temp agencies

[leafspice.livejournal.com]

Does anyone know of any decent temp agencies in the Boston area? (I know that using "decent" and "temp agency" in the same sentence may be a paradox!) I was thinking of trying to sign up with a few to get some short-term jobs over the summer. Just looking for non-shady places that are reliable in getting good assignments for their workers. Thanks!!

Comments

[moireach.livejournal.com]

PSG is probably the largest. There's also Spherion (who has a branch which works solely with Harvard).

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

I found PSG to be a complete farm, with lousy administrative process and condescending employees. Maybe it's changed in the last few years.

[orangelemon.livejournal.com]

Here's what I learned about temp agencies

In the nineties, when I was using them, you could practically submit your mug shot and prison record and they would hire you for a job in a daycare, so desperate were they for people.

Last year when i tried a temp agency, I had to sell myself to THEM. They wanted to know why they should waste their time interviewing me: was I going to be a good investment.

I would suggest NOT telling them that you want a summer job. Instead, come up with some plausible reason why you would want long-term temporary work (such as, you are planning to go back for a degree next year or maybe in two years). They are much more likely to hire you that way, I think.

[gookalockgeek.livejournal.com]

I'm an office supervisor at the South Station Adecco, and I think we're great!

[bwilder.livejournal.com]

John Leonard pretty much blew.

[pancua.livejournal.com]

OfficeTeam is, in my opinion, the best agency out there. I have worked for alot of the local ones and they are the only ones who can keep me working. I highly recommend them. The nearest office is located in Harvard square.

[sanitywarp.livejournal.com]

yep I'd recommend Office Team too. they're great.

[sifarat.livejournal.com]

dido

[swingchickie.livejournal.com]

office team, olsten, and kelly are huge nationwide, so you can't go wrong with them. they'll have a ton of assignments available. a friend of mine has done a lot with the skill bureau in boston, he's actually gotten a permanent job through them as well.

[strangeanimal.livejournal.com]

seconding the Skill Bureau and Office Team.

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

Thirding the Skill Bureau. They're small, so I wouldn't rely solely on them (use randstad or office team - but I find the bigger offices aren't as good overall)... but they're the best temp agency I've worked with - got long term, short-term, temp-to-perm through them.

[bombardiette.livejournal.com]

I worked with Randstad for a couple of years. They were pretty good.

[leafspice.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! :)

one thing to keep in mind...

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

Once you've gone in and met with someone, get their name (or the name of one particular agent.)

Always call for that person (get to know them), call at least twice a week when you're looking (recommend Wed and Friday, can do early Monday if you're looking for pickup work as well) - that way they get to know your name, and that you're polite, persistent and want to work. Be honest with your salary and job environment requirements (within what the market will bear), but be willing to work for a bit lower the first few times to get your foot in the door and build a track record. Then just let 'em know that since such and such past assignments were so pleased (and if you can get former assignments to vouch for your greatness, so much the better) you think it's time to move up to x amount.

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

I've been happy with both Randstad and Venturi, though I never used either for any extended period of time.

[siderea]

I was a temp in boston for 10 years.

I had good luck with:

Kelly
Manpower
Preferred
Olsten (did their name change)
MacTempsAquent

[saralsbeth.livejournal.com]

I had good luck with KNF&T and I have several friends who worked with John Leonard (in Harvard Sq.). Definitely communicate with 1 person in the firm and be pushy to get the placements you like!