Business Details
33 Years
experience
Your Trusted Employment Partner in Monterey, CA
Universal Staffing has been the longest-operating independently owned employment agency in Monterey County since 1993. Our team is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service while connecting employers with qualified candidates and job seekers with meaningful opportunities. We specialize in temporary, temporary-to-hire, and direct-hire placements, backed by a guarantee that reflects our confidence in our rigorous selection process. Our locally owned and operated structure allows us to maintain deep community ties and industry-specific expertise, ensuring we understand both employer needs and employee aspirations. With over 50 years of combined experience among our recruiters, we prioritize in-person interviews to match talent with positions effectively.Our payroll services, cost-reduction programs, and outplacement support further demonstrate our commitment to comprehensive HR solutions. We actively market candidates to employers rather than waiting for job orders, ensuring proactive placement efforts. Our accounting department handles payroll concerns promptly, and we pride ourselves on transparent communication throughout the employment process. Our owner, Carolyn Sames, remains directly involved in placements, emphasizing our dedication to personalized service. This combination of local expertise, personalized attention, and proven results has earned us a trusted reputation among businesses like Germains Seed Technology, Tri-County Business Systems, and Coldwell Banker Realty.
Services
Temporary Employees
Temporary to Hire
Direct Hire
Payroll Service
Cost Reduction Programs
Outplacement Services
Resume Marketing
Referral Bonuses
Details
- Year established: 1993
Highlights and features
- We have 29 years of experience in local staffing solutions.
- Our team conducts in-person interviews for better candidate matching.
- We guarantee our placements with a proven success rate.
- Our local expertise connects employers with tailored talent.
- We market candidates proactively to top employers.
What people say
Excellent knowledge
Great placements
Qualified candidates
Highly recommend
Excellent customer care
Services
Temporary Employees
We provide skilled temporary workers for deadlines, projects, or peak periods. Our employees remain on our payroll, with responsibilities for salaries, taxes, and insurance. Clients pay weekly invoices based on hourly rates, ensuring flexibility and cost efficiency.
Temporary to Hire
This option allows employers to evaluate candidates before permanent hiring. Workers stay on our payroll with a markup covering fees, insurance, and taxes. Employers pay no additional charges after the designated trial period, reducing hiring risks.
Direct Hire
We facilitate direct hires with a fee based on the candidate's annual salary. Our placement guarantee ensures satisfaction, and our recruiters leverage deep local market knowledge to match employers with ideal candidates for long-term success.
Payroll Service
Our payroll service allows employers to delay direct hiring while using our temp guidelines at reduced rates. This solution offers flexibility for temporary staffing needs while maintaining compliance and administrative support through our on-site accounting team.
Outplacement Services
We support displaced employees with resume writing, interview coaching, and job marketing. Our services help individuals navigate career transitions while maintaining dignity and professionalism, reflecting our commitment to both employers and job seekers.
People
Carolyn Sames
Owner
Carolyn Sames actively oversees placements and client relations. With decades of staffing experience, she ensures personalized service and maintains strong community connections to support Universal Staffing's mission of connecting talent with opportunity.
Questions
What staffing solutions do you offer?
We provide temporary, temporary-to-hire, and direct-hire services, along with payroll management and outplacement support tailored to employer needs.
How do you ensure quality candidate matches?
Our recruiters conduct in-person interviews and leverage local market expertise to assess skills, experience, and workplace fit for accurate placements.
Are there fees for job seekers?
No fees apply to applicants. All costs are employer-paid, including referral bonuses and payroll services for temporary workers.
What industries do you serve?
We support diverse sectors including administration, IT, finance, legal, healthcare, and green jobs with specialized staffing solutions.
Do you offer resume marketing services?
Yes, we proactively market resumes to employers rather than waiting for job orders, increasing placement opportunities for our candidates.
Reviews (5)
Leah Young
Feb 18, 2022
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If you are searching for the absolute BEST company on the Monterey Peninsula to match your skillset with solid, reputable employers, your search ends here! Universal Staffing is more than a temp agency. They are professional, dedicated people who will be just as invested in your success as you are. I walked into their office 2 months ago (after having been out of the area for nine years), and Leslye remembered me!
It did not take long for Leslye and Mickey to track down job leads and set up an interview, which led to a job offer beyond my expectations--for the SECOND time. If you are tired of feeling like a number in a cold, fast-paced world, let Universal Staffing remind you that there are still small businesses run by "real people" with a high level of integrity who will treat you with dignity and respect.
They maintain the tenacity and grit of a fierce corporation, while simultaneously exhibiting the warm, personable touch that makes doing business with them feel like you're working with family. There is a reason I came back here after nine years.and I'm so glad I did!
It did not take long for Leslye and Mickey to track down job leads and set up an interview, which led to a job offer beyond my expectations--for the SECOND time. If you are tired of feeling like a number in a cold, fast-paced world, let Universal Staffing remind you that there are still small businesses run by "real people" with a high level of integrity who will treat you with dignity and respect.
They maintain the tenacity and grit of a fierce corporation, while simultaneously exhibiting the warm, personable touch that makes doing business with them feel like you're working with family. There is a reason I came back here after nine years.and I'm so glad I did!
Ray Pearcy
Dec 05, 2020
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As a small firm we run lean until we need to ramp up. We contracted Universal Staffing and they were quick to staff us. We were impressed by the quality of the staffers as they learned our procedures quickly and were up and running in no time. A quality team that yielded us solid results. The staff is great to work with and someone we can always rely on. Telcom Prewire
Amanda Bolger
Apr 06, 2020
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First off stay away! Leslie will talk to you in a private room get you pumped up with 2-3 potential jobs that pay fairly decently. Then She tells you she will call you the following day to let you know which job she will end up sending you to. Of course I walk in on a Thursday and she does not get back to me Friday and I do not here from them all weekend. Then on Monday I talk to Valerie regarding the situation and she tells me she's out of town til weds. They fill you up with hope and waste your time and energy. Very shady performance of there end. These are the type of people that make it hard for me to be a good person.
Lydia Nielson
Nov 12, 2019
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Universal Staffing is organized by such a personable team. From helping me gain career experience to working with my student schedule, they found a workplace right for me. I worked with Mickey who truly got to know my skills and matched me with work that was right for everyone. They want to see their employees shine and have never set me up for failure. To anybody that asks about my experience, I recommend Universal.
Alvaro Gonzalez
Jun 26, 2011
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I recently received an email from Amanda regarding my review of her agency and she explained that the reason they did not call me was because there were no jobs available. Amanda is really nice but I wish she would have told from the beginning that her agency could not market my job skills. My point is that a simple call or email would been nice.
