So thanks to Jennie and Stopgap for solving our problem so quickly and so well..
Toby
---
Why? Quite simply, they go the extra distance to ensure they deliver what we need. In an industry where many firms succumb to the temptation of trying to simply place "anybody" in a role to earn a fee, Stopgap stand out like beacons in the dark. They have taken the time to get to know the Zoo, who we are, what we stand for and most importantly, they "get" our culture. They do not waste our time with unlikely prospects. They are honest, reliable and a pleasure to deal with and like us, at the end of the day, fun.
David
---
During my experience with Stopgap, I have found all their staff to be highly experienced and professional. Not only that, they were all very attentive to their candidates. My first placement was not from Stopgap, however, they whole team signed and sent a card wishing me well. No other recruitment agencies even bother to call me after I told them I had a placement! This gesture was something that was deeply appreciated. After my first unsuccessful placement and they did the best in matching me to the 'right' job - no attitude attached. Thank you Stopgap.
Bess
---
Stopgap has been the recruitment agency that I have trusted for many years now since I met them at the inception of the business in Australia. Stopgap are personable, diligent, honest and transparent in all the dealings I have had with them. It is many small things that make the difference including positive text messages before interviews, follow up calls while in contract roles and time taken to prepare prior to interviews. Each staff member is genuinely pleased to speak with me and I have felt valued and recognised, as an individual, in being presented for roles that would be suitable for both me and the client. This is a unique feeling that I have found through Stopgap and I am sure their care and attention is reflected in repeat business from both clients and candidates.
Sascha
---
I have worked with Stopgap as both a candidate and employer and they are undoubtedly the best recruitment consultancy I have worked with. They really take their time to understand your needs, skill set, requirements as well as personality and cultural fit. They actually provide advice rather than push to close the sale. Plus they listen and take on board all your comments and feedback. I have and will continue to strongly recommend them.
Nicola
---
I hold the team at Stopgap in high regard and am more than happy to spread the good word.
Jennie and Anna at Stopgap helped me find the perfect job, and the funny thing was that they did so while I was traveling through New Zealand- they made it so easy. They kept me up to date via sms, feeding through information and details as they came to light- negotiating on my behalf with my now employer! I have been in my role for eight months now, and am very happy.
My first meeting with Jennie Smiedt (Senior Consultant) was an hour well spent, she made the time to really understand what I wanted in my next role and what I didn't want! She questioned and dug deep to find out what my interests and talents were and matched me to a suitable position. She was very easy to talk to, therefore made me feel comfortable, sharing my thoughts on how important it was for me to have an equal balance of work and life!
Anna Matthews (Recruitment Executive) was also a delight to deal with, always prompt to make contact with me, arranging meetings with my employer ready for my return from holidays. She was a great help!
Damien Versluis (Payroll & Finance Manager) another at Stopgap who was helpful, answered email/phone queries promptly and made the task of setting up banking details / super details and timesheets so much easier.
The level of service which Stopgap provides is second to none, the best recruitment agency I have dealt with by far. I highly recommend their services to others.
Rosa
---
My experience with Stopgap was completely different to that with other agencies.
Stopgap responded with a call to my registering email within an hour and they arranged an appointment with Jennie Smiedt that week. The staff were friendly and efficient, giving me a unique and clever questionnaire to fill out. Jennie was friendly, enthusiastic, encouraging and really listened to what I wanted to do. Jennie found several great jobs for me that day, I got the first job I went for. An outstanding and pro active service.
Claire
---
Stopgap is one of the few recruitment consultancies I know of that does not treat candidates as a prospective commission. The recruiters are knowledgeable about the field (more often than not I've been faced with a psychology graduate straight out of university who don't know what PR is let alone what a PR person does), honest and downright helpful. As a former lecturer at a Sydney university, Stopgap consultants went out of their way to help when I approached them for assistance with getting my final year PR students prepared for their foray into fulltime employment.
Laura
---
Stopgap is one of the best recruitment firms I have come across! I have been registered with a few agencies but Stopgap is a star compared to the others.
Stopgap actually know who I am, take an interest in my career and are always happy to hear from me. They are also very efficient, fast at getting back to me and they give me faith that there are great jobs out there for me.
