Pros
- Connect with like minded individuals in your cohort - A handful of staff are delightful despite the company's troubling framework especially Adam - CEO is a kind and charming, who regrettably took on a not so great company
Cons
I regret to say that my time with Xander Talent is riddled with disappointment and disillusionment. The company's inability to offer a solid training programme was a significant letdown. Rather than being structured and comprehensive, the training was haphazard and far below par, forcing me to self-educate and grapple with obstacles that should have been tackled during a formal training period. The management of assignments and deadlines was nothing short of a shambles. With no marking or feedback offered in a timely manner, I was constantly ensnared in a fog of uncertainty, causing unnecessary frustration. Deceit and misrepresentation were, sadly, commonplace. Initial assurances of potential placements within the company were revealed to be baseless, as the bench was already overflowing with consultants who could not be placed, leaving no room for newcomers. This dishonesty was a glaring sign of the company's lack of integrity, resulting in wasted time and efforts on my part. Even when bench we all lacked faith in their ability to place us. It was common practice for consultants to be on base for 6 months then suddenly let go for 'lack of effort' or what other excuse they could come up with at that time. Adding insult to injury, the training period was unpaid. This not only raises serious questions about the company's confidence in its own curriculum and placement abilities, but it also revealed a worrying lack of regard for its trainees' time and effort. The most unsettling aspect, however, was the manipulation of our two-month unpaid training to bolster their B-corp status with social enterprises. We were seemingly used as pawns in a game of corporate reputation, with the company benefiting from our unpaid labour. This exploitation was not just unethical but profoundly discouraging. In light of these experiences, I am left with a bitter taste and a stern warning to others. Unless you are willing to navigate through a maze of deceit, mismanagement, and exploitation, I strongly advise against considering Xander Talent as a launching pad for your career. It is far from the supportive, honest, and growth-oriented environment that one would expect from a professional talent development company.
