FDM Group Java Developer reviews

2.4

0% would recommend to a friend

(41 total reviews)
avatar

Rod Flavell

45% approve of CEO

1% positive business outlook

Java Developer employees have rated FDM Group with 2.4 out of 5 stars, based on 41 company reviews on Glassdoor. This indicates that most Java Developer professionals have an average working experience there. FDM Group is rated 38% below average by Java Developer professionals compared to other employers within the Tecnologías de la información industry (3.9 stars).

Reviews by job title

41 reviews
1.0
Feb 12, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Plush facility in a High rise Wall Street Skyscraper with the emphasis on plush Easily Accessible by transit Extremely high placement rate

Cons

The dynamic is that you get paid well below the curve for your respective position/stream and are trapped in a highly manipulative contract para dos anos.This is done in order for FDM to negotiate highly lucrative contracts for themselves with their clients in exchange for cheap workers (slave labor) maximizing their profit primarily at your expense. But their rate of placement is exceptional so you technically are guaranteed a job if you complete training. A catch 22 at its finest. So base salary is 23.8K plus a menial bonus for 4-8 hours of work daily upon placement. Honestly you are looking in the range of 35-40k for the first two years at best. Where the average Entry Level Java Developer (Java was my stream) makes 55-60K easily starting out. You can get fired for the most asinine of reasons as some other desperate college graduate will always be ready and available. And after your comprehensive "training" which is grossly overrated in the first place you still have to ace the interview with one of their various clients in order to officially land the job & officially start the contract to get paid salary plus incentive. This isn't necessarily an interview conducive to your stream mind you. You are given three strikes to pass a project/test if not your axed. But honestly if you even breathe the wrong way this can still happen. Its a very airtight environment engineered to appease their prestigious clients at all times. From being, experiencing FDM firsthand its clearly engineered for profit to overshadow every facet. Sales and perception clearly overrules all else especially anything related to the IT trainees which ironically make the bulk of their profit. The bread and butter that make this a viable corporation whether top management will admit it or not is indeed the analysts, developers, PMO support are simply seen as expendable pieces . A wise man once said in chess the pawns go first. And this is applicable to the talent FDM recruits and disposes to further its agenda. Candidly speaking you should only go for FDM if you hit rock bottom and even then strongly consider what you are getting yourself into. All contingencies within the 'agreement' like 30K training fees, waived right to a trial by jury are all structured to work against the employee. Understand that once you agree to their contract you've effectively signed your death warrant.

2.0
Jan 27, 2016

Stuck in Contract

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

They help place you at a company

Cons

Stuck in a 2 year contract with low pay. No benefits

1.0
Nov 2, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

None - I know people who left FDM within their training and are doing well for themselves.

Cons

I do not recommend coming to this company, opt for another consultancy firm. Why? You are not treated like a valuable asset of the company instead you are treated like a number and you are constantly reminded by senior management that you are dispensable regardless of how many years you have served at this place. There is no comradery between account managers and consultants. The account managers are only out for themselves and do not care what direction you'll like your career to move in. In the testing stream? they'll put you up for app support and BA roles and if you express a slight reluctance towards a certain role- off to HR you go for the sacking. There is a big divide between the sales team and consultants- to the point that sales team avoid bars consultants go to.HR only care about protecting the business there is no one to talk to "off the record" about concerns. Anytime you seem abit unsure about something or don't smile when they want to send your CV off to a role in Glasgow they try to intimidate you and then report you to HR. They don't care if you have any longterm commitments such as children, mortgage or health issues. As far as they are concerned you signed a contract even if those things arise after signing the contract. Constantly encouraged to go talk to account managers on the sales floor yet they dismiss you when you talk to them. Send emails and they ignore you. Refuse to disclose location and job description when they have a potential role. Approach them for actual roles you like on the status board and they lie to your face and say its been filled because they don't want to put you forward. So essentially for 2 years FDM own you.You have no say in what you want to do. Your 2 years start from when you are placed not during training! Some people have finished training (8-12 weeks) yet not placed and have been here 6 months. So thats a big portion of time to waste on this company. People might say as a pro you get a blue chip client on your cv. That is not always true, Most leave with no blue chip companies on their CVs at all. The only consultancy "firm" that forces you to sign in and out like children. The training is abysmal at best, you are treated like children throughout your lifetime at FDM and constantly being monitored. Can't even use any of the plugs in the office for personal laptops, Can't eat anything at your desks even a fruit (yet have witnessed trainers and sales team eating on their desk), bombarded with emails if your data bandwidth is too high, blocked from most websites. There's a reason they have a high turn over rate, You will find that after the 2 years contract is over most, if not all leave. There is absolutely no reason to continue to stay with the company as there is nothing gain. Why would you stay after 2 years when you are not guaranteed a role you like in a location you want and the 3rd year salary is not even up to market standard. You aren't even treated any better in 3rd year. If you have a bad experience with one of their clients in a placement or bad interview, they will take the client's side 100% of the time because they value them more.

Viewing 25 - 27 of 41 Reviews

Glassdoor has 4,812 FDM Group reviews submitted anonymously by FDM Group employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if FDM Group is right for you.