RealGM

Don't if I can post this hear or not, but I was wondering if some dc metro area residents could give me a little info. I'm currently studying for the MCATs, I graduated from college in the summer and finally decided that I'd give this a go (long story). In the mean time however, I'm trying to find what are the best temp agencies to apply with. If anyone knows some agencies that are reputable and usually good about gettin people to work quickly i'd appreciate it.

Don't live in D.C, but I can speak from experience. Stay away from staffing agencies.

I haven't had any temp experience, but I've heard its a decent way to make a buck while studying for somethin else. Advice on why I should think otherwise?

nuposse04 wrote:I haven't had any temp experience, but I've heard its a decent way to make a buck while studying for somethin else. Advice on why I should think otherwise?

Kelly, Staffwise. Any special skills (biotech, advanced computer skills, etc.) might merit some specialty placement places, which you'd have to research, but there's a jillion agencies in DC, and if one does you wrong, just go to another one.

Re staying away from staffing agencies: the vast majority of temporary employment in DC is done through staffing agencies (or so it seems), and in some fields, you're not likely to get work without one, though some companies and agencies direct hire. Most of the time, that doesn't result in higher pay, as the hiring company pockets the savings, and I've seen instances where direct hiring is indicative of a really tight-fisted and miserable hiring company. Staffing agencies are just middlemen making money off others, but some are better than others, and some are just downright fly-by-night crooks. Use caution, but most people I know that have done temp work were happy enough with it.

Washington Consumer Checkbook is usually good for this type of question, but they only had a very small sample size (1 or 2 ratings). These had positive ratings:
Professional Employment Professionals, Manassas
Ford Agency, L St., DC
4 Staff, G St., DC
B H Griner, Reston
Diversity Staffing, I St, DC
Editech, Reston,
Elite Personnel, Bethesda,
Employment Enterprises, Manassas
Friends & Co, Springfield
Manpower, Arlington and Springfield (Not DC)
Whitman Assoc, I St, DC

As a guy in Med School, try to find some research internship that'll pay you...it's a lot better than getting some random job...especially if you're applying soon.