a part-time job with the state government that worked perfectly for me -- regular employment, close to my home, and all the gov't bennies. Especially since you'll be in grad school, you'll be there for two or three years, which is a good thing. Especially if you can find work that relates to what you are studying.

But yes, you should go into the agency or the workplace. You should meet with someone face to face, and show them that you are bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. And you should keep trying until you get some sort of viable position.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Best bet is to keep calling these temp agencies until one calls you back. From personal experience they fill positions as soon as they come in and the first people they call are the people that they have sent on jobs before. But if you are persistent and show that you want to work you will have MUCH better luck. Seems they all are like that, and also sometimes they don't call you because they don't have any positions available that you would qualify for. Good luck I hope you find a job soon!

Answer 4

Basically a temp agency is the last place you should go.. Most companies go to them to find staff for jobs that no one wants... Jobs that really suck or don't mean much to anyone.. And from the temp agency's side they don't care about you, they exploit you for all they can get from you.. And if you stick up for yourself and possibly turn down a job they have or decide you don't want the job they have assigned you they wont call you anymore.. and your just left hanging in the wind.. Temp agencies are a waste of time..

Answer 5

You should talk to your school's Career Center. They are going to be better set up to find you a job that will be flexible with your schooling.

It can be tough w/o knowing where live, what kind of work you are looking for, and what hours you are available.

Also - if you have NO experience, it is VERY difficult to place you. (Even with a degree, it can be hard to place you.)


It certainly wouldn't hurt to call and set up an appointment, but a lot really does depend on the market.

I suggest talking to your Career Center and getting their ideas. They can help look for a position, but they can also let you know if you are asking for too much money, being to restrictive on your availability, work on your presentation, etc.

Best of luck!

Answer 6

Yup, helps to be proactive. Call them up and ask what's up.

Also, if there's a large company you'd like to work for, call up their HR and ask which temp company they use.

Answer 7

good luck sales are down for one also many getting caught over legals working or they are hiding out just over that reason and those temp jobs are back breakers believe it i do know.

Answer 8

They screw you over.