Getting into the FMCG sector is tough; there is no two ways about that. Training schemes are usually available at most of the major FMCG employers and although some companies have been hit harder than other in these times the industry as a whole remains buoyant. Starting salaries in the industry for graduates can range from £18,000 to £28,000, but after training this can rise to anything between £25,000 and £40,000.

Sales
This sector looks for the genuinely action-oriented, not those who want to postulate and theorise. If you’re prepared to take a focused, pragmatic approach then in the FMCG industry you should find opportunity, responsibility and fast growth. It’s not an easy career choice by any means, but if you have a hunger for tangible success then you’ll get rewards. You’ll need the ability to continually evaluate and change your approach, working with your customers to the benefit of all concerned. In return expect long-term opportunities both nationally and internationally.

Marketing
If you’re obsessed by process then this career path is not for you. Marketing is about innovation and quick thinkers who can spot opportunities and challenge the status quo with be highly valued. This industry needs people with passion for consumer understanding. If you can also bring resilience, pragmatism and an entrepreneurial spirit then companies in this sector can offer you a clear career path within world-class marketing functions.

Research and Development
A proven scientific or engineering background is a must. If your experience is in FMCG or healthcare, then so much the better. The focus here can very between being orientated more on development than pure research or visa versa. You have to want to apply your technical skills to developing new products that bring real consumer benefits. Flexibility is a key quality, as is a willingness to step away from the lab or workshop and enjoy exposure to the whole product lifecycle. In fact in an ideal graduate programme you should expect considerable business exposure - both cross-category and cross-country. To ensure you thrive in this environment, commercial acumen is also vital along with the confidence to champion your ideas to achieve success.

Information Services
To be a success in IS takes the kind of person who not only makes a strong impact on others, but has the potential to keep building on it. The best people in the best companies don’t hide in back rooms - they quickly get themselves known in every corner of the business. Confident and innovative, you’ll thrive on challenges, gain support for solutions, and always follow through to delivery. Analytical ability is crucial - you’ll always be able to balance the technical challenge against the business benefits it will deliver. With this impressive combination, you’ll not only fit straight in, but your hard work, consistency and commitment will pay off with international travel and global exposure.

Finance
The people who join the most successful companies in a finance role are best-in-class. Robust, responsible and focused, they have impressive technical ability matched by full accountancy qualifications (where they are the country norm). To join them you will need to bring a keen attention to detail without losing sight of the bigger, commercial picture. Being responsible is good, being risk-averse is not. You’ll be able to share your ideas even with non-technical audiences, and drive real business insights. You’ll relish debate, think creatively, thrive on challenge and have the ability to take decisive action. After all, many FMCG’s companies are FTSE 100 companies, and they will expect their finance professionals to have the appropriate stature and potential.

Supply Chain
Here you will find a global team of creative specialists with a strong understanding of commercial operations and a correspondingly high degree of business skill. Companies will expect no less of those joining them. If you enjoy working at a fast pace and continually challenging yourself at the commercial coal-face of a world class organisation, consider working in supply chain in a fast moving consumer goods company. You’ll need to be adaptable, have a passion and ambition for self-improvement. In general, you’ll need some level of engineering degree, ideally coupled with an additional financial or business qualification.

Human Resources
The most important traits you can bring in this industry are commercial acumen, ability, and a desire to influence leaders. You’ll need to engage everyone from factory operators to finance directors, so creativity and an ability to put across your point based on logical reasoning are vital. Crucially however, your keen business sense will be balanced with a firm grasp of ‘the right thing to do.