Intern Review

I really enjoyed my time within Michael Page Sales. The duration (2 months) really provided an adequate length of time to first learn about recruitment and then still have enough time to put these skills into practise. The team (both talent acquisition/ training as well as the sales team I sat within) were always incredibly supportive and willing to help in whichever way I needed. They provide enough support before you have the capabilities to work a bit more autonomously but never leave you in the lurch. They were really fun and energetic to be around which really helped create and maintain a dynamic work environment.

I really felt like, especially towards the end of the placement, that I was really helping to have an impact on the Weybridge Sales team. I was actively resourcing candidates who were being put straight into processes and this really made me feel part of the team. Even at the beginning I was always helping my team on something they were working on, it was never a meaningless task, just to occupy the intern. I felt like they really made an effort to make me feel included and comfortable both within the office environment and a more social one too.

There was a fantastic 2 days of training before the internship began and this was invaluable. Recruitment is like a different language to begin with and this really helped to not make that first week as daunting. The support continued throughout the internship there was regular training session for the whole office that I could get involved in as well as support directly from the talent acquisition team and my team whenever I needed it.

Each day I had a plan of the tasks I needed to complete, there was always a good balance in the office- periods of hard work and then time where you can afford to relax a little. I was never short of things to do but it was always enough to keep me on my toes and on top of all my candidates and jobs. This is an environment I enjoy where there is a constant surge of activity and always something happening within the office.

I think as I progressed and learnt about recruitment, accordingly my responsibility increased. I was given autonomy to run a couple of job processes from beginning to end (running everything by my manager, but I was the main point of contact for candidates and clients). This really gave me a sense of what the role of a recruitment consultant was, working multiple jobs and conversing with a variety of candidates.

I think this placement has enhanced my analytical and time management skills which are fantastic transferrable abilities. It is also primarily a sales role and the ability to communicate with a variety of different people on different levels is also I think an important skill. I am planning on hopefully perusing this line of work further and I feel as if this internship has set me up and given me a nice foundation to move further forward within recruitment or another sales based role.

The office was always vibrant with a variety of activities and challenges occurring. It made the environment pro-active and energised. This is a job that requires a lot of energy and the buzz around the office helps everyone too remain motivated. Whilst I have been here there have been several training days and team bonding sessions which always improve moral and friendships. This means that although this is a stressful job everyone always bands together and supports one another, which is a really nice environment to be a part of.

I think this internship was really well managed. There was a constant line of communication between myself and the talent acquisition team which ensured that I was happy and felt like I was progressing and also that the all the interns shared a similar experience regardless of what office they were working in. There was also a clear line of communication with my manager even before the placement started ensuring I knew my team and the work place.

We were given a fantastic 2 days of training prior to beginning the internship which was really beneficial and made the first few days a lot easier to understand. It gave us a grounding from which to continuing to grow our knowledge of recruitment from. There was then a guideline booklet given to all interns and their managers ensuring that all areas of the role of a recruitment constant were covered and learnt within the 8 weeks.

I am definitely applying to come back and work with Michael Page on their grad scheme, this is something that the internship program feeds nicely into if it is something you wish to peruse. I am currently in the process of applying onto the grad scheme and there is lots of support with that again from the talent acquisition teams and my manager.

As we were all in different offices all over the country there wasn't the most amount of time to socialise as an intern class. We did however share the 2 days of training and a graduation day and if we all end up on the grad scheme will be back in touch then. The social scene was more within your teams/ office which was great there was always something happening even if it was just a pub lunch as a break from the office.

I had the opportunity to work in my local office and could therefore commute in and I know the area so it wasn't too expensive. There are offices all over the country and so you can make the experience as costly or cheap as you like. The internship is paid which is a bonus if you have to commute. The socialising was more in the shape of lunches out and bars which really was your usual surrey prices.

There is a good bar culture, you need to travel slightly further to reach the clubs

There are opportunities available- I however did not get directly involved in them as an intern and it being a temporary position. if I come back as part of the company this will definitely be something I look further into as another way to meet more people. There are also social events within your team once you have a perm position which you are encouraged to be a part of celebrating the success of the quarter.