FDM Group
Since being founded just a stone’s throw away from Brighton’s bohemian lanes, FDM Group has grown into an international IT services provider that currently services over 200 international clients from eight separate offices across the globe.
Pros
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Cons
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Employee Reviews
Life on the Job
Culture
- "Work hard, play hard. Well structured organisation with formal hierarchy, but able to speak to anyone in the business directly. Great social life and staff socialise together inside and outside of the office." -- Head of Infrastructure
"Flat structure, simple hierarchy with involved board of directors at the top. Very supportive team. Very social – probably too social for our own good." -- HR Assistant
"This company is very sociable. All of the departments are interlinked and to a certain degree rely on each other to communicate in order to run efficiently. There are a lot of opportunities to socialise outside of work too, day to day and in relation to fundraising events." -- HR Assistant
"FDM has a fun, creative atmosphere that promotes a performance culture. FDM employees are empowered which encourages them and motivates them to do well – because no-one’s hard work goes unrewarded. Progression is rapid at FDM as long as you work hard. I worked my way up to marketing manager within a few years. The same applies to several members of the management team, who started their journey at FDM in junior roles and worked their way up the career ladder. In addition, many events are organised every year, which are all fully funded by FDM. These events include a summer and Christmas party, team building days and networking opportunities. At times, even the CEO joins us at the pub on a Friday evening!" -- Marketing Manager
"The way our company works is we have our trainee consultants, consultants and then a variety of internal staff in different departments including events, recruitment, account management, HR and operations. FDM are a family-based company and as an employee, you know that you can always turn to anyone in any of the departments to ask for advice and support. There is a "work hard, play hard" culture so everybody really does work hard, but there is a fantastic social life too. In our office, everybody goes for a drink on Friday nights and there are regular social events to get involved in, including football 5-a-side, fun runs and cinema trips." -- Graduate Events Consultant"Good team dynamics and people always socialise." -- Academy Events
"There is a young culture, everyone enjoys a laugh and there are regular catch-ups at lunch time or Friday drinks at the pub – employees regularly socialise together. There is a fairly flat structure and the managers and board of directors sit amongst more junior employees which reduces the feeling of hierarchy – you also see managers and board members at the pub sometimes which creates a unified feeling. Colleagues are supportive and people are prepared to help answer any questions you have." -- Marketing Assistant
"The structure is somewhat flatter than I expected which makes corresponding with those in a higher position easy. I have found it relatively comfortable to talk to the directors and managers about problems and advice, meaning my expected barriers of a hierarchy were removed early on. Employees support each other and are friendly as a result of this structure, and problems are often solved fairly quickly. This also encourages employees to socialise outside of work hours. This has been the case for me since the first week I joined." -- Performance Analyst
"Everyone in the company knows each other and supports each other as each team relies on one another for the efficiency and success of our business model. Our CEO and directors have an active role within the teams, coming out with us after work and sitting on the sales floor with us. Incentives and morale are high within the company, with regular social and charity events as well as company trips across the UK and worldwide. We are all friends outside work." -- Academy Events Consultant
"It is a flat structure company, where all levels of the hierarchy interact and work alongside each other to keep the company moving and functioning. Colleagues support each other, especially within the same areas and teams. Colleagues cover for each other through absences and in busy periods. Employees are always very sociable, going to the pub after work on Fridays, playing football in the evenings and going for lunch together through the week. This is across teams and areas, so people are really able to interact and get to know each other outside the working environment." -- HR Assistant
"We do socialise together and there is a good culture that involves sport and socialising." -- Account Executive
"I work in the back office; it is very sales-driven and I think it could be more integrated. Just attended a fun run for the company so it’s good to socialise with people outside work." -- Sales Manager
"Colleagues are very supportive of each other and socialise together on a regular basis. All staff are very approachable regardless of level of seniority, and although everyone is very busy, the office atmosphere is relaxed as we all feel happy and comfortable working together." -- Academy Recruitment Consultant
"The marketing team is very well structured as are the other teams in the office." -- Graphic Designer
"Sales department is very sociable – (sometimes excessively so imho). Within departments there is much support, there is occasional lack of communication between departments. Employees do socialise together – more so within the same department." -- Trainer
"FDM has to be one of the most sociable companies to work for. There are lots of events and relationship building with colleagues is really encouraged, whether in the workplace or in the pub after work." -- Insider
"Work hard play hard! It is a very young and vibrant atmosphere here at FDM however everyone takes their work seriously and hard work is certainly rewarded. However when we do leave the office we head straight to the pub across the road and become different people. There's definitely a great work/life balance here at FDM which senior staff encourage and appreciate." -- PR Assistant
