Apologies for the lack of blog posts recently, I have been none stop with uni work and graduate job searching!
As the second part in my graduate marketing job hunt- I was recently invited to attend the Vodafone Marketing Stream Graduate Assessment Centre and here's what happened!
I'd been meaning to do the Vodafone application form for ages but I had kept putting it off as I was super busy, however one evening I sat down and wrote my cover letter and answers to a few simple questions and sent them off with my CV. I really liked the Vodafone application form in comparison to most of the graduate applications I was used to, which were endless questions and hundreds of boxes to fill in. I like to think my CV speaks for itself and by compacting the selling of myself into a short cover letter, I was able to get across the most important points concisely and highlight my best assets!
I was then invited to complete the dreaded verbal and numerical reasoning tests- an absolute pain! I really tried hard to complete them to the best of my ability although I was convinced I'd failed the numerical one... I'm bloody awful at Maths so I ended up guessing a fair few of the answers!
However, the next day I was told I had passed the tests (I was so shocked!) and was invited to complete a video interview. I actually found this part of the recruitment process really fun and had to sit infront on my iPad and wait for the questions to pop up then I had 30 seconds to prepare my answer before I recorded it and then they sped off to Vodafone! The questions were really varied and ranged from what 3 things would I take to a desert island to more specific to Vodafone. However, I believe this part of the process wasn't specific to a particular department so they were still fairly general.
Then the next day, I got another email saying I'd made it through to the next stage and could I come in for an assessment centre a week later!! It all happened within the space of a few days which was really awesome as it was all fresh in my mind and I could really focus all of my attention on the application.
So I headed to Newbury, Vodafone's HQ which is absolutely awesome- really modern and so Vodafied (new word!). There were lots of other candidates- I'd say around 30, however we were told that there were lots of ACs happening over a few weeks and they were recruiting for 150 roles- so the element of competition was eliminated from the atmosphere- something I really hate when going for a job interview, I'd much rather people sell themselves as who they are... rather than who they are compared to a competitor.
All of the employees running the day were absolutely lovely, and lots of current grads came throughout the day to answer any questions we had. I felt really relaxed and not at all nervous- I'm not sure if this was due to the speed at which I'd breezed through the previous application stages or the fact that the other candidates were really lovely, but I was really keen to get through the day!
My first activity was a presentation based on a case study, which we had 45 minutes to read through and provide recommendations and analysis based on downfalls of a business. I found this really easy as I study services marketing and the task was really similar to what we do within the module- I also really liked my interviewer and delivered the presentation to him whilst making jokes and got along with him. It didn't feel like a normal, formal interview and that's what I really liked about the day.
We were then given a coffee break before I was invited to have a one-to-one interview with one of the Sales Directors. He asked me a number of competency questions which I found really simple and he liked my blog, enactus, placement year and my self-employed event work- I felt really prepared and had lots of examples to give!
Then, he started asking me more marketing-specific questions, some about social media which I found OK and then one which threw me off slightly.... he asked "what are the three most important things when creating a marketing campaign?" I was totally thrown off and I almost argued back to him saying how subjective the question was, I hadn't been given any context whatsoever and on that basis, how could I answer when I had no idea what the objectives were, who the target audience was or what media was being used?
I know he was just reading the questions off a piece of paper, but I felt as though the question wasn't testing my marketing knowledge (which arguably is fairly in-depth) so I got a little frustrated. I could tell he was trying to guide me a little which helped... however I knew I hadn't done so well on that particular question.
We were then given a tour of the offices, set in gorgeous green space with loads of client space, a gym and Starbucks AND Costa... slightly better than what was on offer at IBM I must say.... the current graduates answered loads of questions and were super friendly.
It was then my turn to complete the group exercise, and one of the grads had told me during the tour it was about developing an app (not sure if he should have told me that- but thanks ;-)) so I had been thinking about it and therefore when we all sat down and were given the task- I already had an idea in my head. My group were all really confident and respectful, and my app idea was chosen by the entire group which made me feel really happy! The assessors asked us questions at the end which I think I nailed to be honest!
I left the day feeling really positive and weighing up the idea of living in Newbury... I've wanted to move to London for so long that I wasn't sure... however Vodafone looked like really awesome employers.
