Parker Staffing Services

I just attended a job fair at University of Washington and had never seen this company before. I went and chit chatted with Taylor and she gave me some great advice on my resume and how to improve it. She also convinced me to send my application to Parker and hope for the best. I am currently waiting to hear back, but my initial experience with the company was excellent! Parker Staffing definitely has very knowledgeable and experienced employees.

I have something of a love-​hate relationship with staffing agencies. Some are good, some definitely are not. This is one of the good ones. They actually have opportunities! I have been working with Grace & couldn’t be more pleased. I start my first assignment soon & I can’t wait! This is actually the third assignment they’ve contacted me for, but the other two didn’t work out because of my schedule. Grace actually worked to get me a raise before I even started. What recruiter does that?!
It’s been my experience that you have to work with your recruiter. They won’t always come up with assignments unless you communicate with them too. I think it’s obvious from some of the reviews here that it may not always be the agency that’s the problem, maybe it’s you. I’m hoping to be able to update this review later to say this is the best job I’ve ever had :)

Do not use this agency. If you submit a resume, you will not find any positions. Apparently you need to use their online service, if you can access it, and then apply as a possible candidate. I have over ten years’ experience as an admin asst, in a variety of fields, and was sent on one interview for a temp assignment. No follow-​up info until I called back. Then told someone else selected. No feedback or support.
Total waste of time and effort.

Parker Services was a stellar experience! I didn’t know what to expect after trying out another local agency that wasn’t so helpful and started with them. The basic process is that you would apply for position or fill out an interest form on their website. Someone from Parker Services will reach out to you to potentially interview with them. The point of the phone/​Skype then in-​person interview is to get to know you professionally and background history. What are your current skills, experiences, extras you bring to the table as a working professional. The good thing is they also want to know the work environment and company culture you see yourself working in. I think that is «so» important. I have worked for a few temporary positions at companies I thought was legit and realized «this isn’t for me» and you live and ya learn.
I interviewed with a really stand up and professional man named DJ. He basically saw my Resume and was like «Nice.Kristy you been working here and there throughout college. Tell me more about x company and why?» «Describe experiences that were defining from this list.» He was more like… a work coach than an actual business oriented man if that makes sense? Comfortable and painless as it can be. I went through the background check process and application. Then, he did refer me to good temporary jobs shortly after. Some I like more than others but you gotta make your coins right? I did ended up temping for a Kirkland company and then got a sweet contract from it. The company was hands down an amazing team environment and positive as I ever had a pleasure of working for. It set the bar so flippin a dolphin high for my future company! When the contract unfortunately had to come to a close I contacted DJ and was told he was no longer an employee there. It sucked! And it hasn’t been the same since. This is why I knocked a star. He was an encouraging and positive Park Services Manager I had the pleasure of teaming up with. Overall, no regrets and keepin’ onward!

I had an interview there and the interviewing recruiter had already pre-​judged me as a non hire in the lobby. Their recruiting staff reached out to me having seen my posted resume elsewhere, but the interviewer came into the meeting without a copy of my resume, needed to take a moment to review it. While her feedback on my resume was good her demeanor was condescending and she made statments that could be construed as racist & ageist. Obviously she does not know the Seattle office culture or reapect the diversity here.

I had an interview with Gayle. They didn’t seem to have anything for me at all, and she told me that to my face. It just felt like a giant waste of time. I’m supposed to go back and take all the tests, but I really doubt that I will.
I just left the staffing agency very depressed. It’s a shame because I had heard such great things about them.

I found Parker Staffing Services to be a very helpful job placement agency. Gayle and Grace were quick to talk to me about positions that they thought would match my experience and you can tell that with this staffing agency they care about meeting the needs of both job seekers and clients compared to other agencies that rush job placements. I was always kept in the loop about potential opportunities and I was grateful for all of the help while I was looking for work. I ended up finding a job elsewhere but I had complete faith in Parker Staffing Services!