Rhonda
---
Joining with Stopgap was the best thing I ever did for my career. I had my first interview with Stopgap on a Monday, and within the week I had an interview with David Jones, and that afternoon I had a job. Stopgap has shown me continual support in the past 6 months I have been with them. With regular phone calls and emails, I feel like I could bring up any concerns or feedback with the agency. I recommend Stopgap to everybody looking for a job in marketing. I have had nothing but a positive experience with Stopgap!!
Vanessa
---
I've been very impressed with Stopgap as a whole, particularly their candidate care. Anna Matthews, who set up my placement has checked in on a regular basis to make sure everything is going well without appearing intrusive or pushy. I've experienced dreadful candidate care from other Sydney based agencies so Stopgap's professional, personable approach has been a refreshing change.
Tom
---
Thank you for your very kind words. I sincerely appreciate the support I have received from Stopgap during my hiatus.
The support from you and your team has been magnificent and I shall warmly endorse your business to any colleague in need of your service. My experience in the past few months has confirmed Stopgap to be the most proactive and genuine agency to work with.
I shall stay in touch and hopefully refer lots of business to you - I know many talented marketers who would appreciate Stopgap quality service.
Kim
---
I have recently sought out the services of your recruitment agency to assist me in finding a position within Sydney. I had spent a few weeks trawling the recruitment agencies and was rapidly loosing faith in both the agencies and myself that was until I came to see Stopgap. I dealt with Jennie Smiedt and I can honestly say that she is the most professional, approachable and inspiring consultant I have ever dealt with. Not only did she find me a job within a week, I feel as though this is the perfect job for me both in terms of my skill set and personality and I am truly excited to be taking on a role that I believe will be a turning point in my career. I have obviously thanked Jennie but also felt compelled to contact you, it goes without saying that if I ever have a recruitment need for myself or an organization in the future I will not hesitate to contact Jennie.
Siobhan
---
I'm very, very excited and happy about me new role. My sincere and warm thanks to you both for your support. Jennie, I couldn't have wished for anyone as amazing as you to represent me. I will keep in touch and keep sending you people to send out to this BIG BRIGHT world of marketing and advertising!
Nik
---
I think you guys are just fantastic. From the very start you are different from other recruiters.
You consider the candidate's personality as well as their skill set and match it to the right culture as well as the job description. You really listen and pick up on things that are not necessarily articulated. And you prepare your candidates well for the interviews and help them have confidence in themselves to make that next step.
I trust your advice and recommendations and there is never any pressure to take a job. In fact you go out of your way to get the best result for both your candidate and your client. You're not just trying to fill a gap or get the placement commission.
You're a lovely, positive and supportive group of people and it's reassuring to know you're behind me when I'm undertaking the job search.
Blair
---
You interviewed me last year and had some helpful suggestions, which helped me gain a role with the ICAA, from there I moved to Toyota and on to my current role in financial services in the city - starting Monday. This current contract with Perpetual is my ideal job and takes me up to the winter school holidays - perfect. Many thanks for setting me off on the right course.
Jane
---
Hope you are well. Just tried to call you again as I wanted to say thank you over the phone and not in email. Anyway, just a quick one to say thank you for all your help with my career and getting my dream job.
Mel
---
Thank you so much for the delicious cupcakes and bubbly. It was a really lovely gesture and very much appreciated.
Thank you once again for all your help. I hope that you received my card in the mail.
Nicola
---
Just a short note to thank you for the professional way I was treated in discussions regarding this role. Thanks for updating me earlier on their decision. Should a similarly senior role (contract or permanent) in sales, marketing or BDM become available, I would be very pleased to hear from you.
Jim
---
Just a quick email to follow up on this mornings meeting. I just wanted to thank you so much for your time, it is very much appreciated. You really helped me understand my options and have crystallised my thinking. I will look in to the other recruitment agencies you mentioned regarding part time work, but would also love to keep my options open with you (especially in terms of the David Jones opportunity which sounds fantastic and quite suited to my experience). I was also so impressed with your office and the warm reception I received. Thank you again for taking the time to meet with me - I am now more eager than ever to take the next step and move forward with my life and career.
