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!
Sebastian van der Heijden
"As a Business Analyst, I connect practical and technical goals."
Sebastian van der Heijden | Business Analyst
Seven years ago, through a connection at the gym, Sebastian van der Heijden joined HeadFirst Group as an IT intern. After his graduation internship, Sebastian got the chance to take up his permanent position as Business Analyst and carry out his research. He has now been enthusiastically fulfilling this role for over five years. "IT has become a the backbone of the organization, we can make great innovative strides as a result."
Connecting factor
In his role, Sebastian finds the perfect balance between tech and touch. "I am in frequent contact with colleagues about their wishes and current practices in order to improve processes, but I also know what can be realized technically," Sebastian explains. As a Business Analyst, he translates organizational goals into technical, bite-sized blocks so developers can work with them immediately. "I see how a change comes into its own in the organization," Sebastian explains. Sebastian finds connecting and translating the most fun, but also the most challenging part of his role.
Growing organization
That the role of IT is crucial within HeadFirst Group is also reflected by Sebastian in the almost tripling of the number of IT colleagues. A growth he sees very positively. "We are now a multidisciplinary team with four different roles: Front-end and Full Stack Developers, Business Analysts, Designers, and Managers. Together we work on multiple projects simultaneously, in which we complement each other," Sebastian explains. In addition, he is increasingly hooked up with strategic meetings. "Because of my knowledge of both the business and technical side, I know what is possible and what information the team needs."
After working compulsorily at home for a long time due to the corona virus, Sebastian found that he quickly found his place again in the office. "Moving into the brand new headquarters certainly helped with this. Cool workplaces and of course sociability with colleagues," Sebastian explains. Being present in the office also makes it a lot easier to keep abreast of developments in different departments. Sebastian finds it a great advantage that hybrid working is standard at HeadFirst Group and he can choose where he wants to work that day.
"Not only has the organization grown tremendously in recent years, but also the trust in the team. As a result, there is a lot of freedom for your own initiative within and outside your own team."
Continue to develop
In addition to his role as Business Analyst, Sebastian dedicates himself to colleagues and the organization through the "Power-Up Club. Together with 12 colleagues, they work to strengthen the connection with the organization and ensure that colleagues feel heard. "We are a sounding board for new ideas and organize activities such as a Movie Night in our own theater," Sebastian says.
Whereas Sebastian - in addition to his daily work - now focuses mainly on a project or change, he also sees an opportunity to grow into an overarching role. "We work through the scrum methodology and I would like to be able to look at long-term goals as Product Owner. At HeadFirst Group I get - through the training platform HeadFirst Group Academy - the opportunity to take courses and obtain certificates for this purpose. With this I really hope to be able to make this step in the future," concludes Sebastian.
Will you become Sebastian's new colleague?
We are always looking to strengthen our organization. Take a quick look at our open positions!
Sem Overduin
"HeadFirst Group is a friendly club of hard-working people. I am confident that we will shape public affairs in the right way."
Sem Overduin | Public Affairs Officer
Studying and at the same time applying his knowledge in practice, that appealed to Sem Overduin. On the soccer field he got into a conversation with former colleagues about a possible assignment in the field of public affairs at HeadFirst Group. "These colleagues indicated that there were a number of issues I could help with. Since I was almost finished with my studies, I thought it would be very interesting to gain some work experience already. I then started with a research design, looking at the development points for HeadFirst Group in the area of public affairs," says Sem.
Public Affairs within the organization
For HeadFirst Group public affairs is a relatively new concept, but not for Sem: "During my studies I came into contact with this field several times and during one of my internships my interest in it was really triggered. I find the interaction between stakeholders in politics, political-social changes and the way policy is created in the Netherlands very interesting. It is especially fun to be allowed to think along in how this is then translated to business." Sem therefore sees his role as a nice challenge: "Public affairs means that I keep an eye on what is going on within politics and how you have to take this into account as an organization. The next step is to influence policy and decision-making processes. We also put topics and issues on the agenda of political and social stakeholders. A good example is the balanced labor market act (WAB), which came into effect on January 1, 2020. This is much talked about in The Hague and has an impact on the services of HeadFirst Group. We also have the ongoing discussion about the DBA Act and recently the Borstlap committee came up with a report full of proposals and recommendations. A lot is happening, and therefore I follow the developments, advise the organization and see how it can convey its opinion and experience to politicians."
Advance
After the investigation, Sem fortunately did not take leave yet. HeadFirst Group asked him to lay a foundation for the public affairs officer position. "Little to nothing is being done now with public affairs, and there is no one yet who focuses solely on politics," Sem explained. "I actually find this very interesting and think it's good to be visible in politics as a market leader, and to profile yourself on issues that are relevant to the organization. Important choices are made in The Hague. As an organization, you have to be aware of these in order to identify opportunities and threats in time. Furthermore, it is good to have someone in-house who understands how policy is created and how the government system works. After all, it is becoming increasingly complex."
"HeadFirst Group is getting bigger and bigger and therefore important to have a say and think in politics. Conversely, politicians need information from the market to make policy."
Incentive employer
Sem joined HeadFirst Group by chance, but is really enjoying it. "I have a lot of respect for the organization and the trust they are giving me to fulfill this new role. Surely this shows that it supports its employees and wants them to develop. I am very grateful to HeadFirst Group for the flexibility so that I could gain this experience alongside my studies. This gives me a head start in the work field," Sem said. He also likes to let these positive experiences grow even more: "Public affairs is currently still at zero, or in its infancy. Now is the time to change that. That is sometimes pioneering and I am very much looking forward to getting started. Whether I will continue with it afterwards and develop further in the field of public affairs? I am not sure yet. At the moment I am still being challenged every day and we have really taken off!''
Will you become Sem's new colleague?
We are always looking to strengthen our organization. Take a quick look at our open positions!