We were APIA for many years, then in 2017, their pool of German APs was so small, we couldn't find anyone to match with. Ended up matching with an AP from CC, and switching. There's a $1000 agency switch credit. Fast forward to 2018, same problem, now in reverse. Couldn't find a German AP to match with on CC, switched back to APIA, $1000 switch credit.

So, I think you might as well switch every year and keep getting the credit.

Very little difference between the two in our experience; APIA was more flexible - CC was quite rigid when it came to extension parameters. But other than where you pick them up (train or bus?), not much difference.

We are with APIA. Registered with both APIA and CC to find suitable candidates. Ultimately found good candidates through both agencies, but chose APIA because the LCC is amazing. The CC LCC was flaky and unresponsive- it took several emails and phone calls to even schedule a home visit. I don't have time for that. So I went with APIA.

CCAP has the newest and absolutely worst matching process ever. Just be prepared to settle for your third or 4th pick for an AP.

3 months ago I would have said to switch, but their new matching process is hell on earth; or hell on the web. Plan for 4 months of frustration to match.

APIA does not require the 1.5 days off to be consecutive.

Can someone explain the APIA time off requirement? I'm having trouble finding it on their website. We've always been with CC and because of our schedule could use either Friday or Saturday babysitting, but our schedule is changing such that Saturday would become a problem with the 1.5 days consecutive. If APIA handles that differently then that -- plus the matching horror stories I'm hearing -- will push me toward APIA. DC area. Thanks!

I find this so fascinating. Five years in and have done so many interviews. Aside from getting the vacation question once, I have never been asked about the weekly stipend or perks. APs ask about private bedroom (that’s a given), if they can use a car, schedule (although everyone has said they realize it will change based on kids). Just basic questions that they should ask. Money has never come up.

Anonymous wrote:I recommend CC for out of country. They have a huge pool to choose from.

The new online system is a fail for extension/rematch. It's a battle to even get an interview, and when you do, privileges become expectations.

If the new CC online system is turning rematch and extension into a battle like this, it will be interesting to see if HF start to abandon the extension/rematch in CC because of being fed up with entitled expectations.
Then, HF abandoning this pool would lead to extension/rematch AP having a harder time to find a HF and then have to adjust their asks and be less picky. Then, eventually, the system will re-balance itself naturally but in the meantime, makes it very hard for some HF to even get to an interview with an AP.

I am interviewing in a few months. Would appreciate any tips from HF willing to share lessons learned from how to navigate through this new CC system. Thanks!

I recommend CC for out of country. They have a huge pool to choose from.

The new online system is a fail for extension/rematch. It's a battle to even get an interview, and when you do, privileges become expectations.