We all know what Temp Agencies are like. Wash, rinse, repeat, next.
For the hopeful job seekers, you most likely got suckered into a meeting, spending an extensive amount of time trying to fill out the paper work, watch a video, and meet someone that most likely will not remember your name once you're out the door in 15 mintues. Nothing more than a body to fill a cold seat at best. That's what it was like at so many of the other places.
Wouldn't it be nice, for once, to be heard, understood, and actually placed with a good company that really compliments your "know-how" and over-all style of work flow and ethics? That's what I got from Bishop & Company. You think that I would waste my time writing fluff when they could get someone from a marketing team to do it? Think again and read on. . .
Here's me in a nutshell: Lived in the mainland, worked in some big name places that really shaped and molded me professionally. Came back home to O'ahu a few years ago and encountered some really less than par work places. After that, I ate my humble pie and went from working in Technology to something a little more sweaty (no complaints about manual labor, though -- I loved it, but man, Hawai'i is not cheap). Well, after a while, it was time to move on and try again in my chosen field.
Like a lot of job seekers, I went to Craigslist. I remember replying to a want ad for some entry level generic work. Sent an email with resume attached, and gave it no other thought.
Fast forward: I get a call from Deb at Bishop & Co. explaining to me that she was forwarded my email from someone else in her company. The person that I initially sent my email to, actually read my resume, and thought my skills matched a position that Deb was recruiting for and I'd be a good fit.
What that above paragraph should tell you about Bishop & Co. is this:
- There's great communication between staff members
- They really are reviewing everything that's sent to them
- They're not using people as seat warmers and actually think about your skill sets
- They care about what they're doing for people that are looking for work and want to place you with employers that fit you.
Here's what you can expect from the brand "X" temps: You get a call (if they even call), from a recruiter/ staffing agent, the conversation reads like a grocery list:
- Intro
- Job description
- Wage
- Availability
- Schedule appointment for: Wash, rinse, repeat. . .
My initial phone conversation with Deb from Bishop & Company:
- Intro
- Treated me like a human being: open, honest, compassionate, and understanding.
- Real conversation that also included real information on how she found me, why she contacted me, and what she wants to help me with.
- Provide a plan and how she'll move the ball forward
- Etc. etc. etc.
Anyway, you get it. As of now, I'm 6 months employed with a great company doing work that I really enjoy -- all because of Bishop & Company. (Disney couldn't write and produce a movie with a happier ending.)
The sad thing, "Sandy" from Alt- brand "X"-res Staffing guys are stil calling me to fill a position after informing them that I am already employed and requesting that they remove me from their list. TWICE. (Get it together guys.)
That said; Bishop & Co. definitely changed my perception, and raised the bar in my expectations of an agency that integrates people with organizations looking to hire.
I worked with a great person that really took the time to understand where I was coming from. She looked at my strengths, and really listened to what it was that I said. I feel that we developed great rapport, and if she wasn't in my corner, coaching me and providing feedback and support, I would probably be in a much different place. If I'm ever back on the job market, (knock on wood), Deb would be the first person I'd contact, hands down.
If there's one thing you, reader, should take away from this: Bishop & Co. is world class in what they do.
Cheers,
Phil read more