I worked with Michelle at Talent Avenue and it was an absolute pleasure. Most recruiters I worked with would not return my calls or emails and never found any jobs that fit my criteria. Michelle was on top of every opportunity she threw at me and she ended up getting me the salary I wanted. I worked with 5+ recruiting agencies in the bay area, and she was by far the best recruiter I have ever worked with (including in NYC too!) Thank you Michelle & Talent Avenue!! read more

Talent Avenue is not a good staffing agency. Let me tell you why: Every staffing agency adds a markup to the hourly rate they pay out to you. Usually, it'll be around like 30%. So, say they pay you $50, then they bill the company you work for $65. That's a lot, but good staffing agencies offer a lot of added value in return for that: full benefits, 401k, responsive staff, regular check-in calls and coffee together. Talent Avenue adds almost a 100% markup on top of your hourly rate. So if they pay you $50, they are charging the company $95. What do they give you in return? Nothing. It's hard to even get them on the phone, let alone get any type of benefits like insurance and 401k. They frequently pay late. They don't keep their promises. Once Michelle lied to me about some details regarding a position. If you ask them for anything, they respond as if you're an asshole for even asking. Even calling them a staffing agency is a bit of a stretch. It's just two inattentive, rude, narcissistic people working out of a tiny office, with one more person working in accounting. Do not work with these people. They have no job postings that you can't get from a different agency. All bay area tech companies work with multiple staffing agencies to fill the same role and it's a race between the agencies to see who fills it first. If Talent Ave gets you in the door, ask your hiring manager if you can get onboarded through a different agency. These guys are the absolute worst. Michelle is a straight up narcissist and so mentally ill that I'm afraid she'll try to retaliate towards me in response to this review. Good thing I've already taken countermeasures against that. read more

I emailed my resume to Talent Avenue and spoke with a representative. She seemed excited to meet in person. I have vast experience in television and marketing. I felt like I would a be a fit for various positions that they had posted online. To my surprise, the morning I was to meet with Talent Avenue (less than two hours before to be exact), I was called and told that our meet and greet been cancelled because my experience was not in line with the jobs they were fulfilling. I felt very disrespected and felt the agency lacked a level of professionalism. In my past experiences, I have kept appointments with clients knowing that I would not need their services in the near future. I would never call one of my clients and cancel an appointment, especially two hours before because "they did not meet my needs." The least they could have done was keep the appointment and then discuss the possible opportunities or lack of future opportunities. What bothered me more was I saw positions posted on Craigslist which were in line with my past experience. I called the agency again, they took less than a minute to review my resume, and said I was not a fit for any of the positions they were filling. I do not recommend this agency. Before the recession, I would get calls from various agencies for positions that they were trying to fill. Although I know that staffing agencies are dealing with a high volume of candidates, it does not excuse for the lack of professionalism, enthusiasm, and overall customer service. After all, the only thing that sets apart any organization from another is their quality of customer service. read more

I contacted this agency about a month ago after seeing their job openings on LinkedIn. I quickly received an email and scheduled a call within a couple days. After filling out a lot of paperwork prior to my call with Michelle, I explained my situation and what I was looking for. She mentioned several times throughout the call that I had "really interesting experience." Not sure if that was good or not. At the end of the call Michelle said she had a couple things in mind for me and wanted to add me to the list of available applicants that they email to their clients. I gave my permission and waited. And waited. It has now been over a month since I spoke to them and have heard nothing. I have emailed them too with no response. Not sure if they forgot about me, or they didn't find anything and decided not to pursue but it would've been nice to know. I feel like I wasted my time entirely with them. read more

Talent Avenue was such a pleasure to work with! They listened to all of my job requirements and ended up placing me in a temporary position that was a great fit at a very well-respected agency. I can tell they've got a solid rolodex in the SF creative community :) I ended up being offered a full-time position after a few months and they also helped me coordinate the details of moving from temp to full-time employee, including salary negotiations, choosing the ideal job title for my role and defining my position's responsibilities (the position I received was new so there was no precedent). Jen, the recruiter I worked with, was absolutely fantastic when it came to offering me advice and support and facilitating the transition. If I was looking for a new job again, I'd definitely call Jen at Talent Ave first! Thank you!! read more

