Interviewing at Mars? Aim higher. You can probably do better.
Pros
*Large business: Mars was founded over 100 years ago and has grown into one of the largest family-owned businesses in the world. For many Associates, this represents the opportunity to work with large brands and big budgets.
Cons
*Child Labor and other inconsistencies with The Five Principles I suggest you do a Google search for "Cocoa's child laborers - Washington Post" and familiarize yourself with the extent to which Mars has profited from child labor. Other facts that go against the Mars PR (see Mars.com for a taste of the Kool-Aid): "Diversity": the business is led by a 100% White, 100% European, male-dominated (only 1 woman) Mars Leadership Team. "Progressive culture": the concept of intersectionality is foreign at Mars; I have literally never heard that word uttered in my 9+ years at this organization. Other words that I have yet to hear ONCE: transgender, non-conforming, non-binary, queer; you get the point. Self-organized, budget-free Employee Resource Groups wil be the only space where you will hear any discussions on race and gender - if at all. Of course, without serious support from Leadership the impact of ERGs is negligible. --- *Cultish organizational culture Associates are force-fed "The Five Principles", "The Associate Concept" and other hollow concepts. You WILL learn them, you WILL repeat them and you WILL clap and smile when Sr. Leaders name drop them. Outside of newsletters and townhalls, you WILL NOT see them mentioned anywhere else (e.g. day to day conversations within your team, your performance review, critical decision-making conversations, etc.) so don't worry too much about them as they are not really used or understood, only referenced. --- *Favoritism Talent decisions are ridiculously biased and favor those that look and act like those that call the shots (see comment on Mars Leadership Team above). In other words, if you expect your hard work, talent and effort to be fairly recognized regardless of your internal network, relationshis with influential Sr. Leaders and ability to "fit in", STAY AWAY.
