The Larko Group

I am a seasoned pro when it comes to dealing with employment agencies. Through the years, I’ve turned to them for temporary work until something permanent came along, and a couple of times I was hired by the company for which I was doing temp work.
I was out of the country for a few years, and returned to Chicago. I found that employment agencies are not what they used to be. They seem cold and dismissive. I started doing my research on the job market in Chicago, as well as employment agencies before moving back to Chicago. The Larko Group kept popping up with many positions that I was definitely qualified for.
Laura turned out to be such a breath of fresh air and an excellent representative for The Larko Group. She was welcoming and encouraging. She didn’t dangle a carrot in front of me, but was professional, straight forward, and pleasant. Laura did her due diligence quickly (interview, background check, etc.), and within a week she had an assignment for me, which was a relief, considering all the bait and switch I’d been experiencing with other agencies.
The Larko Group exemplifies the standard by which other agencies should model. I can’t sing enough of their praises, and do highly recommend The Larko Group to their potential clients, as well as anyone seeking employment. Thanks TLG!

Prompt and Professional
I worked with Laura and found the Larko Group experience to be much better than I had anticipated. I initially had reservations about going through a temp firm because I’m used to direct hire, but I wanted to expand my horizons in terms of seeing what types of positions were available. Frankly, I became very jaded with the whole «applying online to xyz company and crossing my fingers that my resume stood out».
After inquiring about assistance through their website, I received a response the next day. I met with Laura who went through my resume and asked what kinds of positions I was interested in. I told her I would only prefer temp work if the right opportunities came along and low and behold, Laura was able to find some opportunities that I was highly interested in. She was prompt and courteous, but the biggest benefit I got from Larko was that the attentive service made me feel involved in my job hunt and gave me confidence that you don’t get by getting rejected from xyz company without a reason let alone a response. They give you momentum and I also found it helpful to meet with Laura as she really addressed important qualities on my resume that I didn’t give much thought to.
At the end of the day, I found Laura’s ability to find me a position reassuring. That alone during a stressful job search makes it worth meeting with TLG. I would highly recommend Laura and Larko Group to anyone.

I enjoyed working with Kate and Russ at the Larko Group. I went in for my initial interview in August 2014. I live in Hoffman Estates, IL and I had been commuting back and forth to the city for almost 2 years. I wasn’t necessarily looking to find a new job immediately, however I told them to keep me in mind if they had something that looked fantastic in my area. In January 2015, I received an email from Kate saying that she had a great opportunity closer to home and wondered if I was interested in hearing about it. It sounded promising, so I went for it — and I am so glad I did. I have worked in the recruiting world and it can be difficult to keep in mind the preferences and deal breakers of the job-​seeker while searching on behalf of your client. Kate took the time to build a relationship with me, even check in every once in a while before she identified my current position as a good fit. My entire experience with the Larko Group was comfortable, communicative and friendly. Both Kate and Russ maintained professional yet had that warmth that reassures you as a job-​seeker. I cannot thank them both enough for placing me with a company that values their employees and a position that has optimal room for growth!

Penny and Laura are wonderful to work with! They’ve always made my job search a priority and are great communicators. I highly recommend signing up with Larko if you’re looking for kind and attentive professionals to assist you in your search for a temporary or permanent position.

Finding a job can be stressful, tiring and downright frustrating. Sometimes it can be difficult to organize your experiences and see your strengths, but Penny worked with me to find me a good fit at an excellent firm. The Larko Group are a friendly bunch and you will meet most of their staff when you visit the office. They found me my job very quickly (within two days, that isn’t typical!) and prepped me before my interview. I was fortunate enough to be placed with a company that wanted to hire me on before my scheduled temp end date and Russ and Penny took the time to meet with me to discuss my questions and concerns. I would and will certainly work with them again if I am every trying to find another job in this city! Thank you for being organized, personable, welcoming and responsive. You made my first experience temping GREAT!

I have nothing but positive things to say about The Larko Group. I had the pleasure of working with both Laura and Penny, two professional, courteous, and kind people. The staff at TLG really take the time to listen to what your career goals are and help you find what you are looking for. TLG is in constant communication with you regarding potential opportunities, and they do their best to place you as quickly as possible, but in a position that suits your skills and talents.
In short, I would recommend The Larko Group to anyone in the Chicago area thinking about going through a staffing agency.