Vodafone had told us they'd let us know the outcome of the day before the weekend (the AC was on the Wednesday) so I was pretty much glued to my phone all day on the Friday, despite being in London on and off the tube... and the second they rang I happened to be in the bloody lift going down to Covent Garden station so I couldn't answer! Then my phone ran out of battery! It was such a palava!!
However, when I did manage to phone back, I was told I'd passed the Assessment Centre... however I was told I'd been put on to the Sales stream rather than the Marketing stream as they felt that was a better fit!! Not going to lie, I was gutted, I'd really wanted to get on to the Marketing stream and wasn't happy at all going in to sales, however the salary was reasonable and at least it was A job... so I asked for the weekend to think about it.
However, over the weekend I'd thought more and more about it and realized that I hadn't put 4 years of my life into pursuing a career in marketing to then take a sales job, I decided my passions came first so when she rang me back on the Monday I politely declined the offer.
I was just expecting a complete rejection, however- I was then passed on to the head of recruitment who I somehow managed to convince to put me on the marketing stream! I explained that I was really passionate about a career in marketing and that I had worked so hard for it and I knew that the reason I had been moved to sales was because of that one bloody question! So she asked me what I would have said instead and then said she would move me as she could sense my passion!
I felt so good about myself then and I knew it's exactly where I want to be- so I'm very chuffed to say I will be joining the marketing department at Vodafone this September as a graduate!
Showing posts with label interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label interview. Show all posts
Tuesday, 10 March 2015
Monday, 22 December 2014
What it's REALLY like in an interview for JWT Graduate Scheme
Hello,
As part of my blog, I'd really like to describe my graduate job hunt, the application processes and my experiences along the way!
The truth is, I went in to the whole process slightly too optimistic, I was convinced that having secured dozens of placement year interviews, and passing my very first assessment centre ever, securing a job with IBM straight away and turning all of my other ones down! I presumed it was going to be just as easy to get a graduate role- I couldn't be more wrong! It's a billion times harder!!! The applications are ruthless and the deadlines are much earlier!
Recently, I was lucky enough to have an interview with one of the biggest advertising agencies in the world, JWT. After a lengthy application process, I was invited to the Account Management interviews in London.
I was told the interview would be 45 minutes long and there would be nothing to prepare. So I headed over to London, had breakfast with my friend Umesh in the Hospital Club (shout out!) and prepared for my interview. We went over my competencies, skills and experience of the marketing/ advertising world plus general facts about the company and their clients. I thought this would be great preparation as knowing the company is a great start to acing an interview!
The email said 'Smart Casual dress code' so I opted for a Black Ted Baker dress, a tailored jacket and plain black heels- as apposed to my usual suit.... however when I arrived at the offices in Knightsbridge, I couldn't have been more overdressed! Everyone else seemed to be in leggings!!!!! jeans, super duper casual wear! I stuck out like a sore thumb!
Before the interview I had been reading the graduate blog that JWT published which contained profiles of all of their 2014 grads. Literally, every single one of them attended Cambridge, Oxford, UCL, Bristol and the likes.... this immediately worried me even before I arrived on the day. I go to UWE, a previous 'poly' which focuses highly on employability through practical skills and application rather than simply academic theory. I love this part of my uni experience and honestly, I believe UWE has been great at providing me with the skills and experience and I feel 100% ready for the world of work..... something which I doubt a lot of graduates share. However, I couldn't help but feel that JWT didn't value these types of skills, however they valued a highly academic, book-smart candidate, something which I couldn't necessarily provide to that level.
However, I had been offered one of 100 interviews out of 1000's of applications- so they must have liked something right?
There were around 4 or 5 interviews happening at the same time as mine, so I chatted to a few of the other candidates whilst we were waiting, yep Cambridge studying philosophy.... Bristol studying psychology..... London studying Latin.......... thank you for confirming all of my doubts! When I told the girl from Bristol I was from UWE I think she was a little shocked! I was so proud to be sat amongst these brainy, brainy people and know that I had earned my place there! Speaking to them, I realised that none of these people were from business/ marketing backgrounds and therefore advertising agencies aren't really valuing these types of degrees!
Once I was called into the interview, I was met by a lady and a man, one from HR and one who I believe was a fairly recent graduate account manager. They were both really nice and helped me relax.
