FAQ – GROW-Programm

GROW is an acronym for “Graduate Opportunities Worldwide”.

During the GROW program, you work on an array of projects and get to know several divisions and functions within a short amount of time. As a result, you gain a broad overview that will give a boost to your future career. The program also helps you form a wide network within the company. But in direct entry – that means, applying for one of the positions shown in our job listings – you commit yourself to a specific area of the company from the very beginning.

The number of positions available each year is based on the divisions’ specific personnel requirements. In 2011, 25 to 30 graduates will be hired and trained to become specialists and managers in the Group. Applicants can seek positions in Marketing & Sales incl. Market Research, Operations, Leadership Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Projektmanagement IT, Business Development / Strategy and Innovations.

It depends on which program you select. On your application, you will choose between two different graduate programs that we offer under the GROW umbrella: The national GROW program is conducted solely in Germany. The international GROW program includes a stay of 5 months in another country. Both programs’ concepts and schedules are comparable.

On your application, you will choose a functional area, e.g., Marketing & Sales incl. Market Research, Operations, Leadership Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Projektmanagement IT, Business Development / Strategy and Innovations. During the program, you will get to know some of the other functions as well.

The salary is comparable to the graduate salaries of other international companies.

The goal of the GROW program is to develop future functional specialists and executives. As a graduate, you will be offered individual career-development opportunities, including tailor-made projects, training courses and coaching. In the end, your job performance will be the determining factor of your future career opportunities.

The GROW program is open to students of all fields of studies, especially for graduates who graduated in Logistics, Business Administration and Business Informatics.

The program is designed for students who have earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as those who have the German Diploma.

Definitely. The graduate program is designed for graduates and people who have just started their careers.

Yes, you can apply even if you do not have any international experience for the national program in Germany. International experience such as internships, attendance of foreign universities or student exchanges is required for the international program.

We expect your English-language skills to be good or very good. Of course, every additional foreign language you have will open up other international opportunities in the company. If you are applying for the national program in Germany, you should also have a very good knowledge of German.

To take part in the GROW program, you should have at least 12 weeks of professional experience.

The GROW program is designed for university graduates and people just starting their professional careers. There is no specific age limit.

You can only apply online for the GROW program. The application process starts in February each year. During the application period from February till mid of March, you will find the online application form on the
GROW information pages here in our career portal.

First, you fill out the online application form. During the application period – that is, middle of February till mid of March each year – you will find the form on the GROW information pages here in our career portal. In a multi-step process, selected candidates are invited to an online assessment center. If you successfully pass this assessment, we will conduct a telephone interview with you. The best applicants will then be invited to an assessment center in May in Bonn. You will find a detailed explanation of the selection process on the GROW information pages.

The graduate program begins on Oct. 1 each year. The application period starts in February each year and lasts about two months. On the GROW information pages you can register your personal data, and we will notify you by e-mail as soon as the application period begins.

On the online application form, you must select a functional area. You are welcome to put down other areas in which you are also interested.

The trainee program lasts for 18 months. You will work on three different projects during this period. On the GROW information pages in our career portal, you will find a detailed description of the program schedule.

Good support is very important to us: Your individual graduate program will be overseen by an experienced personal mentor who will support you during the entire program. He or she will provide you with regular feedback about your work performance and your future growth potential. Your mentor will also help you with your personal career planning, e.g. finding a position within the company after the program.

Yes, you will attend three training courses where you will learn the fundamentals of your future job: process improvement, project management and leadership & communications.

While working as a GROW participant, you will have many opportunities to create a personal network that will assist your job search. Your mentor will help you as well. He or she already has many contacts and knows just what the company’s needs and requirements are.

As a general rule, we would like to offer all GROW graduates a job contract after the program – after all, we optimally prepare our graduates for a position within the company. Of course, your enthusiasm and performance during the program will determine whether you are offered a position and in which area. In the past, every GROW trainee has received a job offer.