When I moved to Chicago 10 years ago I didn’t know a thing about the city. All I knew was that I needed to get a damn good job with benefits. Lucky for me I found Darrel Koch. Not only did I go on several interviews but he was able to coach me through each one by examining my weak points and how I can strengthen them but also how to highlight my strong skill set. In two weeks I was placed with an Interntional Bank which I would stay at for 5 years (only to have left for a promotional opportunity else where).
Even today long after being placed at the bank, Darrel and I remain close. He is someone I turn to for career advice but not only that, I consider him a close friend who I can always depend upon.

I highly recommend the Larko group! Such friendly, professional people. I was new to the city and they never stopped helping me find a job. Either it was temp or full time interviews they were always keeping in touch. I personally worked with Emily and I have nothing but great things to say about her. I did go through a couple other recruiting companies and no one compared. If you are indecisive about using a recruiting firm, do not be if you decide to go with Larko Group, you are in great hands.

I think I may be the only one who thinks that «group photo» is misogynic. Ewww. I couldn’t work for them since they’re stuck in the 50’s.

I really enjoyed working with The Larko Group! Emily Cullen was my recruiter and she will be a friend for life! She is amazing and helped me so much throughout my job search. Russ, the owner, was so kind and helpful and made the experience wonderful, as well.
I had signed up with multiple staffing companies and no other agency even holds a candle to the service I received from The Larko Group. They sent me on 90% of my interviews. The communication and follow up from Emily and Russ was incredible! They made sure I was prepared for each interview and made sure that I had the information and details I needed for each company. Emily and Russ helped me find an amazing new position and I could not be happier! Emily was so good at keeping my spirits up and forging ahead through those interviews that did not work out in my favor.
I will recommend The Larko Group to anyone I can! 5 stars! 100% satisfied!

Emily Cullen was my assigned recruiter. I was really excited that she had gotten back to me after I had submitted my resume since the Larko Group has such high ratings on here. The other high rated recruiting offices hadn’t gotten back to me. She was very polite and kind. She really went into depth with picking apart my resume and deciding what type of position would be best for me. But in the end, she said she could help me because I lived in the suburbs and that her clients preferred that we are located in the city. I told her that it’s not like it would be a big move or anything if I were to land a job. All I would need is one day to move my things into my friend’s place. So… that was the end of that.

It was an absolute pleasure to work with The Larko Group. They were extremely dedicated to helping me find the best opportunity in as little time as possible since I moved to Chicago from the East Coast with no job! Even after I accepted a position as a bank teller Emily didn’t give up the search. I am so happy and grateful that she was persistent so today I am working for a wonderful company as a staff accountant!

I don’t normally give bad reviews, but when I do it’s because I had to deal with a condescending recruiter who accused me of lying on my resume. Emily Cullen is perhaps the most unpleasant person I’ve ever had the displeasure of meeting with in a «professional» setting. I put professional in quotes because I’ve never heard of a professional making duck face and shrugging their shoulders every time they say something. To put this all into context, I just graduated from one of the top 5 universities in the world and I’ve had an internship every summer. I wanted to go through a temp agency because I wanted a job I could learn from for a little while without committing so I could continue my search for the industry in which I’d like to start my career. Anyway, back to the review. I’ve never been treated so poorly by anyone that claimed to be a professional from the get-​go. Her behavior was far from it. Additionally, she insulted my integrity, which is pretty much the only thing that can be said to offend me. Every single question she asked had already been answered verbally, via email, or in my resume and every time she asked it she included a condescending note and made a face I would expect from a kindergartner. In short, I have no intention of working with them and anyone who dislikes being talked down to or having their integrity questioned should think twice about it.

I worked with Annette Hickman, who is fantastic!
Annette got me interviews that really fit what I was looking for. Finding the right fit is hard, and I actually took a job through another venue.
Still, I loved working with The Larko Group. Even when Annette didn’t have anything fitting for me, her colleagues reached out to me when they had something.
I came away with a great experience, always feeling like I was listened to, and prepared for each interview. I would strongly recommend this highly professional group.

I started communicating with TLG when I lived in MA, in preparation for my move to IL. My hope was to find a full-​time direct-​hire asap. I was not offered direct-​hire opportunities, however, Emily and Heidi found me a slew of «temporary projects» that kept me busy and pretty much alive. Generally these projects were just for a day, but I like variety and I enjoyed working with the TLG client-​base. My last temp project was 2 weeks in length, at which I worked my butt off and scored a full-​time offer!
The thing that sets Larko apart from other agencies I’ve worked with is that they actually care to find a fit that will benefit you in the long run. It’s hard to come by a recruiter who’s not just looking out for themselves!

