- How many graduates are you looking for?
- How many vacancies exist within each (or a particular) function?
- When do Graduates start?
- Do you pay relocation expenses?
- What training is provided?
- Can you choose what area of business you want to go into or where you will be based?
- Will I be able to do an international placement during my first two years?
- Do you specify a degree discipline to apply for the graduate program?
- Will you pay travel expenses if interview is interstate?
- Do you accept speculative applications?
- Can I apply for industrial placements/vacation work/internships?
- What is the Graduate Selection process?
- What kind of people are you looking for?
- I am disabled, can I still apply?
- Can I defer?
- Where could I be based?
- I have applied to Unilever before, can I re-apply?
- I do not have a work permit to work in Australia, but would like to apply for a job!
- Are there any age restrictions?
- Can you tell me more about Unilever?
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Here are some frequently asked questions that may help answer some of your queries.
How many graduates are you looking for?
Each year we recruit approx. 15 graduates - this figure has remained fairly consistent for several years but ultimately depends on business needs.
How many vacancies exist within each (role or particular) function?
Vacancies exist in each of the following functions: Customer Development, Financial Management, Human Resources, Supply Chain, Engineering and Product development, which includes Marketing. Other business functions such as Information Management have less frequent needs for graduates. Click on 'Opportunities' for more details.
When someone is offered a graduate position with us, the offer remains open for 14 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.
When do Graduates start?
Graduates start-date is dependant upon any outstanding commitments or plans they may have (work or travel) and the requirements of the function they are joining. For example, some graduates start with us a few months after graduating once they have travelled overseas, others join us part-time to work during their final year of University.
Do you pay relocation expenses?
Yes. We would give you early assistance either through company property or hotel accommodation. Out of pocket expenses incurred in searching for permanent accommodation would also be covered.
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 whilst we also support technical trainees in gaining chartership.
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 my first two years?
It depends on your function. In some it is a strong possibility – e.g. Supply Chain and ITM. In the majority, e.g. Marketing, Sales, HR 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 goes well beyond your first two years after which 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. To gain a feel of the travel opportunities recent graduates and managers have had, click on our 'Meet our Graduates' section.
Do you specify a degree discipline to apply for the graduate program?
In the majority of cases we accept any degree discipline, the only exceptions are:
- Supply Chain which requires an engineering or science degree (excluding life sciences).
- Innovation & Technology Management (Product development) which often requires a Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry or Food Sciences degree.
Will you pay travel expenses if interview is interstate?
Yes – if we call you for an interview interstate, we will arrange and pay for your travel and accommodation.
Do you accept speculative applications?
Yes, we do! Of course, in the first instance we will always look to promote a Unilever employee however, if none are identified then we advertise through lots of different mediums. If you are interested in entering Unilever this way, just register yourself on our careers website. Do this by clicking on the link on the Taking it Further page.
Can I apply for industrial placements/vacation work/internships?
Opportunities to work as a student at Unilever are varied . Most will be based in either Sydney or Melbourne. Possible roles are advertised on the Apply Now page and will state likely location and the business area they concern. (e.g sales, finance, supply chain etc).
Vacation work opportunities are for specific business areas; opportunities do not rotate across multiple business areas.
Because we have a small summer vacation work intake depending on roles at any given time, we may not have a role that suits you and your location. In no way will this impact your subsequent application for a graduate position.
Vacation work applications (or similar positions) typically close between August-September in any given year with likely roles confirmed late September/Mid October.
What kind of people are you looking for?
Our selection 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. Click here to see our competencies. 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 can discuss your needs in more detail. But rest assured that this will in no way affect your application.
Can I defer?
Yes, depending on the function you join and our business needs, we can accommodate a limited number of requests where you may not wish to start immediately on graduating. Please complete the relevant question on the application form (it asks for your availability to start work) and include your reasoning also. If you are interested, you should apply early, making your intention clear from the outset.
Where could I be based?
Our business units and, therefore, our vacancies are spread across Australasia, though it is most likely you will join us in either Sydney or Melbourne. If you have applied for our Customer Development function, choices of offices is much broader. In order to gain the breadth of experience required, we expect our trainees and junior managers to be willing to relocate 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 first interview, you can apply again. Please indicate the stage of the process you reached in the space provided on the application form. You must however not have graduated more than 18 months prior to this application closing date. If you graduated more than 18 months ago, please view our Current Vacancies section of our career website.
I do not have a work permit to work in Australia, but would like to apply for a job!
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). For Australia and New Zealand, you must be a citizen or permanent resident to apply.
Are there any age restrictions?
No, but our graduate program is designed for individuals with little or no business experience. You therefore must not have more than two years relevant work experience. If you feel our graduate program is not right for you but would still like to pursue a career with Unilever, please either visit our global careers website. You should also look in national and local newspapers and the trade press for vacancy details.
Can you tell me more about Unilever?
Unilever, of Anglo Dutch origins, is one of the largest consumer goods businesses in the world, operating in over 90 countries. Over a quarter of a million employees globally create $11 billion pounds profit. Please visit the 'About Unilever' section for more information.
