Tuesday 20 February 2024

HR talent intern placement at JDE

This is a guest post from Royal Holloway student, Ellie Graziano who is on the BSc Management with Human Resources (with a Year in Business ) pathway. Ellie is currently undertaking an HR talent placement year at JDE, the company famous for coffee brands such as Kenco, L'OR, Tassimo and Douwe Egberts. Currently 8 months into her placement year, Ellie shares an update of what her role has entailed so far.



I had planned on doing a 6 month, halfway there post but I blinked and here we are, nearly 8 months down the line as HR Talent intern at JDE and what an 8 months it’s been. From joining the company in the midst of the Kenco Centenary celebrations and being lucky enough to attend Barcode Festival 2 weeks in (where several FMCG companies support Grocery Aid by showcasing their products and services). A very warm summers day in London, walking around different stalls, being handed freebees left right and centre (I came home with about 4/5 tote bags FULL😂) and ending the day with front row seats to Sam Ryder (I literally couldn’t believe it).


Fast forward a couple of months and I’ve built so much confidence in myself. Screening candidates, arranging 2nd stage interviews, making offers, and then seeing those candidates around the office knowing I had been a huge part of their JDE recruitment process. I was also lucky enough to help organise and then attend our job fair at Banbury last week which was an excellent networking opportunity that gave me some insight into how much planning goes into events like this. 

As well as the day-to-day recruitment for both Banbury and Maidenhead sites, I have also had sole responsibility of the intern recruitment for next year (a weird once considering I started looking for our ‘replacements’ within 2 months of being in the role myself😂). Between arranging briefing calls with hiring managers, working alongside Sanctuary Graduates, running ‘get to know JDE’ sessions for candidates, inviting them to interview and running assessment centres, it’s been full on but I’m glad to say that the end is within reach! With just a couple of roles left to hire for, I can start looking ahead at planning the first few weeks for our new interns and ensuring that they have an enjoyable onboarding experience.




Alongside all this, I have also been lucky enough to be part of student charity, something that I am glad JDE allow us to do. We started the 1st half of the year raising money for Alzheimer’s Society with endless bake sales and activities in Banbury and more recently, our sparkly new Maidenhead office and now have started the 2nd half of our year fundraising for Grocery Aid – with our first (Valentines’) fundraiser just around the corner!



Its safe to say it’s been an incredible first half (and some) of the placement and I can’t wait to see what the next few months have in store. 

Tuesday 6 February 2024

Speed Recruitment event - Royal Holloway Year in Business programme

Last week a number of companies joined our Speed Recruitment event in the Business school at Royal Holloway. I would like to express a huge thank you to the representatives from ACF Technologies, Barons Pub Company, ECOVIS Wingrave Yeats, Enterprise Mobility, Hays, Liberty Global, Menzies LLP, Moore Kingston Smith, NHS, RSM, Simmons & Simmons, Teachitright, Virgin Media O2, Wiser Academy, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, for taking the time to speak to our students about the placement opportunities available at their companies. 

The Executive Dean of the School, Professor Christos Tsinopoulos introduced the evening and chatted to students and employers alike. There was a real buzz in the Moore building throughout the evening.

Students had the opportunity to move around company stands (ideally when the bell rang) and talk to different companies about the range of placements available and see if there was a suitable match. Students heard about a range of positions including Accountancy/ Finance, Business support, Management trainee, Marketing, Recruitment, Sales.

It was good to see the 2nd year students' enthusiasm to secure a placement and the companies gave positive feedback about the students’ engagement levels and the quality of the questions asked

It was particularly pleasing to see Lily Burke and Priyanka Visana who completed successful placements with Enterprise Mobility last year, join Paul Hanrahan, the Talent Acquisition manager, to talk about the openings at Enterprise. Finalist Matthew Lappin, who completed a tax placement at RSM and will join the company on Graduation joined the RSM table. Current students, Madeleine Stonehouse (marketing placement at Ecovis), Sofiia Tregub (Learning & Development placement at Wyndham hotels) and Dillon McEvilly (HR placement at NHS) joined their managers to talk about their placement experiences and openings in the year ahead. Damini Naguindra, on placement at BMW and Louella Cook, on placement at Commscope, spoke about their experiences. A massive thank you also to final year YIBs Maria, Azhar, Aman and Hannah for taking time out to inspire the younger year YIBs.

The evening concluded with pizza and more conversation. In previous years, a number of our students went onto secure placements on the back of attending similar events. We look forward to hearing how they get on this year!     

