I would describe my experience with Smart Resources as an actual dream come true. I moved to Chicago in late May after finishing a master's degree in Nonprofit Administration. After working to earn an advanced degree, I was discouraged to not have a job offer yet upon my move. As we all know, the job market is TOUGH. I was interviewing for several jobs and eventually decided to send my resume to a few temp agencies because I figured "why not?". A day or two after I sent my resume, I was contacted by the upbeat, friendly and energetic staff at SR and was asked to complete some aptitude tests before my meeting with them a few days later. The tests were to be completed on my home computer (but I could go to their office if I had preferred) and tested my aptitude in Microsoft Office as well as my typing speed. This step was the only thing I really had any complaint about: the Microsoft Office tests were very laggy and the glitches caused me to screw up a lot of my answers. However, when I explained this to Bao at our meeting, she understood and offered to let me retake the test in the office. Less than four hours after my interview, Bao called me with an interview for a temp to perm position at a local non profit. This was really a dream come true, considering these were the exact criteria I had asked for. I worried that somehow it was too good to be true. I interviewed the following Monday and ended up being offered the position on a temp to hire basis. After a wonderful several months working for the nonprofit through Smart Resources, I was offered a full-time, permanent position and honestly couldn't be happier. I owe Smart Resources big time! After I told Bao about my offer, she was SO excited for me and checked in with me several times in the next few weeks to make sure that everything was going alright. I even received a congratulations card with a gift card enclosed from the staff. Honestly, I don't know how anyone could ask for more. I know my case was a little unique in that they were able to place me right away, but had that not even been the case, I still couldn't say a word against them. I will also note that many of my coworkers came to our company through Smart Resources during the past 5 years or so and had very similar experiences to mine. Thanks Smart Resources! read more

If your friend claims she's dating a guy who's as attractive as Brad Pitt, she's not. If Brad Pitt introduces himself to you and offers you a job, graciously fill out his nondisclosure agreement, then Yelp about it. Smart Resources is the Brad Pitt of staffing agencies. I moved to Chicago in March when my wife's job relocated her here, leaving a comfortable and steady job in NYC. I wasn't thrilled about having to reenter the job market in this economic climate, but Smart Resources did everything they could to make jumping into the icy cold waters of the labor market as easy as possible. First, I appreciated the hour or so that I spent taking aptitude tests (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, typing, vocab) before I met with a recruiter. I enjoyed the chance to showcase my skills in an objective manner. This provided a more scientific assessment of my abilities, and spared me from an interview with vacuous questions like, "Do you think you're a team player?" (Honestly, who would answer "No" to that?) Before I even sat down to discuss any opportunities, Smart Resources knew a great deal about what I could do, and my interview could be spent going over my resume and discussing possible openings instead. I met with a recruiter named Krystal, who very nicely spent over an hour with me (even though it was nearly the end of the day) reviewing my resume, my skills profile, and what I was looking to do. She took the time to hear about my story of moving to Chicago, and seemed empathetic and understanding of the unenviable position I was in of being forced back into the job market at this time. Kristal helped me improve my resume, contact references, and she even traveled back in time to help me pass 10th grade geometry. Well, at least two of those things are true. A few days after my first meeting at their office, Smart Resources placed me at a fantastic company with countless opportunities to use my skills, learn new ones, and gain a foothold in the Chicago job market. I'm greatly appreciative to them for that, and their ongoing support and assistance over the weeks I've been working for them. I highly recommend them. read more

i can't begin to say how grateful i am for the help this agency provided me. I've been with several agencies like "staffing now" and "mack & associates" where they never contacted me and where i felt more like a statistical number instead of a human being trying to pay his bills. every time i came into the smart resources office, i found the staff to be professional and friendly. i felt just as important as anyone else there. they sent me wonderful birthday cards and holiday cards that sent me the message that I'm not being ignored and that my employment and services matter. i had very limited administrative experience but they were able to start me off with a wonderful temporary 9-5 data entry job in a nice office downtown where i could make enough to get by, working with wonderful people that lasted over a month. as soon as it was over, within a week i had several other job offers and opportunities. when my representative wasn't available, the other agents had no problem taking over and helping me out. when some work was hard to come by, they would give me little jobs here and there while they would look for something a little more permanent. The agents are as good as they come. they take the time to get to know you and if you give each job your full attention and do the best you can, then you can be guaranteed that they will remember you and continue to make every effort to keep you employed. thank you so much to the staff of smart resources! you guys made my life so much easier and stress free! it's a difficult job market where even the simplest jobs are difficult to come by. were it not for you guys, i dont know what i would have done. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND SMART RESOURCES!!! read more

