Unilever is one of the world's largest consumer goods companies. The company manufacture and market brands such as Dove, Persil and Lynx.
The Unilever Future Leaders Programme is designed to train graduates in management, and then launch them in to senior management level positions within the company. This scheme lasts for two years and is made up of an average of three to four placements in different areas of the company (and as a consequence, quite possibly the country too).
During this programme graduates are supported by Unilever to gain Chartered status or train for relevant professional qualifications, such as CIMA and CIPD. The company's accredited training programmes include IMechE, IChemE and IEE.
There are six types of Graduate Leadership Programme available to graduates:The Uniliver application form is relatively long. Make sure you pay attention to all sections and don't make any mistakes - spelling and grammar is very important. It is crucial that your application form is an accurate and compelling statement of your interest and suitability for the scheme. Only a third of the graduates who apply to Unilever will be offered a first stage interview, so you must impress to make certain of getting through this preliminary assessment stage.
Be selective, concise and relevant in your answers. Think about what the question is looking for and try to use examples from all aspects of your academic, working and social life to convince Unilever that you are capable of dealing with the the work and responsibilities of a graduate scheme. Use a different example to answer each question, and only use the space provided in the form.
Competencies
Unilever will analyse your application for evidence that you possess the key competencies they are looking for in graduate employees. Think about what you have achieved, or what groups and teams you have been part of have achieved because of your involvement, and discuss this in your answers on the application form. Try to describe yourself and you achievements in terms of the key competencies outlined below.
Candidates are assessed against Unilever's competencies throughout the firm's selection process, so it's worth familiarising yourself with each of these, and considering how you measure up against each one.
Unilever's competencies are:
Growth mindset
You have a positive attitude about the company's future and a passion for growth and winning. You take the lead and seek fresh opportunities; insist on innovation and never settle for 'good enough'.
Consumer and Customer Focus
You have a passion to improve the lives of our consumers and customers and bring their voice into everything we do and the decisions we make. You are externally focused and go the extra mile in order to exceed consumer and customer expectations.
Bias for action
You bring a sense of urgency to getting things done and making tough decisions, avoiding over-debating or over-analyzing issues. You're results-focused, and drive for simplification by keeping the end goal in sight at all times.
Accountability and Responsibility
You make commitments and hold yourself accountable for delivery. You take pride in delivering work to the highest standards and acknowledges when things are not up to scratch. You let people know clearly, at the beginning what is expected in terms of performance and hold them accountable for delivery.
Building Talent and Teams
You inspire through action and lead by example. You challenge people to do their best work and spend time coaching individuals and teams to ensure that they realise their full potential. You constantly challenge yourself to grow and improve.
Application Form
Once you submit your application form it will be evaluated by a trained assessor, and not by a computer. If you are successful, senior managers from Unilever will be shown your application and also make their own assessments of it. You will be notified if you have been successful within four weeks.
Keep a copy of your form after making your application. You should expect to talk in depth about the points you raise in your interviews.
Candidates who are successful at the application form stage, will be required to complete an online numerical and logical reasoning test aptitude test.
This is the first stage of the Unilever assessment process, should your initial application be successful.
Candidates will be asked several competency based questions. Your answers should demonstrate evidence of Unilever's desired key competencies (described above). You should use different examples from your life (academic experience, work experience, extracurricular experience, etc) to answer each competency question.
You may also be asked questions like:Candidates will be notified with three weeks if they have been successful after the telephone interview. Most candidates will be notified much sooner, often by text or email.
This is the final stage of the Unilever assessment process. The assessment day is otherwise known as a Selection Event. Assessment days are held in Leatherhead (Surrey) between January and April.
The assessment stage lasts for one day and consists of the following:Some of these exercises are designed around a business case study, which enables Unilever to assess candidates' potential whilst giving an insight into what it’s actually like to work in a Unilever company.
Competency Based Interview
During the assessment day you will attend a competency based interview where you will be asked to give situational examples from your past, about times when you have shown evidence of characteristics such as leadership, communication, teamwork and other key competencies.
Case Study
The case study focuses on business issues, although candidates do not need to have any in-depth business knowledge to tackle this. Instead candidates need to think logically and laterally, using their life experience and interpersonal skills.
It is essential that candidates know the key competencies Unilever are looking for in candidates, for the assessment day. You will be marked on them throughout the day, during each exercise and interview.
Group Discussion Exercise
You will have a group discussion during the assessment day. It is essential that you treat the other candidates with respect, although you must also aim to shine during this session. Be polite, and do not interupt anyone else. If you disagree with someone then be constructive, and ask others for their opinion too. Try to offer intelligent input throughout the discussion, and try to conclude ideas and summarise smaller discussion points. If you can, try to lead the conversation and assume the role of chairman.
During the assessment day you are quizzed on decisions you have made earlier. Make sure that you stick to your ideas and don't necessarily change your opinions if assessors point out a flaw. Feel confident enough in your decisions to argue for and back up your opinions, unless you realise a decision was completely flawed. In this case, explain that after further thought you have changed your mind - but don't apologise for being wrong. This is a sign of weakness.
Unilever let candidates know the outcome of the assessment day within 24 hours and will give you feedback regarding your performance during the day. If successful, you’ll also be offered a position in one of Unilever's operating companies.
Unilever try to take personal preferences into account when selecting a position for each candidate, but you should be prepared work in any of the company's UK operations during your first two years.
Your offer will remain open for 10 days, giving you time to visit your operating company and meet the people you’ll be working with before making a final decision.