Just so very bad - Senior Consultant Korn Ferry Employee Review

1.0
16 May 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The people on the front line - there's a trench spirit and humour in the madness Global locations Office are nice (but that will go post-covid) I really am struggling now to add to this list

Cons

This place is just about minimising cost (i.e. your salaries and bonuses - this is the biggest cost in the business) and maximising the sales and cash collection. The CEO has a 'God complex', no-one challenges him as he is surrounded by sycophants who are in fear of their own safety. The share price and overall company growth are the only performance indicators that are talked about with any seriousness. The quality of service to clients quickly falls off post-sale as staff are overworked and stretched too thinly (as keeping headcount to a minimum is a concern here) and products are not invested in or updated. There is no genuine concern for staff. They treat them with utter patronising distain. It's weird: they hire clever people and then communicate to them like they are stupid. They just cut or furloughed about a third of the staff. They let some really great Partners and staff go (leaving some very mediocre ones untouched) so they can save money and make more acquisitions. They've cut the pay of everyone here that is left who are already overworked and tired. People just look physically sick and many have stress or mental issues from overwork or long hours. It's just so sad. It has the potential to be so much more than it is but it's just being run into the ground year after year.

Explore other reviews about Korn Ferry

5.0
10 Feb 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I am a consultant through a firm acquired by Korn Ferry and have had a great experience with both the firm (Salo) and with Korn Ferry as a parent company. Great to have benefits and PTO as a consultant and great training and resources available - good communication as well!

Cons

Transitional period during acquisition had a few bumps but nothing major and all ironed out as more time has gone on.

4.0
16 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The client diversity across industries and regions is top notch. Great brand recognition. The marketing investments in Korn Ferry Tour and LA28 paid off. Smart people. Remote work is a plus as 75% people work remotely. No push for facetime in offices. Work from anywhere! Everyone knows of Korn Ferry!

Cons

A culture of long hours and interrupted vacations. Clear demarcation between haves(fee earners) and have nots (execution). High expectations with outdated systems, manual processes, inefficient. Low pay as there are no merits due to market/company performance. Hard to get food at the holiday party so stop at Five Guys prior.

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