Maven Recruiting Group — Local services in San Francisco

I want to love this recruiting group, however, after an unfortunate experience, I'm compelled to leave a review so they can do better!

I began working with Maven sometime in May or June of 2022. I was assigned to Stefani. I went through many interviews with many different companies and was eventually offered a contract to hire position. Stefani was really excited for me to take this role until I actually received the offer. She then began questioning me and asking if I really wanted to take the role due to the distance. She expressed no other concern in my accepting the role.

About a month after starting with that company, I wasn't happy with the company I was contracted for and they weren't happy with me, so my contract ended. It was then that Stefani expressed her concern for me taking that role, indicating that it was a challenging role and she was worried that it may be too much for me. That would have been helpful information to share prior to me taking the position.

I continued working with Maven and was offered an interview to do some temp work while I was searching for a more permanent role. Stefani indicated it would be four days a week, 8-9 hour days, which was a great temporary opportunity. However, when I interviewed for the role, the interviewer indicated they only needed someone for maybe 9 hours a week or so, which was significantly less than what I was originally told. Immediately after the interview I emailed Stefani and let her know that I wouldn't be taking the role as it wasn't the right opportunity for me, as I needed something with more hours than what was being offered.

A couple of days later, the main recruiter for the role, Shirin, emailed me asking if I'd like to accept the role. Clearly nothing had been communicated. When I shared the same information with Shirin that I shared with Stefani, I received a somewhat curt response from Shirin stating the role was always "part time". Obviously if it's not 40 hours, it's part time. Again, huge difference between 30ish hours a week and 9 hours a week. I then emailed Stefani to follow up and let her know that I wasn't trying to burn bridges but had I received accurate information, I wouldn't have even gone through the interview process. The only response I received was, "I hope you're having a better week". My week was great! Not sure why that was the response I received. I never heard from them after that.

I share all of this to say - communication within the organization needs to improve and the information you share with your candidates should be accurate so as not to waste anyone's time. Lastly, if you decide that a candidate is not someone you want to continue working with, terminate the relationship professionally as opposed to just ghosting. Had you emailed me and said "hey, based on all the information we have, we no longer feel we are a good fit for you" I would have understood, as working in the tech industry for the first time was a total shock and that is the majority of the Bay area/Maven's clientele and I realized how much I didn't enjoy my experience in that world.

Hope things...

During a job search, "intro meetings"  are an everyday thing.  What you did, what you're looking for, your professional traits, etc. - are all well-practiced responses for someone job hunting. When I met Tareh at the end of last year, I wasn't ready to take on a new role immediately, but I wanted to explore the market, and see if what I wanted was even possible. When we connected, for the first time in my job search, I was challenged to really articulate what I wanted.  Tareh didn't just ask the basics: she asked who I was as a person, what brings me joy at work, and dug deep to present scenarios and roles she had available. At the end of that call she said she'd keep me in mind, that what I was looking for wasn't immediately available, but she was "on it". Not long after, I took on a role I didn't love, with another recruiter, flattered by the prospect of a company going out of their way salary-wise to engage me. It was especially difficult to feel like I betrayed my own interests because what I wanted just wasn't available. Through it all, Tareh would ping me to mention roles close to what I hoped to get. Her emails kept the flame alive, and eventually, we landed on a role that was a perfect fit for me. Yes, ultimately that is the success story, but the greatness is in the details: Tareh shared thorough information and prep for each meeting and interview. She was always candid about the state of the search, the state of my candidacy, and the next steps. I never had to chase Tareh for updates. She was consistently available to me within an hour of me reaching out. She exudes realness and compassion: I love that I can tell her what is important to me - exactly - in terms of salary, culture, relationship to boss, industry, diversity and geolocation, without feeling judged for making the decision that was right for me:  giving up a small portion of comp for the chance to work fully remotely. This is by far, one of the most important things to me, and Tareh was a world-class recruiter in this area. I've not seen better from c-level executive searches. She advocated for me, and clearly, for the client - which makes me a future client. As a candidate, the ability to trust that your recruiter will convey the nuances for your reasoning to a panel of clients is unique. I always felt that whatever I told Tareh would be conveyed with honesty, eloquence and nuance, and that I'd get a true response in return. Tareh is clearly very intelligent. I realize this is a bit more intangible, but you absolutely do want someone with her cognitive horsepower predicting outcomes, prepping you for conversations, and asking other candidates questions and taking thorough notes to share with you.

I have a ton of gratitude for Tareh's job, but I am most grateful for her approach to doing it, how reassuring and transparent she made the process. I can't wait to hire her when I am in a position to need her, and my recommendation is that candidates speak to someone like her before they think they need to -...

Working with the Maven team has been an exceptional journey that transcends the typical experience with placement agencies. Although my initial encounter with them in 2016 didn't result in immediate placement, their dedication and commitment to fostering a meaningful relationship stood out.

Over the years, from 2016 to 2024, the Maven team consistently demonstrated their professionalism and genuine interest in my career growth. They regularly checked in with me and kept me informed about potential opportunities, which eventually led me to secure my latest job offer.

One standout individual from the Maven team is Tareh. Working with her was an absolute pleasure. Tareh embodies trustworthiness, exceptional listening skills, and outstanding communication. She was always responsive, encouraging, and supportive throughout the process. What truly set her apart was her ability to understand my preferences and aspirations. Tareh ensured that she only presented me with job opportunities that aligned perfectly with my career goals. Her guidance during interview preparation was invaluable, making the entire experience smooth and efficient. Tareh's expertise in the industry and her unwavering dedication played a pivotal role in helping me secure my dream job.

In my opinion, Maven Recruiting Group stands out as a top-notch recruiter in the industry. For anyone in the administrative/EA role or aspiring to pursue this career path, I wholeheartedly recommend Maven Services. Similarly, for companies seeking top talent, Maven Recruiting Group should be your go-to partner. Their emphasis on building strong working relationships and their ability to identify and connect with exceptional talent make them the ideal choice for...