Complaint Review: TEMPORARY AGENCIES - DALLAS Texas

I think what the OP means by 'look the look' is they think your agency would only hire people wearing expensive suits and shoes, and who are young, thin and attractive, as opposed to being well-groomed and dressed and obviously did their best to look presentable in an interview appropriate way.

I once went to an interview at an agency here in Denver (I fall into the second category) and was told on the phone how badly a receptionist was needed for their client, I had a great resume, it would be an instant start, etc.  I get in and their tune changed to 'We have to forward your resume on to them.'  I'm pretty sure it got filed into the trash because I didn't met the hidden criteria of 'young, thin and cute'

I have used temporary sevices off and on for years. There are good services and there are bad services. One good piece of information I can offer is when the temporary service representative sets you up for an interview, make sure you get to interview with a supervisor, manager, etc. with the department (not counting the HR department for that particular company) and not waste your time interviewing with the supervisor's 20 year old employees who are only interested in hiring on another 20 year old. I recently had an interview with a company where I interviewed with two 20 year olds. I have a college degree and I have the skills, experience and knowledge to do the job, but because I did not fit the mode being "young" enough, I knew I was not not going to get the job. There are some temp services that act like you should be grateful you have "X" job even though you don't think it's a good fit. Yes, they are more interested in the money than they are with you. I wish there was a employment placement service that could and would help older people obtain employment and even though some, like Robert Half, claim they do this, they really don't.

Been in business for 24+ years. Have had my shop for 14+ years. It's amazing to me what walks in the door looking for work. Now I know I'm gonna hear about this. Have people dressed in T-shirts and shorts with flip flops, walk in and ask if I'm hiring. Have had them come in with tats all over their necks and arms asking for work. Don't have anything aganist tats. The best one I had, came in with 12 piercing IN THEIR FACE. I mean I know I sell jewelry and earrings, but 12 piercings? In the lips, nose and eyebrows? Give me a break. So what is your definition of "look the look"?

I too am a victim of an Employment Agency. Specifically the Robert Half Companies. It's true that if you don't look the part but are qualified, they won't submit you. I signed on with Office Team six months ago and they have not once sent me out on assignment. The staffing manager, we'll call her Lisa, keeps telling me that she has submitted me to several employers but I have not had any calls from anyone. When I called her last week, she said, "your ears must be ringing because I just submitted you to another company!" I'm not sure she is telling me the truth as it just seems strange to me that only when I call her she seems "interested" or says that she submitted me. I don't look the part but I can outwork most in my field. I scored very high on their tests and was even blown away by the test administrator at how many words per minute I can type. I won't say here because it would sound like I am bragging but I can tell you it's court reporter speed. I'm done with calling them as again, I think they are out for the $ they get from these employers and don't give a darn about the people that they are in business to help (or proclaim to help)

I too am a victim of an Employment Agency. Specifically the Robert Half Companies. It's true that if you don't look the part but are qualified, they won't submit you. I signed on with Office Team six months ago and they have not once sent me out on assignment. The staffing manager, we'll call her Lisa, keeps telling me that she has submitted me to several employers but I have not had any calls from anyone. When I called her last week, she said, "your ears must be ringing because I just submitted you to another company!" I'm not sure she is telling me the truth as it just seems strange to me that only when I call her she seems "interested" or says that she submitted me. I don't look the part but I can outwork most in my field. I scored very high on their tests and was even blown away by the test administrator at how many words per minute I can type. I won't say here because it would sound like I am bragging but I can tell you it's court reporter speed. I'm done with calling them as again, I think they are out for the $ they get from these employers and don't give a darn about the people that they are in business to help (or proclaim to help)

I too am a victim of an Employment Agency. Specifically the Robert Half Companies. It's true that if you don't look the part but are qualified, they won't submit you. I signed on with Office Team six months ago and they have not once sent me out on assignment. The staffing manager, we'll call her Lisa, keeps telling me that she has submitted me to several employers but I have not had any calls from anyone. When I called her last week, she said, "your ears must be ringing because I just submitted you to another company!" I'm not sure she is telling me the truth as it just seems strange to me that only when I call her she seems "interested" or says that she submitted me. I don't look the part but I can outwork most in my field. I scored very high on their tests and was even blown away by the test administrator at how many words per minute I can type. I won't say here because it would sound like I am bragging but I can tell you it's court reporter speed. I'm done with calling them as again, I think they are out for the $ they get from these employers and don't give a darn about the people that they are in business to help (or proclaim to help)

I too am a victim of an Employment Agency. Specifically the Robert Half Companies. It's true that if you don't look the part but are qualified, they won't submit you. I signed on with Office Team six months ago and they have not once sent me out on assignment. The staffing manager, we'll call her Lisa, keeps telling me that she has submitted me to several employers but I have not had any calls from anyone. When I called her last week, she said, "your ears must be ringing because I just submitted you to another company!" I'm not sure she is telling me the truth as it just seems strange to me that only when I call her she seems "interested" or says that she submitted me. I don't look the part but I can outwork most in my field. I scored very high on their tests and was even blown away by the test administrator at how many words per minute I can type. I won't say here because it would sound like I am bragging but I can tell you it's court reporter speed. I'm done with calling them as again, I think they are out for the $ they get from these employers and don't give a darn about the people that they are in business to help (or proclaim to help)

I had moved to Hawaii when my husband was stationed there with the army. Not being familiar with the area, I decided to sign up with a temporary agency. I had never done that before. I went to sign up with Adecco. They had me take some tests, when I didn't do hot on the excel test, they offered me classes to do better at it. Luckily, I didn't need it, because they called me the next day offering me an office job starting at 12.50 an hour. I worked at that office for three weeks, and they decided they wanted to hire me. I had to finish my contract with Adecco, which meant i had to continue with being an Adecco employee for 90 days. I have nothing but good to say about Adecco. They continually called to check on me during those 90 days, reimbursed me for a driving abstract I needed for the job. I'm sorry if you had a bad experience with a temp agency, but I had a very positive experience.

You're right!! Many employment agencies, especially staffing or temporary services, are phonies. They always list good jobs on many job boards, which are probably nothing more than a come-on. If they give you any assignments at all, it'll be in a lower-paying menial position. I'd like to add a few. First - Headway. I saw them a few years ago at a job fair in Manhattan. All they did is collect resumes. Later, they were constantly advertising on Monster, etc. I was e-mailing to them constantly about all their good job ads. But then, the only response I got was from one of their associates who said she was spamming me out merely because I wrote "...what kind of phony outfit is Headway?" She thought I was being obnoxious, but I think I was right. Secondly, a couple years ago I was at Goodtemps in Manhattan; supposedly a part of Goodwill. What have they done for me? Nada! Being non-profit, they should be better than the rest, but they're not!! They're just as phony as Forum, Accountemps and many others. You're exactly right!!