Commercial Industrial Placement Review

As a Commercial Intern, I have worked with 10+ leading UK retailers (from pure players to premium accounts) to define new product launches, working closing with the marketing team. I have assisted the account managers and wider team with a variety of retailers activations. I have overseen and represented the commercial team for the 2023 Christmas campaign, working with both internal and external teams to maximize success whilst mitigating risks. I have handled the operational aspects of new store openings and did quarterly store visits to review brand performance and competitor activity.

I have developed and refined a variety of soft and hard skills. I have developed my Excel and PPTX skills, as I had to present data and findings to both internal and external teams. Oral and written communication skills have also been developed, as I had to relate to both external people (such as buyers and retailers) and colleagues from different functions and roles across the business. I have also upskilled on my organizational and time management skills as these were key in a such fast-paced company like L’Oréal.

I was given an incredible amount of responsibility and ownership during my Placement. I was involved in all my line manager’s projects and was always encouraged to contribute with my ideas, thoughts, and perspectives. I was entrusted with a lot of challenging work, that made me boost my professional confidence and develop skills to an extend that I wouldn’t have otherwise. My line manager and team have given me invaluable support to ensure I would get the best result, but also gave me the freedom to make mistakes and learn by myself.

I received plenty of support and guidance during my placement. The job was demanding and high-pressure at times, but my line manager and my team were always there to support me. I had weekly checks ins with my line manager and the other colleagues from my team, to monitor my professional development, and to offer invaluable guidance on how to prioritize tasks and manage my time effectively. L’Oréal also offered plenty of training opportunities which I used to up-skill myself.

The company’s culture and general atmosphere in the Luxe Division was great. I was surrounded by extremely inspiring and friendly people, always happy to help me out whenever they could. Numerous events were held throughout the year with in-depth talks by experts from different departments. My psycho-physical well-being has always been taken care of, I have been encouraged not to work overtime and to switch off after work. I really enjoyed coming into the office and building meaningful connections with my team. L’Oréal has been a very fun business to work for with lots of opportunities to network, such as great socials and launch parties.

I truly enjoyed my Placement, and I am very grateful to have had this opportunity. I have grown a lot both professionally and personally, expanded my network, and developed and refined a variety of hard and soft skills that I will keep with me throughout my future career. I have had a well-rounded experience and given ownership of different impactful projects. The fast-paced environment has made my job exciting and stimulating, and I have always felt supported and valued by my line manager and team.

Yes

The advice I would give to applicants at L’Oréal is to come with an open-minded approach, curiosity, and willingness to learn. I would suggest asking as many questions as possible to understand the broader business, industry and function you work in. It is also very important to be proactive and offer your support to other teams and functions, as this not only allows you to learn and develop new skills, but also network with people and have a well-rounded experience.