Graduate interview: Christian - Project worker in POS marketing
12/31/2024After graduating with a degree in Media Communication (B.Sc.), Christian found a job at the EDEKA Group North Bavaria-Saxony-Thuringia as a project employee in POS marketing, having already worked there as a student trainee. In his work, he creates radio advertising for regional and national campaigns and coordinates the implementation with media agencies. Part-time jobs, internships and university offers such as alumni contributions and guest lectures were particularly helpful for him in gaining practical experience. From his studies, he primarily utilises project management as well as time and self-management in his day-to-day work.
What did you study at the University of Würzburg?
B.Sc. Media Communication
What is your current job?
I am currently working as a project employee in POS marketing (POS = point of sale).
Which company/employer do you work for?
EDEKA Group North Bavaria-Saxony-Thuringia.
What are your tasks?
My tasks are the planning, production control and distribution of advertising measures at the POS, as well as the creation of regional and national radio advertising, including conception, sound recording and forwarding to media agencies.
How did you orientate yourself professionally during and after your studies?
During my studies, I recognised which topics I was particularly interested in and then specifically looked around for suitable companies and professional fields.
Did you make use of certain university services (e.g. Career Centre, alumni office, mentoring programme, guest lectures, etc.) for career guidance?
The alumni contributions from the Career Centre gave me interesting insights into what a professional career could look like after graduation. Guest lectures in lectures/seminars were also very interesting in order to get an impression of different professions.
How did you find out about the position you applied for? Is there a particular portal that you could recommend to students in the future?
As I was already working as a student trainee in the company at the end of my studies, I became aware of the vacancy via the internal job adverts. However, I would recommend Indeed, Stepstone and even LinkedIn to graduates, as there are numerous jobs advertised in different areas.
What was your application process like and what was the timeline from first contact to acceptance?
After applying online, I was invited to an interview by telephone. As the interview was considered positive by both sides, I was invited to a trial working day to get an idea of the job and the team. After this also went well, I received a telephone confirmation of the position. The whole process took about 5 weeks.
Were there any questions in the interview that you didn't expect? If so, which ones?
I can't think of any unexpected questions off the top of my head. It helped me to research typical questions from job interviews online in advance so that I could prepare myself.
Which skills from your degree programme are helpful or essential for your current job?
One particularly important skill is project management, supplemented by time and self-management. These skills help me to solve problems efficiently to ensure that projects run smoothly.
How did you acquire additional skills (e.g. workshops and seminars, internships, part-time job, clubs, voluntary work, trainee, further training, etc.)?
During my studies, I completed further training on "Agile Project Management". This helped me to better coordinate projects and keep an overview. My internship and part-time job also helped me to strengthen my analytical thinking.
What advice can you give students for successful preparation for future job interviews?
You should take a closer look at the requirements of the position and compare them with your own skills and experience. In this step, you can work out your own strengths that are an advantage for the position and emphasise your suitability for the job. You should also familiarise yourself with the company and its structure in advance.
Do you have any general tips for professional orientation and career planning?
It is advisable to complete internships and part-time jobs during your studies. This allows you to get a taste of potential professions and gain personal and professional experience. It is also helpful to take advantage of offers from the Career Centre, as these can help with career orientation.
What do you recommend to students who want to work in your sector or profession?
It is important to familiarise yourself with current developments and trends in the marketing and media sector so that you can integrate them into your everyday working life. As marketing has many interfaces with other areas, enjoying teamwork and exchanging ideas with colleagues is an important prerequisite.
