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Leading Companies & Markets

As a new graduate, large companies can offer you a structured graduate program which can provide a great overview and give good grounding into the occupation. In the FMCG market companies generally acknowledged as excellent training grounds are Unilever, Nestlé, Cadbury Schweppes, whilst HJ Heinz, Kraft, and Goodman Fielder have long track records of success. The market leaders in each market segment are leaders for a reason – they have good products or services, advanced strategic marketing programs generating a competitive advantage and are well managed.

The benefit of a smaller company is you can be exposed to a broader role in a more intimate environment. Being an employer of choice is a great way of attracting and retaining staff. Look for training and development programs, work/life balance, pleasing office environment, conditions of employment etc.

In a marketing role in a large multinational you can sometimes be limited to implementation rather than direct involvement in the development of products, advertising and strategy but exposure to overseas markets and global ideas is usually a benefit.  Local or small to medium sized companies can sometimes provide a broader, more diverse role. 

Environment & Culture of the workplace

Marketing is a fast paced, predominately indoors, change driven, ideas based role that requires a strong team focus to deliver on job requirements. You need a combination of strong analytical skills coupled with an ability to think beyond the norm.

Company size has a strong influence on structure and layers of management. Usually a semi-open plan environment with workstations is offered. Given the exposure to product/brand strategy, company financials, innovation etc, confidentiality is required. Turnover in marketing tends to be slightly higher than other professions due to demand for variety and change.

The stakeholders vary between public and private sectors and it is important a Marketer understand who is the target audience and associated implications. Your working hours vary but there are usually peak times throughout the year when workloads are high requiring out-of-hours work.