There are two parts of this company that need two different reviews. 1. Talent Avenue: the Recruiting Agency. STELLAR!! I worked with Stephanie and then Erin. They both were very professional. I did not hear anything for 3 weeks after my initial interview with Stephanie. But when I did, they were on the ball helping me connect with the company hiring and every step in between. I was very grateful that they listened when I said I needed time to decide and made that clear with the company's contact too. Both Erin and Stephanie were always readily available to answer an email or take my calls during office hours. 2. Talent Avenue: the HR Agency. FINE... After starting my contract job, Talent Avenue continued to work with me as my HR agency. They withdraw taxes from my paycheck, but I do not receive any benefits (medical, transportation, etc.) from them or the company. There was an issue initially where both I and another contractor working with them couldn't access our online timecard accounts, but that easily resolved. Erik of the accounting department worked patiently with me to answer any of my finance questions. But yesterday, I received an email from Erin checking up on me, which made me think she wanted me to possibly call her. I called the office twice today and was told, by Vanessa, the assistant: that while she's in the office, she has more important candidates to deal with--the ones actually being recruited. I will update as needed :) read more

I've worked with several talent placement agencies over the years and my experience with Talent Avenue was seamless. Everything was done over the phone (except dropping by one day to show them my passport for proof of eligibility to work, took 15sec tops). I was given lots of open positions that made sense based on my experience, and ended up freelancing consistently for about a month before accepting a full-time role. Michelle was available and helpful throughout the process and helped get me into the job title and salary I was looking for. Highly recommend! :] read more

Talent Avenue was a breeze to work with, at least for me. Initial screening/interview went positively. From thereafter, I placed interest on some listed positions and got in contact with them again. After a week or so from our initial meeting, they placed me for my first interview to a position appropriate to my interest and skill set. My contact, Michelle, was supportive throughout the process---from the interview all the way to getting hired. They matched me with a great company on first try so they just be doing something right. read more

I had a great experience working with Talent Avenue. Within weeks, I got hired to work on a long term remote gig that paid well and had flexible hours. Michelle and Erk at Talent avenue were friendly and attentive. Their company kept growing--but I felt like they always provided me with priority attention. Positive experience all around. read more

Talent Avenue got me hired incredibly quickly with a great job and consistently check in to make sure I'm satisfied with my position. When pitching jobs, they had a knack for finding positions that directly aligned with my skill set. read more

Talent avenue is the best employment agency I have ever worked for! They are very diligent in helping me find the best possible job for my career! I would recommend anyone that is trying to find a great career to apply with them!!!! Michelle and Leslie were both great! Thank you Talent Avenue for helping me find a great position!!! read more

I had a great experience working with Talent Avenue. Elizabeth approached me with a role that I ended up taking a month later. She was super engaged, willing to answer any of my questions and was constantly checking in about the process. I am grateful I could work with someone so professional and thoughtful. I would highly recommend her and Talent Avenue to any job seeker. read more

After having my own business for years, I needed to get on the fast track to web design, so in 2011 I joined Talent Avenue. They helped get me in front of many high profile companies, and gave me the freelance experience I needed. 3 weeks ago I reached out to Michelle at Talent Avenue and expressed interest in a full-time position. 2 days later I get a call from her about a potential opening at a start-up. Today I'm working at that start-up, and the one person that is happier than me, is Michelle. I can't thank you enough for kickstarting my career in a great company. read more

It was an absolute pleasure working with Talent Avenue. They took time to get to know me and had multiple interviews lined up within a week, mostly with companies I wouldn't have known about on my own, but they were great suggestions. Impressive! Michelle, Erin, and Jessica were all very friendly and professional. I ended up taking a position I found on my own, but TA was incredibly supportive all the way to the end. I would definitely work with them again, 100%. read more

