This is my first post on this blog, but I definitely have experience searching for a job in the hideous Cleveland job market. Why do you think I gave up and started writing online instead? I do have a friend who is currently searching for a job in the Cleveland area, and I thought that I would chronicle some of his experiences to show other Clevelanders that they are not alone in their struggle in looking for a job. He was recently laid off from a job that he had for over a year.  Not long, by any means, but sadly the job he had before that he was laid off from also.  He was with the latter company for over five years. Getting to the subject at hand: What's the deal with Cleveland Temp agencies? Are they a viable resource for finding a job? I mean a real, full- or part-time or temp to hire job?

Considering my friend's experiences as of so far, the answer is unfortunately, N-O.

Within the past several months, he has put in applications and resumes with five local temp agencies. How many calls for job opportunities has he gotten? One. One is all it takes right? Well, that job was a one-day gig filling in for an employee who had called off sick. Considering my friend, thankfully, receives a small unemployment check every week, he had to decline the offer. If he took a one-day gig, he would have not received his unemployment check for the week, and he would have lost money by actually taking the job. Keep in mind that my friend is clean-cut, has no criminal convictions and can pass any drug test that is thrown his way. My advice is this: if you are looking for a regular job or semi-steady work, avoid wasting your time registering with Cleveland area temp agencies. Many of them have orientation processes that last hours, and you will end up waiting by the phone after receiving nothing but empty promises from recruiters.