Working with Universal Staffing was my first experience using a temp agency, and it exceeded expectations. Their entire team was incredibly helpful, responsive, and easy to work with throughout the process. A special thank you to CJ, who was always accessible and consistently kept me informed--her communication made everything seamless. We were also very happy with the temp placed with us, who was a great fit for our team. Thank you as well to Carolyn and the entire team for such a positive experience. We truly appreciated the support and would gladly work with Universal Staffing again. read more

I have had a great experience with Universal Staffing! I love that it is female owned and operated, and since I sent in my resume I have been able to complete several jobs, even though I haven't been signed with them for long. Super helpful staff, lovely office, amazing overall company. Great opportunities for those looking for work! read more

Professional, kind, and supportive. I felt like family. I worked with other great people. We had fun banquet jobs.

Very personable, unlike the online options. Feels like they care about finding me a job that suits me. They've kept me up to date on full-time work and found some part-time work until the full-time appears. Highly recommend them. read more

I have been waiting almost three years to hear back from Universal Staffing in Monterey. I've called, left messages, and gotten absolutely nowhere. Then, in November 2024, I saw a job posting and figured I'd give it another shot. The owner herself reached out, seemed very interested, and scheduled an interview. She confirmed the day and even said she'd follow up with an email confirmation. That email never came. On the day of the interview, I reached out to confirm the time--only to find out my interview wasn't even on the calendar. Eventually, I got a response from someone named Amanda, who told me the interview had been forgotten. She put me on hold, came back, and then gave me some excuse about going out of town and needing to reschedule after the holidays. Sure. By February 2025, I saw yet another job posting that I was highly qualified for. I reached out again, and this time Amanda acted very interested. I reminded her that I had already gone through this whole mess in 2023 and 2024. She assured me it would be different. So, I came in. There were new people working there, which gave me a tiny bit of hope. During my meeting, both Amanda and CJ promised they would send my résumé out that same day because they had positions they knew I would be great for. Well, guess what? They didn't send it that day Or the next Or the next. It took them almost a week to send it out. So much for a "reputable" staffing agency. After chasing them for updates, I finally got an assignment that lasted all of one or two months. Then, I scheduled a Zoom interview for another opportunity. The morning of my interview (02/20/2025), I woke up extremely sick. I had already missed work due to illness. I overslept by 15 minutes, woke up in a fever haze, and immediately started drafting an email to explain. Before I could even send it, Amanda called. I apologized and let her know I had been really sick, but instead of being remotely understanding, she immediately told me they would no longer use me for assignments because missing an interview was "unprofessional" and "bad for their reputation." Excuse me?! This company has no reputation to protect. The owner couldn't even schedule an interview properly, her staff takes forever to follow through, and they leave candidates hanging for years. But now suddenly I'm the unprofessional one because I was sick very sick! This place is a joke. If you're looking for a staffing agency that actually does its job. Stay far away from Universal Staffing. Carolyn, this is false information. I was offered only one real job opportunity, and the other was merely a four-hour shift to hand out name tags not exactly the kind of opportunity that reflects true job placement efforts. As for being an "office favorite," that could easily be attributed to the lack of integrity on your end rather than any genuine regard for me as a candidate. I felt it was important to warn others about an unprofessional company that does not value people's time or money. Instead of addressing the real issue, you were quick to defend the company, yet you never took the time to reach out to me directly to resolve the situation. This only further proves the lack of communication and professionalism. Best of luck! read more

Fantastic staffing agency and very good value for money - we come to Monterey annually for one of our Regional conferences at the Monterey Convention Center and have had some trouble finding good temporary staff in the past for Registration and badge checking duties. This year we found Universal and couldnt have been happier. They are a local business and put together a team of really good staff who were punctual, friendly to attendees and took the work seriously. I can't recommend them enough - the owner Carolyn and her recruiters will take great care of you and were quick to respond and provide the staffing we requested! read more

Universal Staffing has been an excellent placement service for both me and my husband. Always professional, Carolyn, Janet, Leslye, Amanda, and now CJ have found opportunities for us to flourish in our careers. Honestly, I have never had much success on job sites and AI. Nothing beats working with real, live people who care about your success. CALL THEM! read more

CJ is kind, responsive, and truly cares about those she helps! highly recommend this company to all!!

Great and pleasant people to work with.. very professional and we all make sure all jobs get done till the end. I'm sure we all care for this company to make sure all our clients are happy and satisfied. read more

Professional, responsive, company that found me a great job right away! Would highly recommend!

