Run - Senior Associate Korn Ferry Employee Review

1.0
20 Mar 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Worked with some nice colleagues.

Cons

Everything else. - Growth through acquisition/diversification strategy is not working. The businesses are not integrated, not complimentary and don't collaborate at all. - Company is run by finance. The business only focuses on the next earning call and its appearance to the market (leading to frequent rounds of firing before reporting results). - The company has all of the worst hack aspects of a search firm ingrained into the culture (flying by the seat of pants, no real expertise, searches actually run by kids out of college while Partners sit back and watch the dollars roll in). - No interest in wellbeing/development/happiness of employees. - Very backward looking, old school (in the worst sense) mentality. Most Partners are wannabe country club types. - No pay rise. Ever. - Terrible bonus (company claims poverty every bonus cycle but appears to have saved a ton of cash). - Terrible benefits (the healthcare package is terrible) - You will work most evenings and weekends as you will have more searches to execute than is possible. -Don't even think about taking a vacation (unless you are a Partner). - Most of your colleagues will rotate out of the business on a regular basis.

Explore other reviews about Korn Ferry

5.0
10 Feb 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I am a consultant through a firm acquired by Korn Ferry and have had a great experience with both the firm (Salo) and with Korn Ferry as a parent company. Great to have benefits and PTO as a consultant and great training and resources available - good communication as well!

Cons

Transitional period during acquisition had a few bumps but nothing major and all ironed out as more time has gone on.

4.0
16 Jun 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 High expectations with outdated systems, manual processes, inefficient.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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