This is certainly one of the better employment agencies in town. The recruitment consultants are…read morefriendly and helpful, and most importantly, they tend to find you work quickly - probably everyone's priority when visiting such a place. Select would be my first port of call when staring into the great void that is unemployment, as they've never let me down yet. Actually, they've always managed to get me office temp work in the public sector at favourable rates, and anyone who's temped for a while will know that the public sector is most definitely the place to be. To get on their books, you just need to send them a CV and then go in for an interview and word/excel test. It's all pretty standard stuff. Once I'd completed my interview and filled out my forms, they found me a job within a week. Bonza.

Select Appointments are one of the friendlier recruitment agencies on the recruitment walk. As long…read moreas you come in here with an assertive manner and self assurance, you'll go a long way. The consultants are extremely helpful in discussing your career aims and also worked with me to completely reorder my CV, making the skills I had look far more impressive. These guys are especially good for office work but make sure you have a little experience (or at least some kind of spiel) before you walk through the door.

Office Team is one of the best recruitment agencies in Bristol, but it's difficult to get on their…read morebooks. They get a respectable amount of temporary and permanent work come through, in both the private and public sectors, but be prepared for a fairly rigorous screening process. Office experience is pretty much essential and they're always on the look out for "quality candidates", meaning that if you're recommended by an employer then you're much more likely to get the go-ahead. Nevertheless, it's worth a shot if you're going it alone, as with a good CV and a confident attitude, you'll certainly have a decent chance.

I received a phone call from one of the recruiters about a potential job which alas, was too far…read moreout of town for me to take on as I have no car. I was passing by and popped in to register, was put through some tests and had an interview there and then which was convenience. I was asked would I be interested in a temporary post which was alas again too far out of town. A week later I was contacted about a potential job and was put forward for it. Before going on holiday, the recruiter both emailed and called to let me know. Also unlike other recruiters when I said what I was looking for she didn't just ignore me and start marketing me for roles exactly like my previous job which I wasn't interested in. Still not found my dream job through them but they treat you with respect. A rare commodity in the world of recruitment.

When I moved to Bristol, jobless and penniless, Pertemps Recruitment Agency was my first port of…read morecall. After a short interview with a friendly adviser, I took a typing test, passed it and had a job by the end of the week. The initiation process was smooth and painless, and I found the staff to be genuinely accommodating and helpful. I had a few different administrative based jobs courtesy of Pertemps, and was on an average wage of £7 per hour. I never had any problems receiving my payment, which was paid directly into my bank account on a weekly basis (oh joy!) An all round thumbs up for this one, then.

I know the recruitment agency's of Bristol all to well. They can be judged chiefly on two measures,…read moretheir ability to get you work and their ability to treat like a human being. Pamela Neave gets middling marks on the first measure and top marks on the second. Located in Bristol city centre, it looks a bit tired and dowdy on the outside and this feel increases when you enter. Don't let this put you off though. The friendly-ish receptionist will give you some forms to fill out and then you'll talk to one of the consultants. This is where Pamela Neave is a bit different - they actually seem to listen a little bit and don't try to either fob you off at the first opportunity or steam roller you into work you don't want. These might not sound like great achievements, but are nonetheless rare in the depressing world that is high street recruitment. If you're looking for work and want to be treated like person and not a commodity then head down to Pamela Neave.

Although a little old-fashioned in appearance, the staff at Pamela Neave try their best to…read moreaccommodate you and find work no matter how much or little experience you have. From anything to stock takes to charity fundraising or telephone operating the jobs are offered relatively often for a small recruitment agency. Try visiting here if you're feeling a little defeated by the blank faced and bored looking staff at the other agencies, the friendly staff here will make you feel like a person again and may even remember your name after a visit or two.

I was very put off La Creme by their website, it is very pink and there are only pictures of women,…read morenow I like pink and I like woman...but is this a company that can help me?. My friend assured me they were not a single sex agency but I was not convinced. When I went into the agency they did nothing to relieve my fears - although there were other men there looking for jobs all of the consultants were women - I felt distinctly out of place as if I had walked into a Sex and the City fan club meeting. It is also very hard not to criticise them for the jobs they advertise on places like Reed - there are a lot of spelling mistakes. And it seems they spend the same level of care and attention on their adverts as they do the people who sign up to them. I was put off them at first and it seems my instincts were right. It was a complete waste of time, I called them more than they called me, and I only called them twice! La Creme are la crud.