I like lists and I like Smart Resources. Guess what I'm going to make for you: 1. Libby is my contact and she's great. When I call in, she says things like "we've missed you!" and "of course we'll get you work!" And it's genuine, too, at least the second part - because within a few days, Smart will have found a job to keep me busy. I worked three weeks this past month... which was pretty much to the day how available I told them I was. 2. I will even vouch for the first part of number one - they miss me! they really do! - because every time I go in to pick up my paycheck, three or four of their staff will stop and say hi. Not an exaggeration. Andy, Lindsay, Tabatha, Meg, Maren... even Tim! They all remember my name. Or to be honest, Tim knows that he kind of knows me and will give a head nod and then I will say hi and then we small talk for a little bit. That's still pretty good for an owner, I think. 3. When I pick up my paycheck, Lindsay always offers coffee or water or those harvest grain whatever bars that Smart leaves out. Yes! And she also made sure that I started watching 30 Rock which is a double yes! 4. Paychecks come every week and their temp jobs pay well... so when I tell my friends, "sorry, I'd buy you a drink but I'm broke and I have to wait on my paycheck for another few days" they know I'm lying. 5. And then I buy them a drink and then they think I'm wonderful! Thanks Smart! If you can't tell by the stars and this review, I really like Smart Resources a lot. Strangely, they're family in a way (again, if you couldn't tell) and that's something I didn't expect from a temp agency in the loop. The end! read more

Wow!! What a Horrible, Disgusting, Disappointing Staffing Agency! Unlike some of the others receiving a call a few days later, I received a call from Smart Resources the next day and just like Ana, I too have been seeking a job for over a year. So I was very excited when I received the phone call from Smart Resources. As I said earlier, the next day after submitting my resume through their website, I received a call from May. One of the questions she asked was about my last position, typical question, then asked if I was currently employed I said I wasn't (isn't that one of the MANY reasons people seek the help of Staffing/Temp Agencies?) she then pretty much hurried to end the conversation by saying they're Only Looking For People Who Are Currently EMPLOYED. (WHAT?!!) I was so DISGUSTED by what I had just heard that I didn't bother to say anything else to her other than Thank you and GOODBYE! Please correct me if I'm wrong but isn't a Staffing Agency that has Temporary Office/Temp to Hire Positions supposed to HELP BOTH Employed AND Unemployed?! Surely you'll agree with me and the other reviewers that this is Not The kind of Company you want to WASTE your time with!! As for "Tim, Business Owner of Smart Resources" Don't bother to comment, after all We all know you DON"T CARE! Otherwise there wouldn't be so many Unhappy experiences. It's just a Cover Up, The Politically correct thing to do, for "your company & employees" read more

I had worked with a few staffing companies, and Smart Resources was the one that stuck with me through the end. As a recent college grad, I had a hard time finding work after graduation. I was working for a large corporation via a different staffing company, and came across other people that were also temps, but via Smart Resources. My assignment with the corporation came to an end, and I never heard from the staffing agency that I was originally hired with ever again. I decided to try out Smart Resources. The interview process was relatively standard. Microsoft Office assessment, basic office skills, etc. What people tend to forget is that generally it is YOUR job to keep in touch with the agency on a regular basis. I was not an ideal candidate in that I got lazy and did not check in with them on a regular basis. But that didn't hold the wonderful staff at Smart Resources from calling me periodically with various opportunities. It is their persistence and obvious care for your future that got me to the full time position I am at right now. I was placed at the perfect company for me, which I would have never even known about were it not for the tenacity of the staff at Smart Resources (shout out to Kristel, Maren, and Sheila!). Within two months I was hired on permanently by the company I was placed at, and love the position I am in. I will forever be grateful for Smart Resources, and highly recommend them to anyone. read more

