Marian van Duijn and Hein de Rooi
"Because we are so closely involved in various processes within the company, we really feel the impact of our work."
At the Servicedesk of HeadFirst Group, people work every day with great pleasure and dedication to support our clients as well as possible. But what makes working at the Servicedesk so special? Hein de Rooi, team leader of the Servicedesk, and Marian van Duijn, an experienced team member who has been working at HeadFirst Group for over 21 years, tell you more.
The hub of the organization
The Servicedesk is more than just a department; it is the hub of our organization. As the first point of contact for clients and colleagues, the Servicedesk plays a crucial role in the functioning of HeadFirst Group. Hein says: "Our team has a very central role in the organization. Every day questions come in about almost everything that happens at Headfirst, we take care of quick follow-up of these questions and problems. This makes our work not only essential, but also very dynamic."
Marian adds: "Because we are so closely involved in various processes within the company, we really feel the impact of our work. We get a lot of what is going on and are often the first to notice when something changes. That gives our work an extra dimension and ensures that we always stay sharp and involved."
A team with a mission
Hein, who has led the team since December 2020, says, "My role is mainly about facilitating the team so that they can do their job as well as possible. It's about making sure the working conditions are optimal, so that everyone can fully focus on the customers." Marian adds: "The most important thing is that we are well matched as a team. We often work with a small team, and then it's important that you can rely on each other. That makes our work dynamic and challenging, but also a lot of fun."
A dynamic work environment
Marian talks about her long career at HeadFirst Group and how the organization has changed over the years, "When I started, we were a much smaller organization. Since then we have grown considerably and that brings new challenges. But that is precisely what makes it so interesting. There is always something new to learn and discover." Hein emphasizes the variety in the work: "The nice thing about the Service Desk is that you have to deal with all kinds of different questions. No day is the same, and you constantly have to switch gears and think creatively to find solutions."
A close-knit team
Working at the Service Desk requires good cooperation and communication within the team. Hein explains: "We have a close-knit team where everyone gets the space to voice their opinions. We appreciate it when team members come up with new ideas and actively think about how we can do things better. That keeps us on our toes and ensures that we continue to grow as a team."
Challenges and highlights
Of course, there are challenges, too. "Sometimes it's busy, and then you really have to put your shoulders to the wheel as a team," says Marian. "But that also gives a lot of satisfaction. When we look back at the end of a busy day and see that together we were able to help so many customers well, it really feels like a victory."
Hein adds, "The best thing about this work is that you can really make a difference. Whether it's a customer helping you with a simple question or someone who is really frustrated and not getting anywhere, it gives a good feeling when you can help someone further and that person hangs up the phone satisfied."
Why work at HeadFirst Group's Servicedesk?
When asked what makes working at HeadFirst Group's Service Desk so much fun, Marian replied, "The contact with people and the variation in the work make every day different. In addition, the atmosphere within our team is just really good. We have fun together, but also work hard to achieve our goals."
Hein concludes, "If you like a dynamic work environment where no day is the same, and you enjoy helping people, HeadFirst Group's Service Desk is the perfect place for you."
Also excited to get started at HeadFirst Group? Click here for the vacancies!
Karin Brizar
Personal approach in serving clients
With an impressive track record of 17 years, Karin Brizar, the Head of Operations, has earned her spurs at HeadFirst Group. A long time ago Karin started at FastFlex, but after several acquisitions she still feels like a fish in the water at HeadFirst Group after all these years.
The essence of her role
In simple terms, as Karin herself would put it, my department is "The hub of the organization." Her responsibilities include contract management and payroll, but her role extends beyond that. She ensures that HeadFirst Group's product of seamless external hiring for clients is taken care of to perfection.
Her mission is to ensure that all parties are satisfied, by providing clients and freelancers with the right information and acting as a reliable knowledge partner. The most enjoyable aspect of her job? The constant contact with a diverse group of people.