We started by talking about my degree- I wasn't really expecting this but went on to talk about my dissertation, the modules I was studying and the people I had met. We then talked about IBM, Vet's Kitchen and a couple of other projects I've been working on (read previous blog posts for more info!). This was all fine and I have written so many applications, I know these roles and skills inside out!
We then went on to talk about advertising in general and they asked me about which adverts I really liked..... my mind went really blank and I think this is where I messed up!! I had researched JWT's advertising in-depth and had hundreds of THEIR examples, without really thinking about the industry as a whole! I ended up talking about Sainsbury's Christmas advert and then M&S Christmas advert....... zzzzzzz how boring and cliche!!! My mum (a midwife) could have probably given those answers, nevermind someone who's supposed to be a mini expert in the field! She even asked me "what about non-christmas adverts" and I gave her a really crap answer about Oreo........ I literally froze I struggled so hard to find a answer that would blow them away!
I know I write a bloody blog about great advertising campaigns!!!!! But at that moment I couldn't think of a single one!!!!
We then looked at a number of adverts, the first one was a picture of a tomato on a white background with GAZPACHO written across it..... tell me how in god's name you are supposed to analyse that! It's crap!
Then there was an army advert which I think I analysed well and one for electronic cigarettes which allowed me to speak about ethics etc. which i think was ok!
Then, they asked me about my 'culture' and what I like to do in my spare time, I spoke about Enactus, my entrepreneurial society for social action- something I thought they'd really like, but they were like "No, what do you do for FUN".... but Enactus is fun!!! So I spoke about Bristol Wine Club which they seemed to like, then they said "What about aside from wine?" I just wanted to turn around and say "Well aside from studying a full time degree, running events at least 5 times a week, attending a monthly wine club, seeing my friends, writing my dissertation, acting as marketing director for enactus and doing job applications there isn't much time to do anything else" but I was too scared so I just said travelling........
All in all, I left thinking it had gone really badly- turns out it had as I didn't get a second interview! Honestly, they were ruthless and I guess I don't fit the perfect mould of candidate they were looking for, but that's OK!
I have learnt a lot about Ad Agency interviews and although I really wanted the job before I went, I am OK with not getting it! I think I would be a lot more prepared if I ever went for a similar job....these opinions are totally my own and I would love to hear if you've had a similar or completely different experience!!!!
Thank you for reading!!
Steph
As part of my blog, I'd really like to describe my graduate job hunt, the application processes and my experiences along the way!
The truth is, I went in to the whole process slightly too optimistic, I was convinced that having secured dozens of placement year interviews, and passing my very first assessment centre ever, securing a job with IBM straight away and turning all of my other ones down! I presumed it was going to be just as easy to get a graduate role- I couldn't be more wrong! It's a billion times harder!!! The applications are ruthless and the deadlines are much earlier!
Recently, I was lucky enough to have an interview with one of the biggest advertising agencies in the world, JWT. After a lengthy application process, I was invited to the Account Management interviews in London.
I was told the interview would be 45 minutes long and there would be nothing to prepare. So I headed over to London, had breakfast with my friend Umesh in the Hospital Club (shout out!) and prepared for my interview. We went over my competencies, skills and experience of the marketing/ advertising world plus general facts about the company and their clients. I thought this would be great preparation as knowing the company is a great start to acing an interview!
The email said 'Smart Casual dress code' so I opted for a Black Ted Baker dress, a tailored jacket and plain black heels- as apposed to my usual suit.... however when I arrived at the offices in Knightsbridge, I couldn't have been more overdressed! Everyone else seemed to be in leggings!!!!! jeans, super duper casual wear! I stuck out like a sore thumb!
Before the interview I had been reading the graduate blog that JWT published which contained profiles of all of their 2014 grads. Literally, every single one of them attended Cambridge, Oxford, UCL, Bristol and the likes.... this immediately worried me even before I arrived on the day. I go to UWE, a previous 'poly' which focuses highly on employability through practical skills and application rather than simply academic theory. I love this part of my uni experience and honestly, I believe UWE has been great at providing me with the skills and experience and I feel 100% ready for the world of work..... something which I doubt a lot of graduates share. However, I couldn't help but feel that JWT didn't value these types of skills, however they valued a highly academic, book-smart candidate, something which I couldn't necessarily provide to that level.
