By Rachel Banning-Lover — February 7, 2012

Jennifer Rose Hammond, Nestlé Sales Graduate

How soon did you know you were being considered for a job with Nestlé?
Well basically it was never openly said. And then it came to the day of our presentations. And they actually sat us down after, all the interns, and said we’re not considering hiring anyone. The next day though, a few of us got offered jobs but only three interns out of seven. They were really cautious, as they were nervous about hiring people who they think may change their minds within a year.

Do you know much about what that role’s going to entail?
Formally, it’s six months selling in the field so I could be anywhere in the UK literally selling chocolate to Joe in his Newsagent, which means I have plenty of freebies.

We’ll come to you for chocolate!
And the other six months is in York or Croydon in the office, working in part of the team like I was over the summer. There’s also the possibility I might not even go into that formal scheme, as they know me already so they might just put me into an open job.

As you’re on a graduate scheme, what’s the starting package they’ve offered you?
Basically, I got the pension plan through in the post, and I just couldn’t believe it there were so many benefits: flexitime that you can convert into health insurance, links with other companies, discounts from everywhere, and because I’ll be in the field I’ll get a company car. Also, the holidays are really good, and yeah, basically free supply of chocolate all the time, and I will be on a really good starting salary too (between £25,000 – £30,000). I also get a welcome bonus in my first year! Woohoo!

And is there a formal career ladder they’ve set out for you?
Not formally. But you can see it. You can see it with the grad students and they’re very conscious about keeping them. Once they’ve spent all their money and time recruiting them they don’t really want you going on the grad scheme and leaving after two years.

Tell me about the recruitment process for the internship.
Well I had to submit my CV and I sent them a cover letter off my own back and then I had online tests. Numerical, psychometric and language ones.

And then?
I was given this brief and I had to do a three-minute video of myself and pitch it to them – and it was quite similar to what I’d done in York Entrepreneurs, so I was well prepared. Then I got invited to an assessment centre where I had an interview, a group task, more numerical tests, and two individual tasks.

So returning to your experience at Nestlé, how did the internship presentation go?
I came up with a specific plan for our products this year. How they should be launched into Asda and some principles based on how the launches should look like. And I created a massive report as well. We were just meant to do a presentation but I had so much stuff. I think it’s a bit about initiative. I sent the cover letter off my own back, and that report, and I think it just shows you care a little bit more.

Giving advice to first and second year students, is there one thing you wish you’d known earlier?
I’d definitely say get as much work experience and extra curricular experience as you can. Don’t push it too far, do a lot in first year and then find what you really like and pursue it, so you can talk about it a lot, so it’s definitely something you have a passion about.

So where do you see yourself in five years?
I’ve been speaking to a lot of people who are taking years out, and people will hate me for this, but I do feel that my life is quite planned out for me and I’m only 20. I can see myself in 30 years still working at Nestlé.

One thing I’d say about Nestlé is that they went about making me a Nestlé person. Literally a brand ambassador. Thinking about it as a company that makes you love it and think, ‘I’m never going to eat Cadbury again!’

Have you eaten Cadbury since?
Well maybe… it’s the Mars bars. It’s Kraft – I can’t resist it.

Bad Jenni! And I was going to ask you if that’s on your contract. If there are any restrictions?
It’s not in your contract but if you’re seen eating a competitor product, it’s frowned upon. Well, in the building…