KICK-START YOUR CAREER WITH US
GRADUATE TRAINEES
You are familiar with the theory from your degree – are you now ready to gain the practical experience that will prepare you for working life? Do you already have some practical experience? Are you motivated, dedicated, and eager to take on responsibility?
Then CHG-MERIDIAN is the right place for you! You will play a role in our continued success – our TrailS graduate trainee program is the perfect start to a successful career in sales.
GRADUATE TRAINEE FOR SALES (TRAILS) – CAREER SPRINGBOARD FOR SALES TALENTS
Do you want to lay the foundations for a career in sales in an innovative and international company? Are you motivated, dedicated, do you have strong communication and sales skills and are you keen to prove yourself in the sales department of a successful company? Then join our team!
October 1st, 2023 marks the start of the new round of our TrailS (Trainee for Sales) trainee program, which enables talented individuals to lay the foundations for their successful future in sales at CHG-MERIDIAN. The focus of the 15-month program is on getting to know all the company's divisions and business models as well as building up one's own network. Experienced sales colleagues and trainers will accompany, support and encourage you throughout the program, ensuring the transfer of ideas, know-how and experience. Following the TrailS trainee program, your career will begin in one of our regionally organized sales teams as a Junior Account Manager.
Applications for the graduate trainee program commencing on October 1st, 2023 may be submitted online from now on.
BENEFITS FOR CHG-MERIDIAN GRADUATE TRAINEES:
- Training "on the job": Learning by doing - 15 months of intensive knowledge transfer on sales-relevant operating procedures, business models, software tools and soft skills
- Off-the-job training: expand your skill set with the help of our inhouse Global People Development department
- Mentor: regular interaction with a dedicated point of contact
- Sponsor: learn from an experienced sales professional
- Trainee guide: support for your learning success
- Feedback system: open dialog
- Management attention: get to know our senior management
- Team: experience true teamwork
- Personal development: advanced training through our in-house Global People Development Department, individual career advancement and targeted development of your personal strengths
- Intercultural awareness: Project-related foreign assignment in a subsidiary
NO MORE BEING THROWN IN AT THE DEEP END
“Out of university, and straight into sales. My career got off to a flying start. Just one day after submitting my bachelor’s thesis on the cooperation between CHG-MERIDIAN’s international subsidiaries, I started my graduate trainee program at the Company’s headquarters in Weingarten. From the very beginning, I was mentored by one of the most experienced senior key account managers in the Industry team, who took me to appointments with customers. I learned a lot just by watching him. But of course you don’t learn to sell just by watching. You also need to practice and try things out for yourself. As trainees, we are allowed to play an active part very early on. But, thanks to our mentors, we never feel like we’ve been thrown in at the deep end.”
Selina Butz, former graduate trainee on the Industry team, now an Internal Sales representative, Weingarten office
LEARNING HOW TO DO IT PROPERLY
”Sales is fun! I first discovered this during my apprenticeship in business. My previous work experience meant that I could have jumped straight into a junior sales position at any company. But having now completed the first few months of my training, I know that the decision to join the TrailS program was the right one. It’s the perfect way for me to familiarize myself with my new focus industry – I’m in the Public team – and with our business model. Digitalization is a real opportunity for public-sector organizations. However, budget restrictions, mandatory procurement policies, and increasing legal requirements also present them with major challenges. So you need a lot of specialist knowledge to create a customized business concept. The two-year graduate trainee program gives me the time and opportunities I need to learn how to do this properly.”
Jomo Zander, trainee on the public team, Munich office
A CHAT WITH TRAINEES FOR SALES
THREE REPORTS ON JOINING CHG-MERIDIAN!
Why did you choose the trainee program in the field of Sales?
Jomo Zander:
“Everyone immediately associates sales with selling, selling, selling. But sales is about much more than that.
Sales is extremely multifaceted. To be successful, you need a high level of negotiating skill, strong communication skills and extensive specialist knowledge. Whether in discussions with existing customers or when winning new customers - these skills are essential for addressing and handling every customer in the right way.
And it’s precisely these skills that we have the opportunity to develop during our extensive trainee program with trainings provided by our internal HR-Academy, workshops and coachings. We also do a lot of “learning on the job”, with support from our mentors and a wealth of tips and tricks.
The chance to gain useful insights was one of a key reasons I applied to take part in TrailS at CHG-MERIDIAN.”
What defines sales for you?
Maximilian Leppert:
“I see sales representatives as the top athletes in the economy.
As mentioned before, the main task is, of course, sales. But - just like in sport - you have to have a wide range of skills and combine them to be successful. You have to be able to read the person you are dealing with, for example, be able to analyze situations and quickly develop an understanding for the problem. Determination and hunger to succeed are also essential, just like in sport. And this is precisely the challenge we face.”
Has CHG-MERIDIAN fulfilled your expectations so far?
Selina Butz:
“In short: Yes.
After a compact induction at the headquarters in Weingarten, we spent the first three months in Internal Sales at our relevant sites. During this time, we learned about the business model of CHG-MERIDIAN and the processes behind it.
After the period in Internal Sales, each trainee was assigned an experienced mentor. We worked with our mentors on our first projects. These included all activities relevant for sales, from customer analysis and acquisition, finding solutions, creating quotations and completing contracts.
Our individual development is also supported by various trainings in the internal Global People Development department on topics such as presentation training, holding successful sales discussions and the mathematics of finance. The fact that all trainees come together regularly in trainings and the regular exchanges in telephone conferences also enables us to stay in close contact even across different sites and to share our experiences in sales.
We are currently organizing our three-month assignment abroad in one of our international subsidiaries, which we are looking forward to immensely. I’m off to Vimercate, close to Milan.”
ANY QUESTIONS?
If you would like more information about starting your career at CHG-MERIDIAN or about our trainee programs, please get in touch.
Christiane Mutschler
Global Lead People & Culture - People Development
- CHG-MERIDIAN AG
- Franz-Beer-Straße 111
- 88250 Weingarten
- + 49 751 503 356
- christiane.mutschler@chg-meridian.com
