Recruitment Consultant Review

I have thoroughly enjoyed my placement year with Hays recruitment, I was given the opportunity to grow and develop my skills, working in a fast paced sales environment. I was treated as a consultant rather then an intern, providing a true insight into the business world transferring skills I had picked up during my university degree.

My colleagues at Hays made me feel extremely welcome during my internship regardless of seniority I.E directors and senior management. In addition my direct team members were supportive and happy to help with issues I faced. My team allowed me to embrace the company culture making me feel valued during company incentives both inside and outside the office.

During my time at Hays I was provided with world class training within the Hays academy. This helped me develop my skills including candidate calls, business development and software training. Furthermore, sitting alongside my senior manager allowed me to ask questions on a regular basis during at the desk training. This support grew my confidence which was transferred into making more placements.

As I was fulfilling the role of a recruitment consultant I was extremely busy on a day to day basis. During core hours I was encouraged to make candidate and client calls. Alongside this all consultants are encouraged to undertake client/candidate visits outside the office to improve my client facing skills.

I was given the responsibility of running a full 360 desk involving clients and candidates. As I was running a Town Planning temporary desk, I was given the responsibility of making sure compliance was taken and timesheets were paid on time. Furthermore, I was responsible for delivering training to new associates within to my team, helping structure day and week plans.

My placement at Hays has allowed me to develop soft skills I will be able to take back into my university degree, theses include time management, communication and resilience. Theses skills can be transferred back into my studies but also add to my interpersonal skills dealing beyond my university degree.

The general atmosphere of the office was very fun this created a very enjoyable working environment. Throughout the year there was a number of team building events, providing an opportunity to socialise with senior members of staff and other associates. In addition, there were a number of team/floor incentives which raised moral throughout the year.

My placement at Hays was very well set up, from the outset it was made clear there was an opportunity to build career beyond my degree. During my placement I had regular reviews with management to log my progress. Moreover, there was a number of placement hub days allowing me to network with other placement students working in different offices.

Hays invested a lot of training resources into my own personal development, during my time in the academy I was coached by consultants from different specialisms broadening my knowledge of recruitment. I was also given a mentor who I met with on a weekly basis to discuss how my desk was going and how to move my day book forward.

At Hays it is made very clear if your placement year is successful you can be invited back to undertake a full time job after graduation. A number of senior consultants have return from a placement year to grow into management positions, this career path is set out from the outset.

There was a very good social scene amongst fellow placement students, Hays put on a number of hub days which included social drinks after work. The strong community among interns leads to many becoming close friends organising there own social events after work, including pub quizzes and beer pong competitions.

Due to the central London location of the Ebury gate office the cost of living/socialising was slightly higher then other offices. Although Hays employees are given a 'Hays Discount' at the local pub, this allowed interns and consultants to socialise at a reduced cost. Many of the social events were subsidised by the company or free of charge. This included a running club, book club and football after work.

There was a great nightlife around the office with a vast range of pubs, clubs and bars. The pubs had a very good atmosphere with live sport and large beer gardens perfect for a drink after work. In addition, there is a great range of restaurants and cafes at very much affordable prices.

Yes, Hays has a specific SET team who run a range of activities outside work, theses include football, boxing and a vast range of drinking activities. These activities are open to all and offer a great opportunity to socialise with consultants on other floors. Monthly incentives also provide opportunity to network outside of work including drinks at the pub.