I contacted Parker Services looking for a contract position and never got any call back. I called in multiple times and left voice mails and even sent a couple of emails but I didn’t get any reply at all. Parker services didn’t even care enough to take the time and call me back to let me know there was no positions available or they were still looking around for me. I am very upset about this unprofessional behavior and will never be working with Parker Staffing Services again.

When I needed work during a ten-​month-​long break from school, I applied to some jobs through various staffing agencies, not expecting much. A month later I got a call from Krystal at Parker. The position I had applied for was filled, but she had held on to my resume and kept me in mind for other jobs in the same field. The phone and face-​to-​face interviews with her were very comfortable. I loved the job I got and before my assignment was even finished, Krystal was recommending me for two more assignments! All my interactions with Krystal, Cory, Susan, and other Parker staff were positive. They replied to questions promptly and thoroughly and always treated me with respect. I really felt that they cared about my personal and professional success and were really committed to matching my personality and skills with available positions. All in all I got three assignments of varying lengths from Parker and they were all enjoyable.

I moved to Seattle less than two months ago, and I signed up with multiple staffing firms with the hopes of snagging a contract position. Parker Staffing Services was by far the most professional, helpful, and dedicated agency that I had the pleasure of working with. My interviewing skills and technical skills were assessed, and this is not a service provided by the other agencies I worked with. Coming from a recruiting background, I see this is a huge service to the companies that partner with Parker Staffing Services because it ensures that the candidates are thoroughly screened before presenting a possible match.
Gayle has been an amazing resource, and I am so appreciative of her drive and great communication skills. She was extremely prompt with emails, phone calls, and follow-​up when necessary. She also provided insight to the companies that I was being submitted for, and shared tips that would help me through the interviewing process. I am thankful for all the staff that has helped me along the way, including Clara, Kristin, and Cory.
Thank you for being an encouragement and helping me land a contract position so quickly. If/​when my contract ends, I will not be worried because I know that I can rely on this great team to help me get placed again.
Highly recommended!

Right after I moved to Seattle, I submitted an application to several staffing firms in hopes of getting a job. Although I did not take anything that was offered to me from any staffing firm, I found Parker to be exceptional!
I met with Gayle for my interview and found her to be extremely sweet and great! What truly set her apart from my other staffing firm experiences is that she really got to know me professionally through engaging in cheerful conversation and making me feel comfortable (rather than a straight question and answer interview that never veered away from the format).
When Gayle and Rachel (who is also really sweet) thought there would be a potential match with an organization, I felt like they went above and beyond to get me prepared and comfortable for the interview along with knowing some «interview tricks» for that organization.
Although I turned down the second round interview for that position, everyone with whom I interacted left a great taste in my mouth. If I can leave you with this, it is that everyone at Parker is customer-​focused and dedicated to their client.