I can’t even begin to describe how horrific an experience this was. For starters, I was made to wait over half an hour while the woman I was supposed to meet was «finishing up phone calls» … calls that went way into my scheduled interview. Time Management 101?
As another reviewer stated, I was treated like an idiot and expected to come in and have my wardrobe approved on the way to my interview (which never happened).
Not to sound like a snob, but I hold a BA and MS, and I have managed to brush my teeth and tie my shoes every morning for a number of years now.
On top of that, she brought up two jobs which I was «absolutely perfect» for; when I followed up, I suddenly didn’t meet the criteria but she «told me that» during the interview. Really?
I’ve dealt with other recruiters who ooze passion for what they do — placing people into positions where they can grow and thrive. The Larko Group is anything but this.

I’ve worked with Larko on two separate occasions within the last year. After getting laid off unexpectedly in May 2011, I contacted Larko after reading promising reviews on Unilocal.After interviewing with their staff, I was quickly set up with a temp receptionist assignment at a great company that lasted a month and a half. Then in Feb 2012, I voluntarily left my full-​time job and immediately contacted TLG. Leaving a full-​time job can be scary, but knowing I had connections at Larko was reassuring. I basically just picked up where I left off with them months prior and was quickly set up with more temp assignments.
Overall, TLG is the best staffing firm/​temp firm I’ve worked with in Chicago. As a recent grad, they have helped me out immensely during periods of uncertainty as I navigate today’s chaotic job market. I haven’t worked with them for full-​time placement, but if you are looking for temp work Larko is great!

The Larko Group is the BEST employment search firm I have ever worked with. I had already heard glowing reports from colleagues and was pleasantly surprised that everything I had been told was true. The staff is professional, supportive, efficient and honest. The needs of the candidate are clearly a priority for this firm. My recruiters were well versed in my industry of interest and they paid particular attention to the attributes I was looking for in my next role.
One important note is that I was working with another agency in tandem with The Larko Group. I received offers from the company the Larko Group represented me for as well as a company the other agency represented me for. Coincidentally, these companies are competitors. I was pressured by the other company and had a similar experience from yet another agency I’d worked with previously. The Larko Group kept me well informed and gave me the time and space I needed in order to make an informed decision.
My recruiter at the Larko Group still checks in with me and I feel as though I have formed a lasting relationship with this firm. I will continue to refer colleagues and friends to the Larko Group as I know my reputation will be upheld.
I could not be happier with my experience as well as the position I currently have.
I am truly grateful that I was introduced to the Larko Group and I wish this firm continued success!

I had a wonderful experience with The Larko Group! After submitting a resume online, I met with a recruiter who had me walk her through my resume, my work history, what I did and didn’t like about my past positions, and what I was looking for.
After our meeting, she took me around the office and introduced me to the other staff, including the president. Everyone was pleasant, and seemed interested in learning more about me. While I was being introduced to people, I was told about a full-​time permanent job that they’d like to submit my resume for… right now. Perfect!
I ended up getting called to interview for two different full-​time positions within a week of initially meeting with the recruiter. And within a month of my initial meeting, I was offered a full-​time position at one company, while another company was still wanting to meet with me!
I’ve now been with my full-​time position for almost two months, and my recruiter still occasionally checks in to say hello. I have her «Congratulations!» card hanging at my desk.
Out of the many recruiting agencies I worked with in Chicago, I would only highly recommend The Larko Group!

I just moved to Chicago in April and did everything I could to find a job — posted my resume on every employers’ career site, contacted my alumni networks, reached out to people on LinkedIn, etc. When one of my contacts mentioned temping at The Larko Group I was thankful for their thought, but apprehensive at first. I really wanted to get a job that I liked, not just a job that I needed and wouldn’t it be taking time away from my job search?
In the end, I called The Larko Group. A day later I was making arrangements on the phone to come in for an «interview» with the folks there. Still apprehensive about the whole idea of temping, Russ and his team pointed out the benefits to what I was only putting time and dollar signs to:
1) Being new to a city meant to potential employers that I lacked knowledge in regards to local resources. Temping not only gets me acquainted with Chicago, but also decreases that disabling stigma.
2) Temping is what you make of it. So what if it’s stuffing envelopes? Every office you walk into is an opportunity to make a great impression with the staff. I walked away from every temp position with a new LinkedIn contact and the office admins putting in a repeat request for the next time they needed a temp.
Long story short, I’m glad I overcame my reservations and called The Larko Group. They sent me on some great assignments and ultimately found me the perfect job for my hard-​to-​match skills and salary requirements. If I never called I’d probably still be submitting resumes and/​or accepting a job just to have a job.