Trainee

First of all I don’t want to discuss if it’s good or bad to become a management trainee - I actually never became one :). But for those who choose this way of career development I want to give some advices basing on my own experience. I applied for such programs 2 times - first time on the third year of studies I applied to P&G, second time on the 4th year of studies I applied to Unilever. I failed both times - in P&G on the second stage, in Unilever on the last stage, but it’s a great experience! Finally I applied to MARS and I succeeded - but their conditions were just awful…
So let’s begin:

  1. Apply! The worst thing is that you Do not apply! The application form is quite big and first thought is “I’ll do it tomorrow” and then again tomorrow, tomorrow… To be more prepared I recommend you to download one of these forms and fill those big questions (”Tell us about a demanding assignment or activity that you have had to plan and put into action?”) - they are quite the same in all companies. You can find an example here-> (from Unilever).
  2. Do not write everything. When answering on these big questions do not write everything - you will be asked for the same questions on interviews and there you will be able to show yourself from the best side.
  3. Be fast and sharp. You will be given a lot of tests - be fast, think fast, move on. You have to answer them all. If you do not know something - skip it, finish the whole thing and come back to unanswered points later.
  4. Hold yours own opinion. Remember people you will be talking to will say “we also read this case for the first time only yesterday night”, but when you will be proposing your solution they will try to confuse you. Stand on your opinion, prove it using any arguments. They are waiting for this.
  5. Lead the discussion. This means - be active in group work, propose your solution, try to produce the best answer, listen to the people and argue, if nobody listens to you - be severe for a moment. And also important thing - if you see an outsider who, maybe do not speaks English so good, or he/she is just modest - give him a hand of help. Ask what he thinks, and what his /her propositions are. This will show you as a good leader.
  6. Avoid the deadlock. Silence on the interview is confusing. This is actually why you do not have to write everything in your answers. It will be great if there is even a few examples for every question - one in the application form, another in your head for an interview. I know it’s not so simple - but try to prepare.
  7. Be tranquil. If you are worrying it is very noticeably. In fact - you are not loosing anything!
  8. Give an answer. If you are asked “what is the height of Everest” you do not need to answer exactly - “about 10 km” is a good answer.
  9. “Why we need to hire you in particular?” - be ready for this question. You answer has to be clear and your voice stable.

Apply in different companies - some tests are equal on all of them and every next try will be better and better. It’s a very good school and don’t forget - it’s free.