A +30 hire at Nestlé

Nestlé is doing a fantastic job with young people. We are committed to doing our part in bringing the best opportunities to young jobseekers on a global scale through our Youth Employment Initiative Project. Since 2014, we have hired 875 student workers, interns or regular employees below 30 in the Nordics.

Nestlé is delighted (as most large international companies are) with Talent, but Nestlé’s talent pool is of course not limited to people under 30. In Nestlé, we look at personality and potential.

Then, what about the +30?

This very question came up during an on-site event with external stakeholders. They had heard plenty about our youth and Master’s program, but did not know as much about what Nestlé also looks for in a candidate.

During a conversation with a delightful +30 year woman, she asked me, “Do you hire people over 30 at Nestlé?” I had to smile. Why did I do that? Well, not too long ago I was in her shoes. She was much younger than I was, but just like her, I was among the group of people who thought that unless I had three Masters, spoke at least four languages and was, preferably, under age 30 – I did not stand much of a chance at getting a job at Nestlé. I was wrong.

Therefore, I answered her, “Oh but yes, we do!” Whether you are a generalist at +30, or a specialist at +30, your drive is a great asset. Your drive is a part of what makes you, you.

The woman who asked the question had a broad education and might fit across various functions, so I asked her the following questions: “What would your dream job be? What are you passionate about? What drives you? When your future employer meets you, what is your attitude?”

Attitude or Mind-set

When I applied for the position of Secretary Nordics, I did not expect my application to see much daylight. Still, there was something in either my application or my CV that managed to convey what is embedded deeply in me: my positive drive, my passion, and my desire to learn.

Nestlé looks for people with drive, passion, and enthusiasm. People who are agile, humble enough to be teachable, and bold enough to challenge. Of course, if the position is for Sales Controlling, there are certain hard skills that you have to possess, such as a flair for numbers! J Nevertheless – the second part of the puzzle (the soft skills) – your attitude and your mind-set – all part of what makes you, you, is equally important.

Be Honest – Be Teachable – Be Passionate

During my interview, one of the things I managed to get right was honesty. Who I am, as a person. Me. Not just a diploma, not as a carbon copy of some handbook on how to interview. Of course, what I had to bring in terms of skills mattered, but more importantly, so did my attitude towards the job. I did not exaggerate my abilities, but rather emphasised my willingness, that I wanted to contribute and be a part of something bigger, that I was eager to learn and to grow - what matters to me, is to be a part of the solution.

The job offer was merely a temporary position. However, once I crossed the threshold of the building and encountered the two women who were to interview me, I was sold. I had come home. My one burning desire was to work in this type of company, with this kind of people. I do not recall ever having felt so focused. I believe it was that honesty, that drive, that focus, that enthusiasm and that passion, in combination with the desire to learn, that not only earned me the temporary position, but also the full time permanent position that followed three months later. I was 48 when Nestlé hired me.

I have had the toughest, most challenging, most educational, most rewarding two years since. I love my job! I have the most amazing colleagues. This is a great place to work. I highly recommend it. Go for it +30s!