My experience with Active could not be more different than the previous reviewer's. I have used…read moretemp agencies at numerous points in my life, usually with decent results. I like to think of temp assignments as "paid interviews," since very often, the companies I have worked for use the temp position as an opportunity to see first-hand whether or not someone is a good "fit" for their company (far more effectively than could be determined in any formal interview setting).
When I arrived for my interview at Active, I was immediately struck by their friendliness and responsiveness, something that is not always common in temp agencies. After the standard testing regimen to determine my skill levels on various computer applications and activities, I had a very pleasant interview, and immediately sensed that these people were interested in helping me get back on my feet after my previous 5-year employment fell apart when the organization gave company-wide lay-offs.
Two days later, I got a call from them, and a couple days later, I was working a great job that lasted for nearly 2 months. And it was not a mindless filing job either. I was able to put my skills in database applications to work and really feel like I was contributing to the organization I worked for, rather than just filling a chair.
Following that assignment, I did get a couple brainless one-day assignments, but that is to be expected in a temp position setting, and the folks at Active kept in touch with me faithfully as they worked to find something more long-term and with greater potential.
Less than 2 weeks after finishing the longer assignment, I was assigned to a job that, were I to write out my own definition of a dream job, it would not be far different from this one. I immediately fell in love with the company and got along famously with the folks there. It was an open-ended assignment, and after about a month working there, a full-time position opened up in the company. Having been given a generous recommendation from Active and having worked at this company for a month, I was in a position where my application went to the top of the pile. Two days after completing the formal interview process, I was hired by that company for a full-time position.
And now, nearly a month later, I can say that every morning, I look forward to waking up and starting my job. And I received a wonderful, thoughtful letter of congratulations from Active the moment they heard I was hired full-time.
One quick side note: a few days after I was hired by my current employer, I received a note from the first position that Active assigned me to (the 2-month one), and they also offered me a full-time position! And though I was glad to remain where I am now, that job would have been enjoyable and fulfilling as well.
So, in 3 months of working with Active, I received 2 full-time position offers from places Active assigned me. I cannot speak to the experience the previous reviewer had (although why someone would quit a consistent part-time job for a temporary job doesn't make much sense to me), but without hesitation, I would recommend to anyone that they give Active a call. Ask for Kate or Jenny. You won't be disappointed!
