Pros
I joined Navartis a year ago from a completely unrelated background, with only a vague idea of what recruitment was actually like. I came into the role with no prior experience, so I really benefitted from the training provided at the beginning. The training scheme for trainee consultants is intense and ongoing, which really puts you in good stead moving forward. One thing I really appreciated was how honest Navartis were from the very start. They were brutally honest in the first interview — almost trying to put me off — because the job genuinely can be that challenging. As tough as that sounds, it meant expectations were set from day one and you know exactly what you’re walking into. It was nice to step into a completely new role, in an unfamiliar sector, and learn everything from scratch. That foundation has played a big part in the success I’ve had so far. All of this is combined with the fact that your managers and colleagues genuinely want you to succeed. I’d heard plenty of horror stories about recruitment being extremely competitive (which it is), to the point where you’re competing against your own colleagues and it creates an uncomfortable working environment — but that hasn’t been my experience at Navartis at all. I’ve had constant support from my team and colleagues across the business, and that support is still ongoing. The culture is much more close-knit than I ever expected, which has made a huge difference. I think people tend to underestimate the difficulty of the job, it is perfect for someone who works well in a high pressure environment. Although the job is tough, the harder you try, listen, engage and put yourself in uncomfortable positions, the more it will benefit you. 💰
Cons
- It is difficult and requires a lot of perseverance. It will feel overwhelming to begin with but it is important to keep trying your best as this will ease over time as you get to grips with the role. - When coming from a different industry, you will likely feel out of your depths due to the amount of experienced consultants within the business. I often compared myself to others to begin with. You will soon come to find everyone in the business has been in your exact position and everyone has to start somewhere!