Recruitment Consultant Review

The internship has been largely enjoyable - the level of responsibility you are given I doubt could be matched anywhere else and you get a chance to make a real impact. The workload is initially challenging to get used to but ultimately it's a great learning experience.

The sense of team is one of the best things about working here - you are truly valued as one of the team and your contributions are recognised. Being an intern does not affect the way people interact with you, I feel I am valued just as much as employees who have been with the business for 20 years plus.

The managers (the ones I have come across) have always been happy to help. They won't spoon feed you though - independence is encouraged and you are essentially responsible for your own success.

There can be times where the workload means you may have to work through your lunch break or stay late, but this is reflective of the real world - it's never too much to cope with and you can ask for help if you need it.

The level of responsibility you are given is another highlight of this placement. You are given ownership of one area of the business from day 1 and are trained as though you will be doing the role indefinitely - you have responsibility for your own clients and candidates and are given the independence to manage these however you see fit.

The knowledge you accumulate through being thrown in at the deep end is hugely transferrable. You are exposed to various aspects of business, from developing relationships, to negotiation, to managing difficult situations/ people etc.

As we worked on a sales floor the atmosphere was generally lively. The banter between colleagues helps to motivate - it can be tense at times if something hasn't gone to plan, but most of the time the team is good fun.

Hays take on lots of interns every year so the process was pretty seamless. You are placed in a team where you will best be suited and generally nurtured by your team, however in the first few months you have lots of training sessions with the other interns which are well planned and useful.

There isn't a sense that you are "just an intern" - they provide training sessions and coaching throughout the placement that helps you to be come a better consultant, despite the fact you will be leaving. You are also encouraged to return after university if you do well whilst you're there.

There has been discussions about returning after university - nothing official has been put into place but I'm quite sure that if I wanted to go back after university I would be welcomed.

There were several intern incentives throughout the year. The social aspect of my team in particular was great, drinks on a Friday after work are a regular occurrence.

As this is central London it's about as expensive as you can get - drinks are quite expensive and rent is worse. However the directors of the company are always generous and will offer to buy drinks if you are out with them.

There are plenty of bars and restaurants in the area, you're almost spoilt for choice. Some can get quite expensive but there isn't a shortage of places to go.

Nothing that I am really aware of - however there are activities in the run up to Christmas and year end where the teams compete to win prizes which are always fun to get involved in.