KONE International Trainee Program – I am in!

In spring 2010 I got a great opportunity to participate in KONE International Trainee Program (ITP). I will be glad to write there several words about this program.

ITP is a program for best students & young specialists, who would like to successfully start their career  in the international company. KONE offers a wide range of areas there a young specialist can get a position – from IT to marketing & sales.

After I got a confirmation, KONE HR manager responsible for selection of candidates in 2010 told me that she had got about 1.200 resumes & CV during the selective period. There were only 16 positions for students, so it is very easy to calculate that for each position there were about  75 resumes in average.

On one hand this number is not so big, but on the other hand each student realizes how it is difficult to find any good internship position if you have no work experience.

ITP – When & how to apply?

At my University (Graduate School of Management, Saint Petersburg State University, Russia) each master’s students have to get a 3-months summer internship.  It is highly recommended if the company is an international one.  So I started to look for any student positions in international companies right after the New Year 2010.

KONE was the first company where I sent my resume & CV (first days of February, 2010). In my resume I wrote about all my certificates, studies abroad, languages, etc. Everything as usual. The most common problem for students who looks for an internship is that you have not so many things to write in the resume. My advice is the following: write about your academic achievements (languages, studies abroad, certificates, good grades, etc.).

After that I got a reply that my resume should be considered in the nearest future (“…Thank you for your application and interest in KONE…”).

Then many-many interviews…

The next mail was only in April. HR Manager invited me for the ITP interview by phone. I remember that interview lasted about 1 hour; and there were some general questions like questions about my education, work experience, expectations from this program, etc. HR manager was very friendly & polite, so it was not difficult to speak with her. Actually, it was very interesting. The only advice there – tell the truth!

There were many other interviews with KONE after the first one. Each next discussion contained more and more detailed questions. Finally, I got the job offer only in May.

Advices

There I will write several advices for whose students who would like to take part in ITP selection:

1. Describe all your related academic & professional achievements in the resume;
2. If you have an experience of studying-working abroad, write about it;
3. Do not afraid interviews. Do not lie to HR manager!
4. Practice your English & other languages;

Results

Now I am working at KONE & living in Brussels. Actually, it is a great experience for me about which I even could not dream off! The team where I am currently working is very international – there are people from Finland, Belgium, Portugal, England, Russia, India, Italy, etc. I really like it! Each of these people is an experts in his/her area. You are constantly located in this professional environment applying your theoretical knowledge & getting new work skills.

ITP gives many possibilities for young specialists. My position is called Network Project Manager Assistant, and through 3 months at KONE I already got 4 my own international projects. I am responsible for them & try to do my best! ITP is a good start of my international career!

At KONE you should be a fast learner, read & listen a lot especially in the beginning of your internship. People around are very friendly, everybody tries to help you & answers your questions. Be patient & everything will be ok!