Let's make a tree and get outta here.
October 5, 2010 12:54 PM
I need help getting temp work in Chicago.
I'm coming up to a point at with my current employer where I will likely be fired or demoted in the next week, and I hate it there and want to quit. I'll do almost anything to get out.
I need your help. I've been sending up my resume for jobs with Manpower, OfficeTeam, Kelly, and Craigslist, for which I am qualified, but get no response whatsoever. I'm not even asking for much money.
Here are two questions:
1. Who have you temped with successfully AND recently?
2. How can I do more than click the submit button when I'm working with a temp agency?
I'm coming up to a point at with my current employer where I will likely be fired or demoted in the next week, and I hate it there and want to quit. I'll do almost anything to get out.
I need your help. I've been sending up my resume for jobs with Manpower, OfficeTeam, Kelly, and Craigslist, for which I am qualified, but get no response whatsoever. I'm not even asking for much money.
Here are two questions:
1. Who have you temped with successfully AND recently?
2. How can I do more than click the submit button when I'm working with a temp agency?
City or suburbs? And yeah, what are your skills and what's going on with your current job?
Are you calling any agencies or just sending your resume online? Calling and introducing yourself to a recruiter helps immensely. So does posting your resume on Monster, CareerBuilder, etc., keeping it updated, and mentioning that you're interested in temporary/contract work.
I've had success with a few temp agencies in Chicago; MeMail me or follow up with a throwaway address if you want specifics. It's been a few years, though.
posted by Metroid Baby at 1:11 PM on October 5, 2010
Are you calling any agencies or just sending your resume online? Calling and introducing yourself to a recruiter helps immensely. So does posting your resume on Monster, CareerBuilder, etc., keeping it updated, and mentioning that you're interested in temporary/contract work.
I've had success with a few temp agencies in Chicago; MeMail me or follow up with a throwaway address if you want specifics. It's been a few years, though.
posted by Metroid Baby at 1:11 PM on October 5, 2010
Not Chicago specific advice, but you need to call the temp agencies to set up an appointment with them. They'll give you a brief interview and have you take a couple of computer tests for things like Microsoft Word and other office skills (filing!). I did this with OfficeTeam and for all the nasty things I'd later say about them, they called me with a temp job within a week or so. If you've done that and still haven't heard from them, give a call once a week and ask if they have any open positions.
Also try to find smaller, local temp agencies. I had much better experience with one of those than I did with OfficeTeam even though I never ended up taking the position they had for me because I'd found a permanent job in the few days between my interview with them and their calling me with a job.
posted by radiomayonnaise at 1:11 PM on October 5, 2010
Also try to find smaller, local temp agencies. I had much better experience with one of those than I did with OfficeTeam even though I never ended up taking the position they had for me because I'd found a permanent job in the few days between my interview with them and their calling me with a job.
posted by radiomayonnaise at 1:11 PM on October 5, 2010
More specifics wrt your experience and area of expertise.
posted by variella at 1:13 PM on October 5, 2010
posted by variella at 1:13 PM on October 5, 2010
I temped for 3 years. I always went with temp agencies that did skill testing. Also, I'm not sure what your skill set is, but I always had far better luck with specialized agencies.
posted by Zophi at 1:18 PM on October 5, 2010
posted by Zophi at 1:18 PM on October 5, 2010
I had good luck with Advanced Resources in Chicago. This was about five years ago, though. I had to take a typing test and some other computer tests with Word and Excel, and they placed me in several jobs. The pay was decent, but I was just out of college, so YMMV on the pay situation.
posted by k8lin at 1:20 PM on October 5, 2010
posted by k8lin at 1:20 PM on October 5, 2010
The only staffing agency I've gotten any decent response from so far is ICI Staffing, which came MeFite recommended to me.
They have a very limited scope (mostly admin, marketing, legal secretary), but they do occasionally get the call to staff outside of those areas, I'm told. The people who work there are pretty cool, and they actually return phone calls, help you with your résumé, give you pointers, etc.
Good luck! The job market is like a funpark ride at the moment - a really super crowded funpark. Wheeeeee!
posted by heyho at 3:38 PM on October 5, 2010
They have a very limited scope (mostly admin, marketing, legal secretary), but they do occasionally get the call to staff outside of those areas, I'm told. The people who work there are pretty cool, and they actually return phone calls, help you with your résumé, give you pointers, etc.
Good luck! The job market is like a funpark ride at the moment - a really super crowded funpark. Wheeeeee!
posted by heyho at 3:38 PM on October 5, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by jrockway at 12:59 PM on October 5, 2010