"It is easy to approach/meet with directors and management. Colleagues socialise together at events such as the boat party, sales trip, Christmas party, etc." -- Events Team Lead
Hours, Pay & Perks
Hours
- "On average I spend between 45 – 50 hours in the office per week. I don't have to work weekends, and the company is flexible about when you can take your holidays, attending medical appointments, important family/religious events, etc." -- Academy Recruitment Consultant
"I spend around 40 hours a week in the office. The hours are not flexible, but situations that require time off are generally met with understanding. Many employees choose to stay late some days, and I think these choices are taken into consideration individually. The system for booking holidays seems to work well and is operated with friendliness, as opposed to unnecessary strictness." -- Performance Analyst
"Circa 40 hours by choice. Due to the nature of the role (IT) work is required occasionally outside core hours, but time in lieu is provided. Flexi hours apply to facilitate access to my young son." -- Head of Infrastructure
"I spend an average of 45 hours a week at work. This is because I am a manager and take my job seriously. I enjoy being at work and love my job so this is not a problem. The directors are very flexible with me and if I need to work from home one day that is not a problem. If you commit to FDM, then FDM commits to you and supports you in your role." -- Marketing Manager
"Hours are 9 – 5:30, we usually get here early and stay late when needed, it works well!" -- HR Assistant
"55 hours per week. I never have to work at the weekend. Hours I work are my own choice, you can do less if you wanted." -- Resourcer
"We do work extra hours within FDM, but this is essential to hitting target and to getting the job done. No one minds this because we understand within our sector this is not a 9-5 job and in order to achieve to the best of our ability we put in extra efforts to support each other and the company. These extra hours are rewarded with incentives and extra holidays. The company is extremely flexible with hours and holidays, as they appreciate how hard we work and reward this accordingly. On average I spend around 40 hours a week at work, but this is in and out of the office." -- Academy Events Consultant
"At FDM we realise that you get what you put in. Nobody will comment on your hours and if you have left on time or not. I normally work from 8:45 to between 17:30 and 18:00. We never work weekends as this is considered play time!" -- PR Assistant
"I work 8:30am – 5:30pm Monday through Friday. I do not work on weekends to date and have not taken any time off. The company is flexible for future holidays." -- Receptionist
"I probably spend between 40 and 45 hours per week in the office. We don't work the weekends, but I would be willing to help out with work related matters over a weekend." -- Graduate Events Consultant
"Although I often have to work outside normal working hours, I feel this is noticed and appreciated. I do this because I enjoy my role and feel a responsibility to do the best job I can do, which often means 'going the extra mile'." -- Insider
"Never enough hours in the day and they go far too fast. Suggests a buoyant business with interesting and engaging work. Circa 45 – 55 hours per week, rarely work on weekends, and leave policy is fair and reasonable." -- Executive
Interviews
Interviews & Assessments
- "I was interviewed by four people in three rounds. They asked me a range of questions regarding my education, experience and personality. Included giving theoretical situations to see how I would cope and asking questions as to how I have managed this in the past." -- HR Assistant
"Extensive screening and assessment process including full day group assessment across personal, technical and academic disciplines." -- Executive
"For my role, I came forward for an interview. For our graduate scheme, there is an online application form, a short phone interview and an assessment day." -- Graduate Events Consultant
"Depends on the role – for mine, one interview and two-month trial. Standard interview questions on experience, etc." -- HR Assistant
"I had two rounds of interviews when I came to FDM. The questions were standard interview questions such as ‘what is the most important aspect of being a receptionist?’ etc." -- Receptionist
"There were two stages to my interview, the first of which was for a different position. However, based on my personality and potential skills, I was asked to interview for a different position, which I found to be more suited and respected the decision to not just turn me away." -- Performance Analyst
"I had one interview and then was hired as an office employee. The interviewer asked a wide range of standard interview questions." -- Marketing Assistant
"I had two rounds of interviews, the first with the recruitment manager and events manager, and the second with a director and the HR manager, which was relevant to my section of application. I was asked a wide variety of questions, not only about my background experience, but also about my hobbies and personality." -- HR Assistant
"One day assessment – very thorough and professional. Industry and general knowledge (for example of finance industry) included." -- Trainer
"There were two rounds to my interview. One with my manager and another member of the staff and the final interview was with a director." -- PR Assistant
"I had a face to face interview with two managers on one day, followed by an online test and a role play scenario. The second interview (on a different day) was with a director." -- Marketing Manager
The Inside Buzz View
Graduate Careers at FDM Group
With an international client list of over 200 (including the BBC, HSBC, Swiftcover and Detica), FDM trains graduates all over the globe. The firm has offices in Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg, the US and Hong Kong, and if you prefer staying closer to home, then you can also take up a place in London, Manchester or Brighton. FDM is ‘looking to recruit 1,000 graduates (as a minimum) this year’, so if you’re an IT grad ‘passionate about the industry and want to bridge that gap and gain experience’, you shouldn’t wait too long to send off your application – competition is still strong, to say the least!