Overall I had a really positive experience with Talent Avenue. As an international new graduate I had a few requirements/restrictions but Jennifer Kraus worked alongside me and offered a great position and support throughout the process. TA has great personal relationships with companies so I felt instead of throwing my portfolio to anyone hiring, which I felt other recruiting agencies were doing, they were providing personal and meaningful referrals to companies they know and trust. When I was closing in on an offer Jennifer would keep me updated on the entire process - she would always call after an interview and keep me updated on the progress. I felt she was genuinely interested in my career and proud of where I ended up. Again, I thank you Jennifer and TA for helping me land my first job! :) read more

Really impressed by the team at Talent Avenue. One of the best recruitment companies that I've worked with as they were professional, tireless and helpful. Always available to speak and kept me well informed through the whole process. Would definitely recommend them to friends. read more

Working with Michelle at Talent Avenue was great. She is friendly, professional, and responsive. I really felt like she was looking out for my best interests and made the job search process seem simple. It was also great to have her negotiating to get the most competitive compensation package possible! read more

When I decided to relocate to SF from Arizona, Talent Avenue was my first resource I tapped into, aiding in my efforts of pursuing growth. They were a big help in getting me established and recognized my passion for design and advertising right away. staffing resources. What sticks out for me is that Talent Avenue has a genuine interest in your career goals and they put in the effort to find you work that supports those goals. The best part for me is that you don't feel like your on a giant email list that spams your inbox with jobs that aren't always great fit. Instead you get a more personal experience, involving a recruiter actually calling or emailing you when something comes up. I just recently got a contract to hire opportunity as a result of the work I did while working with Michelle and Leslie at Talent Avenue. I strongly recommend Talent Avenue if your looking to find good work, whether your a seasoned professional looking for new ventures or junior level looking to grow your skill set. read more

Talent Avenue is great! I found a job position they posted which is what led me to an initial interview with them. I went to the office and hand a great interview, I was very fresh out of school so I wasn't sure how many positions they would be able to find for me. A few months ago they called me with a job opportunity, set everything up for me. Its great how they negotiate salary and figure out everything for you. Its a great way to freelance and gain experience and my opportunities have opened many doors. Michelle was my contact through talent avenue and she has been very helpful and did a great job taking me through the interview process. I really appreciate everything they have done for me! read more

I have been working closely with Talent Avenue for a month now. At my first meeting, I was paired up with Michelle, who tirelessly worked to arrange meetings for me and present new opportunities as they came up. The demeanor of everyone I spoke to was friendly and professional, with a genuine will to help. Talent Avenue is a great place for creatives and I'm glad we were able to link up. Next time I'm looking for a new career opportunity, I will definitely reach out. read more

I've worked with many recruiters in the past, most of whom want you to settle or talk you into a position that just isn't right for you. Talent Avenue is definitely not that from what I've experienced. They've set me up with a contract job that was exactly what I was looking for. They are focused on making sure both the employers and talent are a great match for each other. Additionally, they are quick to respond on all the various questions that you typically have for HR when starting a new job :) read more

At first I had a really great feeling about this place. I loved how when I submitted an application then I received an email 5 minutes later to call or set up an interview. Perfect! She sent me an email, told her up front I'm looking for part time. We set up the interview for a Friday at 10AM, when I got there, "Jessica" (the one that emailed me right away) greeted me--she brought me to a room, sat me down and falsely led me to believe I would was going to have the interview with her. I had it with "Shonna", it would of been nice to be informed, not surprised. Shonna proceeds to tell me that their company is different because they have real people that have been through these opportunities before and know what is expected of this industry. I'm thinking to myself "like duh"--but she is wrong in the sense that their company is different. Many other staffing agencies do the very same thing. I know, I've experienced quite a few. Anyhow, she seemed awfully surprised when I asked her I was looking for part time position, I do freelance work full time for a start-up in Emeryville. Which turned me off because "Jessica" should of mentioned this to her before passing me off to her. From there it went down-hill. I'm not happy with the tone and body language I read off of her. For a freelance designer--I'm making $40 hr so I want 40, she tells me I'm asking too much. Um no, You don't provide insurance, I might have to commute, I have 5 yrs experience under my belt, I know my worth! SMH. read more

