Pros
Absolutely fantastic company to work for - I would never, never leave. Training is second to none, as a corporate office employee I'm offered lots of different training opportunities and even training on the tools just to better understand our business and it's high quality products. Extremely flexible working hours - flexibility to start work slightly later if I need to do the school run and the trust from management that I'll always put in extra hours if needed to complete my work load. Diverse working environment - the company is extremely passionate about diversity, you'll be working with employees from pretty much every country you can think of and hear lots of different languages throughout your working day. Extremely friendly and supportive colleagues/management - Hilti only employee people that fit into the culture of the business - colleagues that have never met you will always say hello, ask you how you are and what you do. Plenty of social events - with a dedicated social committee regular events take place to integrate yourself between management (management do regularly attend these events) - these can include simple pub quizzes to trips to the races, bowling - even group salsa lessons! By far the best feature of the business is your ability to progress, develop as a person and professionally and the ability to travel the world. Hilti is present in pretty much every continent. The option to request a potential secondment or even full time role is seriously considered as part of your regular development meetings. If staying local - the possibility for promotion is extremely high if you're prepared to work hard and add value to the business. There are hundreds of examples of long serving staff members that have progressed from an Account Manager/Field Sales (or even apprentice) to regional managers, national managers and then to sales management. Other have moved from sales to finance/marketing functions and eventually into management. If you want to do it, you show the drive and passion to work for the business the possibilities are endless!
Cons
The only cons are the that the company doesn't shout about it's employee benefits / success enough when trying to attract new employees. For example, it was only until I recieved an offer for my role that I realised we all get Private Medical Insurance and Life Assurance from day 1 - regardless of role. We get a more than generous bonus scheme (on average 7-% higher than the UK average even during the recession) - flexible working, laptops, mobiles, in some cases company vehicles and health benefits including half price gym membership through vitality health, regular free health checks/medical checks and rewards for exercise (signing upto vitality and registering an evening jog for example can earn you vouchers for free starbucks coffee) These things can be the difference between staff joining Hilti or their competitors - shout about it from day 1 and be proud of the way you look after your staff - regardless of role, grade or seniority!
