Founded in 1948, Manpower is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and they've got offices throughout the United States as well as in 80 countries around the world.
Manpower is one of a handful of companies overseen by the parent company called Manpower Group (not to be confused with just "Manpower"). Aside from Manpower, they also own Experis, Right Management, and Manpower Group Solutions. More than 10,000 employees strong, Manpower has 400,000 clients and claims that they help 600,000 people like you find jobs every day. With several decades of experience up their sleeves, Manpower sure has the resources to help a wide variety of job seekers.
Manpower functions primarily through the easy-to-navigate manpowerjobs.com, where job seeker can create a profile, search for jobs, upload your résumé, and hopefully connect with recruiters.
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The Good
- Free services
- Benefits program
- Wide variety of industries
- Position options
- Website
Manpower's services are completely free. They won't charge you a cent for working with their recruiters, searching for jobs, or networking through them.
In addition, they offer a significant benefits program. If you're eligible, you'll receive healthcare coverage, a 401(k), referral bonuses, paid holidays, and training that could help you stay appealing to the industry you're applying in. Keep in mind, though, that benefits packages vary by location.
With so many child companies coupled with years of experience, Manpower caters to a wide variety of industries:
- Accounting and finance
- Customer service and call centers
- Creative and marketing
- Engineering
- Hospitality
- Technology
- Administrative
- Human resources
- Industrial and manufacturing
- Skilled trades
- Transportation
Manpower has connections in a wide variety of industries which is not surprising, since they have so many connections and exist practically all over the world. This is good news for job seekers because it means you can contact Manpower with almost any need and they will likely be able to help.
The company sets applicants up with temporary, temporary-to-hire, and permanent positions. So whether you're looking to start a career or just fit in some contract work, Manpower serves as a great resource.
The job search on their website is a highlight too. Without registering on the site (though you'll want to do that eventually), you can search through their available jobs, and the site will pull up the industry, posting date, and type of position that's open. The only reason you'll want a profile is that it makes the recruiters' job easier of connecting with you, reviewing your career goals, and matching you with the right positions.
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The Bad
- Long hours
- Complaints
- Reputation
Many employees and applicants of Manpower have complained that the work they found through certain locations included very long hours. In addition, some of their client companies weren't too credible (though it was reported that the staffing agency itself remained respectable). That being said, if you do work through Manpower, beware of the companies you apply to and make sure they would treat you right. Common complaints include:
- High turnover rates
- Feeling replaceable
- More seasonal than permanent
Some also say the company carries a reputation of having a high turnover rate and mostly temporary positions, not permanent ones. So Manpower might not be the company that will land you a full-time career.
It's easy to find their contact information, but depending on your location, you may not always get the best help.
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The Bottom Line
When all is said and done, Manpower is one of the most trusted brands in the staffing industry. Because they have so much experience and exist on a global level, they have the resources to help you land the job you need. But be aware that you might find more temporary, less permanent, work through them. The good news is that they're free, though, so it can't hurt to give them a try.
If you do decide to use Manpower's services, be sure to keep your profile updated so their recruiters have your most recent information. In many ways, the company has much of a "Help us help
you" approach. Like with any staffing agency, you need to do your part to market your skills and network with the right people. But unlike some staffing agencies, Manpower has a heck of a website and impressive statistics that you could become a part of.