The secret of her team
Karin's team is her pride and joy. With nearly 30 full-timers and a nice mix of men and women. What makes it distinctive, according to Karin, is not only the diversity in age, but also the variation in personalities. The stability of the team is remarkable; the relationships between them have grown stronger and stronger.
Proud of progress
The past five years at HeadFirst Group have of course seen remarkable growth. Karin herself is very proud to be part of that development. "We have grown very large in recent years, growing with us and embracing the change I find that very beautiful. I am proud that I have been able to adapt and develop myself to go along with this change," Karin said.
These developments, despite the many years, of course, never make her job boring. Karin sees the constant change as a nice challenge on her personal development. She also praises and emphasizes the importance of adaptability within the team, especially given the company's rapidly changing environment.
With better and faster systems on the horizon, Karin is determined to maintain a personal approach in serving clients. She sees plenty of opportunities to take HeadFirst Group to new heights, with a focus on continuous improvement and client focus. For example, she states, "We have recently received better and better appreciation from our clients. We have worked hard on this for years and it is now paying off. I am proud that we have all managed to achieve this."
Job satisfaction at HeadFirst Group
What makes HeadFirst Group a great place to work? Karin describes it as a warm bath, where employees are embraced and encouraged to be the best they can be. The informal atmosphere, excellent facilities and emphasis on fun make it a unique workplace. At HeadFirst Group, it's not just about the work, but also about celebrating successes and continuing to invest in personal growth. "All this may sound a bit cliché, but it really does feel that way. A warm bath, where you are encouraged to get the most out of yourself."
Also excited to get started at HeadFirst Group? Click here for the vacancies!
Ton Sluiter
How HeadFirst Group is moving toward a data-driven future
From valuable insights to predictive analytics and serendipity
In this interview, colleague Ton Sluiter - Manager Data at HeadFirst Group since early 2023 - talks about his role, the work of the data team and his view of the future. And of course why he enjoys doing this for an organization like HeadFirst Group.
Data provides valuable insights
What does the work of a data team actually entail? "Our main task is to collect all the data that comes in and convert it into valuable insights," Ton begins. "This helps to optimize operations, both internally and externally. Whether generating reports for our relations or providing internal information to management, our goal is to improve the business."
Predictive analytics for the future
Ton reflects on the different stages in the maturity of a data-driven organization. Although he concludes that HeadFirst Group is already quite advanced, there are still steps to take. "While a company usually starts with collecting data and creating dashboards, we are now several steps further. We are currently in the data analytics phase, working toward predictive analytics and models that help with future business decision-making. We aim to generate more and more insights and become truly data-driven in all our processes."
Refining and serendipity
When asked what makes his work so fascinating, Ton responds enthusiastically. "Working with data is actually similar to refining: raw data comes in, is processed and eventually results in valuable insights. Along the way, we ourselves also learn every time. We not only collect data for its original purpose, but along the way we also discover unexpected applications. We call this serendipity. Data that was not intended for a specific purpose turns out to be valuable after all. It gives me energy when we can take customers or ourselves another step forward with this!"
Learning organization
Ton notes that HeadFirst Group is a learning organization. "There is a lot of room for individual development and innovation. We are increasingly developing into a data-driven organization, not only on the operational side, but for example in marketing, where we measure the effect of campaigns. We have grown quickly, but also have the ability to learn and implement new things quickly. I appreciate that drive enormously."
Finally, Ton reflects on the opportunities for advancement within the organization. "We have several examples of colleagues transferring to another position that at first glance does not seem the most obvious choice: from Recruitment to Data, from Contract Management to Account Management and from Facility to Legal. That really typifies and encourages this organization. Colleagues get - and seize - the opportunity to grow. That's great!"
Also excited to get started at HeadFirst Group? Click here for the vacancies!
