I use Yelp all the time, it's about time I start contributing...
I found Silverman McGovern after I was laid off from my previous position. They seemed to have the best reviews for local staffing agencies, so I decided to give them a try. I submitted my information through their website and set up a meeting a couple of weeks later to meet with two of their agents. The meeting went well, they both laid out how the agency operates and we discussed things like pay, assignments I'd be interested in, location etc. At the end of the meeting I was told I should contact Faye Silverman, as she would be the best agent for what I was looking for.
I got a hold of Faye on the phone, and eventually met her in person about a week later. She was very interested in my background and my potential as a candidate. I remember her even saying "If I can't place you, something is wrong with me." A little cheesy, but I played along. Two weeks later she had me interview for two different positions with one of their clients. The interviews went well. I was encouraged, and here is where things began to unravel.
The following week I hadn't received any updates, so I followed up with Faye by e-mail and heard nothing back. I called the office and she was out of the office, but one of the other agents said there weren't any updates on my potential job. A little frustrating, but maybe something came up. A couple of days later I get an e-mail from another agent, AJ Silverman, who asks if I could go in for a quick meet and greet for one of the positions I had interviewed for, he'll call me shortly with the details. 6 hours later and no call I decide to call AJ, he explains it would be a quick meet and greet to see if I'm a fit and "I shouldn't be telling you, but things are looking very good." The meet and greet was okay, a little awkward-and in all honesty I may not have been a great fit with the person I would be working under. Here is where Silverman McGovern earned their one star rating.
I was actually able to get a hold of Faye following the interview and she told me she'd be in touch very soon. A few days go by, nothing. A week has gone by, crickets. I call the office and she's out again, but checking voicemail. Over two weeks go by and I get a voicemail from Faye saying she'd like me to go on an interview for a new position (at the same company) and to give her a call back. No mention at all about the two positions I had already interviewed for. No mention of my previous attempts to contact her. Nothing. I tried calling back (I remember it being 4:00pm on a Thursday) and there was no answer. I decided Silverman McGovern had wasted enough of my time at this point. I found a great job on my own shortly after that, which felt extra sweet after dealing with this agency.
I'm not giving Silverman McGovern a one star rating because I didn't get a position through them, I'm giving them a one star rating because job hunting is a stressful time for most people and they had zero communication skills with me as a client. If you're going to set me up with a job, and are going to be receiving a cut of my earnings, I feel the courtesy of keeping me up to date on positions I've interviewed for and returning my phone calls should be a no-brainer. Unfortunately that seemed to be too much for them to handle. Remember folks, they "specialize in people." Interpret that slogan how you will. Good luck out there. read more