Cringeworthy and Unfortunate - Executive Search Korn Ferry Employee Review

2.0
May 28, 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Broad exposure to a variety of clients, fast moving, Korn Ferry brand while diluting quickly in Executive Search still carries name recognition, and some staff and colleagues are wonderful before they to, become disillusioned.

Cons

A truly outdated, unfortunate, shareholder/revenue/billings obsessed culture with lots of lip service and self congratulatory behavior among overly sales oriented professionals. Many staff and leaders are towing company lines and have been indoctrinated over the years into believing what is going on at Korn Ferry is acceptable, just fine, and even reasonable. It is not. It's cringeworthy to hear again and again the issues of workplace impropriety, not to mention the near constant phrase, "all hands on deck and just keep the clients happy and the fees coming in." It's a Harvard Business Case study in the making. Truly difficult to watch. Reminds me of Enron: Smartest Guys in the Room but these are certainly not the smartest guys in the room at Korn Ferry. Literally no raises, yet annual increases in health premiums/employee contributions therefore as you go on with the firm, your take home pay is LESS Meaningless performance evaluations. A truly unprofessional and borderline unethical HR Department with little to no accomplishments to speak of. 401K contribution is laughably terrible

Explore other reviews about Korn Ferry

5.0
Jun 10, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

room to grow, own your success

Cons

no cons at this time.

4.0
Jun 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The client diversity across industries and regions is top notch. Great brand recognition. The marketing investments in Korn Ferry Tour and LA28 paid off. Smart people. Remote work is a plus as 75% people work remotely. No push for facetime in offices. Work from anywhere! Everyone knows of Korn Ferry!

Cons

A culture of long hours and interrupted vacations. Clear demarcation between haves(fee earners) and have nots (execution). High expectations with outdated systems, manual processes, inefficient. Low pay as there are no merits due to market/company performance. Hard to get food at the holiday party so stop at Five Guys prior.

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