Unilever Graduate Leadership Programme

1. The Scheme

How many graduates are you looking for?

Each year we recruit approx. 30 graduates - this figure has remained fairly consistent for several years but ultimately depends on business needs.

Can you tell me more about the Unilever Graduate Leadership Programme?

Unilever has been recruiting graduates onto the Unilever Graduate Leadership Programme for over forty years - it is designed to recruit high potential individuals and develop them into future senior managers. In fact the last three Chairmen have all started out in Unilever as Graduate trainees. Although the scheme is tailor made to provide all with a broad business background, you must choose one of the specific career paths to embark on. These are described under Career Areas.

The scheme itself is made up of three elements:

1. Your job, in which you will be working from day one.
2. Relevant on-the-job training together with coaching and regular feedback from your line manager.
3. Individually tailored skills and competency development workshops.

This will take approximately 2 years to complete at which point we expect you to be ready to take up your first management position. At the 18-month mark, you will go through a formal review - high standards of performance and development are expected from Unilever Graduate trainees. This review will assess your suitability for a management position.

After the first two years, you should gain your first management role and you will be assigned a senior manager as a mentor who will help guide you through the next stage of your career.

How many vacancies exist in each (or a particular) function?

Vacancies exist in each of the following functions: Customer Development, Financial Management, Innovation and Technology Management, Information Technology, Supply Chain and Marketing. When someone is offered a position on the Unilever Graduate Leadership Programme, the offer remains open for 10 days. During that time, the position is regarded as filled, consequently, the numbers fluctuate throughout the season. As vacancies are filled on an ongoing basis, we encourage early applications to avoid disappointment.

What is the salary package?

Salaries for 2008 will be around £26,000.

Other benefits include:

• Pension & life assurance
• 25 days holiday (excluding public holidays)
• Share save scheme
• Private healthcare
• Option of a £5,000 interest free loan

When do recruits start?

Trainees generally start the September following their graduation.

Do you pay relocation expenses?

We would give you early assistance either through company property or hotel accommodation.

What training is provided?

Your training over the first few years would be based around relevant on-the-job training and individually tailored skills and competency development workshops. These are designed to supplement the technical skills you acquire on the job, with modules in business theory, functional professional skills and personal development. They have a long term objective of developing your strategic business skills and increasing your business knowledge as a whole. Residential courses are an integral part of this learning process, as are on the job training, coaching and e-learning.

You will be encouraged to study for relevant professional qualifications eg. those entering the Financial Management function must study CIMA. We also support technical trainees in gaining chartership (IMechE, IChemE, IEE etc).

Can you choose what area of business you want to go into or where you will be based?

Throughout the selection process, you will be asked if you have any preference regarding business area and location. Where you start your career depends on vacancies available and where the most appropriate place for you would be. However, we do try to take account of personal views. We do expect all our trainees to be geographically mobile in order to get the required business experiences.

Will I be able to do an international placement during the scheme?

It depends on your function. In some it is a strong possibility – e.g. Supply Chain. In the majority, e.g. Marketing it is unlikely.

Generally, the opportunities available within your home business unit are stretching enough to fulfil your skills/knowledge & competency development requirements. This should be the focus of the first two years. Joining Unilever is also not solely about the first two years on the Unilever Graduate Leadership Programme there will more than likely be opportunities to work abroad in your managerial careers. You do need to be fully mobile to gain the breadth & depth of experience required to reach senior management.

How do I find out more about the Unilever Graduate Leadership Programme?

Contact your Careers Service or visit the Calendar section of this site for details of forthcoming events where you will be able to meet current Unilever Graduate Trainees and Junior Managers. If you have any other queries or questions or any comments about this website, please contact us on enquiry@unilevergraduates.com.

2. The Process

What is the closing date for applications?

The closing date for receipt of applications is 30th June 2008, however we would strongly encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible as we will fill our first vacancies before this date.

Do you specify a degree discipline?

In the majority of cases we accept any degree discipline, the only exceptions are:

• Supply Chain we have a strong preference for a degree or Masters in Engineering, Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Management, Science, Finance or Business & Administration.  In addition a second language, or a willingness to learn one, would be an advantage.

• Innovation & Technology Management which requires a chemistry or chemical engineering degree.

Will you pay travel expenses?

Yes - up to a limit of £100. Please keep your receipts and bring them with you to our selection event. Wherever possible please travel via public transport, otherwise petrol expenses will be covered via an allowance. Please note, we are unable to reimburse travel expenses over £100 unless agreed in advance by a member of our Recruitment Team.

Do you accept speculative applications?

It is our policy to develop our own staff from within. Only when no suitable internal candidates have been identified, do Unilever Companies advertise management vacancies outside. Advertisements are usually placed in the National or Trade Press. It is also now possible to flag your interest in joining Unilever by visiting www.unilever.com/careers/

What is the Unilever Graduate Leadership Programme recruitment process?

3. You

What kind of people are you looking for

Our recruitment process is designed to assess future potential in Unilever. We look for people who will become our future leaders. We recruit against a set of management competencies, which are used to assess and develop our managers throughout the Unilever world. We look for strong evidence of motivation for the function you are applying to join and for the world of business in general.

I am disabled, can I still apply?

Of course. If you have any special needs or are having difficulty applying because of a disability, we will take your details and pass them onto one of the members of the Graduate Recruitment Team. They will be able to discuss your needs in more detail. But rest assured that they will in no way affect your application.

Where could I be based?

Our business units and, therefore, our vacancies are spread across the UK. In order to gain the breadth of experience required, we expect our trainees and junior managers to be willing to relocate in the UK but would take into account any personal preference, where possible.

I have applied to Unilever before, can I re-apply?

Yes. If you have applied before and have had a telephone interview, you can apply again. Please indicate the stage of the process you reached in the space provided on the application form.

Can you tell me more about work permits?

We require all candidates applying to our Graduate Leadership Programme to already have permanent leave to remain and work in the UK. If your application is successful for the next stage you will be required to provide official supporting documentation to support your Permanent Right to Work in the UK. We will not consider applications from non-work permit holders. 

I do not have a work permit to work in the UK, but would like to apply for a job with Unilever overseas.

Please visit www.unilever.com/careers/ where you will find a drop down list enabling you to select the countries Unilever are based in (including contact details).

Are there any age restrictions?

No, but if you feel the Unilever Graduate Leadership Programme is not right for you but would still like to pursue a career with Unilever, please either visit our global careers website (www.unilever.com) and the individual business unit’s websites. You should also look in national and local newspapers and the trade press for vacancy details.

4. Unilever

Can you tell me more about Unilever?

Please refer to the websites: www.unilever.co.uk and www.unilever.com for further information about Unilever.