Of the 12 staffing agencies that I registered with to find permanent employment, Smart is #1. I am currently in a great temp-to-permanent position as an Executive Assistant at a great company, thanks to Maren and her team at Smart. I also was often on the FAST track, as another reviewer mentioned below -- it was a great way to make some quick cash in between other temp jobs and interviews -- and I ALWAYS was sent out on assignment when I did FAST. I went on 1 or 2 other interviews for perm. jobs through Smart before this one came up. They never gave up on me and I appreciated that! One thing that was great is that they offer health insurance at the time of registration. I have health insurance through my husband so I didn't take advantage of this and don't really know much about it, but I can imagine it's a really great offer for those who are temporarily unemployed or working as full-time/part-time temps. They also offer bonuses for referring friends. They placed my best friend about 90 days ago in a perm position, so I'll soon find out if they come through with that $100. read more

It's funny how they deleted my last review. Honestly, if your agency, now called Smart Staffing, is too scared of the truth...then what is the point. Ethics. Anyway, said by fantastic...person I won't mention, it is typically procedure (as said to me) to be investigated by the IL Dept. of Employment Security if you lost a project or have no work; on unemployment. I hope these pointers will help out others. If you find yourself without an assignment through Smart Staffing (Smart Resources) you are eligible to apply for unemployment. REMEMBER to check in at least once a week by phone or email to your recruiters. If you do not, they will file an IDES investigation against you... People working at IDES are also very helpful with this type of situation. IDES - Illinois Department Of Employment Security http://www.ides.state.il.us/ Also, remember to record your job application information on the "work search record" form. Good link to check out - http://www.chicagojobresource.com/Chicago_unemployment.htm read more

I had a great experience with Smart Resources and their staff. I met Lindsey and Bao in the Chicago office for an initial interview and felt they took the time to get to know me. Lindsey was diligent in following up with me and keeping me in the loop with opportunities they had in their pipeline. She was completely candid and honest during the process and I sincerely appreciated that. A marketing/admin temp position in the suburbs came about and Lindsey referred me to her colleague, Dana, at the Oak Brook office. Dana worked with me every step of the way in placing me in the temp position. She checked in frequently and truly cared about my experience. After a short time the temp position turned permanent and I could not be more satisfied. Dana walked me through the process of accepting the permanent position and was really an asset to me. Lindsey and Dana continue to stay in touch to ensure that I am satisfied with my position. I definitely recommend Smart Resources in addition to independently job hunting. read more

If you're seeking a great team of serious individuals searching for employment opportunities for you then Smart Resources is the place and the staffing company you want to align yourself with. I've been affiliated with various staffing companies however none as productive as Smart Resources. I've been able to get 4-5 five phone interviews and three in person interviews through Smart Resources and if the interview didn't go well they always presented another company that might be a fit for me. They provide you with effective feed back on your interview from the employer's view and company information/profiles before each interview. I was assigned a contact at Smart Resources however this company truly work collaboratively and as a team to get you results. Upon each telephone conversation and upon meeting my contact I was left with an amazing impression with each individual I've encountered that works with Smart Resources. They are courteous, kind, and truly a company you will not regret signing up with. read more

I contacted Smart Resources after a long period of work which made me very little money and stayed with them for over a year. During that time, I was continuously employed at two long-term placements, and two weeks ago I was hired full time. That ends my professional relations with Smart, but I will never stop saying the best things about them. Smart's agents (I worked with Maren, Tabatha, and Xavier at my time there) are extraordinarily friendly and encouraging, and they always listen to your concerns and find you the best situations possible; they always base your assignments around what you want and need and are completely honest at all times. They have a giant network and find you assignments which are never boring and always engaging. If you are finding the job market difficult, even with a sterling resume and experience, Smart Resources is the finest place you can turn to for that little bit of help we all need on occasion. It will be an extraordinary experience. read more

I have worked with temp agencies a total of 3 years over my 12 year career and I have had none more dedicated than Smart Resources. I typically work with Libby but I have also had the pleasure of working with Mauren and both are wonderful! Not only are they professional, but they have a knack for placing you with the type of company that fits your personality, personal goals and professional needs. They are ALWAYS on top of response times and I am never kept wondering on any positions or availabilities. And I appreciate that they respect the contractors right to choose to accept the position verses a position being forced on them for fear of not getting any new assignments. There have been other agencies that I have worked with that do not respect your right to choose an assignment. Smart Resources is wonderful and I would highly recommend it to fellow contractors as well as any business that I come accross that may need temporary support now or in the future! TNH read more

