What it does: Customised logistics and industry solutions
Staff stats: DHL has around 350,000 employees, about 40,000 of whom work at 400 DSC sites around the world
The good bits: Excellent professional development opportunities
The not so good bits: Long hours
Hiring grads with degrees in: Engineering, Maths, IT & Computer Sciences; Finance, Accounting, Economics & Business Administration; Health & Medical Sciences; Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences; Law & Legal Studies; Property & Built Environment; Sciences; Teaching, Education & Human Welfare.
In the late 1960s, a California law student called Larry Hillblom got a part-job working as a courier for an insurance company. After graduating, he decided to start his own courier company and convinced two friends, Adrian Dalsey and Robert Lynn, to partner with him. In 1969, DHL (an acronym of Dalsey, Hillblom and Lynn) was launched. It soon became a successful, challenging industry incumbents such as FedEx and UPS. Between 1998-2002, Deutsche Post AG, a German courier company and postal service, acquired and absorbed DHL, and was re-branded Deutsche Post DHL. The DHL brand is divided into four business units. They are: DHL Global Forwarding, DHL Freight, DHL Global Mail and DHL Supply Chain (DSC). Like its counterparts in 220 other countries, the Australian DSC “provides customised logistics and industry solutions in the areas of supply chain management, warehousing, distribution, value-added services, and lead logistics provider services”. DSC is now the global logistics leader and counts many of the world’s biggest companies as its customers. Deutsche Post DHL Group had revenues of €3.5 billion in 2016.
DHL defines promoting diversity as “creating an inclusive working environment in which all colleagues/associates [i.e. staff] can fulfil their potential without artificial barriers”. DHL aspires to have a diverse workforce and drives a high performing and engaging environment for their employees.
DHL aims to be a good corporate citizen. It has a global ‘GoGreen’ program. This seeks to increase carbon efficiency by 50 per cent (on 2007 levels) by 2025, encourage the use of bicycles and electrical vehicles for deliveries and partner with environmental groups to plant one million trees each year.
It has a ‘GoHelp’ program that sees it partnering with the UN to deliver supplies to regions affected by natural disasters. It’s ‘GoTeach’ encourages employees to share their time and skills to improve the education and employability of disadvantaged young people. Over the last decade, DHL has partnered with Surf Life Saving organisations throughout Australia providing uniforms, funding for equipment and other cash support.
DHL offers a 24-month graduate program which involves both corporate and operational experience. Those doing the program are given project-oriented assignments in different departments and get “valuable hands-on experience working in the Supply Chain environment”. Grads also have the opportunity to develop their business skills and gain “functional knowledge of the supply chain and logistics industry”.
DHL seeks “motivated and talented graduates who will add value to the future development of DHL Australia”. While having studied logistics and supply chain management is helpful, DHL is eager to recruit ACEs. That is candidates who are Ambitious, Confident and Enthusiastic about the opportunities on offer at DHL.
While the application process for DHL positions varies depending on the role, location and business area, you can expect to go through all or most of the following steps. First, you’ll need to fill in an online application after finding an appropriate role on the company website’s job page. If your application matches the requirements of the role you’ll be invited to do a telephone interview. This will allow DHL to “further assess your abilities and gain a better sense of who you are”. If that goes well, you’ll be invited in for a face-to-face interview. After that, you’ll have to attend an assessment centre. There you will take part in team exercises and individual practical challenges and meet with senior staff.
On the information available, it seems DHL pays better than industry-average salaries along with access to many generous customer discounts but doesn’t offer many more benefits other than this.
DHL aims to please its customers by offering quality services and satisfy its employees by providing an “array of exciting opportunities”. Those doing the grad program, like all DHL staff, are encouraged to develop themselves professionally. DHL runs a well-resourced online learning portal called My Talent World. It also encourages staff to do training and achieve certification in areas such as health and safety, leadership and management, and foreign languages, as well as operational and soft skills. DHL claims to have an excellent performance management system. One that recognises a staff member’s potential and continuously plans “the development of your career with you”.
DHL promises staff they will “be part of a strong team that respects its employees, society and the environment”. If you perform competently you can expect to treated well, which is what most current and former staff report happening.
"Become a DHL Supply Chain Graduate. A career that will stimulate, reward and motivate you like no other.
We provide challenges and opportunities for personal and professional development. We recognise the difference you bring to our business, and together we share the pride of building THE logistics company for the world.
DHL Supply Chain provides customised logistics and industry solutions in the areas of supply chain management, warehousing, distribution, value-added services, and lead logistics provider services for our customers – helping them deliver better results every day. DHL is proud to be the global logistics leader working with many of the world’s leading brands as customers.
At DHL we understand that our greatest strength is our people. If you are looking for the opportunity to forge a career in an environment of inspiration, leadership, values, passion and opportunity then this could be the role for you.
The DHL Supply Chain Graduate Program is a 24-month program where our Graduates will gain both corporate and operational experience. We offer a project-oriented role with interactions between the different departments within the organisation to gain valuable hands-on experience working in the Supply Chain environment."