Hi I have been offered a graduate role in supply chain operations for Nortel after attending an assement centre last week. When I was there it felt as if it was an empty shell of a company having downsized more than half its employees over the past five years. I have also been offered a role as a Strategy consultant for a company which focus on public sector work. I had worked for a small strategy boutique for a year and the this role would suit my skill set but they have said that it is only for four months then they will review your performance after that time. In other words there is no gurantee of a job at the end, I just don't want to find my self looking for another role in four months time. My questions if anyone can help are 1. Whats their reputation in the teleco industry? 2. Do you think they can sustain growth that they have had over the past year? 3. Is it normal for a consulting company to give these sort of clauses in a contract?

Tony - regarding the strategy role, I would make a big distinction between:i) a permanent contract or offer of employment where the employee begins on a trial basis and the permanent role is subject to successful completion of a trial periodii) a temporary 4 month contract with no presumption of ongoing employment thereafterType i) I would say is quite common. Many major consulting brands and FTSE 100 employers (ourselves included) would use some variant of this approach as a means of protecting against making an inappropriate hire. The presumption is that a permanent hire is being made, but there is an escape route if the hire proves to be a disaster.Type ii), by contrast, leaves you in a very weak situation. If the firm's order book starts to look weak then you are left without a job, even if your performance during the first 4 months was stellar.I'd be happy accepting a role on terms like i) but not at all on terms like ii)Hope this helps - and good luckTony RestellTop-Consultant.com

Thanks TR for your reply on the matter and it certainly does help does anyone else have any thoughts on the matter?

Anyone........

Have the review period specified in writing by the boutique - the performance review is nothing to be concerned about, its quite standard. But if you have doubts about the integrity of the offer, ask for it to be clarified (n writing, always in writing).