Top temp agencies in New York City

AccounTemps
AccounTemps is an employment agency devoted to the financial and accounting professions: It's a daughter company of Robert Half International, which was ranked by Fortune magazine as the most admired business in the temporary-help industry in 2009. Submit your rsum through AccounTemps' website to find a placement in financial analysis, inventory, payroll, general ledger and bookkeeping jobs. Someone will contact you once your application is received, but it never hurts to follow up with a phone call within the week. Locations throughout the city; visit accountemps.com for more info.

Adecco Staffing
Adecco receives thousands of rsums annually from job candidates in the United States, and it finds work for about 500,000 people nationwide each year. The global agency specializes in a range of industries, including marketing, creative, finance, publishing, fashion and administrative services. "Our clients are virtually every single Fortune 500 company," says public-relations specialist Vannessa Almeida. Visit the company's website to search current job openings and upload your rsum. 51 Fifth Ave between 45th and 46th Sts, suite 500 (212-391-7000, adeccousa.com)

AppleOne Employment Services
The NYC flagship branch of national outfit AppleOne has been placing temps and permanents in high-end media and finance positions in New York City since 1964. Apply online, or by phone. "We're highly invested in everyone who comes into our office," says regional vice president Marie Sclafani. "We assist our candidates in developing their rsum and preparing them for interviews so they can put their best food forward." 100 Wall St at Water St, seventh floor (212-697-6770, appleone.com)

Atrium Staffing
Atrium interviews 12,000-plus candidates per year and is able to place approximately 65 percent of them, mainly in fashion companies, marketing and advertising firms, pharma/biotech companies, not-for-profits and finance firms. Job lengths tend to vary (along with the heft of the paycheck), with temp wages beginning at $15 an hour, although exec positions obviously earn more. "Over 84 percent of our applicants are referral-based," says Atrium's marketing director, Jamie Parks. "We've also expanded in the past year and a half. Atrium has grown to include administrative support, creative, IT, science and health-care placements." Fit the bill? Apply online. 71 Fifth Ave at 15th St, third floor (212-292-0550, atriumstaff.com)

Bon Temps Personnel Agency
Turns out your college stint playing secretary at your dad's law firm wasn't for naught. Bon Temps legal staffing, alive and kicking since 1977, is always looking for new blood in the form of legal secretaries, word processors, proofreaders, paralegals, contract attorneys and executive receptionists. While they require two years of experience at a New York City law firm, expect approximately $18 to $45 per hour, depending on the position and your qualifications. To apply, e-mail a rsum and cover letter to Beatrice Kaufman at beatrice@bontempsny.com. 80 Broad St at Stone St, No. 500, (212-732-3921, bontempsny.com)

Career Group Inc.
When someone is moved to write a flattering haiku on Yelp about a temp agency, chances are the group has something going for it. CG deals with finance, advertising, real estate and fashion companies and places its temps in office, clerk, assistant, customer-service and managerial positions. President Susan Levine has more than 30 years of experience in employment agencies, and while she won't divulge names, she assures us that CG has "very desirable clients." The agency also offers 401k eligibility for employees who complete a year of service and 1,000 hours on assignment. Receptionists make $12 to $18 an hour, whereas admins rake in between $15 and $35 an hour. As Levine explains, "If you have the skills, there is a job for you." Interested parties can e-mail their resume and cover letter to CGINY@careergroupinc.com. 1212 Sixth Ave between 47th and 48th Sts (212-750-8188, careergroupinc.com)

Clarity
Established in 2000, Clarity caters to a wide array of industries, with most placements found in the finance, marketing and consulting sectors. Clients include Bank of America, Young & Rubicam and Forbes magazine, and gigs—which are often straight admin jobs—can run from one day to a year and a half, and pay from $15 to $25 an hour. Applicants should have good communication and computer skills, plus a corporate background. The staff can even set you up at its IT headquarters in San Francisco or Palo Alto, California, or at its newer Clarity Technology Partners division in Richmond, if you're not dead set on staying in NYC. Visit the company's website to apply online. 8 W 38th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves, suite 502 (212-404-8000, claritystaffing.com)

Core Staffing
Core's friendly, helpful staff screens 3,000 applicants annually; opportunities include jobs in office support, marketing, PR, HR and finance. Candidates can be just starting out (entry-level employees and recent grads) and should expect pay rates to correspond with the position (approximately $15 to $75 an hour). To apply, send your rsum to temp@employcore.com. 40 Wall St between Broad and William Sts, 16th floor (212-766-1222, employcore.com)