Beware! Left an honest review the other day and now I get attacked by messages from the owner and two employees! Sorry you have rude employees but to let them message me personally is far and beyond rude. One account I believe is fake. One is the one I complained about and the owner seems to be obnoxious as well. Says to contact her but leave no contact information. I will not have my husband do business here again! Final. read more

I first met Leslye via email while I was living out of the country in 2016. She's a great communicator & we were able to make a job plan for my return. I've been placed in a variety of short and longer-term temp positions at Universal Staffing. Each company provided quality oversight and all expectations were clear before I arrived. Leslye is able to quickly assess her clients - both the employer & employee - which means that she can put us to work faster! COVID has slowed business, but it hasn't changed the quality of her work. She is willing to listen and will encourage clients to think outside of the box which leads to better outcomes. Many of her clients are like me with longevity, so one knows that her work is solid & respected. read more

Used them recently and had a great experience; they were professional, kind, efficient and helpful!

Listened to my specific needs and matched my business with the best possible person! Thank you!

If you are searching for the absolute BEST company on the Monterey Peninsula to match your skillset with solid, reputable employers, your search ends here! Universal Staffing is more than a temp agency. They are professional, dedicated people who will be just as invested in your success as you are. I walked into their office 2 months ago (after having been out of the area for nine years), and Leslye remembered me! It did not take long for Leslye and Mickey to track down job leads and set up an interview, which led to a job offer beyond my expectations--for the SECOND time. If you are tired of feeling like a number in a cold, fast-paced world, let Universal Staffing remind you that there are still small businesses run by "real people" with a high level of integrity who will treat you with dignity and respect. They maintain the tenacity and grit of a fierce corporation, while simultaneously exhibiting the warm, personable touch that makes doing business with them feel like you're working with family. There is a reason I came back here after nine years....and I'm so glad I did! read more

My experience with Universal Staffing Agency has been a very wonderful and successful one. Leslye, the Office Manager has been the most helpful and compassionate person to work with. Leslye has gone the extra mile to make sure the assignment will be the most terrific fit for you. Universal Staffing Agency not only looks out for you, the person looking for a job, but also works hand in hand with making sure the employer has an individual that is qualified for the position they are seeking. I am proud to say, Leslye was able to place me in my dream job. Hats off to this very professional staffing agency! read more

First off stay away! Leslie will talk to you in a private room get you pumped up with 2-3 potential jobs that pay fairly decently. Then She tells you she will call you the following day to let you know which job she will end up sending you to. Of course I walk in on a Thursday and she does not get back to me Friday and I do not here from them all weekend. Then on Monday I talk to Valerie regarding the situation and she tells me she's out of town til weds. They fill you up with hope and waste your time and energy. Very shady performance of there end. These are the type of people that make it hard for me to be a good person. read more

Thank you Leslye and Micky ! Such a big help for me being new to the area. You can tell both your intentions are pure and sincere in helping me and my boyfriend the right jobs for us read more

Leslye and Janet are incredible. The entire staff works as one solid unit. They are on top of everything. Nothing gets dropped through the cracks as with several other staffing agencies with whom I've worked. I completely agree with Tera M. Their response time is NOW. If they could respond to smoke signals, they'd do it. They are there for me no matter what, giving me excellent advise, picking me up when I feel down, constantly looking for "my perfect fit" as well as the employers. They truly are match makers. read more

I have been an employee of Universal Staffing for many years. They are not only professionals and experts in the field of employment, but are always caring and concerned about finding the very best fit for their people. I would give them the highest rating, especially Leslye Schneider, who is always there to listen and to really hear what we have to say. read more

From the moment I sent in my resume Janet and Leslye and company made me feel comfortable and at ease. I was guided to great assignments that matched my skill set. They are always happy to assist with questions and feedback. Great place and just have to say I turned in resume on Tuesday and by the next day I had a fantastic first assignment. Keep up amazing customer service ladies, you all are amazing. read more

Leslye has proven that Integrity is everything. The staff are professional and engaged. Proper job.

Universal Staffing was fundamental in finding me not only a job, but a career. They were able to connect me with a local company during the pandemic which led to a competitive job offer after a few months of working with them. Leslye and her team are great ... They will help you to connect with potential job offers and get you in the door. I highly recommend using their service if you are looking for a job no matter what your education or experience may be. read more

Useless! This is the best way to describe this agency. Oh yes, they're very friendly but... I've been registered with them for 8 months now. I have a college degree and a very strong background in high-tech business analysis. I let them know every week that I'm available and they assure me I'm on their 'hot list". Seriously??? Enough... read more

It was an absolute pleasure to work with Universal Staffing. They were always quick to respond to all my questions and they are great at matching your individual needs and requests to the perfect assignment! Many thanks, Janet!!! I will definitely recommend anyone I know to Universal Staffing! read more

I'm sure this place has pulled out all the stops for other people, but for me they've done jack. In fact, they recently sent me out on an interview that resulted in a job offer from their client - then, a few days later, they were all, "Oops! Sorry! Just kidding!" Maybe it was simply a misunderstanding. But making an offer to someone who's been breaking her back trying to find work for OVER A YEAR and then rescinding it is not only unprofessional, but downright CRUEL. Avoid!! read more

