Contemporaries Incorporated

12/04/09

Horrible Customer Service

by LEM1974 at Citysearch

I have to believe most of these glowing reviews are written by their staff.

The receptionist I spoke to on the phone was not only extraordinarily condescending, but also quite rude. If she is the face that this company is presenting, then it's a wonder that Contemporaries Inc. is still in business.

Not only did she talk over me on several occasions and make erroneous assumptions regarding my background and the types of positions in which I'd be interested, but she made it sound like there were 100s of people ahead of me "in line" whose needs would need to be met before I could even come in to test or meet with a recruiter. I understand the economy is rough and people like me are a dime a dozen, but a 9% unemployment rate doesn't mean you throw common courtesy out the window.

Instead, I signed up with another company who has already found me temporary work while I continue my ongoing job hunt. I'm not arrogant enough to believe that Contemporaries would miss my business, but if their receptionist keeps up the attitude then maybe they will miss the businesses who - like me - simply decide to use a stronger, more people-friendly company.

• Pros: They sure sound great on paper
• Cons: Pretty much everything else

10/30/09

Excellent Agency

by Joana C at Citysearch

I just recently moved back to the Boston area, and I am extremely fortunate to have found Contemporaries Inc. The contacted me as soon as I sent them my resume, and had me come in for an interview and testing. They asked intelligent questions, and listened carefully to my responses. They placed me in a temporary position within a few days. What I liked the most about my experience is that they found me an assignment in an environment that I had requested. Additionally, they have been very attentive by calling me and checking in. I highly recommend contacting Contemporaries, Inc. if you are looking for temp or temp to perm work.

• Pros: Professional, Courteous, Fast and Reliable

10/06/09

Great Agency, Friendly

by Lucky09 at Citysearch

I was fortunate enough to find this agency when I moved back to Boston earlier this year, as a friend of mine recommended them. I had worked as a temp back in college in the Midwest but didn't know what to expect here in Boston. The staff at Contemporaries guided me through the process and I was able to get a good paying temp job through them pretty quickly. Working with them made my transition back to Boston so much easier-thanks!

• Pros: Professional, helpful

10/05/09

Qualified, professional, temporary help

by qiama at Citysearch

As a new client of Contemporaries, Inc., I was pleasantly surprised by our experience. Having worked with other agencies in the past, we were struck by Contemporaries, Inc. quick reaction time in identifying qualified, professional, temporary help. The temporary employee was punctual, well-educated and helped us successfully meet a time-sensitive project deadline. We will not hesitate to use their services again.

• Pros: Excellent staff understood our staffing needs
• Cons: none

09/16/09

I wish I never went

by sophie madeline at Citysearch

I think the workers at Contemporaries are coming up with these positive reviews. If you want to feel belittled, disrespected, and still jobless, Contemporaries may be the place for you. What did you say? That you'll endure incompetence and being treated llke you're nobody for a job? Yeah, unfortunately so would I. But how about all that plus you DON"T get that $10/hr job from them.

They make it seem like the $10/hr job they offer is the holy grail.

You go to their interview, submit your resume, take a computerized test, and then call them twice a day, specifically at 8:30 am and 4pm, for a chance at one of their crappy jobs. From the questions she gave me, it was obvious the twenty-something year old worker there, Emily, hadn't even looked at my resume nor cared. When I asked if I could call in anytime or if it had to be specifically at 8:30 each morning, the girl said quite flippantly that I did specifically at 8:30 and that other people do it. So I call them at 8:30am, and they're like "What? You're looking for a job?" After I say "yes, I am," they tell me right away without even checking who I am, that there are many people ahead of me looking for a job. No job offers, just more validation that they could care less with a condescending attitude.

I am a polite, educated person and I refuse to be treated this way. It's bad enough being jobless, but to be treated like you're nothing? I'm going to look elsewhere for my job

• Pros: none
• Cons: condescending, incompetent service, they make you feel small

08/14/09

An excellent temp agency in downtown Boston

by cvh at Citysearch

Contemporaries, Inc. is a good temp agency located in the heart of Boston. The management and staff are professional and friendly, and work hard to hustle up jobs for their workers, even during this challenging recession. Unlike some other local agencies, they are scrupulous about staying in touch with their workers, and keeping them working.

• Pros: professional, courteous, helpful
• Cons: none

03/24/09

Excellent and friendly service

by jenfries at Citysearch

I have been a temp secretary for many years. Donna Fitzgerald and the staff at Contemporaries gave me the best temping experience I have ever had. They were always helpful, friendly, and ran everything smoothly and efficiently. Donna established a personal rapport wiith both her temps and her clients, and always made sure to match the right staffer with the right client. The clients I was assigned to for Contemporaries all had positive things to say about the company.

I had to get a permanent job eventually, but if my circumstances had not changed, I would be happily working with Contemporaries still. I would recommend them very strongly.

• Pros: friendly, personal, efficient, and professional
• Cons: none that I know of

03/24/09

Recommended over any other agency!!

by Passeyc at Citysearch

I moved to Boston in August and was lucky enough to find Boston Contemporaries. After working with other agencies, I can say that the personal touch at Contemporaries sets them apart from the competition. I would trust them over any agency. At a time when it was next to impossible to find a job, I appreciate that they took the time to fit me in a position that would allow me to further my career goals. Other agencies treated me like a "product" and only looked out for their own interests. I would recommend Boston Contemporaries above any other agency.

01/06/09

Personal and Efficient Services

by boston2009 at Citysearch

I moved to Boston in September desperate for a job. I had registered with several well-known agencies in the area hoping to hear back with any news of a job. Contemporaries was a pleasant surprise because not only did they place me on a job soon after my interview, they placed in an environment thats a perfect fit for my skills. After a few short months on the job, there is talk of me going permanent! I couldn't be more appreciative of the way the staff at Contemporaries responded to my needs.

• Pros: Fast and personalized services
• Cons: Can't think of any

12/15/08

Temp agency with a personal touch

by blynneda at Citysearch

Contemporaries is nothing if not attentive. I sent an inquiring email on a Sunday night and received not just a phone call, but a job offer by Monday afternoon. Though that first offer didn't work out, Donna and her friendly, helpful staff kept in regular contact with me until they found me a decent-paying administrative position at a medical office that may go permanent.

The small size of Contemporaries is definitely an advantage--I've never felt lost in the shuffle or forgotten in the back of a filing cabinet. Whether it's for a missed payroll fax or a general check-in, they call me before I feel the need to check in with them. Another large temp agency I applied at kept me in the initial interview for three hours, then didn't contact me for weeks.

My only qualm is that Contemporaries doesn't offer a health insurance program for its workers, one of the disadvantages of a small company. Fortunately, its other attributes make up for this lack.

I'd always put off applying at a temp agency because I was afraid I didn't have enough office experience to qualify for any jobs, but Donna set my mind at ease. I've already recommended Contemporaries to people I know looking for jobs, and I'd do so again in a second.

UPDATE: I have since learned that Contemporaries does, in fact, offer insurance coverage. I apologize for the confusion.

• Pros: Great staff, quick offers of employment
• Cons: no health insurance benefits