I have been helped by numerous employment agencies and none have helped as much as Talent Avenue did. At the time that I was looking for work I was being helped by 2 other agencies that were just setting me up with interviews for positions without having my best interest in mind. I honestly was not looking for another agency to help me out but Talent Avenue contacted about a great job opportunity based on the company's requirements and my skills. It was the first company they set me up with for an interview and the last. I landed the job!!! As much as my skills played a role in landing the position, I credit the employees at Talent Avenue just as much. They did not waste my time trying to set me up with interviews they know I might not be a good fit for just for their own best interest. The staff is incredibly friendly!!!! Now after 3 months working I still speak wonders of them. They are very prompt whenever I have a question with payroll or anything else. read more

Talent Avenue helped with my job search tremendously. Leslie and the rest of the crew kept me very busy with a constant stream interviews. Within three/four weeks of working with them, I landed a great job that I'm beyond excited about (also one that I would have never found on my own). They were totally undaunted if I didn't like a company they suggested too. Very professional, very efficient, and just plain invaluable. I'm going to highly suggest that any creative friend go to TA if they're looking for work in the bay area. read more

My experience with Talent Avenue generally and with Michelle and Elizabeth particularly has been extremely positive. Both Michelle and Elizabeth are very knowledgeable about my specialized area of design and are excellent at matching my skills with the right opportunities. I feel that they are truly looking out for my best interests and always want to find the positions that will be the best fit for me. I am currently very happy in a long-term contract position that Michelle found for me and I will continue to work with Talent Avenue in the future. I highly recommend this agency for designers looking for both contract and FTE opportunities. read more

My job hunt experience with Talent Avenue was fantastic. Jennifer Kraus was a pleasure to work with, she kept me up to date with both opportunities and offers. I would highly recommend TA to other creatives in the Bay Area. read more

Having been a freelance advertising professional for many years in SF, I have worked with all the major staffing agencies in town. I can say hands down, my experience with Talent Avenue has been by far the most professional and valuable to my career. Many of the "big shot" agencies in town had a very "throw it all at the wall to see what sticks" philosophy, not really caring if the position they were trying to place was actually a good fit for me. Also, if I were to look at it from an employer side of things, Talent Avenue also has a good vetting process of candidates, carefully checking my references and asking me tough questions on my skill sets to ensure I was truly qualified, and not just telling them what they wanted to hear. Michelle runs a tight ship over there, and my experience with her and the rest of the team has been nothing but quality. To say I recommend Talent Avenue is an understatement., and I will continue to recommend them to my creative colleagues! read more

Working with Talent Avenue was great. They were on my side on all steps of negotiations with employes and never questioned any of my wishes. The fact that we met in person for an evaluation of my experience and my career goals was definitely a differential from other recruiting agencies who were just trying to blindly place me somewhere. Michelle was great to work with and she keeps checking in to make sure I'm happy at the new gig. read more

I've had a great experience with Talent Avenue on two separate occasions. They are patient, helpful and respectful of matching you correctly with some very meaningful companies around the Bay Area. I've personally worked mostly with Michelle--she is very communicative, quick to respond, and great at helping facilitate the process. I highly recommend working with Talent Avenue. read more

It has been a great experience working with Talent Ave. They have stood out to me as the most effective talent agency in helping me find the right job for me, whether short term freelance work, long term contract work, or full-time work. They have been very thorough in understanding what I'm looking for and finding the right fit for me in the creative industry. At the same time they have been understanding if I didn't feel a job was right for me. They are always following up with me on each gig I work, and are eager to help me find my next opportunity. I would absolutely recommend Talent Ave to anyone looking for new opportunities! read more