From the moment I approached Universal Staffing, I felt like my needs and wants were the highest priority to the entire Universal Staffing team. Janet and Leslye are extremely responsive and will take the time to sit down with you and understand your background and skills, along with your salary requirements and career goals. I recently completed my first temporary assignment for Universal Staffing, and it was an amazing fit for both me and the employer. I look forward to checking in on future opportunities, not only because there is an interesting variety of assignments, but because I feel this is a personable and caring staffing agency. read more

Janet and Amanda and really, the whole staff here are AMAZING!! seriously!! They get things done, they respond to emails, phone calls, smoke signals...ok maybe not smoke signals BUT I have WORKED at some super cool events and isn't that what it's all about?? I really am thankful that I signed up with this agency and have been so proud to work with lawyers,schools, military professionals. There are great opportunities to showcase skills, hone them and develop new skills. Hoping for a permanent gig, but so happy to WORK with this agency! read more

I have been with Universal Staffing in Monterey for two years now and it is the most professional and understanding agency I have ever worked for. I was a student at the local University and despite having a difficult time locating work I decided to stay in the area. Leslye and Janet are both phenomenal! They kept me working, and always kept in touch. I know most people look at reviews and believe all the negative hype, well in this case DO NOT believe the hype! This agency has a staff full of amazing people who enjoy keeping the rest of us working as much as possible. If you are looking for an understanding agency with outstanding quality of work, quality of people, as well as an agency that believes in putting people first and ALWAYS has your back check out Universal! All I ask is that you give my review the same gusto and passion that you would quickly give to the negative reviews. read more

Leslye is who helped me and she was great when I went in for my meeting with her. She said I had an amazing resume and wide range of skills and Promised she would be in touch. This was a year ago. I have since reached out multiple times via phone and email and have heard nothing back. I've left messages and not received calls back. I gave up on them finally but I was extremely frustrated. Maybe I just had a bad experience and it's an amazing place but the way they handled my job placement was unprofessional and neglectful. read more

I wish it had worked out for me. The company really made me feel like they would put every effort into helping me find a job. They assured me they would follow up once a week, whether they had found job offers or not, which made me feel relieved. The women there were very nice, asked multiple questions about my skills and aspirations, and sat with me for somewhere around an hour. I filled out a long form with my information just to get in the door, only to have heard nothing six months later. I have had absolutely no calls, emails, or other forms of contact. I have since been able to find a job on my own but I am highly disappointed in Universal. I finally called today to have my name taken off of their list, and the receptionist didn't want to talk about what my issue was. I hope it was just a mistake on their part and not some ruse where they earn commission based on how many people they can sign up. read more

My initial experience with Universal Staffing was as an employee. Now, they are the staffing firm I go to when my company needs temporary office help. The staff are wonderful to work with from both perspectives! read more

Janet and the team and Universal Staffing are great! Janet always responds to my emails and phone calls within 24 hours. Really she always responds within about 2 hours unless she is not in the office, then you will hear back from her the next day. She has been great about checking in with me about possible job opportunities and really works to get your resume out there to their contacts. Highly recommend this staffing agency if you are looking for employment! Very grateful to them for the new job I will be starting on Monday! read more

Janet, Leslye, and the Universal team are absolutely wonderful! They are extremely personable, helpful, and professional, and they look out for their employees. I highly recommend them over any of the larger temp agencies! read more

Janet and Leslye are amazing! They tirelessly worked on my behalf to find me great jobs that fit with my busy schedule. They carefully helped me by really getting to know my skillset and find me placements that added to my resume. The two of them helped me build my confidence and catered to some crazy situations, such as super short windows to pick up my paycheck. Their thoughtfulness when an employer put me in a very uncomfortable position, was over the top. Not only do they have your back, but you can count on them to help you strive towards your own goals as well. The pay is quick; no waiting weeks for your first check...and thoughtful caring service. It was a pleasure to work with them and I can tell you that you can benefit greatly from anytime with these friendly professionals. As far as I know this is only my second review ever, but I had to put it in writing how amazing my Universal Staffing Monterey experience was... read more

I have utilized Universal to fill several office temp jobs at two different companies here in the Monterey area, and Janet and her staff have been fantastic to work with. They are responsive, professional, sensitive to our needs and very straightforward about the candidates they are sending us and their strengths and weaknesses, which makes it helpful in getting the person we need without having to "try out" several candidates first. I think they do a good job and represent quality temp workers. read more

This is a bait-and-switch operation. They publish false job ads just to get you into their office.

I registered with this agency and to this day I have not been called for a job. Not even an interview. Yes, Amanda is very nice and polite but so far nothing. read more

Janet and Leslye and the staff at Universal were amazing! They listened, cared and was quick to reply and send me on my way to work . I would highly recommend them to anyone who needs assistants with searching for permanent positions or simply temporary. They are there ready to serve with a smile :) read more