Anja Antoni
A behind-the-scenes look at the multifaceted role of Office Assistant
Anja Antoni: a jack-of-all-trades employed by HeadFirst Group
Service was in Anja Antoni (60) from an early age. Even as a child she was energized by helping people around her and making them happy. Eventually she made it her job. Since two years Anja works as Office Assistant at HeadFirst Group. In this interview you can read her experiences and perspectives as receptionist, office manager, relationship manager, organizer and coordinator all in one.
Every day is different
Because, as it turns out, it is not so easy to describe her duties succinctly. "My daily tasks include an incredibly wide range of activities! Ranging from receiving visitors and giving tours to new colleagues, assisting at events, maintaining contact with surrounding companies and suppliers such as cleaning and catering, arranging hotel stays, managing goodies, making sure Christmas gifts are distributed and so on. Every day is different, and that's what makes the job so fascinating!"
Collaboration in the team and across locations
Anja sees several opportunities for the (near) future: "Currently I work with a great team, consisting of myself, our manager, an external colleague and two working students. That sounds like a lot, but I am convinced that despite the current effectiveness, we can achieve even more in fulfilling our various responsibilities."
Anja continues: "Where I also see growth opportunities is in the area of cooperation between our various locations. We are growing fast as a company and you notice that in the number of colleagues in the office. But because we have even more locations, working is not limited to one location. I think we can discuss with all office managers how we can collaborate even more between locations. For example, optimizing meeting rooms and sharing resources could be a step in the right direction."
Fantastic facilities at HeadFirst Group
Naturally, we are curious about what makes working at HeadFirst Group so special for Anja. "Working here means much more than just performing tasks. It's great to be involved in the growth of the company and to actively contribute to events and initiatives. It's nice how much space and freedom there is for everyone to think along. Ideas and initiatives are appreciated." Anja also calls the facilities in the building fantastic, from the gym to the theater with events. "But above all: the people are very approachable. There is an atmosphere of equality."
Space and freedom to contribute ideas
Full of pride, Anja explains the nice feeling she gets when she walks through the Hoofddorp office and looks at the facilities and the people who work there. "Every day is a new opportunity to make someone happy, whether it's a colleague stopping by with a question or arranging things for a visitor. It is this diversity that makes my job so fascinating."
Also interested in a job at HeadFirst Group? Click here for all vacancies.
Julie Brakenhoff
Making an impact as a Consultant Sourcing in a tight labor market
Julie Brakenhoff is MSP Consultant Sourcing at Staffing MS (part of HR-tech service provider HeadFirst Group). "From the moment I started here in April, I felt welcome," says Julie Brakenhoff. Previously, she worked in the insurance sector at Alicia, a partner of HeadFirst Group, and that is what eventually brought her here. The experience she has in sales, recruitment and HR matched perfectly with her current role. We asked how she experienced the first few months.
Julie can be found at the Staffing MS office in Hoofddorp every day. "Since I've only been employed for just two months, I've mainly been busy onboarding," she explains. "Now, after my onboarding, I am starting to get a good idea of the work. This is a new experience for me, as I previously worked mainly at startups. I notice, for example, that here the onboarding period is better organized. On the first day, we discussed the schedule and which training sessions I would attend and when," she says. "When you start here, you get the opportunity to take the Lean Yellow Belt training. I feel really well supported here."
What is your background?
Although her previous work was similar in some areas, she has no Consultancy experience. "In my previous work, I dealt with acquisition of new partners, who then sell insurance on their platforms, such as HeadFirst, for example. I also have some recruitment and HR experience, so I know how to put out certain requests."
What does an MSP Consultant Sourcing do?
One aspect of her job that Julie really enjoys is the contact with customers. "I regularly go over requests with clients. You get to know the customer better and better, and it's easy to ask each other questions or just send an app. Currently I am in the process of taking over a client and soon another one will be added," she explains. "I have regular meetings with managers about new assignments, I also assess applicants and send their information to the client. Furthermore, I do administrative tasks, such as processing changes in assignments, for example renewals or rate increases. If there are questions about renewals or new assignments, I give advice in that regard. I also regularly participate in consultations with various teams to improve the service where necessary."