If any other companies are interested in advertising placements to our business students please contact MN-YIB@rhul.ac.uk. Students undertake paid placements of between 9 – 12 months and are available to start work anytime between June – September. There is more information about our programme on our website: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/research-and-teaching/departments-and-schools/business-and-management/your-future-career/placements/


































Monday 5 February 2024

Unilever marketing placement - top tips for succeeding in the assessment process

This is a guest post from Royal Holloway Year in Business student, Jaydhan Garcha, who has secured a marketing placement with global FMCG Unilever. Jaydhan's article is packed full of advice for students applying for placements.

Securing a marketing placement at Unilever involved overcoming online assessments, video interviews, and a challenging assessment centre. As I reflect on this experience, I'm eager to share my insights and offer some tips for fellow students on how to succeed in the assessment process.




Building Experience:
One of the key strategies that contributed to my success was ensuring I had a robust background of experience. I took the initiative to gain virtual work experience at Lululemon in marketing. Additionally, I participated in the IEUK Business Operations & Marketing Virtual internship, touted as the UK's number one virtual internship. These experiences not only expanded my marketing knowledge but also allowed me to network with industry experts, providing valuable insights.

Diverse Application Experiences:
While some of the placements I applied for initially might not have been my top choices, each application process presented an opportunity to refine my skills. I completed 5-6 video interviews with different companies before Unilever. This repetitive exposure to various scenarios and questions played a pivotal role in my success during the Unilever video interview stage.


Assessment Centre Preparation:
The assessment centre was the final hurdle, consisting of a group exercise, a sustainability challenge, and a purpose interview. To stand out, I invested hours in researching Unilever, ensuring I was well-versed in their values and goals. This preparation not only impressed my assessors but also boosted my confidence. I approached the assessment centre with unwavering self-belief, confident that I was the ideal candidate.


My Top Tips for Success:

1. Engage with the Careers Team: If you encounter challenges or frustrations during the application process, don't hesitate to seek guidance from the university's careers team. They possess a wealth of experience and can offer valuable insights and support!

2. Build Your CV Strategically: Internships and work experiences are not just resume fillers; they are key to impressing employers in the initial application stage. The diverse experiences on my CV played a crucial role in catching Unilever's attention.

In conclusion, navigating the assessment process requires strategic planning, perseverance, and continuous learning. My journey to securing a marketing placement at Unilever was demanding, but the lessons learned along the way have proven invaluable. As you embark on your own placement application journey, remember the importance of experience, resilience, and a proactive approach. Good luck!







From Lectures at 9am to Project Meetings at the Walt Disney office- YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

This is a guest post from Royal Holloway Year in Business student, Kendaa Cameron-Chavannes who has just secured a placement at The Walt Disney Company. It is packed full of advice for other students applying for placements at The Walt Disney Company (or other companies) .


Hey Guys!

My name is Kendaa Cameron-Chavannes, and I am an incoming Owned Media (Marketing) intern for the Walt Disney Company- beginning June 2024. Disney is renowned for its iconic animations, films, fairy-tale like theme parks and inclusivity in everything they produce from personnel, content and ideas.



Here are my top tips on steps you can take to secure a placement at a company that is both right for you and your dream organisation.

 

Before we begin, I will share a brief overview on my recruitment process. Bear in mind that depending on your chosen department/sector, the application process may vary slightly.

 

RECRUITMENT PROCESS: DISNEY

 

Based on the above overview and my personal process, here are the following steps you can take:

 

1.   CV , CV , CV

 

Before you begin the application process, it is VITAL that your CV reflects you, your unique qualities and abilities in the clearest way possible. The structure of a CV can be the difference between moving onto the next stage or being cut out of the process completely.

You want to ensure you’ve given yourself the best chance for the role against thousands of applicants.

 

Ensure that your CV has:

   A clear, plain structure (name in bold at top of page, email & LinkedIn presented clearly, dates aligned and a distinction between each section – e.g.: Education, Professional Experience and Skills).

 

-          3/4 relevant modules you have or will study under your university & degree (e.g., “Relevant modules include: Marketing Strategy in Context, International Business, Operations Management and Foundations of Digital Enterprise”).

-          Your GSCE & A level grades (in format: “9 GCSE’s 8-4, 5 in Mathematics, 7 in English Literature”).

-          Skills that align with the role (e.g., organisation, leadership, multi-tasking, project management etc).

-          Action words (e.g., “Utilised my, Obtained a, Assisted in” etc).