Krystal met with me and said straight up that they weren’t going to bother with my skills testing, and that they could not place me anywhere because I’m far beyond what they staff for.
Bear in mind that I type over 100 words a minute, know every piece of software on the market, and have been recently testing 100% across the board, and they could make money off me. They turned away a candidate with transferable skills and refused to talk about it afterwards.
Heard back from the company’s director and I can appreciate that this company aims to match the perfect candidate to the perfect job. But this is an ever-​evolving industry. The «one way to do things» approach is about as dead as disco and nobody understands that point better than your own candidates.
I would be less critical if I had been saved the time, trouble and expense in having to present myself to a company that never intended to place me at all. Krystal and I spoke over the phone with tremendous enthusiasm about what kind of experience I had, what my skill sets are, and what I wanted… which was to get working full time. Period. Of course, I would prefer to remain in the legal field because I excel there, but Krystal knows that is not what I was seeking.
I did not approach Parker with the notion that they would ever find me a legal support job. But I did expect to be impressed with a modicum of effort and human resource acumen and at least be considered for any job that required the same quantifiable battery of skills and experience to be able to fulfill even a temp contract position. I can also appreciate that clients can be very specific about their requirements. A modern staffing company of today would develop trust and confidence in their clients because they can deliver… or they could get better clients.
Parker has done little but waste my time and erode my confidence in staffing agencies.
Your draconian quest for perfection has dulled your luster considerably.
Not recommended.
Update: I appreciate that the owner is blindly backing his employee, Krystal, with whom he seems to hold in high regard. Not sure why, considering she’s talking out of both sides of her mouth. What he still fails to acknowledge is that Krystal told me on the phone they had all kinds of job orders to fill and that someone with my skills and experience would be a joy to place. I show up at the office off an airplane via taxicab, and all of a sudden, I’m not useful to you at all. That stinks of discrimination and considering how disingenuous she seemed upon meeting, I would suggest she was intimidated. She should be, because I can smell the bullshit in her pockets even if you can’t, Slim.
When I do finally get hired, Parker Staffing will NOT be utilized as I am always the decision maker in that scenario. Parker Staffing has many other negative reviews and Jacob’s attempt to isolate mine is laughable and… well, lame. A responsible manager would address the issues maturely and deal with them, not deflect them. Jacob will never admit that he enjoys a business relationship with good and bad clients, and they aren’t all equal no matter what he personally believes. The facts speak for themselves… Krystal had ample opportunity to be honest and up front about the state of open job orders prior to the interview but instead chose to put money before ethicality and dragged me into the office for nothing. Then, when I complained about it, Jacob had ample opportunity to address issues with his employee, and so I’m told (in so many words) that they reserve their rights to be douchebags whenever they wish. Well, thanks Jacob and Krystal. It has been an education.

This place is first class. I moved up to the Seattle area for a couple of weeks before finding Parker Staffing. Once I found them, I was able to get in to interview and had a job offer WITHIN THREE DAYS. I love this place, and recommend them to anyone in the area who is looking for a career change.
I worked with Rachel there, and she is amazing. If you get the chance to, work with her. She’s great.

I start working tomorrow! I can’t believe this! I have been out of work since November 2012 and on July 26^th I begin my first job here in Washington. I give ALL THE CREDIT to Parker Staffing.
I have to tell you that I have used more than 6 employment agencies to help me find work since April 2013 and NONE OF THEM was able to work as fast and as professional as Parker, I am still in awe. Some of these agencies were (Apple One, Office Team, Volt, Tetra Tech, Mastech, Aerospace and much more!) NONE of them were as kind and as efficient as Parker.
I am so lucky to have found them by accident, I was looking at Administrative temp agencies in Seattle on Unilocal and accidentally stumbled upon a really bad review about another agency and underneath one comment was a super great one about Parker and about a staff member named Krystal.
So I looked them up and found a Receptionist job on their site and I applied. The same afternoon I get a call from Krystal herself telling me to come meet her the next day! So I went to my interview and it was very standard but enjoyable, I had a huge pimple on my face and I kept on apologizing for it and she laughed with me lol she’s very friendly and welcoming.
Anyway, she introduced me to her coworker who gave me a briefing about this job I applied for and what to expect from the person who will interview me, now at the time I really thought that meh this company will do the same thing everyone else did, which is tell me that they’ll submit me to the client and then we’ll wait until the respond, and nothing happens.
BUT! THE NEXT DAY I get a call from Krystal asking me if I’m free at 2:15pm for a phone interview with that client! I was shocked and stuttered LOL «YES! Of course I’m free!!» She was happy and prepped me as well as sent me an email with the client’s website to do some homework on them. I got the phone call at 2:15pm and at 4pm Krystal calls me and tells me that the client wants to meet me TOMORROW! I was so excited beyond words and went to my interview the next day and afterwards I get a call from Krystal again in the afternoon telling me that I GOT THE JOB AND I START TOMORROW!!!
Applied on Parker’s website online = 07.22.2013
Interviewed with Krystal = 07.23.2013
Had phone interview with Client = 07.24.2013
Had in person interview with Client = 07.25.2013
Start working tomorrow = 07.26.2013!
I am just so grateful, so happy that I found these guys and I just had to share with everyone how crazy its been for me with other agencies but Parker Staffing were right on the money with my resume and I can’t believe I’ll finally be working again. I am speechless! Thank you Parker Staffing and thank you Krystal for being awesome!

