Aquent: Your experiences or opinions?

[SurfPark]

I've thinking of reapplying into the Aquent database. Its my understanding this is a world-wide creative staffing company. I've noticed they have many job offerings, but I've never worked in that enviroment before. I think they place you in a contract job (occasionally DOE or perm). Has anyone worked with this company before? Care to share an experience or opinions?

[patkennedy78]

Not to hijack, but can we ad The Creative Group as well? I think these are the Big Guns in Creative Staffing. I'd definatly love to hear your experiences.

[budafist]

Fresh out of my degree I tried to sign up with Aquent but the didn't want me due to lack of experience (only 3 years part-time). Maybe I'll try again in a few years.

[SharkFinStudios]

I have worked with both. I met with each company twice and they had me on interviews rather quickly based on my experience. The great thing is you can choose whether it would be a fit for you or not. I also applied with an agency called AppleOne. I highly recommend them. They found me my current position and it is a great fit, great money and a nice environment.

My experience is a bit different because I picked up from western NY and moved right out to southern California. I had no job, but had submitted my resume to AppleOne. Within 2 weeks they had found me more than one position for me to choose from. It was a lot of paperwork, but I am so glad I did it. The market is SO competitive and having an agency do the legwork is fine by me. I suggest applying to more than one agency and have them all bidding for you. I had 3 when I came out here.

It also allows me to freelance when I want. The con side is that I am still a 'temp' and could be let go at anytime. I am temp to perm, but it could take a year before I am hired FT. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

I hope this helps and good luck!

[SurfPark]

Wow, I've always wanted to make a bold move like that. Now did you move before you had secured a postion through AppleOne?

[Brisvegas]

I dont know if Aquent USA is the same as Australia, but yeah I signed up to them when i was looking for work a couple of years ago. I had 2 years experience and was basically running a print shop / design studio alone at the time. Had a pretty full portfolio. I mean I wasn't the best or most experienced person out there...but I had enough to get myself a nice little job I thought. did their in house "test" (replicate this brochure in in-design) in 1 hours and got 80% or something...

...turned out all they thought I was good enough for was working at this cap place. Whacking logos in caps was all the job as, no design as such, just copying and pasting logos onto a template so the get embroided onto a cap.

yeah...right..

Told the guy at aquent i didn't want the job and he chucked a giant Tanty at me and told me i was being too fussy, saying "well for someone with no much experience this is all you're worth".

so yeah. I didn't like them, but this guy I delt with was a real jerk. I think he was just angry I didn't want to spend my days labelling caps and he didn't get his commission hehehe.

[Kinkaid]

I don't like Aquent- I feel like cattle when dealing with them. They did, however, find my wife her job. I'm in Los Angeles and currently am registered with Creative Circle, Aquent, 24 Seven, Artisan and Syndicate Bleu.

Creative Circle seems to have a lot of jobs available and they email them to me (avg 4 a day). Their recruitrs seem very nice, I've had some close calls, but no bites. They have a habit of lining you up for something, then not getting back to you.

24 Seven and Artisian have met with me and that's it.

Someone from Syndicate Bleu called me today to interview for a nice sounding job on Monday, so we'll see how that goes.

These agencys are tricky because they get great jobs, but since they get a cut, you end up getting paid less than if you went out on your own. The upside is that you get paid on time, don't get stiffed and some offer benefits.

[Seapony]

Rather than a steady full time gig, it may work out better for you if you go for the short term "project" jobs—more opportunity and depending on experience, more pay since the company already budgeted for that particular gig.

:)