-          Any experience that you’re proud of- yes anything (team captain of a sport, volunteer work, your part-time/full-time jobs, an interesting group project in a relevant module etc)

-          The extent of your proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint

 

2.   COVER LETTER

 Most organisations will ask you to submit a cover letter along with your CV and application. The worst thing you can do is use AI for this step as companies will know if it is AI generated and it shows them that you’re not interested in the company/ have not done your research.

  would recommend listing 3 reasons why you want to work for the company (drawing to their values/ethos) and base it off that.

 

Your cover letter should read:

 Why the Company? (draw on an initiative/project they fore fronted e.g., sustainability, diversity etc)

-          Why the Role? (Read the job description carefully and implement key words/phrases)

-          Why Me? (include experience(s) that demonstrate why you’re the right and best choice).

**As a bonus tip, I would recommend putting your LinkedIn (personalised link) in the header of your cover letter**

 

3.   BE PROACTIVE

 

The application process is tiring, and you’ll be applying to many companies along the way. Whether you’re applying to differing sectors or just one, make sure that you give yourself that edge. This can be by:

 

-          Completing simulations ( “Forage” has some fantastic FREE on-line facilities for a range of roles/sectors and you receive a certificate once completed).

 

-          Applying to insight days, spring weeks or taster programmes (you can find these on websites such as : TargetJobs, RateMyPlacement, LinkedIn, Company Websites , RHUL Careers Portal.)

 

-          Anything that will provide you with more insight/experience in whatever capacity.

 

4.   MANAGE YOUR TIME

A lot of the time, companies send emails, required tasks and interview dates/times that may clash with academic responsibilities (e.g. lectures/workshops) or have a tight deadline. You MUST ensure that you check your emails (including spam) regularly, because you do not want to miss any important information or events. 

 

Utilise your calendar app and input any relevant/upcoming dates or tasks (with alerts) so that you do not become overwhelmed, and it is easier for you to organise yourself and time.


5.   PRACTISE PRACTISE PRACTISE

Take full advantage of all the resources available (especially on Moodle, the RHUL Careers Portal and online). Practising for the numerical, verbal reasoning and interview questions is essential, and will make your application process  smooth.

 

6.   ASSESSMENT CENTRE DAY

Getting to the last stage of the process can be equally nerve-wrecking as exciting, but don’t worry I got you covered!

 

- INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION:

Depending upon the company, you might have to create a presentation based on the role you’re applying for. This is a great opportunity for you to show them everything you learnt about the relevant industry (To differentiate yourself from other candidates, highlight important facts/figures, introduce animations or transitions where applicable.)

 

- GROUP TASK:

 Be a team player! I cannot emphasise this enough. Be confident, listen and consider everyone’s opinions, but at the same time don’t be afraid to voice your own opinions too. If you’re particularly anxious on the day, I would recommend being the “Time-Keeper” as it is still a crucial role.

 

- INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEW:

- This is the perfect chance to show off everything you’ve learnt and gained. Ensure you reflect upon your self-growth and show them that you are always willing to learn and grow. Most importantly, ensure you have at least 3 questions to ask the interviewer before the interview concludes.

 

An assessment centre is the perfect opportunity for you to STAND OUT. Just be CONFIDENT, AUTHENTIC and FRIENDLY.

 

I have been in your shoes and 100% understand the anxiety, self-doubt and exhaustion you may feel over the duration of the process. That’s why I’m here!

 

Feel free to contact me via LinkedIn at any time for advice or a CV review:

 

www.linkedin.com/in/kendaa-cameron-chavannes-608a24251

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday 25 October 2023

Royal Holloway Careers and Placement Fair - October 2023

The flagship event of the year, Royal Holloway's Careers and Placement Fair has taken place in Founder's Square, Royal Holloway, University of London. The Fair was open to students in all year groups and included employers from all sectors who were looking to recruit onto graduate schemes, year-long placements and summer internships. 

Current YIB Chloe Mitchell, on placement at Philips

Final year YIBs, Priyanka Visana, Lily Burke and Natalia Wrobel - Campus Brand Managers for Enterprise



This was an ideal event for our Year in Business students to attend to engage with employers and find out more about the company, the roles available and the skills being sought. It was good to see so many of the companies present were advertising 12 month industrial placements and were having meaningful conversations with our students. One of our current YIBs, Chloe Mitchell, is undertaking a Digital Marketing placement at Philips and talked to students about the company and her role. Three of our final year YIBs, Priyanka, Lily and Natalia , undertook placements at Enterprise last year and are now back at University and Campus Brand managers for Enterprise. They also worked at the Fair talking to students about Enterprise and the opportunities available.