I have been with Parker for a couple months now and it has been a great experience! I worked a conference and now I am set up with a receptionist position in Bellevue. Through all of the processes, they have been great about staying in touch with me regarding what kind of information I need to provide and what kind of steps I need to take in order to move forward. Additionally, they have been proactive about checking in with me to make sure the assignment in going well. All of the staff I have worked with have been very friendly and cordial, they are all very easy to talk to! Highly recommended!

Came here for an interview back in August ’12 with Kelli. Kelli handed me off to another recruiter, which was odd since I had been contacted by Kelli ever since I submitted an application. Then came the interview, where the recruiter asked about my experience and skills and then asked if I was even sure about my choice in what I want to do. She ended up signing me up for
and told me they would contact me for an interview. The people were nice at the front desk but they didn’t even contact me back… ever. Not a single phone call or email. But I did get a newsletter type email from them… today. Thanks for reminding me about how thorough you guys are! Great job.
Edit — Thank you for contacting me back in regards to my review. I fixed the error of the recruiter’s name (Sorry Krystal!) but you can see how the process of switching me to another recruiter as I arrived at your offices could lead to. I’m glad you contacted me back in response to my review, but this review needs to be heard for other job seekers out there. I could have been at another interview during the time I was at your office.

I just signed with Parker this last week and after having worked through a few Temporary Agencies both in Seattle and Bellevue this one is hands down the best so far! They were super professional, I was able to take a skills assessment test from the comfort of my own home (the first day I did the test I wasn’t confident about the results since there was a bunch of distractions and an unexpected computer update!) – The day after taking this test I went in to meet with two wonderful recruiters Stacy and Rachael. The worst part of some temp. agencies is the fact that you feel like your just a body filling a position at a company whether you want to be there or your skill set is right for it, as long as the agency is getting their money. With Parker that was’t the case and I really felt like both Stacy and Rachael were concerned with where I want to be working, eventually permanently and even if it was a contract for six months it wasn’t going to be somewhere I had no interest or felt as if I wasn’t being utilized in the right way. I am not an excuse person either, but during my interview we went over my skills test which they assured me looked just fine, but I felt very comfortable telling both Stacy and Rachael I knew I could have done better and didn’t feel completely prepared and at the level I know that I am, but I guess I’d have to live with the results. To my surprise they said if I wanted to re-​do the test (which is timed so it’s not just looking up how to do something in excel – which I knew I could do!) that that was fine! I guess for me having been laid off the last few months and feeling like I have been applying with companies directly and with some temporary agencies no one has really listened to where I see myself and what I can deliver, that is until I went to Parker Staffing. I can’t wait to see what the next few weeks bring, but I am very optimistic and know that Stacy, Rachael, and their newest Sourcer Krystal who brought me onto to this wonderful company will give me the hand-​up I’ve been seeking. Thanks guy’s for believing in me and to the rest of you reading this review please go check them out!

Pros — It provided great pay, and amicable amount of hours when needed.
Cons — No flexibility at all, when your assignment would end, they would not communicate to you in person, rather wait until the end of your shift over the phone or not just put you on the schedule for the following week. Plus lack of empathy, due to situations such as taking off for a sick child or having to pick them up from school. They say they’re flexible, but only say that to get you in the door.
Advice to Senior Management — Have more of a rapport, empathy and open mind with your associates and not just blind side them.

Major waste of time.
DO NOT be deluded by them.

They were great with securing me temp positions when I suddenly found myself out of work a few years ago. I did a week-​long convention gig that paid pretty well for what was required of us. They get bonus points for having direct deposit for paychecks (unlike another temp agency). They didn’t do a lot of temp-​perm or placement work for me, but the steady work was good.
Even when I had started a permanent job and stopped checking in for several months, they had kept me on file and called me for a short gig since I had experience doing it before. It was nice that they remembered me and my work. Plus the extra money was very much appreciated.
They’re definitely on my short list of places to call if I ever become out of work.