A 2-year gig, nothing more (unless you're a heterosexual white British man)
Pros
It's a good entry-level package, because it includes things which would normally not be available to people working freelance: health insurance, vacation time, etc. In that sense, it can definitely feel like an upgrade. It's also a good networking opportunity with people on your own level. Many of the analysts I met at Control Risks have gone on to great things. For the first two years, it can be a productive learning curve. After that, it's another story.
Cons
This needs to be stressed: Control Risks will not promote you, ever, unless you are already a rich white man, especially British and hopefully heterosexual. Some exceptions apply if you're also some flavor of "expat" in whatever office you work for, but other than that, you are on your own. Any talk of promotions during your reviews is hot air and nothing more. Any talk of training opportunities is also lip service and nothing more. Risk consulting is a highly competitive field in general, but Control Risks takes it to toxic extremes. Do not be surprised if your yearly review is not about your work or your career as much as it is about your reputation, your appearance, "how you come across," whether people in the office like you, and whether your manager likes you. You need a thick skin, and even then, therapy is a common after-hours activity for most analysts. After about the one-year mark, it is pretty standard for analysts to receive growing lists of assignments not related to risk analysis, and more in line with consulting, public relations and business development. No one will train you on this, and if you don't already have a knack for it (or the capacity to fake it till you make it), too bad, you just gave them material for your next negative review. And no, these new assignments never come with a salary raise or any talk of work-life balance.
