Smoke and Mirrors - Executive Recruiter Search Plus Employee Review

1.0
Aug 22, 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Free lunches were provided during the recruitment process. Free coffee and snacks are available within the break room while at work.

Cons

This company is a revolving door of recruiters and after working here, I don't blame anyone who left. They are looking for experienced recruiters to turn over their book of business to them, but since few would do so on 100% commission, inexperienced and ill-qualified recruiters are hired instead. They subsequently quit or are forced out within a few months, wasting everyone's time. This essentially ensures mediocrity and prevents any teamwork or synergy from being built. The main problem as I see it lies in the condescenion and paranoia of the higher-ups: management often acts irrationally suspicious, frequently belittling, berating and falsely accusing those beneath them without taking the time to properly assess a situation. Ironically, in many cases, the management was at fault due to their fickleness, lack of communication skills and ill-conveyed policies. As a result, everyone is focused on staying on the good side of the boss rather than producing results. Everything that was sold to me as an asset to work here turned out to be greatly exaggerated or false. Their database- what they promote as their advantage to other search firms- is outdated and unsearchable. I was told they had plenty of searches, but most of these turned out to be unviable if not nonexistent. If you can get past being treated like a child, you may do well here. You can run your own desk and have some degree of freedom. But at the end, I was severely disappointed in how unprofessionally the company treated their own employees.

Explore other reviews about Search Plus

5.0
Jun 17, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Leadership is honest yet fair but will challenge and reward you.

Cons

Drive/commute (temporary setback with construction/delays).

1.0
Feb 9, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Quiet office. Good work-life balance.

Cons

Management will provide conflicting directions on projects and policies and then criticize employees severely when they seek clarification. If you enjoy being reprimanded for doing exactly what you were told to do, or for not doing what you were told not to do, this is the job for you. Ludicrous accusations, hysteria and paranoia run rampant here. While middle management may express sympathy and agreement with you in these situations (which are frequent), expect them to remain silent in the presence of the CEO and then subsequently feign ignorance. This makes for a very political, unsupportive and negative atmosphere where sycophantism is valued above all else- certainly above recruiter talent. The work itself is easy, but can be extremely mind-numbing. There is little opportunity for career or skills development and many, if not most, employees simply use the company as a waystation until they find something better. Compensation policies regarding the researcher commission structure were changed numerous times within the span of the year, with earned commissions in the pipeline suddenly vanishing due to management's sudden inclinations. Reasonable requests to have policies written down are met with defensiveness if not outright rudeness by management. You are more likely to find out about policy changes from a side reference in a meeting than being directly informed.

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