I was called on the phone by Elyce on Friday March 8, 2013, We spoke about my background and she e-mailed a series of test to take to weigh my skillset. I was also set up for an interview with Boa T. on Monday March 11, 2013. I had some trouble downloading the test. I e-mailed Annie and she resent the test I could not complete within 10 minutes. The test were challenging but i think I did alright. Anyway, I met with Boa and we went over my skills and overall the meeting was very positive. I had a chance to Meet Annie (very friendly and positive). She even sent me a follow-up email thanking me for coming in. Boa told me that the whole office works on your placement so it might be possible to get a call from her or any of the other recruiters. I must admit everyone was very nice and professional. I look forward to continuing my relationship with Smart Resources and hopefully they will place me soon. Respectfully, Lowell Z. read more

When I initially applied through the companies website, they were the quickest out of all the temp agencies to respond to my application. My interview with Xavier went very smoothly as he created a very casual environment. He really seemed to try to figure out what my career goals and aspirations were as opposed to just reading and asking questions about my resume. After my interview, I received my first assignment one week later and had on average one assignment a week. They then called and emailed me when an opportunity arose for a temp to perm position became available. The position that I was placed in fit my personal strengths extremely well and I was hired permanently on with the business. I would not have thought to consider working for this business had it not been for the assignment of Smart Resources. I think this is an extremely professional and trustworthy agency to work with. read more

A Haiku: Smart Resources is Warm place in ice-sheened night They'll get you a job A Review: Any agency you interview with will strive to give you the impression that there is a dedicated team working for you; only at smart resources has this actually been true. I worked with Maren to find assignments, and anytime a position came up with a different recruiter that I might be interested in she seemed to know; they do an excellent job of communicating between recruiters to funnel jobs to the right candidates. I got way, way more work through them than I did at much larger agencies like LaSalle. Everyone there is friendly and hard working, and they keep you up-to-date in terms of open opportunities. I received more calls from Maren than my other agencies COMBINED. If you're looking for work, call them asap. You'll be very pleased. read more

After deciding to make a job change and responding to numerous craigslist ads (which turned out to be recruiters), I hit the jackpot with Smart Resources. I met with so many recruiters who sent me on pointless interviews and wasted my time with competency tests. Discouraged and depressed does not begin to describe the way I was feeling. After meeting with Megan Shine and the staff of Smart Resources, I knew that I found the right place. The staff is energetic, hip and really wants you to find the perfect job. I was with the agency for what seemed like forever (it was almost 5 months) and got regular check-ins from Megan...including some well-needed encouraging notes in the mail. They were always there when I needed them. I just started my new job and COULD NOT BE HAPPIER. Thank you Smart Resources!!! read more

My experience with Smart Resources was not very good at all. They are friendly but I found the assignments few and far in between (and i got good reviews on the couple of assignments passed on to me so nothing wrong with my work ethic) and after a month between assignments without an assignment from them, i was only offered an assignment that payed below my previously stated minimum. Libby was my contact, and I don't feel that she tried at all to find something that would be a good fit for me. I do not know if it is just the experience with Libby or the Staff in general at Smart Resources but I am really dissapointed and luckily I don't need their services anymore. I found something better....Smart Resources I do not reccomend. Try others and try many... read more

I recently registered with Smart Resources and my experience with them so far is great. I'm working with Lauren Rice, who is wonderful and she seems to really be working on my behalf to get me in somewhere. Within a couple of weeks of my initial contact, she's sending me out on an interview for a position with a great organization, and that I feel would be a perfect match for me. She gave me information about the employer, suggested I research them, and followed up with an email with interviewing tips, what to wear, etc. I thought this was a great service and very professional. With the job market being so competitive for any one position, I feel Smart Resources will make it easier for me to connect with employers. I look forward to working with them! read more

Smart Resources get it done! I have applied with over seven (7) staffing agencies and never heard from them again. I had one appointment with Peter at the agency and finished the assessment testing. 'BAM', I was sent out on an assignment the very next day. Other temp agencies would call and their hourly rate was not as lucrative as Smart Resources. They treat you like family, they sent their temps gifts to our offices on administrative day. In addition, my manager checks in with me to make sure I'm happy and being treated right. I love Peter! I highly recommend using this staffing agency if you want to get started working and stop filling out applications to never receive a call back. Start with Smart Resources, where they put you to work! read more