Pros
I am a consultant in the Life Sciences practice of 5 months. I have come on with 3 years recruitment experience and was promised in my interview “to look after a warm desk”. The truth about this is that Hydrogen is a major player in the recruitment game, on a global scale. For the first time in my short recruitment career I have transformed from a recruiter into a specialist consultant recruiter, trust me there is a huge difference. // In 5 months I feel totally comfortable in my role – with colleagues, managers and believe it or not my director. Hydrogen is split into a few sectors: Life Sciences, Business Transformation, Finance, Legal, Oil & Gas, Technology & Power – each of these have their own Director. I can’t comment on other senior management but I can certainly approve of the Life Sciences Director, Steph Murtagh who backs every consultant in her team completely (around 25 people – 15 contract recruitment – 10 perm) // So, pro’s of working for Hydrogen? The big one.. Money. Yes, get ready to double your paycheque every six months. It’s ridiculous. The commission’s structure is fantastic. There are incentives for everything to keep on achieving.. With hard work you get rewards. Simple. I’m not unrealistic though I appreciate money doesn’t just fall into your lap – but if you work hard like all Life Sciences do in a year you will be easily on an OTE of £60k/70k+. I’m serious.// Realistic targets – I don’t need to elaborate on this. But the best part is.. in a 1-1 with your manager you can move your KPI targets depending on what you need more focus on (EG. Candidate short market, more candidate calls than manager calls) // Another pro? Location. 2 minute walk from Monument station – tubes are never ‘overally crowded’ on that circle line therefore getting into work is hassle free (but then again, no excuse to be late). // I mentioned earlier transforming from a recruiter into a specialist. I absolutely mean this. If you want to be better, Hydrogen have the tools to make this happen. The team, the connections, the experience, the continual development training, the directors, the investments, the international business trips, the dedication and the time from everyone ensures you can make it as a specialist and get away from being a “high street recruiter” like I used to be. // I genuinely love coming to work. Things are going very well for me and Life Sciences team members.
Cons
Not every job is perfect. Even more so in a sales environment. We are salespeople and there are cons. // The length of hours. ANYONE in a sales environment should know recruitment is not a 9-5. If you’ve assumed it is, think again. But Hydrogen is notorious for early starts – late finishes. If performance is dropping, hours need to be made. I work a minimum of 10 hours a day, my social life for most week days have gone. // Large divide between the Hydrogen. I mentioned earlier that Hydrogen is split into a few sectors: Life Sciences, Business Transformation, Finance, Legal, Oil & Gas, Technology & Power. I hardly know these people unless they happen to cross my path or I’m located near them in the office. // The coffee machine provides rubbish coffee (we’re next door to Pret though).
