I admit I'm quite skeptical of employment agencies and I've not had the best luck - either…read morescheduled for two interviews with the same company by competing agencies or sent on interviews for positions which are either not a match or do not match my goals or background. Heather and her sister, Katie, run an excellent staffing agency on Belmont. I had spoken with Heather prior to my move and she started looking for jobs right away. She really took the time and found some great interviews for me. There are slower weeks and then there are more busy ones. She has been a constant help to me, even referring my husband to an agency which specializes in IT recruitment. She has been understanding and extremely helpful throughout this daunting relocation process and while my current position is a long term contract position, which may or may not go permanent, I have total confidence that I can count on her for assistance when my position ends. Summit Chicago Staffing is an excellent resource and if they can't help you directly, it seems that they know someone who can.

I trust Heather to the umpteenth degree. She helped me find…read morethe position that I am in now and is currently helping me search for full time employment. She is very responsive and works hard to find great fits for her candidates. To spell it out for you, I went in to meet with Heather on a Thursday and was placed on a great, highly-visible project the following Monday. I suspect it usually doesn't happen that fast regardless of the recruiter but my point is that she is on it! This said, prior to to reaching Heather, I had zero luck with any of the other Chicago-area recruiters. Summit is absolutely the way to go!

The interview went well - they had at least one place they could put me - but they'd be sure the…read morefollowing day. When they called, they told me, in fact the one opportunity didn't work out, but they had another place I could work if I wanted to. I listened to the particulars, and agreed - Excited to finally be working somewhere. I gave notice at the part time job I was working because not only was this job closer, it paid more. Monday came and not only did the company not know I was coming, they ended up not needing a temp after all. Suddenly I'm out TWO jobs! Active told me I would be on the top of the list for another 'opportunity' but to date, nothing's come through. I won't be going through Active ever again. Nor will I refer them to anyone looking for work or looking for employees. I feel they totally dropped the ball here.

My experience with Active could not be more different than the previous reviewer's. I have used…read moretemp agencies at numerous points in my life, usually with decent results. I like to think of temp assignments as "paid interviews," since very often, the companies I have worked for use the temp position as an opportunity to see first-hand whether or not someone is a good "fit" for their company (far more effectively than could be determined in any formal interview setting). When I arrived for my interview at Active, I was immediately struck by their friendliness and responsiveness, something that is not always common in temp agencies. After the standard testing regimen to determine my skill levels on various computer applications and activities, I had a very pleasant interview, and immediately sensed that these people were interested in helping me get back on my feet after my previous 5-year employment fell apart when the organization gave company-wide lay-offs. Two days later, I got a call from them, and a couple days later, I was working a great job that lasted for nearly 2 months. And it was not a mindless filing job either. I was able to put my skills in database applications to work and really feel like I was contributing to the organization I worked for, rather than just filling a chair. Following that assignment, I did get a couple brainless one-day assignments, but that is to be expected in a temp position setting, and the folks at Active kept in touch with me faithfully as they worked to find something more long-term and with greater potential. Less than 2 weeks after finishing the longer assignment, I was assigned to a job that, were I to write out my own definition of a dream job, it would not be far different from this one. I immediately fell in love with the company and got along famously with the folks there. It was an open-ended assignment, and after about a month working there, a full-time position opened up in the company. Having been given a generous recommendation from Active and having worked at this company for a month, I was in a position where my application went to the top of the pile. Two days after completing the formal interview process, I was hired by that company for a full-time position. And now, nearly a month later, I can say that every morning, I look forward to waking up and starting my job. And I received a wonderful, thoughtful letter of congratulations from Active the moment they heard I was hired full-time. One quick side note: a few days after I was hired by my current employer, I received a note from the first position that Active assigned me to (the 2-month one), and they also offered me a full-time position! And though I was glad to remain where I am now, that job would have been enjoyable and fulfilling as well. So, in 3 months of working with Active, I received 2 full-time position offers from places Active assigned me. I cannot speak to the experience the previous reviewer had (although why someone would quit a consistent part-time job for a temporary job doesn't make much sense to me), but without hesitation, I would recommend to anyone that they give Active a call. Ask for Kate or Jenny. You won't be disappointed!

It's a necessary event when you are without a job. The people that work here are empathetic and…read morekind. They may not be able to give you what you want to hear but the help with what you need to hear. Very thankful and grateful for their assistance and support.

I've had the most upsetting experience with this organization. At first after getting out of the…read moremilitary I was told I was denied benefits then the website wouldn't allow me to log in for months after calling everyday I was finally told to upload my w-2 then call back after 3 days after doing that for 3 months and nothing happening someone finally realized that my claim needed to be sent up to a supervisor. After that I was told I would get a call two weeks past no call so I call back they say they haven't requested the release of funds from military yet. Okay so finally when everything is all figured out i am denied again I have to go up and file an appeal so I file an appeal and I'm granted my back pay. They sent the money but it was sent to a closed account the bank said they rejected it two days after it was sent showed me where it was denied and everything. So I've been calling for the last week everyone is saying the bank hasn't returned it but the bank never had it. Then when I call and get put on the call back list someone calls then hangs up immediately after. After already waiting 6hrs for a call back. Then someone says they see where it's voided and sent yo for reissue then someone else says they can't see that and can't transfer me. This is so frustrating.

I was signed with Talent Group before going exclusive with my current agent. I really liked all…read morethe employees and received plenty of auditions and bookings. One thing I noticed, however, is if I were working a project with another actor who was signed with my second (and current) agency, their booking rate was higher. At the time that I was signed with them, I think they probably undercut their rates compared to other agencies. While I was with them, I wished they had negotiated higher rates for many of the projects.

These folks are some of my favorite folks in the industry. I've been doing it for a while now - 10…read moreyears with them in Chicago - and Jaimese and Brian are some of my favorite people, inside and outside of the industry. I am moving to L.A. soon and wish with all my heart I could take them with me. If you're non-union talent in Chicago and want to work with the BEST non-union agency in the WORLD, call them. Period.