Beth
---
A BIG Thank you to you and your fabulous team for making my day yesterday; in the form of the heavenly cupcakes!! So gorgeous and very unexpected and unnecessary- however very much enjoyed!!
I am very excited to be in this new role - I am already feeling so much more challenged on a daily basis and really enjoying being part of the new Project Office team.
Thank you for all of your commitment and hard work during the times I have called on you. I have really appreciated it. I am very proud to have represented Stopgap over the past year and a bit.
Jasmin
---
Firstly I would like to thank you both for the guidance and the patience you showed towards me during my time in the UK. Stopgap is definitely unlike any other mainstream recruitment agencies that I unfortunately had to deal with!
I have been back in Melbourne for nearly 2 months now and in my first week I had a call from Jennie Smiedt in your Sydney office. I was surprised and extremely delighted to discover that your company values are extended across all offices. Jennie went out of her way to arrange an interview for myself and successfully placed me in an ideal position with Myer working on their loyalty program Myer one.
All three of you are a credit to Stopgap and I have made a point of referring my friends just to your agency and have given your names as points of contact.
Again, thank you for making my time in London a great experience! When I do head back to London I will be sure to make contact.
In the mean time you should have a friend of mine contacting you for work in the next month or so. I have given her your contact details and advised her that Stopgap should be her first port of call!
Michelle
---
Many thanks for your call and apologies for not calling back. I cannot thank you enough for finding this opportunity for me. The people are great, the company is great and the role is great. I am literally juggling projects around at the moment, which as you know gives me a thrill.
Saloni
---
Just wanted to say a massive Thanks for helping me land a super job at such short notice! I'm still in a state of shock over how quickly this whole process happened. This is a friendly, productive environment and I've really enjoyed my first day.
Simone
---
Taking the next step in your career can be a challenging one, as the need to replace your existing role with a new, exciting one plays at the back of your mind. Questions like 'Will this job be better than my old one?,' 'What happens if I make the wrong move?' can almost prevent you from taking the 'leap of faith' into a world of exciting job possibilities.
Fortunately for me, Zoe from Stopgap provided a wealth of experience and guidance that gave me the confidence to move into the next exciting chapter of my working career. Zoe met with me in person to go over my past work experience and qualifications. However what impressed me the most was Zoë's ability to listen. Zoe encouraged me to look at what aspects of my life were the most important to me. This allowed me to consider jobs not only similar to my existing role, but others that suited my personality. Zoë's invaluable knowledge of the marketing industry allowed her to relate as a fellow 'marketer' not just a HR recruitment consultant. I have highly recommended Zoe [Stopgap] to a number of my friends who are looking to take the next step in their career, and I will continue to do so for any future friends.
Amy
---
Thanks so much for your efforts. It's been a pleasure liaising with you and Stopgap.
I've spoken with quite a few recruitment agencies in the last month and would rank you and Stopgap right up the top! I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you.
Antoinette
---
I just wanted to drop you all an email to thank you for your support during my recent job search, and for the work that went into enabling me to get the role.
Of all the agencies I met, and there were a lot, Stopgap stood out above all the others (and I'm not just saying that). I met some terrible ones, and when I took the job I got in touch with all the others to say I was off the market. It was no surprise to me that the awful agents didn't even reply to say "Well Done".
So hopefully we'll all keep in touch and I'll let you know how I'm getting on.
Jonathan
---
I would like to thank you for the time you spent with me this morning. I found our meeting incredibly valuable in helping me clarify my skills, strengths and career objectives. As discussed
Noa
---
Thank you for your time on Wednesday too, like wise it was nice to meet a recruiter that is prepared to step back for the best intention of both their candidate and client, this was very refreshing.
I will look through and let you know my thoughts for the future, and I am sure we will be in touch in the near future.
