01st Dec2010

Painfully Perfect

by ProGrad

Painfully Perfect

 Attention graduate community, we know you are nervous and wanting to make a good impression as a can-do, nothing too hard for me kind of candidate but please do not list being a perfectionist as your biggest weakness!

 Unless you genuinely believe that you are disadvantaged by your ability to refine details and produce high quality work, it is always worth trying to be a little original in your answers.

  Some better (and more realistic) options to offer as a weakness may include, a lack of on the job or industry experience,  finding it hard to say no to people, tending to take on more than you should or not really knowing exactly where you want to end up.

 It might seem clever to try and turn a weakness into a positive, but it’s more obvious than you think- the best thing to do is be honest and express a desire or plan to overcome this, or steps you are already taking in this direction.

 Pretending to be the perfect person only sets up an embarrassing expectation, and leaves no room for growth or imagination. So next time someone asks you “can you tell me a weakness?” give them a strong answer, not a strength in disguise.

 If you are looking for that first interview, or advice on how to approach a prospective employer, contact ProGrad’s Graduate Management team on 02 8235 8300 or alternatively email us at info@prograd.com.au

Category : ProGrad Melbourne
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29th Sep2010

NESTLE Commercial Graduate Program

by ProGrad

The ProGrad recruitment drive has begun to source Nestle’s top graduates for their latest graduate recruitment drive across Australia.  Many of the pre-selected candidates have been asked to attend assessment days with ProGrad over forthcoming weeks, however if you havent yet applied and would like to be considered for a role, please contact our Graduate Recruitment Team at ProGrad on 02 8235 8300.  Virginia is one of our Graduate Recruiters helping Nestle with the intake, and she is looking for graduates with at least 12 months of commercial experience ready to embark on a rotational graduate program within this multinational. 

Nestle have an incredible culture and can offer a range of careers for graduates following a successful 2 year sales and marketing program.  Based at their offices, the graduates are exposed to a variety of brands and start their commercial career within their field sales team, looking after a designated territory.  Following a successful rotation here, the graduates also have the ability to move into Marketing. 

Nestle have a generous salary on offer for suitable candidates, along with various incentives to reward top performance and encourage longevity in their business.

Last year, the intake was hugely successful and Nestle have seen 100% retention with their graduate recruits.  This was also due to the rigorous screening that Nestle conduct, not only within the ProGrad assessment day but also using the Nestle values as a way of assessing a cultural fit.

The key attributes they are looking for include, confidence, strong communication skills, the ability to problem solve and think laterally, and the ability to work cohesively within a team environment.  Successful candidates last year demonstrated a real drive to be successful and a real passion for the Nestle brand.  The organisation is a true believer in hiring graduate talent and nurturing this talent through the business.  The opporutnities for successful candidates are endless within this organisation.

If you are a gradudate and you’re keen to explore the opportunity to apply for the Nestle Commercial Graduate Program, then please contact the ProGrad team on 02 8235 8300.  Alternatively, you can email virginia.wilson@prograd.com.au for more information.  We are accepting applications now, and will be reviewing them up until Monday 11th October.  Opportunities are available across Australia.

Category : ProGrad Melbourne
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08th Sep2009

Currently Recruiting For FMCG Organisation in Geelong, VIC

by ProGrad

ProGrad is currently working with a large FMCG organisation which represents many well known brands within the Australian marketplace. With headquarters in Melbourne, this successful organisation is looking to grow and expand its Geelong, VIC office.  This is a rare ProGrad graduate opportunity to join one of Australia’s most recognized food brands – a company which offers an environment for fast progression and long term career opportunities.

This is a fantastic chance to get your foot in the door and be provided with masterclass ProGrad training courses. Your role will be diverse and varied, with responsibilities including building relationships, up selling promotional activity and merchandising. The right candidate for this role will have excellent interpersonal skills, be structured and organised and business savvy. ProGrad are also looking for graduates with outstanding customer service skills and the motivation to succeed.

Call ProGrad directly on 02 8235 8300 to find out more about our selection process. For more information on ProGrads services please visit ProGrads website at www.prograd.com.au.

Category : ProGrad Melbourne
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02nd Sep2009

Graduate Case Study: Aggie, Corporate Express

by ProGrad

Before applying to ProGrad Aggie had completed a Backelor of Business Marketing at University and had worked part time in a few retail positions. When asked about her experince at the ProGrad assessment day, Aggie responded ” It was intense, exciting, stressful, interesting, new, scary, intimidating and worth while in the end!”

ProGrad was impressed with Aggies professionalism at the assessment day and was quick to send her out to a number of first round interviews. ” In my first interview i was a nervous wreck. The second interview was great and i was successful. I took the role due to the greta opportunity, the incentives invloved, the location and because another graduate will be starting with me.” Aggie, ProGrad graduate.

” My advice for other graduates looking to apply to ProGrad is got for it, you have nothing to looser & everything to gain.” Aggie, ProGrad Graduate.

If you are a recent graduate looking to get your foot in the door with a successful organisation please call ProGrad directly on 02 8235 8300 or visit ProGrads website at www.prograd.com.au

Category : ProGrad Melbourne
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28th Aug2009

Benefits of Working in Sales!

by ProGrad

ProGrad is a unique organisation that specialises placing graduate into fast growing international organisation. The graduates that are successful in ProGrads selection process will generally be placed within a business to business sales department.