What advancement opportunities do you see for yourself?
Asked about her future prospects within the company, Julie explains that she was initially looking for a junior scrum master position. "During the conversation with the recruiter, I indicated that I wanted to work at a tech company that has its own platform, like HeadFirst Group's Select," Julie explains. "That way I can develop myself further, because I find that incredibly interesting. During the job interview I mentioned that there are many aspects I like, and that factored into my choice. So I could grow into account management, business consultancy, or maybe a position within HeadFirst Group." Julie emphasizes that growth doesn't have to be only vertical. "Horizontal growth I also find interesting. I notice that there is definitely room for personal development here."
How is the cooperation within your team?
"Here I feel supported," she explains. "Of course I'm being inducted and I know what's expected of me, but it's also a combination of learning new things. And if a colleague is busy, we definitely jump in and support each other. At the moment I am being trained by Thomas and I can always approach him with questions. The cooperation within the consultant team is going really well, and I really like that."
What makes your work so enjoyable and distinctive?
Julie emphasizes the impact she can make in this tight job market, "It's nice to see that my efforts are ultimately going to help fill vacancies quickly." She describes the culture within Staffing MS as informal, professional and fun. "Of course we have parties and fun team activities that everyone can participate in, and regular events are organized. There is also a celebration every month where cake is treated from HeadFirst Group. Even though my label is in Rotterdam, a cake is also delivered in Rotterdam every month!"
Belinda Oudhoff
Going the extra mile and continuing to develop yourself
Belinda Oudhoff (52) has been working as an MSP Consultant Contracting at Staffing MS, (part of HR-tech service provider HeadFirst Group) for almost two years now. With her sales background and experience in various back office positions, she joined Staffing MS. "A whole new world opened up for me here. We take over the total hiring process of temporary staff for our clients." Belinda likes to tell us about how she always goes the extra mile so she can continue to develop herself.
What does an MSP Consultant Contracting actually do?
"As a Consultant Contracting, you are mainly concerned with forming and updating files for the assignments," Belinda says. "We take over the entire hiring process from our clients: we put the requests out in the market towards the suppliers and the professionals on our own platform. When there is an assignment, we set up the file. My job is to make sure the file is complete and that it stays complete. We also take care of invoicing, and for this, all files must also be in order on time according to legal requirements. We also provide first-line support, where we receive all kinds of questions from suppliers or self-employed persons without staff (ZZP'ers) or questions intended for other departments about payments, for example. I usually try to help the caller directly myself and then if I can't figure it out, I make a callback request. Everyone plays an important role in the process this way: Sourcing makes contact with the client to get the request and order in order, and Contracting makes sure the files get/stay in order and answers the first-line questions. There is no hierarchical difference because we all work together to get the job done, and that also makes it a lot of fun to work here."
How is the cooperation within your team?
"I really like the work atmosphere. There are six of us in the department and we work hard, but there is always room for a laugh. As contract manager, I have a lot of contact with Sourcing to make sure the job is complete. You have the opportunity to work both in the office and hybrid. Since I work part-time, I have one day off and one work-at-home day."
What makes your work so enjoyable?
"You can make the work as interesting as you want of course. For me, it's important that when that space is available, for variety you also occasionally pick up something you don't normally do, helping another department or figuring something out, for example. You develop yourself in multiple areas this way. We also have planning meetings, where you can indicate where you want to go, which is really nice."
Would you recommend this work to others?
"In fact, I recommended my cousin, who is also working here. Good to know is that you get all the space here to get to know the systems well first. You are also just allowed to make mistakes and there is room to be yourself."
Has your position changed in the time you've worked here?
"In my case yes, but it does depend on how you do your job. You can do what you are asked, but you can also go the extra mile and keep developing yourself. For example, checking with a consultant why something has not yet been picked up or taking over each other's tasks when we are absent. In any case, that makes my work very fun and challenging!"
Joris de Vreede
"We do it all ourselves: problem & solution discovery, and then ultimately building, deploying and managing software."
