Nick's review of recruitment agencies in general is pretty accurate. Although I think it's just a…read moreproduct of the recession to be honest. There are just too many people looking for work so the agencies are totally inundated. I've found that the trick is to keep ringing up and speaking to whoever is meant to be looking after you - that way they'll never forget you when jobs come along! Anyway, hindsight's a wonderful thing and I'm now gainfully employed, so *crosses fingers desperately* I won't be dealing with any recruitment agencies int he near future. As far as Apple went, I can't really complain. They have quite a few public sector contracts, and so manage to place a lot people in temporary (which very often lead to permanent) jobs in the civil service. I got a temp job with them and while it didn't get made permanent, I had no complaints with the way Apple dealt with me from start to finish.

Years ago I signed up with Apple Recruitment for some temporary work and found that even though I…read moredidn't have much relevant experience, they found me work fairly quickly. It served a purpose, though jobs were never going to lead to anything that would be of any long term interest to me. Like most temping agencies they will slot you in wherever it is practical for them to do so, often in public sector positions. Good opportunities for permanent jobs can arise, though it is the nature of the temporary work beast to feel exploited on occasions. I had found this firm useful over the years until I was hit by last winter's horrible economic downturn and there just seemed to be nothing doing with them for months, apart from the odd day of work here and there which doesn't keep the wolf from the door. Apple Recruitment will find you something if you're willing but I can't wait to find a dream, permanent job, temping's only ok up to a point.

I'm generally not a huge fan of recruitment agencies. I've had mixed experiences with them…read moreincluding a spell working IN one. So it was with some hesitation that I registered with Abacus earlier this week. I was interested in a particular short term job I had seen advertised online. However, I am really impressed with Abacus. I felt my enquiries and registration were handled professionally and promptly. They sent a text today to see if anyone was interested in a couple of days admin work which I took. Possibly all agencies do this but this is the first time I've experienced it. Quick and efficient. So far so good. I recommend them if you're between jobs and need some cash or if you're looking for your next job. Worth a look.

As a proper victim of the recession, I know pretty much every recruitment agency in Belfast, having…read moreregistered with most of them at some point or another! Abacus placed me in my current role, and I'd have to say my experience with them has been one of the best experiences I've had so far. With unemployment so high at the minute, most agencies are totally overrun with people applying for any job, so the recruitment consultants must have a tough time weeding through everything. I felt that with Abacus, from the minute I signed up, I was being looked after. I dealt with Lianne, and she couldn't have been nicer. She's even called a few times since I started the job to see how I'm getting on. Obviously if you're looking for a job, you're going to sign up with as many agencies as you can, but for what it's worth, you'll get more value out of Abacus than a lot of the others!

I have had some contact with Manpower, Belfast, and this was because my partner went for interview…read morein February 2012 (for a job at Bombardier). By May he had heard barely anything. I contacted them to try & find out why. In the end they did get in touch with him, one of those reassuring phone calls saying he would hear by the end of May. Still nothing but a couple of calls checking they had his details correct. If Manpower can't cope with the number of people they attempt to recruit, and cannot keep to their cheery & upbeat statements on their website, then why are companies like Bombardier paying them for their absolutely appalling people skills and lack of personal contact? I am under the impression they are recruiting a significant number of people for Bombardier, but if they cannot keep track of and update their clients, or even bother to tell them that the jobs are/ aren't taken, why are they called recruitment consultants? From their website it seems all they are interested in is pleasing the companies that hire them, but in no way, form my partner's experience, do they support the workers they are apparently recruiting in any way. I am really angry. If I was interviewed for a job in February & 6 months later was still in the dark about the possibility of being hired, I would be so downhearted and feel totally discarded. What Manpower seem to be oblivious of is that in these very hard times, the promise of work is like a light at the end of the tunnel. For my partner and, no doubt, hundreds of others, they have no idea if the light is still on or whether they should turn around and leave the tunnel altogether.

Although i was unable to secure a job through this agency (despite having several qualifications) i…read morefelt that the staff were helpful and pleasent and i did manage to aquire several interviews with clients of the agency.