1) Online application: CV + optional motivation letter + numerical test + logic test
2) Telephone interview to check language skills; 2 questions in Dutch (Sustainability is very important to Unilever; pick a brand for which you would set up a marketing campaign around sustainability. If you were to be selected, how would you prepare?) and 2 questions in French (Why do you want to work in FMCG? What are your strengths?). Not the content of the answers but the level of both languages was evaluated. I was called several days beforehand to schedule this language test, but other applicants were asked to take the test without warning.
3) Interview at the Unilever office. Competency-based. The interview went well, it was easy to connect with the interviewer. You can easily prepare for this, just look over the Standards of Leadership.
4) Assessment center; this was an entire day. First part was individually solving two cases and then presenting the answers to Unilever employees. First case was general, second was specifically about marketing. This was very intense, but doable. However, while presenting the answers, they will ask you extra questions, which makes the exercise more difficult. Next, you had to give a 30-minute pitch. The questions were given to me two weeks before my assessment center, and included: Which Unilever brand will be successful in two years and why, and how can the marketing be improved to make the brand perform even better? What will you contribute to Unilever's success in five years? Which new product/brand would you launch into the market? What is purposeful leadership and what does it mean to you? The pitch itself is not too hard as you have more than enough time to prepare, however, they will ask additional questions, and some of these will have nothing to do with the four questions you had to prepare. The day concluded with a group discussion.