"We do it all ourselves: problem & solution discovery, and then ultimately building, deploying and managing software."
Joris de Vreede | Product Owner
Joris de Vreede is product owner of the Select platform, which will get a new user interface and new name (Striive) later this year. He joined HeadFirst Group on a permanent basis after years of freelancing. "I was a client myself. An (independent) professional who picked up projects at several of our clients. So in that sense I have affinity with the business, but that is not the reason I joined. The main reason was the team and the fact that I can really make a difference here with my colleagues. We are at the controls ourselves and determine - in consultation with our stakeholders - which customer problems we want to solve, in what way and for whom. As a result, a lot of growth is possible and fortunately so, because I don't like to sit still."
Close to the organization's strategy
In the four years Joris has been with HeadFirst Group, the organization has grown as much as ten times in several areas: revenue, number of users and transaction volume. As a result, the demands on the product have also increased at a rapid pace. "If we are even a few minutes down with the platform we immediately have our colleagues at our desk because professionals are already reporting by phone."
In the beginning, the team consisted of three engineers, but now there are three full-fledged teams creating and managing the entire platform end-to-end. "That's also what I love about our team. We are close to the strategy of the organization because the organization runs on our product. We are responsible for the product vision, product strategy and also software delivery. We do it all ourselves: problem & solution discovery, and then ultimately building, deploying and managing software."
"That's also what I love about our team. We are close to the strategy of the organization because the organization runs on our product."
Customer First
What problems are our customers running into? That's what the BizDevOps team focuses on. "Together with stakeholders, we examine the bottlenecks among our independent professionals, suppliers, clients and our colleagues. We then devise possible solutions, create software or integrate software from the cloud onto our platform. This is how we make our customers' lives a little better."
What is your product vision?
"We want to give zp'ers, suppliers and clients access to the entire market of temporary knowledge supply and demand and let them trade with each other as easily as possible, with and without our intervention. On our platform you can already find the most assignments, the best and most professionals. At the same time, you see that we can still improve a lot in searching and matching professionals and assignments, especially with the revolution in AI going on right now. We want to enable zp'ers, suppliers, clients to have an agreement with each other or with us with one click. Our compliancy is intense, files are getting more and more extensive. We want to make this as easy as possible. Our aim: to prepare an agreement within 15 minutes on a mobile device. In addition, we want to unburden professionals in their entrepreneurship and career through our Professionals & Partners services."
We support four value chains: search & match, contracting & invoicing, Professionals & Partners services and, today, a new service "Direct clients." For these chains, teams will become more organized around solving specific problems. "That work is incredibly valuable. Based on feedback and data, we start by defining a question or challenge that exists among our clients. Then we interview customers about it, create prototypes, validate them and then build software and deploy it to production. This is how we get closer and closer to solving our customers' problems."
Will you become Joris' new colleague?
We are always looking to strengthen our organization. Take a quick look at our open positions in Hoofddorp or at one of our other locations!
Mattijs Wassenburg
"The future of tech in recruitment will be even more focused on leveraging automation to optimize the recruitment process."
"The future of tech in recruitment will be even more focused on leveraging automation to optimize the recruitment process."
Mattijs Wassenburg | Managing Director Digital & Tech
Mattijs Wassenburg, as Managing Director Digital & Tech at HeadFirst Group since 2010, is ultimately responsible for everything we do on the digital and tech front. Since his arrival, he has continued to build the platform Select. The first online marketplace for temporary capacity, where independent professionals, suppliers of professionals and clients have the opportunity to find each other directly, without the intervention of an intermediary. We talked to Mattijs about his vision on digitalization and technology in recruitment.
How does a full service HR service provider like HeadFirst Group use technology in recruitment?