However, I had been offered one of 100 interviews out of 1000's of applications- so they must have liked something right?
There were around 4 or 5 interviews happening at the same time as mine, so I chatted to a few of the other candidates whilst we were waiting, yep Cambridge studying philosophy.... Bristol studying psychology..... London studying Latin.......... thank you for confirming all of my doubts! When I told the girl from Bristol I was from UWE I think she was a little shocked! I was so proud to be sat amongst these brainy, brainy people and know that I had earned my place there! Speaking to them, I realised that none of these people were from business/ marketing backgrounds and therefore advertising agencies aren't really valuing these types of degrees!
Once I was called into the interview, I was met by a lady and a man, one from HR and one who I believe was a fairly recent graduate account manager. They were both really nice and helped me relax.
We started by talking about my degree- I wasn't really expecting this but went on to talk about my dissertation, the modules I was studying and the people I had met. We then talked about IBM, Vet's Kitchen and a couple of other projects I've been working on (read previous blog posts for more info!). This was all fine and I have written so many applications, I know these roles and skills inside out!
We then went on to talk about advertising in general and they asked me about which adverts I really liked..... my mind went really blank and I think this is where I messed up!! I had researched JWT's advertising in-depth and had hundreds of THEIR examples, without really thinking about the industry as a whole! I ended up talking about Sainsbury's Christmas advert and then M&S Christmas advert....... zzzzzzz how boring and cliche!!! My mum (a midwife) could have probably given those answers, nevermind someone who's supposed to be a mini expert in the field! She even asked me "what about non-christmas adverts" and I gave her a really crap answer about Oreo........ I literally froze I struggled so hard to find a answer that would blow them away!
I know I write a bloody blog about great advertising campaigns!!!!! But at that moment I couldn't think of a single one!!!!
We then looked at a number of adverts, the first one was a picture of a tomato on a white background with GAZPACHO written across it..... tell me how in god's name you are supposed to analyse that! It's crap!
Then there was an army advert which I think I analysed well and one for electronic cigarettes which allowed me to speak about ethics etc. which i think was ok!
Then, they asked me about my 'culture' and what I like to do in my spare time, I spoke about Enactus, my entrepreneurial society for social action- something I thought they'd really like, but they were like "No, what do you do for FUN".... but Enactus is fun!!! So I spoke about Bristol Wine Club which they seemed to like, then they said "What about aside from wine?" I just wanted to turn around and say "Well aside from studying a full time degree, running events at least 5 times a week, attending a monthly wine club, seeing my friends, writing my dissertation, acting as marketing director for enactus and doing job applications there isn't much time to do anything else" but I was too scared so I just said travelling........
All in all, I left thinking it had gone really badly- turns out it had as I didn't get a second interview! Honestly, they were ruthless and I guess I don't fit the perfect mould of candidate they were looking for, but that's OK!
I have learnt a lot about Ad Agency interviews and although I really wanted the job before I went, I am OK with not getting it! I think I would be a lot more prepared if I ever went for a similar job....these opinions are totally my own and I would love to hear if you've had a similar or completely different experience!!!!
Thank you for reading!!
Steph
Saturday, 22 December 2012
Just a quick one!
Hello,
haven't wrote in over a week! Been super busy. Back in the north west for Christmas, which I am not enjoying as usual. I find this place so uninspiring I actually hate Lancashire! Sounds so negative but in Bristol everyone is so aspirational and hardworking and then I come up north and most people so bored and unmotivated! Sort it out Lancs.... I am having a nice time with my family though although I have a lot of work to do for my product pitch presentation, HRM assignment and finance exam in January STRESSFUL
I was also supposed to be attending a peugeot citroen, avon, caterpillar, BMW & PSA assessment centre in January too which would have added to the stress however I have some brilliant news to announce to my blog followers!
Slightly daunting moving to Portsmouth as I've only been their once for my interview and I'm going to be living there in June! I'm so excited though and so pleased because I really wanted to work for IBM out of all of the placements I applied for! Going to buy a car in June and can't wait to be on a real wage and work for the 3rd most valuable brands IN THE WORLD
New normal blog post coming soon
Just thought I would fill everyone in!