Other companies attending the fair included: Aldi AWE Cantello Tayler Recruitment Enterprise Rent-A-Car Gartner Home Office Investment20/20 The Army Moore Kingston Smith National Audit Office (NAO) NHS 111 (LCWCCG) RMP Enterprise Teach First Ward Williams Chartered Accountants Gardiner & Theobald SITA University of Law Ernst & Young BP Mazars IAG Cargo Trident Energy Wells Fargo Charityworks Local Government Association Philips Liberty Global Vodafone UK Bupa McLaren Automotive Pulse, Power and Measurement Ltd


 















Friday 13 October 2023

Year in Business networking event – Monday 9th October 2023

There was a buzz in Royal Holloway’s Business school foyer on Monday evening as students who have already benefited from a placement experience shared their insights and advice with the 2nd year students who are just starting their journey to secure a placement of their own.

 

We welcomed a number of students currently on placement alongside final year Business students (YIBs), just back from their placement years. Many of our final year YIBs have signed up and undertaken training to be Year in Business Mentors to the 2nd years and we are grateful for the support they will offer these students in the year ahead.

Our Year in Business students have undertaken a range of placements including Accounting/ Finance, Business operations, Consultancy, E-Commerce, HR, Licencing, Marketing, Recruitment, Sales.

These students represented a number of companies including De Vere hotels, Enterprise Holdings, GE Power, Haleon, Hays, IBM, Kenvue, L’Oreal, Menzies LLP, Mercedes, Microsoft, NBC Universal, Recognise bank, RSM, The Walt Disney company as well as a number of SMEs local to the University. We were also joined by the Wiser Academy Rep who spoke to 2nd year students about placements in a range of companies including KPMG and L'Oreal.

















The evening started with an introduction from the new Year in Business Director, Dr Kerrie Howard who welcomed the 2nd years and reminded them of the support available in the year ahead. The evening concluded with pizza – always popular at our Year in Business events!  2nd year YIBs now have the opportunity to book 1:1s for further guidance on their CVs/ Applications and attend a number of workshops over the term to help them as they make their placement applications. Any questions should be directed to the Placement Place office – MN-YIB@rhul.ac.uk

 

Tuesday 26 September 2023

Rotational Accounting placement at Menzies LLP

This is a guest post from final year BSc Accounting and Finance student, Muhammad Tayyab Siraj, who has just completed a Rotational Accounting placement in Menzies' LLP's Egham office. This post gives a good indication of the range of practical experiences which students can benefit from on placement. Not only did Muhammad have his placement extended but he has been offered a Graduate position with the company to start after the completion of his degree. We are delighted that Muhammad has also signed up to be a Year in Business Mentor in his final year and will support and guide 2nd year students as they seek their placement positions. 

Muhammad writes: I have just completed my extended placement year at Menzies LLP. My original date to finish was in July 2023 but I was offered an extended contract to continue until mid September. I took this opportunity as I enjoyed working at Menzies.



 I joined Menzies in August 2023 on a rotational placement, switching departments every three months to get an experience in each department. Ultimately, this was perfect for me to see which sector of accountancy I preferred the most and which career path was for me. I started off in the accounts department, here I learnt about the systems they used to make accounts for clients and saw how they set up new clients, maintained working papers and the standard the accounts should be up to. Accounts helped me tremendously understand how Menzies systems work as they were the main department and all the other departments needed a basic understanding of accounts/financial statements.

I then moved onto working for both Private and Business Tax for the next 3 months and learnt about how tax works for businesses and individuals. I made tax computations for a range of businesses in different industries and learnt more about tax regulations. I also made many self assessments for private clients and learnt about how individuals with different sources of income get taxed differently.

For my final 8 months I was in the Not for Profit department (NFP). We focused on charities and not for profit organisations, auditing them and creating accounts too. I learnt how to be part of an auditing team and what goes into ensuring a client has not committed any fraud or misstated their financial statements. I went into client offices and got to meet individuals in a senior position who overlooked many staff and pretty much run a company.

Finally, I really enjoyed the CSR activities provided by Menzies too and all the staff events we had too, including the summer party, Christmas party, and volunteering day.

Muhammad's linkedin contact details are here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muhammad-tayyab-siraj-a7039a1b9/

Students interested in Menzies LLP can also listen to the video profile of former YIB Sharon who also did a rotational placement with the company http://yibprofile.blogspot.com/2017/11/sharon-menzies-llp-yib.html