HeadFirst Group makes extensive use of technology to accelerate and improve the recruitment process. Like with the advanced online platform Select. Mattijs about the platform: "We use our own central platform for a large pool of professionals and suppliers who can fill temporary assignments this way (30,000 on an annual basis). People enter a resume, which is then taken apart via a resume-parsing technique and stored in a structured way in different places in the database so that it can be sorted and searched. We then provide the right matchmaking. Vacancies are currently still entered partly by hand and partly automatically, but we want to use robotics to ensure that flex vacancies are entered automatically. With another matching technique, we are also looking again at how we can distribute vacancies automatically to the target group. So we're always looking for ways to use even more new technology, such as with using video in the matching process."
What do you think the future of recruitment looks like?
The future of tech in recruitment will focus even more on leveraging automation to optimize the recruitment process. For example, machine learning and AI technologies can be used to match candidates with vacancies and to gain more insight into the quality of candidates. This is what we at HeadFirst Group do ourselves: "You want the posting of flex vacancies to be so fully automated. That means you only have to fill in the vacancy and within a few days you have two or more suitable candidates for your vacancy. That proceeds without intervention from us. So on the one hand we are looking at how to automate it as fully as possible and on the other hand we are using more and more and better technology to support the process."
"We try to automate as much as possible, but the last bit, where humans add value and where we like to make a difference as an organization, that's where we put people in."
What areas of the entire recruitment process do you see more tech opportunities in the near future?
"On the one hand, when a job is rejected, you want to be able to tell the professional why he/she was rejected or why a vacancy is or is not appropriate, so that he/she can take care of a better match themselves, with, for example, taking training courses. And on the other hand, you also want to proactively come up with alternative, comparable vacancies if there is no right match. We are also looking at the possibilities of video in the process or pre-automated pre-intake questions when you need additional information from someone. We can then then deploy conversational AI such as chatbots on that."
Doesn't it become too distant when there is no longer a human being involved?
"There are still people involved. We try to automate as much as possible, but the last part, where people add value and where we as an organization want to make a difference, that's where we use people. Candidates really do get called to double check before someone is offered to a client, and when someone is rejected after an intake, they are also contacted."
What do you see as the biggest obstacle?
"I think we have to be aware that you use these new technologies as tools and should not immediately rely on them completely. Because the risk is that you think too quickly that AI technology is good, but you have to validate it properly beforehand and be able to check it afterwards."
How can tech be used to help people in the future?
"In the future, someone should be able to put down a capacity requirement, then it will be automatically determined whether someone can be deployed on a project basis, or on an hourly basis, or permanently. Depending on that, the right distribution channels will be determined. It must be as easy as possible for someone to make this capacity request, with technology helping you on all sides. For example, with ChatGPT to write the right catchy job title or to put down the right description for the question and send it automatically to the right people. It's already moving in that direction."
Will you become Mattijs' new colleague?
We are always looking to strengthen our organization. Take a quick look at our open positions!
Raisa Autumn
"The role of Contract Manager is broad and challenging, with lots of personal contact."
"The role of Contract Manager is broad and challenging, with lots of personal contact."
Raisa Herfst | Contract Manager
Contract management is at the center of our organization. They are responsible for the contractual settlement for our professionals - independent or employed by suppliers. As a result, they interact with many different parties, such as the professionals and suppliers themselves, as well as teams within our organization. This is one of the reasons why Raisa enjoys her position so much.
A good start
With a passion for Human Resources, Raisa Herfst started as a Contract Manager at HeadFirst Group in February 2022. A completely new world, in which she quickly found her niche. In her role, she takes care of the contractual settlement for professionals - self-employed or employed by suppliers - through the Select platform and has daily contact with various parties to do so. "My work is a lot broader than I had thought beforehand, which gives me necessary motivation every day," says Raisa.
Raisa's first day at work coincided withthe grand opening of the brand new headquarters. "I was surprised by well-appointed workstations and a warm welcome from my new colleagues, a diverse and close-knit team. If you indicate you need support, everyone is willing to help," said Raisa. She is also happy with the possibility of hybrid working, so she can alternate focused work at home with collaboration in the office. A place where she feels at home. Raisa: "HeadFirst Group really thinks about its employees and they listen to you. Initiatives like the HeadFirst Group Academy, the platform OpenUp and events contribute to this."
