“Get comfortable being uncomfortable”.  A quote I was given while interning during my junior year of college.  Although I did not fully understand the true meaning of this quote, I quickly learned what it meant shortly after becoming a sales analyst at RB. 

Just when you think you’ve got a hold on a given system, report, database, etc. POOF! it changes!  A perfect example is our current integration to a new system from the traditional database we have used for consumer consumption and market share data.  During the six months I have held my analyst position, I have finally mastered the ins/outs of the current system, and aqcuired tips and tricks to help automate my multiple reports and tracking tools.  Needless to say I was feeling pretty good about my skill set and competencies, until the announcement came that we are switching to a new system (an alternative to the recent Scanning Data). 

Obvious feelings of uncomfortablility quickly arose, but were shortly put to rest once I learned that I will be receiving in depth training on the system.  By the end of January I will aqcuire the skills that are necessary to utilize the new systems and run the same reports I was accustomed to. 

In short, at RB, and most major CPG companies, once you are comfortable in the day to day responsibilities of your position, it is very likely that you’ll be challenged to go outside of your comfort zone to learn a new skill that will help you in optimizing your daily tasks, value to the company, and ultimately your career progression.  This is true with my experiences at RB thus far.  Once I grasped the core responsibilities and skills needed to succeed as a pharamaceutical sales representative, I transitioned to a retail sales representative.  As I became comfortable performing the tasks in that position and built solid relationships with my customers, I became a sales analyst, working in our NA headquarters. 

At RB you are constantly challenged to go outside of your comfort zone which ultimately improves your skill set, knowledge of the industry and overall competencies.  If you think you’ve got what it takes to be challenged on a daily basis, make decisions that impact millions of dollars in sales, and have a voice that is heard, then I invite you to join the RB team so you too can “get comfortable being uncomfortable”

Endless column inches have been devoted to the likes of Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare etc. and the way we can use them to promote consumer brands while also expanding target audiences. Now, even one of our

most preferred search engine, Google, has entered the social media arena through Google+ , which leads me to wonder, how can WE – as newly graduates – use social networks to increase OUR professional identity?

Companies these days are using a variety of social networking tools to scan for eligible candidates. I, however, don’t mean that they are spying on us, tracking the every move that we make or even rejecting our application on the basis of our weekend photos or our musical taste. Yet, turning a blind eye to this technological development might not be the smartest thing to do. Integrating your professional identity into your social networks can indeed reap solid rewards.


There’s no point saying that there is a perfect recipe as to the exact things that must be written and shared in order to secure yourself a job. But with a little extra effort, you can leverage your resources to show more about yourself than the simple piece of text printed on your CV. However, going online with your professional identity is not only simply about uploading information about your degree, projects or professional experiences, but it can also mean expressing yourself through your hobbies whether that may be your photograph albums, your own short stories/poems, and even your creative ability in developing another online resume! Of course, presenting yourself in the right way without over-exaggerating your abilities is crucial too.

Expressing yourself through sports and photography?

Reckitt Benckiser is one of such firms that is highly interactive in the social media environment, as the blog you are reading now, to the Facebook, Youtube channel, LinkedIn and even Google+ can show. At RB, we like to think of ourselves as innovative and distinctive to our FMCG competitors’ cultures. So if you are considering applying for RB (or any other companies for that matter), maybe it will be worth thinking about creating your own “social resume” now!

P.S. Check out this very interesting infographic from Mashable with some really impressive figures about social media recruiting!

This is my first blog despite being nominated blogger for the last 3 months.  That’s because I’ve been so engrossed in my work!  I’ve been working on the Dettol Mission for Health campaign launch in Australia – have you seen it?

Basically the idea behind Mission for Health is all about doing more for the health of mum’s, their families and the community. It extends on our heritage as a germ kill brand, into a brand that is identified as the trusted champion of health, everyday.

It has been a fantastic campaign to work on because I’ve been exposed to lots of different areas of the marketing mix including an i360 media campaign engrossing TV, print & online mediums. From being the time keeper on set at our Morning Show shoots, to approving copy & visuals for our new Mission for Health website.

I have gained valuable insight into the marketing world in my first few months as Assistant Brand Manager on Dettol, which will become part of the building blocks in my future career. And it’s always such a buzz when the campaign goes live… nothing beats seeing your campaign on TV or in a magazine!

