Isabel is a Business with Management graduate from Durham University. She secured a role as a Marketing & Brand Management Graduate at P&G in Weybridge, through Bright Network. 
First, please tell us a little bit about yourself.
“I recently graduated from Durham University Business School where I studied Business with Management.
I'm a very creative person and loved the Marketing modules of my degree, particularly those that let me use consumer insights and psychological theories to solve problems and create campaigns.
I love shopping and am love learning about brands and their positioning in the market, particularly after my Merchandising & Buying placement year at TK Maxx. These passions have led me to secure my role as a Marketing and Brand Management graduate at P&G.”
What motivated you to apply for the role?
“I’ve always admired P&G as the world's largest consumer goods company and often using their brands and products as case studies in my degree. Their commitment to sustainability also resonated closely with me, as I am very passionate about the environment and helping local communities.
I was attracted to the Marketing Graduate scheme in particular after being given clarity about the specific roles within marketing from my Business Mentor, who also works as a brand manager in a similar line of work to this role. I am keen to utilise both my strategic and creative talents alongside my love for learning and consumer psychology to help deliver fantastic brands as part of P&G.”
How did Bright Network help you secure your role?
“The deadline tracker was an invaluable way for me to manage my time and my application progress. Additionally, the search graduate jobs function and filters helped me conduct a focused search of new opportunities as soon as they became available.”
What have you learnt from going through the process?
“I’ve learned the value of perseverance and a growth mindset throughout this process. I was surprised by how much competition there is for top graduate jobs, with some stretching into thousands of applications. However, it is important to remember that someone will be hired at the end of it all, and taking the time and effort to complete a strong application, rather than trying to rely on AI as many people have done, will help you stand out amongst a crowd of people who don't want that job as much as you!”
What are your tips for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
“I would advise future grads to practice, practice and practice some more. I thought that having the perfect CV and cover letter would be enough to secure me a great job, but while they are definitely still important, you have to treat the application process like a module you might study at uni, with lots of different assessment types you need to pass. It's key that all elements of your application are strong!
Secondly, job applications are a balance between quantity and quality. While it is important to apply to a broad range of roles to maximise your chances of securing a role I would advise people to spend significant time on opportunities that you really care about.
Finally, my best advice in the application process came from my Durham University Women in Business Society mentor (if your uni has the option to get a mentor, DO IT!). Ahead of an assessment centre, I asked her what I needed to do to prove I was better than everyone else going for this job. She asked me to reconsider my mindset, and focus on showing up as my best self instead. By being authentically myself and highlighting my niche and unique skills, I was able to relax and perform well.”
Tell us about the future. What's next?
“I'm most excited to take ownership and responsibility for my first brand, learning about our customers and their needs. I'm also excited to build relationships with a diverse range of colleagues around the business, learning from their expertise and ultimately creating exciting and innovative products for consumers to love."
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