Emma
---
Stopgap are genuinely interested in my diverse skills, abilities and my strong personality. I do not have a "standard" background, so did not respond well to the "ordinary" recruitment approach. I felt that when Rebecca first interviewed me - for over an hour - she listened and sought the real me. This was in stark contrast to the many "interviews" I endured by 20 somethings fresh out of university with no idea as to where I was coming from and where I would like to go. It was refreshing to pose the question can you help direct me, rather than having to direct myself. To date, Stopgap have presented me with a series of fantastic opportunities - they identified new career directions that would work with my background and outlook, rather than trying to push me toward positions that were not quite right but that they needed to fill. I would prefer to wait to be offered the right job through Stopgap than take just any job. Stopgap have consistently worked with me to place me into positions to help me shine both professionally and personally, and I believe my creative/marketing mix is well served by having Stopgap as my "agent".
Susan
---
How lovely to receive your card this morning! What a thoughtful gesture - it is much appreciated.
I have always been very impressed by Stopgap. You have delivered such capable temps and are a pleasure to deal with. You have a knack for finding exactly what we're looking for!
If I need a marketing/comms temp in the future I will be knocking on your door!
Lisa
---
Just a quick note to thank both yourself and Stopgap for making yesterday such a lovely day! It was a pleasant surprise to see the smiling faces of yourself and Bec in our offices. And I was so touched when reception called in the morning to advise a parcel had arrived from Stopgap. The card and cupcakes were such a lovely thought and brilliant way for me to bribe, I mean make, a few new friends around the office! They were absolutely divine, and such a fabulous idea - everyone loved them.
Yesterday highlighted to me why I enjoyed working with Stopgap so much. You exemplify the saying that many companies strive to deliver but never quite achieve: "we treat you like a person, not a number". Everyone I had contact with at Stopgap was more than helpful and incredibly human!
I have no reservation in recommending your company to anyone who is entering the job market.
I would especially like to thank you Ellie for your humanity, advice, encouragement and sense of humour, all of which helped me land a fabulous job at Saatchi's, which I can sense I will absolutely love.
Lou
---
One of the things that attracted me to Stopgap was that it seemed that the company was genuinely concerned about their candidates and clients -- I read a lot of the "success stories" and it seemed like there was a lot of warmth and care there.
I genuinely appreciate your friendliness and positivity as it really helps people who are on the hunt like me. This is refreshing -- quite a departure from the experience I've had even with the few recruiters I've recently talked to. My situation is a bit challenging so the positivity really helps.
Olivia
---
I have just received the lovely card from you all at Stopgap and wanted to say thank you so much!
It is the first piece of mail I have received since starting here, which makes it even more special!
Going well so far, even though totally different from JTG - I have to say, I am missing the girls there quite a bit. They were a lot of fun and I felt like we all bonded really well. It's very quiet in this office and everyone has their heads down which is taking some getting used to!
Priyanka
---
Thank you for your assistance and support in applying for the American Express role. While I did not take this role your advice was valuable in seeking alternative roles and in accepting my current role.
Sasha
---
I have worked with Stopgap in both Sydney and London and on all occasions I have meet and spoken with the Stopgap team I have found them to be attentive, caring and genuinely interested in finding a work placement that is a good fit with my skills and career aspirations.
Shannon
---
Many thanks to Stopgap for all your help in getting me two great placements over the past six months while I have been searching for the "perfect charity role!" - it has been an absolute pleasure working with Stopgap.
Barbara
---
Thank you so very much for the beautiful flowers I received this morning! I am so thrilled to have finally signed and committed to a permanent job, and really have appreciated all the support I received from Stopgap.
Belinda
---
You and the team at Stopgap have been amazing! I really appreciate all your efforts helping me get a job. Everything is going well and as I said last week when we spoke briefly on the phone I am loving every aspect of the job so far. The people, the company and the clients are all great and are exactly what I wanted.... Thank you
Arlene
---
I came to meet with Stopgap after wasting months talking to some of the 'bigger' names in Sydney recruitment. I was disillusioned and feeling like a new role was never going to become a reality.
I was instantly impressed with Stopgap's range of clients and contacts, and relieved to meet with consultants who actually wanted to spend time learning more about me and what I wanted to do next in my career.
But what really made Stopgap a standout was their obvious care for their candidates.
Many recruiters leave you in no doubt the employing client is the main priority.
As a Stopgap candidate you know your satisfaction is of equal importance, and you'll never be pressured to consider a role that does not meet your needs.
For these reasons, Stopgap will also be my first choice when I find myself next on the 'other side', recruiting staff.
Kelly
---
