Question

Topic: Career/Training

How To Gain Cpg Experience

Posted by marina.tranvu on 5/25/2010 at 1:34 PM ET 250 Points
I'm looking to eventually get working within the marketing department of a CPG company. However, at the moment I am finding it difficult to do so as a recent graduate (with quite a bit of international marketing/agency experience, but nothing directly with CPG). I am currently working in an agency in media planning, but am finding it difficult to expose myself to any sort of work on CPGs. I was wondering if anyone knows of any way I can work with/learn more about marketing in the CPG industry OUTSIDE of work.

Thank you!
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RESPONSES

  • Posted on 5/25/2010 at 5:35 PM Accepted
    The short answer is "networking."

    Your best bet might be to identify a company near you that is in CPG and network to find someone at the company who will talk to you about what it's like to work there, what they look for in a new hire, what they like about their job, what they don't like, etc.

    Just get the information interview. Don't try to land a job, or even a real interview. Keep it informal, and ask if there's a way you can repay the favor.

    Another possibility is through an alumni network, if there is one. Perhaps some fellow alumni a few years ahead of you are already working in CPG, and they might agree to help out a fellow alum with a short interview. Or they may know someone who would.

  • Posted by marina.tranvu on 5/27/2010 at 9:24 AM Author
    Thank you for the suggestions! I have actually already gone the networking route. And while I find it is rewarding in putting me in touch with very knowledgeable individuals who can share insights on what it is like to work in an CPG environment, I don't feel that it really allows me to gain some REAL CPG experience. I am not looking exactly for a full-time job in a CPG firm at the moment as I am already working full-time at an agency. I was hoping that there might be possibilities to get some HANDS-ON exposure some way outside of work, or at least some way to gain applicable knowledge that would make me an attractive candidate to work in a CPG firm down the road.
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