As a top graduate employer, FDM won’t just accept anyone. You need to have a solid academic background and should feel ‘confident and ready to take on a challenge!’. The firm is known for its ‘very fast paced and changing environment so people must be prepared to be malleable and adjustable’. FDM hires grads of the highest calibre and while your grades need to be top notch, you will also have to impress with your persona. ‘The most important thing is to show your personality, as the skills you possess are only half of what FDM looks for’. The firm fosters a ‘young culture’ with ‘good team dynamics’ so when it comes to the hiring process, FDM needs to feel positive that you’ll fit in.
Graduates who want to apply to this fast growing IT company can choose from six career paths that will train you in either Java development, .net development, software testing, infrastructure support, application support or project management. All graduates can expect to take part in a structured training programme with the FDM Academy during their training period.
Prospective project analysts will work in the firm’s project management office and will be able to gain professional qualifications such as PRINCE 2. Java developers will participate in FDM’s java development programme and need to come armed with a degree in maths, physics, or engineering. Similarly, .net developers should also hold an IT related degree while for software test analyst positions, the firm accepts candidates from a non-IT background. Infrastructure support analysts can expect to lead their own technical projects, whereas application support analysts should get ready to expand their IT concepts for finance as this will be a core point of your career.
The recruitment process starts with an application form that will basically ask you about your educational background and skills. If you pass this first round, you may have to master a phone interview next. Now, it may be easy to forget, but phone interviews are not as painless as you might think – it’s still an interview after all! So make sure you stand up during the phone call – this will keep you alert – and have a copy of your application form in front of you as you will be quizzed on your background and career motivation.
Hopeful candidates will then be invited to an assessment day. This is made up of a one-to-one interview and a group exercise. Assessment days are held in all the firm’s UK locations on a regular basis and are said to be ‘very thorough and professional’. You can expect to be asked ‘a wide variety of questions’ on subjects including your educational background, choice of career and hobbies. However, you can guess that interviewers are also keen to find out about your technical awareness so be ready to be grilled on your ‘industry and general knowledge’. Also know the company, the sector and your CV inside out. The group exercise will test your interpersonal skills and you will be assessed on how well you interact with others, what impact you have on a group and how much of a team player you really are.
Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind during the entire process is to be yourself – as silly as this may sound. Trying ‘to come across as somebody else, either by generalising or attempting to adhere to the professional model, will not have a positive result’.
Graduate Recruitment Info
How to apply: www.fdmacademy.com
Application Deadlines: Ongoing
FDM Group Profile & Stats
Since being founded just a stone’s throw away from Brighton’s bohemian lanes, FDM Group has grown into an international IT services provider that currently services over 200 international clients from eight separate offices (including London, Manchester, New York, Frankfurt, Zurich, Luxembourg and Hong Kong) and pulls in a cool £83 million in revenues.
Starting out as FDI in 1991, FDM Group switched to its current appellation following the 1998 merger with Mountfield Software. The years since have seen international expansion as well as an outpost popping up in the City. Furthermore, the firm was floated on the AIM in 2005.
The majority of FDM’s clients are in the financial sector, with household names such as UBS, Credit Suisse, RBS and Barclays amongst its roster. But FDM are far from just banking specialists. The Group plays an integral role for a raft of different businesses in a range of industries. In the media and broadcasting sector, FDM has been providing its tailored services to clients such as BBC, BSkyB and BT Media for over 15 years. The Group has worked with marquee names such as Lloyds of London in insurance, and British Airways in transport and logistics. In the systems integrator sector, FDM has enhanced the operations of companies such as Detica. In retail, demand for FDM’s services has increased in line with the shift from high street to internet highway. As shoppers have turned to the web for their products, businesses such as Asda and John Lewis have turned to FDM for help with migrating their offerings online. In telecommunications, the Group’s expertise stretches from television to the internet, via telephones.
FDM has built its success by providing tailored IT services through its highly trained consultants. In fact, FDM is one of the largest IT graduate employers in the UK, with an Academy Programme that bridges the gap between university and employment. To date, FDM has trained over 3,000 individuals in Java, .net, application support, testing analysis, project management and infrastructure support. But the Group doesn’t just train anyone; only one in 400 applicants makes the cut into the Academy Programme. FDM currently employs over 835 permanent consultants, with its artillery augmented a further 385 by contracted staff. Each permanent consultant receives free training by FDM; the only stipulation is that they work for the Group and its clients for a minimum of two years in one of six specialisms.
Those interested in project management and business analysis can expect to be involved in any phase of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Using Prince 2 methodology, FDM can manage IT projects such as software development and business change programmes. The Group’s development arm can help ‘manage and minimise risk’ inherent in IT development projects, either on or off-site. In testing, accredited ISTQB test consultants work with clients to provide a maximum return on their investment.
FDM offers application support both on and off-site, including ‘the total outsource of an existing operation or a supplement approach’. Consultants tasked with working on clients’ IT infrastructure use their expertise to maximise operational efficiency and minimise reliance on contractors. The remit of infrastructure consultants ranges from server migrations to consolidations. In training, consultants look to build upon FDM’s strong track record in everything from analysis to delivery.