For me the highlight was being exposed to and working across several different mediums at once. That is what is fantastic about being a marketing graduate at RB, I was given real responsibilities on this campaign, and real exposure. So the next thing I’m looking forward to is working on my very first NPD (new product development) launch (but it is still a secret!), so…  Stay tuned…in the meantime if you would like an idea of some of the fun stuff I have had the opportunity to work on, visit www.dettol.com.au ”

I’ve been here at RB for just over 4 months now as part of my year’s placement; my experience so far has helped shape me in to a young professional with the hunger and drive to succeed. I decided an internship would be beneficial not only for the invaluable experience it provides, but to ensure I am as employable as possible once graduated. Reckitt Benckiser stood out from the rest because of its exciting, innovative approach to business not to mention its impressive portfolio of globally recognised brands.

So what does RB offer interns?

Right from the start I was immersed into the fast paced and vibrant working atmosphere, liaising with a diverse range of people across the globe on exciting and rewarding projects. I have gained an extremely valuable insight into the world of business and industry, helping me develop into a more organized, experienced and ambitious character.

Working on a broad range of tasks has allowed me to not only master my design techniques, but has provided me with the opportunity to learn many new topics such as intellectual property, finance and technology. Bold and entrepreneurial thinking is encouraged, which ensures all inputs are valued regardless of whom they are from. At RB they expect you to take ownership in your work and give you responsibility on all levels allowing you to use your initiative and creativity to achieve your goals and take pride in your work.

So if you’re looking for the best way to start a successful career with development, experience and responsibility, check out what opportunities there are for you.

Are you an intern starting out on the first rung of your career? Or are you looking for graduate opportunities and wondering how you’ll ever ‘make it’ in your chosen field? Well, everyone had to start somewhere.

Those at the top of the corporate tree have usually got there through hard work and dedication; a gradual ascent towards the top. From internships and grassroots jobs, many of the world’s most powerful CEOs started from very humble beginnings and found that knuckling down,  learning from their mistakes and building on the lessons learned to reach the top.
It’s about making the right decisions for you and laying down the building blocks to what will be your career path.
So I thought I would offer an insight into where 7 top CEOs started out – maybe your career path could mirror theirs?

1. Steve Ballmer, CEO Microsoft

After graduating from Harvard University, Steve (below) worked for two years as an assistant product manager at Procter & Gamble working on the ‘Coldsnap Freezer Dessert Maker’ and then the Moist N Easy snake cake.
He attended Stanford University Graduate School  of Business and then in 1980 took a leap of faith, quit school and joined Microsoft where he was offered a $50,000 salary and a share of the company – he was the first business manager hired by Bill Gates.

2. Steve Jobs, CEO Apple

Steve dropped out of college after just one semester to become a technician at the games company Atari.
However, while he was still at school he took an internship at Hewlett-Packard where he met an engineer called Steve Wozniak, who would later play a great influence in his career!
Steve travelled to India and upon his return he rejoined Atari where he teamed up with Wozniak to help design a circuit board for a new game.
And in 1976 they founded Apple.

3. Indra Nooyi, CEO PepsiCo

Indra (right) is a prime example of how hard work can really pay off. She kicked off her career in India where she held product manager positions at Johnson & Johnson and a textile firm. She entered Yale School of Management where she took a summer internship with Booz & Company . After graduating she joined the Boston Consulting Group and held positions at Motorola and Asea Brown Boveri.
She joined PepsiCo in 1994 and made her mark throughout her time there until in 2007 she was named the fifth CEO in PepsiCos 44-year history.

4. Robert Iger, CEO Walt Disney Company

After graduating with a degree in television and radio, Robert took a job as a weatherman for a local TV station.
He went on to join ABC and rose through the ranks there until being named president of the ABC Network Television Group in 1993.
ABC was bought out by Walt Disney Company and, after climbing through the ranks once again, in 2005 he was named CEO of Walt Disney Company.

5. Alan Mulally, CEO Ford Motor Company

After leaving college, Alan was hired by Boeng as an engineer. He held a number of engineering and programme management roles, working his way up the ranks until he became Vice President of the company. He continued to climb up through the ranks until in 2006 he switched to Ford Motor Company to become their CEO.

6. Jim Skinner, CEO McDonald’s Corporation

Jim didn’t graduate from college but spent 10 years in the US Navy. He started his career with McDonald’s as a restaurant manager trainee. He went on to hold various management positions until in 2004 he was made CEO.

7. Bart Becht, CEO Reckitt Benckiser

After studying economics and management studies in The Netherlands, and gaining an MBA in America, Bart (below) worked for Procter & Gamble in the US and in Germany. He joined Reckitt in 1988 as a general manager in Canada, Britain, France and Italy and became Chief Executive Officer of Reckitt Benckiser in 1999.

If you’re looking to start a career somewhere that’s fast moving and challenging and gives your ambition a clear path forward, check out the RB careers site to see how you could shine here.