Steph
haven't wrote in over a week! Been super busy. Back in the north west for Christmas, which I am not enjoying as usual. I find this place so uninspiring I actually hate Lancashire! Sounds so negative but in Bristol everyone is so aspirational and hardworking and then I come up north and most people so bored and unmotivated! Sort it out Lancs.... I am having a nice time with my family though although I have a lot of work to do for my product pitch presentation, HRM assignment and finance exam in January STRESSFUL
I was also supposed to be attending a peugeot citroen, avon, caterpillar, BMW & PSA assessment centre in January too which would have added to the stress however I have some brilliant news to announce to my blog followers!
I got a job at IBM!!!
I'm sooo chuffed!! Got the phone call on Friday morning and I was in bed in a hotel room in Manchester and my phone rang and I sarcastically went "This better be a job offer" AND IT WAS!! Fate or what!!
Anyway so basically at my assessment centre day in Portsmouth I met this lovely lady who is the project manager for a B2B marketing team in Portsmouth and she interviewed me for a general marketing role. However she was impressed by me so much that she wants me to join her team in Portsmouth!! So I didn't need a 2nd interview like most people! I was soo pleased and I've already met my boss which is pretty cool.Slightly daunting moving to Portsmouth as I've only been their once for my interview and I'm going to be living there in June! I'm so excited though and so pleased because I really wanted to work for IBM out of all of the placements I applied for! Going to buy a car in June and can't wait to be on a real wage and work for the 3rd most valuable brands IN THE WORLD
New normal blog post coming soon
Just thought I would fill everyone in!
Steph
Thursday, 13 December 2012
My friends, goose and smashbox!
Heyy,
ok so this week I've been really unlucky! Got through to the assessment centre for peugeot citroen after passing the 1st interview!! Which I was super pleased about, however it's on the 10th January which is my finance exam so I can't go and I've emailed them begging but they won't re-arrange, which I'm GUTTED about :'( especially as I could really see myself there and I worked so hard on my application. I guess it wasn't meant to be!
Secondly, had my BMW telephone interview which went AWFUL as I was totally unprepared as I did it at uni cos I was in the middle of my group meeting for marketing in practice preparing our presentation, anyway I think I did well on the compentency questions but then she asked me what was my favourite BMW model and I froze I couldn't even think of one :-( so not expecting good news from them! Also got another interview lined up for next week and still waiting to see if I've been matched by IBM which is horrible as I'm really impatient!!
Our presentation is getting super close now and I think my group are finally working well! I hate group work and hope this is the last time I will have to work in a group during my course...probably not though.
So, writing this blog seems to have inspired a couple of my friends to start writing a blog which is exciting!
My good friend Sam who is on my course at UWE has started a marketing blog and he is a very opinionated and hilarious person so looking forward to hearing a bit more from him, you can check his blog out at: http://samvenning.blogspot.co.uk/
Also one of my girlies Sophie has started a blog too which is a bit more creative and personal which I like so you can check her out here: http://ohyoudramaqueen.blogspot.co.uk/
Finally, I have followed this blog for quite a while and it's definately one for the girls!! Zoe does beauty and fashion reviews and news and she's getting paid for it now I think so her posts have been very influencial! http://www.zoella.co.uk/
Let me know if you want me to mention you or if you want me to have a read of your blog cos I love reading new blog material!
Ok so tonight I went to Cribbs Causeway with 2 of my friends Rach and Beth and we went to Boots because I had heard about a new cosmetics company- Smashbox doing free makeovers and giving out free giftsets! So I booked an appointment for a treat for us all and we went along and I was very impressed!! Smashbox are huge in America and they came to the UK 3 months ago, they are owned by Estee Lauder who also make MAC and Clinique so I knew it was going to be high quality and I wasn't dissapointed. They did full makeovers for all of us and we got free products to try! Was a very girly and chatty session which I loved and they also do things like makeovers and photoshoots all for free so definately worth checking out! I think it's really important as there are so many make-up counters that girls can go to that new brands have an interactive and fun experience especially as I hadn't ever heard of them before and now I know loads about them from chatting to the lady who worked there. Very impressed!
Finally, something occured to me on twitter recently that I had been noticing increasingly.
I saw this account https://twitter.com/GreyGooseWanker and lots of retweets and follows from people I know.
