Robert Walters Reviews

Pros

As a former long term employee, having started at RW as a Consultant, I have seen the company more than double in size, to the current point in time where the company is the most successful it has ever been. A key element of that growth is the company policy to not make acquisitions in order to grow. The growth is organic, with Consultants being promoted internally and trusted to start new teams / offices /... countries which means you can have a fantastic, long-term career with RW, with international opportunities should you wish. It's a genuinely stable company with exceptional training and plenty of support for those new to the recruitment industry, including a large back office to allow you to get on with your job. Due to the organic growth model, there's a brilliant culture which is carefully nurtured - It's team based which means it's a nice place to work and it's highly likely you'll make life-long friends here, as the vast majority are like-minded positive, ambitious people which is infectious. The offices are stunning, there's lots of incentives and recognition for a job well-done and you can earn good money too, while being involved in Corporate Social Responsibility activities. Prior to leaving RW, there was a focus on mental health and flexible working practices which was most welcome.

Cons

Robert Walters isn't perfect (I don't believe any company is), but it's run by good people so while there may be frustrations at times, it's important to trust that the company will have your best interests at heart and to go with the flow and stay positive. Those who have a negative attitude won't succeed at RW. In order to have a career at RW, you're going to need to work hard and long hours may be involved. This... isn't a 'con' specific to RW, it applies to the recruitment industry as a whole as it's highly competitive and it's an industry where whatever you put in, you get out.

Advice to Management

Keep up the good work!

Pros

Colleagues are very open in sharing & collaborative

Cons

Management still a bit old school

Pros

I genuinely believe there is no better Recruitment company based in the UK for career progression, organic growth and entrepreneurial support and encouragement. Our culture. Having worked for another international recruiter within a Senior Management capacity/number UK biller and having friends in other competitors, I am extremely confident that Robert Walters has one of the best team cultures possible, I believe... this is what gives us the edge with our staff retention but also creates a better and more efficient recruitment team. Its certainly been the USP from my offices which has helped us take market share and have zero turnover in over a year.

Cons

Our bonus structure to the external market can get bad press but if you have worked here you'll know that actually our bonus's are good and our overall OTE vs billings are higher than the majority of our competition add to that our opportunities for organic growth, our marketing and events strategy/team, team culture, work hard/play hard attitude, flexible working and empowerment for those with entrepreneurial... drive....we are at the top of our game!

Advice to Management

Keep encouraging the commercially focused and driven individuals who have a genuine passion for what they do. We are only as good as the people who work for us. Do not become too admin/BI focused as this can hold back the work force and give a genuine false view of what's happening on the ground. Lets learn from competitors constant mistakes and continue to push forward.

Pros

- Working culture - Corporate Hospitality - Rewards

Cons

Not really any to report

Pros

Excellent work environment Fantastic scope for progression and development No KPIs Exceptional client and candidate events Great earning potential and high basic salaries Easily one of the best benefit packages around

Cons

Bonus structure could be slightly more transparent

Pros

Opportunity to progress within the company, good benefits.

Cons

Pooled bonuses can allow you receive a lower bonus if the team has not done well.

Pros

- Good structured training schedule when you start out in recruitment - You will be introduced to a good client base and will learn the basics

Cons

- Very KPI driven environment - Phone times, number of calls and CV's sent will all be monitored and tracked - Catch-ups with management weekly (micro-management environment) to discuss KPI's (as above) - No flexibility or opportunity to work from home - Lunchtimes have to be split amongst the team so that there is phone cover - Commission structure is "team based" meaning you will never really earn more... than 10% - no flexibility around working hours you will have to be at your desk for 8am and you can't finish until 5:30pm - promotion is based on merit rather than merit and attitude/ ability to lead which means people end up in management roles who have little or no leadership skills - strict "uniform" like policy meaning suits are expected to be worn, not allowed to have facial hair and brown shoes are not allowed - No client negotiating power everything has to be signed off at Director level and they are not flexible on fee % meaning you will miss out on high volume SME clients - no independence or trust amongst Management and Employees

Advice to Management

Need to get with the times in regards to working environment and flexibility. It feels like a school environment with set times for lunches and working hours as well as the micro-management environment. Management need to trust employees and should focus on outcomes rather than number of calls made. I remember wasting time on the phone just to have the phone times up for no other point than to hit a KPI - ridiculous!

Pros

- Amazing culture - everyone who works at RW makes friends for life. - Training is great - Company takes feedback really well and always try to better things that are flagged - RW puts on lots of really fun social events -Facilitate international opportunities

Cons

- lack of transparency re bonuses - but it didnt really bother me that much to be honest. - Success of the business is in Finance and if you're in a non-finance part of the business, it is really hard work.