Just before I start, note that the next reviews that follow this one will all miraculously be “positive” (and most likely from current employees) because the company pretty much force current staff to drown out negative reviews. That will give you a very clear idea of this business.
Management style is “fear-based” management. They make it quite clear they’ll get rid of you if you don’t do exactly what they say. It is old-style recruitment, with absolutely no trust in their employees. Heavily KPId with two set BD days each week. No matter how much experience you have, or how much you bill you will made to do BD days and you will be made to hit your KPIs. You could be running at 20 live jobs and no time to fill them and still be doing BD all day every Tuesday and Thursday.
London office is cliquey with poor staff retention. If your face doesn’t fit and you’re not a ‘yes man’ then say goodbye before you start. Don’t try and have an opinion. Everything you know about recruitment before you start you can leave at the door and just start saying ‘yes’ to the backwards way of recruitment as led by the directors. The best way to actually make money here is to nod and agree and then do the absolute opposite to what the directors tell you to do (they really don’t have a clue about recruitment).
Manchester office is an absolute shambles where nobody stays because of the associate director who looks after the office. That office has had higher turnover than a McDonalds. Massive office with about 3 consultants left in the business (seriously). The micromanagement here is through the roof.
To all current employees: The grass IS greener on the other side. I’ve not met one former employee who isn’t much happier since leaving. Good commission does not warrant the way Portfolio treat people.
To all prospective employees: Do yourself a favour and keep looking. It really isn’t worth it.
