Finance Summer Placement Review

Working on the finance team for a new business unit within Unilever called Elida Beauty, consisting of a handful of brands worldwide which needed closer management. Some days I would be working on global results reconciliation and presenting this to the team. Other days I would be creating forecasts for all key markets and brands for the current and next year. I also worked closely with leadership to understand what was driving growth and profit.

In terms of new skills that I have learnt: I have developed an understanding for data analytics and management reporting tools. In particular, I have used Power BI alot to display data graphically to make it easier, quicker and more effective for managers and sales teams to work out what is working/not working in a clear format. My presentation skills have come on alot too as I have had to do a monthly results report.

Alot. Because Elida Beauty is a relatively new business unit, the team is very small and so, unlike most intern experiences, I was thrown in at the deep end and fulfilling all sorts of tasks that normally there would be someone else to do. For example, the only other UKI finance analyst was on leave for 3 weeks and so I was left with one other finance analyst to be in charge of the Elida Beauty UK finance work.

I was lucky to have such a great line manager who showed me the ropes so well. She took me through all the tasks I would be completing slowly and made sure I knew what I was doing it before I did it. Aside from my line manager, the wider team were always so encouraging and gave me great feedback from their own role's perspective. I know that had I been on a longer placement there would have been purpose-made development sessions too.

Obviously with the pandemic, the office atmosphere was not quite what it normally would be but I still got the impression that everybody in the company enjoys their work, they are proud to work for Unilever and they feel that their jobs are meaningful. Furthermore, the work life balance seems spot on e.g. on a friday during the summer, they recommend everyone clocks off early to enjoy their own time. (and there is free ben and jerrys)

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Unilever this summer. It has given me the opportunity to meet lots of really interesting people (admittedly mostly virtually) from around the world and doing diverse roles. I felt constantly valued and involved and it gave me a great first experience of the world of work. Even despite covid restrictions, I did also get to meet up with my team for a drinks a few times which was really nice,

Yes

I am actually in the situation where my line manager needs a new intern starting when I finish and so I recommended my friend (who has now got the job) but the advice I gave him before his interview was to be completely down to earth and get along with everyone. It is a friendly company and you can see that the way to do well here is to be personable and get along with everyone