Pros
Having left University a naive graduate, working at Hays has given me a fantastic grounding in business. Benefiting from an excellent training scheme and experienced consultants willing to share best practice I quickly learnt how to deal with clients, candidates, negotiations and general sales. Working at Hays has allowed me to broaden my skill set, exposing me to new ideas and ways of working and giving me responsibility that I would be unlikely to get from another career. Hays have also been brilliant in enabling me to relocate from Leeds to London, ensuring a smooth transition and warm welcome in my new role. Despite the location change, the people and culture remains the same which is a huge factor in Hays' success. Finally, in terms of benefits, Hays have always provided excellent incentives for those who apply themselves and despite criticisms about the commission structure (which has been improved) the working conditions and environment are more than a match.
Cons
One criticism that needs to be addressed is that some consultants are still benefiting from "legacy" commission structures. Whilst I appreciate it is a delicate situation, many new starters feel despondent when earning less than their more "experienced" colleagues. Secondly, Hays seem to have traditionally struggled to retain the best talent when they reach Senior Consultant / Business Manager status. These individuals will make up the next generation of Directors so more should be done to give them opportunities and incentives to stay.