newly qualified. is a job with a crappy company better than no job for my cv?

[TarkaDarling]

I've just qualified in a profession which allows me to work for NHS or private companies or I could freelance. (I don't want to freelance yet, I'd like some experience in a team).

There's a job come up with a private healthcare company which I might have a chance of getting but tbh, I'm not that impressed with them. Very informal recruitment process which I'm not used to, having worked in public sector all my adult life.

It's an area I wouldn't have thought of going into, but it could be interesting.

So, is any job better than no job? I guess it's a foot on the bottom rung of the ladder if nothing else...

yes

Ha!

Yes. It's also easier to change jobs if you actually have one.

100% yes. It'll give you some experience of a more corporate setup so you can see if you like it. If you don't then you can legitimately move on and explain you're reasoning if you'd then move to NHS roles.

Its always better to be working, and the experience in the private sector does give you a different perspective

yes, you're all completely right. I'm going to apply for it.

Yes a job on the CV is a positive thing.

A recruiter looking at your CV is unlikely to look at your employment history and say "I'm not recruiting Tarka because she's worked for that awful PrivateCo Healthcare Ltd" - they will be more interested in your skills and overall experience.

Good point, thanks.

When you say "crappy company" do you actually mean that they just do things differently to what you have been used to? If their only crime is recruiting more informally than the public sector, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. If, on the other hand, they are known within your profession as being a poor company to work for, then that is another matter.

Sorry, the 'crappy company' in the thread title was a hypothetical to ask for views - is crappy better than nothing?

It's a fairly new company, so not much to go on really. They seem a bit disorganised in their communications and I've read some bad reviews online.

But tbh, I'd be grateful just to be working and I guess you don't know what really goes on behind the scenes.

I take your point about doing things differently. It seems like the NHS and public sector are changing and I need to get used to a more fragmented, corporate approach.

Yes, go for it. The recruitment process might be informal but there may be other facets of the business which are fine. If not, you may have a great opportunity to bring about some changes! It is almost always better to apply for a job when you are already in a job.

Definitely go for it. Processes are likely to be more informal compared to public sector which does tend to be very structured and formal. If you are newly qualified then all experience is good, and you can learn a lot from jobs (even if it's not how to do things!)

Might also be useful contacts for when you do go free lance.