Return-Path: Received: from f.gp.cs.cmu.edu by K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU id aa16645; 12 Jul 89 16:39:49 EDT Date: Wed, 12 Jul 89 16:38:53 EDT From: Mark.Leone@F.GP.CS.CMU.EDU To: bovik@K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Employment agencies Harry, I recently posted a request (on behalf of my girlfriend, who is searching for a job) for opinions regarding Pittsburgh employment agencies. I thought you might want a copy of the responses for your files. Mark Leone, mleone@f.gp.cs.cmu.edu ------------------------------ From: David.Maynard@K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU If at all possible, I would recommend that she deal with agencies that get their commision from the company instead of the employee. They have more incentive to do a good placement job since they hope the company will come back to them for other positions. Most "large" places post lists of open positions somewhere. CMU has them posted several places. I'm sure that Pitt and the bit hospitals do also. The City & County also have job listings. If you get Pgh cable, the Pittsburgh city channel (Ch 19?) sometimes shows area openings (and gives the number of who to call for information about more openings). I've also seen similar lists on WQEX at various times. She could also consider starting out with either a consulting or a temporary services company. Often they have long-term assignments that can become permanent. There are "temp" companies for all kinds of jobs including manual labor, secretarial, accounting, data processing, etc.... ------------------------------ From: Esther Filderman When I first moved back to Pgh, I used an agency to find a job. The catch -- the good ones charge 10% of your starting salary, unless you are very specialized, in which case the employer pays the agency. The name of the company I used was ABC [American Business Co, I think], which also has a twin that specializes in the more specialized jobs [ie engineers, programmers, etc.]. The person I dealt with was very professional and very concerned with what *I* wanted. Also, if I came back from an interview where I was treated badly [happened twice out of 25-30 interviews] the manager was informed and a complaint was made to the company [or so I was told]. If you have the money or are in a specialized field, I recommend these people. If you're not sure, give them a call. They will be up-front and honest. If they can help you they will, and if they can't they will tell you. ------------------------------ From: Lily.Mummert@B.GP.CS.CMU.EDU If your girlfriend is in a "high-tech" field, you probably want to check out the membership list of the Pittsburgh High Technology Council. It's a large paperback report that costs abnout $35. My husband Todd used it when he was job hunting -- it provided more leads than either of the headhunters he was using (unfortunately, he can't remember their names, so I can't warn you about them). He eventually wound up working for CMU, but we're glad it was available. ------------------------------ From: support (Support Account) @ a.psy.cmu.edu (Mark Madsen) If you are talking about placement agencies, the only one of any use seems to be Source EDP, and then only if you have more than three years experience. This is applicable only if you're girlfriend is in the computer field. The only interactions I have had with such places have been disappointing. Source did help me once. Make sure the jobs being applied for are fee paid, or she could end up owing several oodles of money to the placement office for finding a mediocre job.