Onboarding process
"At the beginning I was overwhelmed by the work, but partly due to good guidance from a buddy, it is as if I have never done anything else," Raisa explains. She is currently responsible for ensuring that the entire contractual process for Shell runs smoothly. For this she is working on a daily basis to set up the file for professionals, obviously with compliancy in mind. Therefore, documents must be checked and if necessary professionals approached for proper onboarding. Raisa is also the point of contact for Shell's hiring managers for contracting professionals. "The most enjoyable part of my job is taking the worries out of the hands of professionals so that they can start an assignment worry-free," Raisa says.
"I worked hard to master the work in a short period of time. The support of my buddy helped a lot with that."
Further development
In addition to her daily work, Raisa is committed to further improving the organization. For example, she attended Yellow Belt training as part of the Lean program "Home Run. "I was given the opportunity to gain additional knowledge and implement continuous improvements within the department. This is valuable for yourself, the team and the organization. Fortunately, you get the freedom to block time in your calendar to work on this," Raisa said. Apart from her own improvement projects, the department as a whole has been professionalized, something that Raisa says has a positive impact on her work. "Because virtual colleague Sam helps professionals complete files, I have more time left over to personally help professionals or vendors with their questions. I look forward to the next steps of our department so that we can provide even faster and more efficient contractual processing," concludes Raisa.
Will you become Raisa's new colleague?
We are always looking to strengthen our organization. Take a quick look at our open positions in Hoofddorp or at one of our other locations!
Valentina Ji
"I like that I can plan my own day. This keeps me motivated."
"I like that I can plan my own day. This keeps me motivated."
Valentina Ji | Recruitment Consultant
During the first interview with HeadFirst Group's corporate recruiter, 21-year-old Valentina Ji immediately felt a click. "I quickly noticed that my standards and values are similar to those of the organization," Valentina says. In addition, the role of Recruitment Consultant immediately jumped out, because she likes to mean something to society.
Work
Valentina starts her day by checking her e-mail so she is immediately aware of new applications and feedback on offers. "We work with our own platform Select, in which many suitable candidates actively offer themselves on assignments. This leaves me more time to look for professionals for scarce profiles," Valentina says. The varied work and personal contact is what she likes best about her role. "One day I'm busy filling out applications and the next day I'm visiting a supplier to see what we can do for each other," says Valentina. Time management, she says, is very important here. "Every day you have deadlines to meet. That's why I always work one or two days ahead."
Team player
Currently, Valentina is responsible for finding the right candidates for assignments at Klaverblad and ING. From her start at HeadFirst Group, Valentina was given a lot of independence. "I am one of the youngest in the team, but my team leader and colleagues offer me a listening ear and value my opinion. Letting go is sometimes a challenge because I am very eager to learn. My motto: the more you know, the better," says Valentina. She does not hesitate to lend a hand when colleagues need help. Valentina's eagerness to learn is also evident in her ambition to advance within the organization. "I want to grow step by step and strive to become an Account Manager," Valentina concludes.
"As a Recruitment Consultant, you take care of balancing the supply and demand side in the flex market. With any questions and problems I can go to my team leader, who really acts as a mentor."
Fine workplace and future plans
HeadFirst Group is the first large organization where Valentina started work. Although this was exciting beforehand, fortunately it turned out positively. "HeadFirst Group is open to self-development, organizes a lot of activities and really thinks with you," says Valentina. She also likes working at the head office: "There is an open layout, which makes it easy to walk past other teams. It's nice that you can sit with your team, but also look for a quiet place if you feel like it," says Valentina. The ability to work hybrid was a plus for her. "HeadFirst Group is a nice environment to gain a lot of experience in a short period of time," Valentina concludes.
Will you become Valentina's new colleague?
We are always looking to strengthen our organization. Take a quick look at our open positions!