There's more to life at Nestlé: Our perfect candidate

What is Nestlé looking for in a candidate?

This is the most common question I receive as an HR Recruitment Consultant! Well, the question is very open and broad and can be answered in many different ways. For me it all depends on the job you apply for and the professional competencies and personal qualifications you as a candidate possess.

But there are a few things I’m always looking for in a candidate whether they are applying for managerial roles, specialist roles, or student worker / intern roles. The mindset and attitude are considered as soft skills but they are the key to everything when you want to work at Nestlé. Remember the hiring manager and the HR department are not only recruiting for the specific role you are applying for; but, also for your potential next role in the company. Two years ago I hired a student worker for our Commercial team in Denmark. When she had completed her Masters from CBS she was offered a permanent position – first as PA to our former Country Manager and today she holds a position as Jr. Key Account Manager.

Changing the hard skills

Let’s be honest – yes, we also look at your hard skills. They are typically your knowledge and abilities required from i.e. previous jobs or your education. For some people it can be difficult to obtain the hard skills needed when looking for i.e. your first job, a job in a different industry, or even changing your career path completely. It is possible but it will be hard work. To change your career or if you’re looking for your first job it is important to figure out what matches you as a candidate; what does your future dream job look like? What hard skills are required? If you don’t have the skills it is your responsibility to try and gain them. Often you might have them already but just haven’t found the link yet. I can give you an example from my personal work life. For many years I worked in the Tele Industry. I have tried out many different roles in my employment in the Tele Industry such as Finance Assistant, Marketing Coordinator and Logistics Controller. The job I thrived the most in was the Marketing Coordinator role – but something was missing. I learned that I loved working with people so I decided to study at CBS while working full time to gain some of the hard skills I lacked. Eventually I applied for a job in the Oil & Gas Industry starting out as a Recruitment Associate. This was the right thing for me and after six months I was promoted to Recruitment Specialist. This is still a very big part of my job and I still find it fascinating and interesting. But I also found the link in my employment history that I could use when writing my job applications.

To change your career or if you’re looking for your first job it is important to figure out what your future dream job look like.

Hard skills can often be linked to quantifying your skills such as showing examples with hard facts whether it is in your resume or your cover letter. Soft skills are used by hiring managers and recruiters to see if there is a company fit and they show how you handle yourself in the workplace. Be sure to also show a combination of your hard and soft skills in both your resume and cover letter as you don’t know in which order they are read by the company. So how do I look for mindset and attitude in a job application? That is a good question but with nine years of recruiting experience I could argue that I got a feel for it! It is really all about reading between the lines and getting a feel for the person at the other end. As an applicant you only have one shot to try and convince the hiring manager and recruiter that you’re the right person for the job. Personally, as a recruiter I prefer that you have a great mindset, positive attitude and a bit of humbleness – then the job, the manager and colleagues can teach you the rest.There’s no right or wrong way of writing a cover letter or a resume but there are different methods. Look carefully at the job ad and then adapt your cover letter and resume for the specific job you apply for. Remember the cover letter should be about the future – the resume about the past. If you google ‘job ad’ or ‘resume’ you will find a lot of information on the internet. Just make sure you adapt it to what you like and prefer so the hiring manager and recruiter see your personal style.

I was very surprised with the culture when I started my career at Nestlé. It was my first experience with the FMCG industry and it is so unlike anything I have tried before. If I should try and describe it in ONE word I would have to say PASSIONATE. When I first started my career with Nestlé I was very overwhelmed with the willingness to help each other. If I asked for guidance or assistance I always received it. And if not possible I was sent in the right direction and this is still something I try and apply every day.

I think our employees, regardless of title and positions, are very passionate in everything they do. It is like one big family and we take care of each other. It is also hard work, a fast-paced performance driven culture with personal growth potential. And if you don’t know how to prioritize when you start your journey with Nestlé you will soon learn it as this is a key hard skill you will benefit from.

Nevertheless, everything starts with yourself! A positive attitude, self-motivation, and determination will take you far and give you the opportunity to influence your own career and development.

My journey with Nestlé is far from over. I have fun and enjoy my work and like to excel with my ambitious passionate #NESTLECREW.