Associate Consultant Review

I've thoroughly enjoyed my placement year with Hays. I've learnt so much and really developed valuable skills which will help me not only when I return to university but also for later life. Everyone has been unbelievably helpful and friendly and I've made some amazing friends over the past year.

My team were excellent, they really valued my input. I was treated no differently for being an intern and my work was appreciated by them. I got on really well with everyone, I genuinely could not have wished for a better set of colleagues to spend my year with.

My manager was so supportive, she was always on hand to answer any questions and was brilliant at training me when I first started. She would always stop to help me the minute I needed anything and had loads of helpful advice.

Recruitment is a hugely busy industry and there was never a quiet moment, certainly no chances to get bored! This was great at teaching me to manage my time and work well under pressure and to deadlines. I also learnt to prioritise my workload effectively and become a very efficient worker.

As much as anyone else! You are doing the same job as any other consultant and so have the responsibility of running your own desk. It's fantastic that you're trusted with this and aren't treated differently to any permanent employee as it gives you valuable experience.

The skills I've developed over the last year will be massively beneficial when returning to university as I've built up my confidence a lot and really learnt to manage my time effectively. I'll also be a lot more motivated. The communication skills I've learnt through interviewing candidates, managing expectations and liaising with people at different levels of seniority will be valuable in the future.

The office atmosphere is really friendly. It is a very busy and high performance culture but everyone is routing for each other and wants everyone else to do well so are always willing to help. It's a sociable environment and everyone gets along.

It was really well organised and well integrated. It's been running for few years now so everything is in place and the

Hays is known for it's first class training and there's no exception for interns. The first twelve weeks involve regular training sessions with various managers across the business, meaning you also get to meet people from different specialisms. After your 6 weeks you're sent on two days formal training and this really helps to consolidate what you've learnt so far. This is followed up with another two days later on in the placement. There are also monthly skills webinars and systems training sessions throughout. There's a real focus on the importance of training and they really invest in you.

Having spent a year doing exactly what everyone else in the business is doing, you're well positioned for employment with them following the placement. They're keen to see Interns return as Consultants and continue to do well.

Hays as a business was a very sociable environment. Drinks on a Thursday/Friday were a weekly occurance and at the end of every quarter a wrap-up party is hosted at a nearby venue.

As I was living and working in London it wasn't cheap! London is obvoiusly known for being expensive so student drinks prices were a thing of the past but at the same time it's completely worth it as you wouldn't have the same experience anywhere else.

It's completely different to uni nightlife but not necessarily in a bad way. People tend to go out early (straight after work) and leave early to catch the last tube. There's plenty of good bars and clubs in the city so there's always somewhere to go and you're guaranteed a good night.

Other than the social side of things there aren't that many activities to get involved in. They've run boxing and fitness sessions in conjunction with a nearby gym and there are football/netball teams.