I know a lot of people who will save up all week just to buy a bottle of Grey Goose at the weekend, and this has become an increasing trend over the last year. Grey Goose represented status, class and luxury and people who spend all their time working wanted to represent these things at the weekend. However, now I just think it has become a bit of a chav drink and not really for special occasions. I see guys getting 3 or 4 bottles a night and thinking their suarve when they are wearing sports t-shirts or trainers. Not really a good brand associate for Bacardi who own Grey Goose as one of their more premium spirits.
Although it is a premium spirit and represents indulgence and luxury, in order for Grey Goose to maintain this image they are going to have to work hard to ensure they can keep this brand image up, especially with bad publicity such as the site above. Although sales may have soared, is it for the right reasons and can they maintain the sales by using the same marketing and brand associations as they do currently.
They are just my predictions and opinions and if you don't agree feel free to comment and let me know!
Steph
ok so this week I've been really unlucky! Got through to the assessment centre for peugeot citroen after passing the 1st interview!! Which I was super pleased about, however it's on the 10th January which is my finance exam so I can't go and I've emailed them begging but they won't re-arrange, which I'm GUTTED about :'( especially as I could really see myself there and I worked so hard on my application. I guess it wasn't meant to be!
Secondly, had my BMW telephone interview which went AWFUL as I was totally unprepared as I did it at uni cos I was in the middle of my group meeting for marketing in practice preparing our presentation, anyway I think I did well on the compentency questions but then she asked me what was my favourite BMW model and I froze I couldn't even think of one :-( so not expecting good news from them! Also got another interview lined up for next week and still waiting to see if I've been matched by IBM which is horrible as I'm really impatient!!
Our presentation is getting super close now and I think my group are finally working well! I hate group work and hope this is the last time I will have to work in a group during my course...probably not though.
So, writing this blog seems to have inspired a couple of my friends to start writing a blog which is exciting!
My good friend Sam who is on my course at UWE has started a marketing blog and he is a very opinionated and hilarious person so looking forward to hearing a bit more from him, you can check his blog out at: http://samvenning.blogspot.co.uk/
Also one of my girlies Sophie has started a blog too which is a bit more creative and personal which I like so you can check her out here: http://ohyoudramaqueen.blogspot.co.uk/
Finally, I have followed this blog for quite a while and it's definately one for the girls!! Zoe does beauty and fashion reviews and news and she's getting paid for it now I think so her posts have been very influencial! http://www.zoella.co.uk/
Let me know if you want me to mention you or if you want me to have a read of your blog cos I love reading new blog material!
Ok so tonight I went to Cribbs Causeway with 2 of my friends Rach and Beth and we went to Boots because I had heard about a new cosmetics company- Smashbox doing free makeovers and giving out free giftsets! So I booked an appointment for a treat for us all and we went along and I was very impressed!! Smashbox are huge in America and they came to the UK 3 months ago, they are owned by Estee Lauder who also make MAC and Clinique so I knew it was going to be high quality and I wasn't dissapointed. They did full makeovers for all of us and we got free products to try! Was a very girly and chatty session which I loved and they also do things like makeovers and photoshoots all for free so definately worth checking out! I think it's really important as there are so many make-up counters that girls can go to that new brands have an interactive and fun experience especially as I hadn't ever heard of them before and now I know loads about them from chatting to the lady who worked there. Very impressed!
Finally, something occured to me on twitter recently that I had been noticing increasingly.
I saw this account https://twitter.com/GreyGooseWanker and lots of retweets and follows from people I know.
I know a lot of people who will save up all week just to buy a bottle of Grey Goose at the weekend, and this has become an increasing trend over the last year. Grey Goose represented status, class and luxury and people who spend all their time working wanted to represent these things at the weekend. However, now I just think it has become a bit of a chav drink and not really for special occasions. I see guys getting 3 or 4 bottles a night and thinking their suarve when they are wearing sports t-shirts or trainers. Not really a good brand associate for Bacardi who own Grey Goose as one of their more premium spirits.
Although it is a premium spirit and represents indulgence and luxury, in order for Grey Goose to maintain this image they are going to have to work hard to ensure they can keep this brand image up, especially with bad publicity such as the site above. Although sales may have soared, is it for the right reasons and can they maintain the sales by using the same marketing and brand associations as they do currently.
They are just my predictions and opinions and if you don't agree feel free to comment and let me know!
Steph
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