The Red Guide to Temp Agencies

Review of Essex Temporary Services, Inc.

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1501 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
212-391-1515

212-382-3685

Total time with agency:
2 days

Wait for first assignment:

Average wait between assignments:

Last five jobs:

Job Title	Length	Client	Hourly Wage	Typical of agency?
				Y
				Y
				Y
				Y
				Y

Tests given:
Word, PowerPoint, and Typing

Payroll policies:
On-site time sheet pickup: Y
Direct deposit of payroll checks: Y
Free check cashing at agency's bank: Y

Benefits:
Medical insurance:
Dental insurance:
Paid vacation:
Transportation allowance:
Entertainment allowance:
Matching contributions:

Comments:
This agency was packed and the receptionist was like a automated robot. First they give you a clip board with W-2 Form, Info Sheet, and a spelling test page (find the mispelled words and circle them). After about an hours wait i was called for an initial interview. What kind of office programs and position are you looking for? I said Creative Assistant or Administrative Assistant. I know graphics programs (but little experience, so chances of finding a job in this field is extremely small) and i know word, little excel and power point. Two minutes later i was out the door and back in the sitting room. Total time was i'd say 4mins for the initial interview. 43mins later (i timed the between periods) i was called and into a room with computers for testing. I was told to read instructions and start. Started on Word then PowerPoint, last was typing which i had no clue what to do. The typing program did not include instructions so i simply thought maybe i can type and the computer would calculate my words per minute. After the elapsed 5mins the typing exam ended. I got up and was told to please re-take the typing exam and i told the young girl the typing exam came with no structions. She said type the whole page of the page on the stand (which was about 2 feet from where is sat and indicated no instructions for the typing exam). I would've done better had it not be for the faulty key board. Then came the logic exam for only 12minutes. 50-60 questions in 12minutes? Too short of a time and too long of an exam. Then i was told to sit outside in the waiting room. To my surprise only a handful of people were left. About 25minutes later again the same initial interviewer interviewed me. This time she actually looked at my info (from clip board) and asked if i would consider $28,000 as a salary (I was making $38,000 before, but the store i was working for went out of business). I was hesitant (at this point she decided to make small talk...how is the job hunt?...blah blah blah), finally i said ok i guess. She said for the first 65days you would be on this agencies pay roll and that does not include holidays, sick days, etc. for the full 65days i would owe them. She hands me a few forms and said please sign the last 2 forms. I was at the waiting room looking over the forms (my friend said temp agencies are not suppose to take money from your salary, so i was a bit cautious, she also said the pages i was signing was not a contract). After i read some of the info it was a contract and read on. She came around 4mins later and see if i was done signing and i said i'm still reading the papers. She said oh ok i'll be around, have the receptionist page me when you are ready. She said if i don't sign it she would have to halt my job search, 2mins later she comes around again and i finally signed it (I felt i had sign my soul to the devil). Afterwards about 10minutes later i was escorted to a room with people who had their own computers (coordinators). She halted in the middle of the room and told me to stay here while she tells her boss. At this point i am thinking i am going to meet a real person who can actually find me a job and and perhaps another initial interview, but my escort came back and started to shout "EVERYONE MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION" (at this point i was startled and surprised) "This is so and so and he has Word, PowerPoint, Typing skills, as well as graphic design skills and knowledge." I was trying my best to smile and look not too shocked, then a lady in front of me ask me what field am i looking to go into and i said Graphics or Media and then another lady said "Did I hear Media?" and i replied yes. I was then told to wait in the waiting room again. But i sat closer to the room where i was auction off as fresh meat. Then i heard i'll take (my name) from the same person who asked me if i said Media. She came out and we entered a small room and she asked if i was willing to do Customer Service and i said i am looking for anything graphics and then decided sure hell why not i am desparate. I know i shouldn't have said that but i did knowingly. After all the ordeal i left about 4 hours after my initial interview feeling not soo sure if i had done the right thing or the desparate act. Thats it and i hope people have better experiences and find what they want in life.

Reporter:
Victoria

Email:

Date:
Thu Oct 17 20:53:11 EST 2002

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The Red Guide to Temp Agencies is copyright 1994-2004 by Angus B. Grieve-Smith.
It may be reproduced in its entirety, but may not be sold for profit or reproduced in part without written permission of the Editor.

Feel free to email me with questions or comments. Please do NOT email me your resume. I am not an employer, and I cannot get you a job. If you send me your resume anyway, I will report it to your internet provider. My email address is grvsmth@panix.com.