Dila Yalman, Media, Content & Data Business Analyst at Diageo

Why did you choose to apply to a graduate role at Diageo?

I chose the D&T graduate role at Diageo to develop my career prospects as a future leader. I wanted to work at the intersection of consumer goods and data whilst receiving fundamental training, mentoring and leadership skills.

What do you wish you knew when you were applying to Diageo?

I wish I knew that to work in technology, you do not need inaccessible digital experience. All backgrounds can excel in D&T roles as long as they have a desire to learn and curiosity on how the business works.

Tell us about your experience as a graduate with Diageo? – what kind of support is offered, what is the culture like, etc.

The culture is incredible – everyone is motivated to support my personal growth and career development. I feel supported, challenged, and motivated. My line manager, mentor and buddy are available and keen to ensure my experience at Diageo is fulfilling and enjoyable.

Tell us about your current graduate role with Diageo? What’s the most exciting thing about it?

I am currently working as BA within the Consumer team in D&T. My role is cross-functional, supporting on the facilitation of the global marketing strategy across 15 key markets.

I interact with the marketing team, and the technical teams to gather feedback and push for adoption and improvement on our tech capabilities. This ensures everyone is utilising the tools to the best of their ability.

What skills/knowledge did you learn at university that you are now implementing in role?

My Economics degree enables me to leverage large amounts of data and present it in a digestible way. I can communicate data points to a variety of teams with ranging technical skills.

I have also worked in many team projects at university which equipped me with the collaborative skills to exceed in a Diageo environment.

Share your top 3 tips for someone looking to secure a graduate role.

1. Be yourself in the interview.
2. When talking about your previous work experiences, demonstrate how the skills you have gained will enable you to succeed in your prospective role.
3. Always ask questions about the company culture and demonstrate how your personal values align with the companies'.