Danone

Hi there, I was wondering if anyone has had a phone interview with Danone for their 2012 graduate programme? This is the company I would like to work for the most, so I would appreciate some tips!

Hi!
How did your phone interview go?! I am currently filling out the application form for Danone, seems like a great company to work for. Let me know how you found the interview, I hope it went well.

Take Care
Dan

Hi Dan & PD111,
I applied for the Sales & Marketing scheme on Nov 10th and just wondered if either of you have had any feedback on your applications?
Thanks.

I applied for the Sales and Marketing Scheme, completed psychometric tests a couple of weeks ago and have a telephone interview tomorrow - haven't seen much about questions to expect so just focusing on the competencies they state on the website.
They sound like a great company to work for so I'm hoping it goes well!

Hi zcjtf32,

I have a telephone interview with Danone early next week and I would really appreciate any information/tips you may have with regard to my upcoming telephone interview.

How did your interview go in December?

It would be great to hear back from you.

Rhian x

Hi pd111,

I have an upcoming telephone interview with Danone early next week and I would really appreciate any hints and tips you may have since you have experienced a telephone interview with Danone not so long ago.

It would be great if we could exchange thoughts,

Rhian x

Hi,

Although I thought my interview went quite well, unfortunately I didn't pass it, I guess I didn't quite fit the bill! But of course I can give you some pointers to help you out.

Make sure you research Danone thoroughly; their products, competitors, specifically why you want to work there and the particular scheme. Also make sure you look at the other branches of the company e.g. Baby food and the nutritional health products, and the challenges that Danone faces in the current climate. I also got asked about how I thought the NHS price cuts would impact upon the nutritional product business, which threw me a bit!

I got asked about my previous work experience, what exactly I did and what I have learnt from working, as well as what my least favourite things are about my current employment. Also my biggest strength, and when I think I have most shown that. There were a couple of other competency based questions as well I think! All in all it was much more in depth than others I've had, so do as much research as possible!

Really hope that helps you and good luck!

Thank you very much for your useful tips!!

It will be a great help... There are not many Danone' forums about so I was a bit lost... but your wise words I hope will point me in the right direction.

Are the questions they ask you the same ones they ask everyone else they interview?

In terms of knowing the differnt branches - baby food, dairy, water. Do they ask you to for example.. ' Talk me through our Dairy section'? Did they focus on a particular branch of the business more than another?

Can you think of any other competengy based questions they asked - did they directly relate to HOPE or CODE?

Thanks for all your help,

Rhian

@zcjtf32,

For the Sales and Marketing application form....

How long was your answer to why you were attracted to the programme? What is key to mention within it?
Also is it worth including a list of skills on your CV?

Thanks :)

Hi,

I recently had a telephone interview and found out there and then that I had passed. If any of you want any advise feel free to PM me, I would be happy to give you some pointers.
x

Hi I sadly didn't get the job but if I can help someone else who is perfect for the job but just needs a bit of information about the centre format beforehand to excel, then I will help out.

The phone interview was the same as described in earlier posts. The NHS situation refers to NHS cuts and how this will affect the nutricia brand: so lowering costs, need to cut costs, offer higher services to justify high costs etc...

Then the assessment centre format is quite good, you start with the SHL tests: Maths and verbal comprehension, the same done online. I have done plenty and scored quite highly, but the maths is by no means as difficult as some of their competitors'.
The individual interview is fully based on competencies following the CODE, with 3 questions per topic meaning you need lots! of different experiences etc... but all in all I did quite well on that. They will have asked you to research only one of danone's industry, but for the interview I was asked to describe ALL the markets danone was in (so remember to learn competitors and what danone does in all of the markets).

Then there is a one hour break really good to get to know everyone on the team.

After that you have the SWOT analysis presentation. I found that quite tricky cos there was so much information. The issue I had was that I presented a really broad presentation whereas I was asked to narrow it down a lot. First question asked as soon as i sat down: what could you have done better on this presentation. (a bit disconcerting but I answered I'd have used powerpoint to add more figures and graphs to make it more relevant). Then she asked me what research I thought I should have done more. Again difficult to answer when you felt you did all you could.
And after that I was grilled on my choices, asked to only pick one strategy of al the ones I suggested and argue for it. I felt it was a massive grilling, even when I tried to lighten the mood, saying I would go for one product because on top of all of it I really liked it. (I was asked whether my personal preferences were a relevant argument for a business strategy). And after all that the feedback I got was that I wasn't friendly and didn't smile enough!

After that we had the groupwork. we have no preparation and had to base our discussion on the presentation we'd just done and find a relevant new strategy. I was told I just threw ideas in the conversation but didn't follow through with the idea and let it get taken over by other people. (I prefer working in a group where everyone can respond to an idea before taking it forward, especially cos I'd only come up with a suggestion a little bit earlier and got trashed in the presentation). Anyway if you can research a product beforehand you'd get a massive advantage.

Anyway good luck with anyone else applying.
Also they don't tell you where you'd be based when you're offered a job so you might end up in Trowbridge which is quite far away from civilisation. Although I hear it's quite close to bath.
If you need more info I'd be happy to help, I felt I could ave nailed this interview if I'd known what to expect.

Hey,
I've just applied to the Nutrition Programme and wondered how long it was until you hear if you've got through? The email said they wouldn't tell you if you've been unsuccessful so wanted an idea of how long to wait before I give up!
Thanks

I heard within 2 days but I've heard some people up to a week

Being on the final stage is a big achievement..I have PM you, please check inbox :)

Well at the assessment stage it's 2 days though the HR woman has a few days off, so I was told a week later by phone, you get feedback and everything.
As for the first stages I don't really know. I was actually told during my phone interview that I got through to the assessment centre.

I have a telephone interview coming up next week... does anyone have any additional information to add to what has already been said? For example, any other competencies they were asked about etc?

Thanks

Hi qwerty,

Got a telephone interview with Danone coming up next week, any pointers would be much appreciated!

Example questions either on Danone or the competencies would be a lot of help!!!

Thanks

I have been asked the following during my interview with Danone:

(1) Give me a situation where you handled a pressure?
(2) Give an example of a failure you had? how did you respond?
(3) Three of your biggest achievements.
(4) Two of your strengths.
(5) Which area you will be interested to join and why?
(6) what do you know about the company?
(7) What issues might the company face in the future?
(8) Tell me about yourself and your interests.
(9) Summary of your experiences.
(10) Most interesting project you worked on at your university and why.

Just typical questions that are similar to other companies. They ask so many details also about the work experience and other companies you had interview with before. I felt that the interviewer was really smart as he was paying attention to my body language and he was listenning to each single word I said. He wont give you the reaction that you did well or bad. So, when you are done with the interview, you can't tell whether you have impressed them or not. So, just be yourself and relax!

My interview was in the office not on phone. But I think that they ask similar questions to everyone. Good Luck!

Hey ya congrats for your success in first place and I have my telephonic interview on 15th of this month. It is for the Business Partnering role. It would be of great help for me if you could take me through the preparation process.Hope to get a reply from as early as possible.