I have been with the company for almost 7 years, starting out in TA as a recruitment partner in Product Supply, the manufacturing part of Novo, after graduating from CBS in 2010 with a master’s degree in HRM. I have been working with the graduate programmes for the last 4 years. In my current role in Early Talent & Outreach I’m responsible for creating a world class graduate programme.
➔ Hiring! Novo Nordisk are hiring graduates right now. Click here for more details on the programme.
I’m the graduate programme manager of IO Finance with 8 graduates reporting to me. The responsibilities evolve around managing all aspects of the graduate activities ensuring operational excellence within recruitment, talent development, workshop facilitation, development through 1:1’s and rotation planning & retention in partnership with LoB.
What is the story of the graduate programme?
The graduate programme was established in 1999 and is today our flagship talent programme enriching our company capabilities by developing tomorrow’s key people. New programmes are strategically established to meet future workforce planning challenges. Until now, 313 graduates have been through the programmes and 234 are still with us today! Almost 50 % holds a managerial position – incl. our current CEO.
The programme will see some changes in the recruitment process this year, where the applicants will be met with a much more digitized universe. That includes a virtual assessment center, in which the applicants will solve cases, play games together and much more. The activities emphasize our focus on teamspirit – we want to make sure that future graduates can work well together with others.
Why do you have a graduate programme?
The objective of having a graduate programme is to strengthen the pipeline of potential future managers and specialists within Novo Nordisk, and to attract, recruit and retain young graduates who have the potential to grow into key positions in the future. This is done by selecting skilled and motivated newly graduates from the best universities and advancing them through a demanding 2-year programme, which provides them with increasingly challenging tasks and a strong professional network. The graduate programme offers the opportunity of a fast learning track working in three different areas and 2-3 different countries, gaining know-how and skills within Market and Business understanding, Commercial Operations, Finance & Systems and Project Management. The graduates are, if succeeding, expected to be key contributors to Novo Nordisk after the programme with the potential to take up key positions in the future. The Global Business Processes, Global Market Access and Global Marketing Graduates can take on positions across the value chain and in- or outside of Denmark.
What kind of graduates are you trying to attract?
The graduates we are looking for are curios, bold, ambitious talents from all over the world. We are especially looking for diversity when we hire. 90 % of the graduates we hire are internationals, hence coming from outside of Denmark. Furthermore, it is important that they are good team players. The emphasis on cooperation in the graduate programme plays a significant role.
The best thing about the programme?
The development of the graduates is highly prioritized in Novo Nordisk and below are five things that future graduates can expect through their time with our company:
90 % of the graduates we hire are international, and Novo Nordisk offer relocation package and VISA. You will be part of a global and diverse graduate family. You will be accommodated all together in a something we call the “Graduate house” at Østerbro, where they enjoy a social life with other graduates. It has developed into a strong community, smoothing the transition into life as a graduate at Novo Nordisk.
Areas where you are still trying to improve the experience?
We are trying to align all graduate programme tracks – so all graduates go through the same journey. Then we are also looking into whether we can offer the graduates permanent positions from the beginning. This is not the case in all tracks right now.
Fun fact about your graduate programme?
Our CEO started his journey in Novo Nordisk as a graduate. This day today he is a very important ambassador of the graduate programme, he’s there on their first day at Novo Nordisk to welcome them and he is very passionate about the programme.
Novo Nordisk offers 36 Global Graduate job opportunities in 2021 in Denmark, Poland, Turkey, Serbia, Gulf Cluster, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, South Korea, Australia, Mexico, Colombia and Brazil! Posted from 17 November – 6 January. Find more information and all the positions here: Novo Nordisk Graduate Programme
