Like many people in today's job market, I found myself out of work for quite some time and desperate enough to enlist the services of a temp agency. On the recommendation of a friend, I contacted Spherion Staffing in Augusta, GA in the hopes that they could help me find a local job. The process as a whole was relatively pain free. I was sent some assessments to complete, then I was scheduled for an interview.
At the interview I was told that my assessment scores were off the charts and that they should have no trouble finding me a position in the field I was aiming for. Melanie Morris, My interviewee -- or "Client Services Supervisor," to use her official title -- was quite amicable and I got a great vibe from the encounter, confident I'd have work soon. I was encouraged to call in once a week to check in on any progress and confirm my availability, which I gladly did for roughly a month and a half.
The problem? Of all the times I called in, I only ever got hold of Ms. Morris one time -- the week after my interview. Every week after that, the call would always go to voicemail. Sometimes I'd just hang up and try again later, but I'd always leave a voicemail by my last attempt that day. I'd call other times with questions I might have, such as how to expand my job search area to another branch in Columbia, SC. All told, I probably left around ten messages for Ms. Morris, none of which were ever returned.
I can understand how busy a business like a staffing agency can get so my feelings aren't hurt if I can't always get through, but for a company to be perpetually unreachable and to never have any of my messages returned in over a month is extremely inconsiderate and beyond unprofessional. The friend who recommended this company later retracted that recommendation as she too was having a great amount of difficulty getting in touch with anyone at the Augusta branch and was extremely dissatisfied with a placement they had brokered.
I have since found work on my own and I am presently employed, no thanks to the Augusta, GA branch of Spherion Staffing and the bush-league conduct of Melanie Morris -- who I have still yet to hear from. I'm only one person, but from my experience I would recommend avoiding this company if you expect attentive, professional, and courteous service. You won't find it here. All you'll find is phones that keep ringing and voicemail greetings that get repetitive all too soon.