Whenever I've been to a recruitment agency, the people inside are generally pretty helpful. After…read moreall, they make money from finding you a job. I recently popped into Acorn because I was on my way back from a job interview in a place I didn't really want to work (I hate call centres) and figured as I was already suited, booted and looking generally employable, I would have a go. I was told there was nothing I could do in the branch and I have to search for vacancis myself online. That's not a problem obviously but in my previous dealings with agencies, the point of it was always that they did the searching for me, and then they pocketed an hourly rate from my employment. So went to a different agency where they actually did earn their money and do the searching on my behalf.

This employment agency is part of a big national chain. They have a good reputation in Cardiff and…read morehave secured several major temporary staff supply contracts. For example, the Welsh Assembly Government has an exclusive contract with Acorn and uses them for any temporary staff they need. In addition many of the local councils in South Wales use this branch of Acorn because they know that vetting procedures are strictly adhered to. The big attraction to a job seeker of registering with this agency is that it can provides access to some of the best employers in the area. Many workers, after working as a temp., find that they are considered favourably when a permanent vacancy with their host organisation occurs.

Signing in with the job centre can be a huge phath I can assure you, but sometimes it is well worth…read moreit. They can be very picky though, with the type of people they want to accept to give money too and they expect you to do certain things. Like attend a meeting or two or to sign in every two weeks and if you do not then you could lose out the money that you have applied to get; also being late to those sessions is another that they do not like either. I have been or I have forgotten one appointment and they sent me a letter of complaint, I suppose that is only natural for them to do so. You're National Insurance Number card is important to use during your time here. You can you use their computers that are specified just to search for jobs that have been mainly advertised through their job centre company, to search for jobs locally or further afield. All you really do with them though; is they fill in all your details in a computer, that is related to your job and perhaps the information for what other jobs or courses you have done and they need a copy of your CV and keep it on file and you have to suggest three jobs that you are searching for. It is best if one job idea of special interest, one in retail or like something in Administration or a receptionist type of job, if you can. I recommend to all out of work, there are a few companies in Cardiff, but the one I have been with is CaraDog House that is on St Andrews Place in the city centre.

I found the girls in this agency very helpful…read more I was looking for to change my job recently and decided to take a trip to Cardiff and register with all of the recruitment agencies. A couple were more helpful than others and this one in particular was very good. I walked in and was immediately met by a consultant who spoke to me at length about what sort of work I was looking for. I was only looking for a part time position and she explained she didn't have any available at that point but she took my CV and told me she would keep me on file. I was really happy with the service I received. Admittedly I have not heard from her since but I am sure that if something does come up that I am right for she will give me a call.... After all she will want her commission me thinks!

Pertemps is another big, national employment agency for both temporary and permanent office based…read morework. The office is open for anyone to go in but I really felt as though they couldn't be bothered to deal with me. Took a while for anyone to even notice me standing there and then after than it was a short conversation hand over the CV and leave to never to get that promised call back.

great company to work for. I used this as a way to introduce myself to lots of schools. I got a…read morefull time teaching role as a result. professional feedback was always available and I went on some great free courses.

This is an employment agency that supplies teachers and other staff to schools and further…read moreeducation colleges. They mainly cover schools in the Bridgend County Borough and the Vale of Glamorgan Borough areas, but occasionally they may have other vacancies. My impression of them is that they are somewhat disorganised and that although they have procedures, they don't always follow them. They are based on an enterprise park outside Bridgend. This makes them difficult to visit unless you have a car and so most communication with them has to be done by phone or email. They are in a competitive field and stretch the truth a little in order to get candidates to sign up with them. i.e. jobs described pre-registration do not always materialise post registration

I have recently had dealings with Adecco as my previous job became boring so I took the plunge and…read morequit. My inability to budget with monthly pay was apparent so I thought I'd sign up for temporary employment and go for a weekly paycheck to make budgeting easier. I signed up and within 24 hours they found me a job in the sector I was looking for. There were loads of forms to fill out as expected but all were relatively painless. I spoke to a representative over the phone who was very helpful but did not work in this office. The dealing I had here were less than helpful. The people here didn't know whether I had to wear a suit or not or even what time I had to start at my new job. All in all the company as a whole found me a job really quickly but the people in this office weren't so helpful.

A company that truly gives 5 star service. They are a small team who make a lot of effort to get…read morethings right. The recruitment agency specialise in permanent recruitment in anything from Management and Engineering to Human Resources. They really seem to care about the people that they are working with and seem to realise that without good candidates they would not have anything to sell to companies. Another good thing is that if you are no good for a job that you have applied for, they will tell you this and let you know exactly why rather than trying to fob you off like most agencies. Very honest people. The contact information above for this company is not correct but I couldn't figure out how to change it. It is: Petrie Recruitment, Oddfellows House, 19 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 0AA. 02920 440 990.

This is opposite the castle, nice staff with an odd layout if your looking for any of the other…read moredepts such as catering.