Many graduates leave university without knowing the benefits of working within a sales departments. Some of the benefits include:

  • Fast progression which means there is the opportunity to move quickly into management.
  • Early recognition from your direct line managers which means you will ne noticed and promoted accordingly.
  • Rewards such as money, bonuses and commissions.
  • Fast paced environments which means you will never get bored!
  • Dynamically and constantly challenging so you will be able to grow and develop strong skill sets.

If you think you would be interested in getting into a business to business sales role, please call proGrad now on 02 8235 8300 or visit ProGrads website for more information www.prograd.com.au

Category : ProGrad Melbourne
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26th Aug2009

ProGrad Module 4: Graduate Feedback

by ProGrad

ProGrad recently had 21 graduates join us back in the training centre for Module 4 after almost completing their first year of employment. ProGrad’s module 4 focuses on Key Account Management, and is designed to help educate graduates on strategic approaches to managing important accounts.

By the end of the 2 day ProGrad course, candidates will be able to:

·         outline the role and accountabilities of the key account manager

·         develop a strategic approach to managing your most important accounts

·         identify the key activities and added value that successful account managers must bring to a customer

“I enjoy Kingsleys approach to the course – it keeps it lively, interesting and engaging. Thanks very much for everything ProGrad, I will recommended you for years to come!” Adam, ProGrad Graduate

“The content of this course was very relevant to all class members which made for good group discussions. I found this module very useful as I am involved with major accounts and it was very useful to get some valid advice on different situations we face at work.” Gemma, ProGrad Graduate.

“I found this course very informative and enjoyed the real life case studies and hearing about other grads experiences.” Heather, ProGrad Graduate.

ProGrad would love to hear about your training experiences. Please call us with your feedback on 02 8235 8300 or visit the ProGrad website at www.prograd.cm.au

Category : ProGrad Melbourne
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24th Aug2009

ProGrad Assessment Days – Call us for your feedback!

by ProGrad

ProGrad are a graduate assessment, placement and training centre that service both Sydney and Melbourne with an aim of assisting recent university graduates to get their foot in the door of successful organisations. ProGrad works with over 500 client partner from a variety of sectors and industries including IT, telecommunications, marketing, advertising, FMCG and publishing companies.

 

Each week ProGrad runs assessment days in Sydney and Melbourne and selects the top 40 graduates to attend. The graduates are assessed by 4 ProGrad assessors and client partners against 5 key competencies.

Unfortunately, each week ProGrad has to turn away some fantastic graduates, each for completely different reasons. ProGrad always insists on calling us if you have been unsuccessful at the assessment day and we will be happy to give you some feedback which will assist you in future interviews.

If you are a recent graduate who was unsuccessful at a ProGrad assessment day, please call us on 02 8235 8300. For more information on ProGrads services or details about the assessment day please visit our website at www.prograd.com.au

Category : ProGrad Melbourne
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18th Aug2009

Melbourne Module 1 Training

by ProGrad

 

 

 

Alex is a recent ProGrad graduate who is working in a sales and marketing position within a large Melbourne based organisation. Alex recently attended ProGrads module 1 course which is based on educating recent graduates about basic sales and marketing skills.

The ProGrad trainers use a variety of methods and real life examples to educate the graduates on topics such as profit and revenue, the importance of time management, how to develop goals and how to build a pipeline.

“The topics got covered in an easy to understand manner. I was very impressed with the trainer’s delivery and how he handled all of our questions.” Alex, ProGrad Graduate.

Alex will now return to his organisation for another 3 months before returning to ProGrad for his module 2 training which focuses on Spin Selling.

For more information on ProGrads graduate training program please call the ProGrad office directly on 02 8235 8300 or visit ProGrads webpage at www.prograd.com.au

Category : ProGrad Melbourne
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10th Aug2009

ProGrad Graduate, Ben: Case Study

by ProGrad

What were you doing before applying to ProGrad?

“I studied a Bachelor of Science from 2004-2007 at University. While I was studing a worked in a consultative role in a finance company and traded stock to get a bit of extra cash.” Ben, ProGrad Graduate.

What was your experience at the ProGrad assessment day?

“I found the assessment day interesting and definitely a test. It is the type of experience that if you can survive it, it will give you the confidence to be able to tackle any job interview.” Ben, ProGrad Graduate.

What is the role ProGrad helped you to find?

“I work in a company that focuses on website and software development. My role is a Business Development Manager with an aim of generating business through cold calling as well as maintaining high levels of customer service to leads that come through.” Ben, ProGrad Graduate.

What is your advice for other graduates thinking of applying to ProGrad?

“Go for it! Your horizons will definitely broaden if you make it through!”

Category : ProGrad Melbourne
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21st Jul2009

ProGrad are recruiting for roles in QLD

by ProGrad

Since ProGrad started in 2004, we have placed over 1,500 candidates into a variety of roles across a number of vertical markets.  Primarily focusing on the NSW and VIC regions, ProGrad have recently been requested by a number of clients to recruit for the QLD offices.  We’re now representing a number of IT/ Manufacturing and FMCG companies looking to grow their team with graduate talent.

If you’re a candidate looking for opportunities through ProGrad in the QLD area, please contact one of the graduate management team in Sydney on 02 8235 8300.  Our roles are primarily within the business to business sales teams of companies.  Roles such as Territory Management, Account Management, Business Development, and Sales Representative roles are available to recent graduates looking for a graduate position.  All roles provide ProGrad graduates with comprehensive training to guarantee your success.

For more information, please visit www.prograd.com.au

Category : ProGrad Melbourne
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