Annemieke Adrichem
''After a week, I felt like I had been working here much longer.''
Sometimes a new opportunity presents itself from an unexpected angle. That happened to Annemieke Adrichem (57), who heard about a vacancy for receptionist at HeadFirst Group through her daughter - a working student in the HR department. At first she hesitated. "I had never worked in an office environment before and thought I was not handy enough with computers," Annemieke explains. "In addition, I wondered if I should take on such a big change at 57." Nevertheless, after a positive job interview, she decided to take on the challenge. She has now been working at HeadFirst Group for more than three months and feels right at home.
A versatile background and a big step
Annemieke has a diverse work background, from owning her own flower store to 26 years in a catering butcher shop and working as a family helper. Still, she wondered if she wanted to do this for the next 10 years. "A career switch at 57 seemed exciting, but after my conversation with Klaske (Manager Executive Office) I realized that this was an opportunity to challenge myself."
The versatile role of receptionist within HeadFirst Group
As a receptionist at HeadFirst Group, Annemieke has a versatile and dynamic position. She receives guests, manages registrations and agendas, coordinates lunches, supervises technicians and takes care of the mail. She also arranges the issue of pool cars and supports colleagues where necessary. "People come to the front desk for everything from a band-aid or a pen to help with parking. What I like about my job is the social side; I like helping people and creating a positive atmosphere."
Annemieke is part of team Facility & Events and experiences the cooperation as very pleasant. "From day one I felt welcome. Everyone is friendly and approachable, and we work well together. It's a social team where colleagues are there for each other. After a week it felt like I had been working here much longer."
A valuable onboarding process
A new job also means a new system, a new way of working and new colleagues. To make this go smoothly, HeadFirst Group offers an extensive onboarding process. Annemieke has experienced this as particularly valuable.
During the onboarding, Annemieke got a good picture of HeadFirst Group as an organization. "A lot of attention was paid to the company culture and core values, such as the importance that everyone can be themselves. I really notice that in practice," she says. "In addition, I found the trainings, such as the one on safety and the Yellow Belt training, very valuable. Especially the thinking in solutions and improvements I take into my work."
In addition to the content of the onboarding, the program also helped her make social contacts quickly. "I was in a fun group right away, which made me feel comfortable quickly and get to know colleagues from day one.'"
A warm organization
What Annemieke appreciates most about HeadFirst Group is the open and social work environment. "Everyone is friendly and approachable. It really feels like a warm bath." For anyone considering applying for a job at HeadFirst Group, Annemieke has a clear message: "Just do it! I took the step and never regretted it for a moment."
Also excited to get started at HeadFirst Group? Click here for the vacancies!
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!
Roos Jonker
"The great thing about this, you know it's right. Why does anyone else recommend an organization?"
"The great thing about this, you know it's right. Why does anyone else recommend an organization?"
Roos Jonker | Teamlead Invoicing
Roos Jonker got in touch with a HeadFirst Group employee through a shared acquaintance. "The big advantage of this, you know it's right. Why does anyone else recommend an organization?" says Roos. Fortunately, her hunch turned out well, she has now been working for the organization for 4.5 years as an Invoicing specialist and now as Teamlead Invoicing.
Opportunities through growth
From the day Rose entered the organization, growth was the common thread. New clients, independent professionals and suppliers chose to work with HeadFirst Group. Mergers also caused HeadFirst Group to expand. More and more labels - including Myler, Staffing MS, Between and Sterksen - became part of the whole, bringing new colleagues with them. Roos did not experience this change as tedious, on the contrary. "Growth means opportunities. So I've had quite a few during my career here. For example, I was chosen as a buddy for every client who transferred during various migrations. A big responsibility, but one I gladly carried."
Continuous improvement
"Growth also allows you to see what leaps have been made, and there certainly are. With each billing run, things improve and more is automated. That gives space to focus on other things and your own growth," Roos explains. Continuing to develop yourself is encouraged from within the organization using its own learning platform, HeadFirst Group Academy. This contains hundreds of different courses and trainings that colleagues can make use of.
"I love the peak workloads in Finance. The rush you get when you get it all done is one of the reasons I enjoy my job so much."
Work atmosphere
Rose describes HeadFirst Group as a nice and personal employer. "It's a big organization, but it doesn't feel like that. You're not just a number. Also, if you are flexible, so are they. If you work hard, they also go the extra mile for you. In addition, the culture is very open. I do not experience any threshold to go to the management, for example. Everyone is very approachable. That makes it a nice working environment for me."
Will you become Rose's new colleague?
We are always looking to strengthen our organization. Take a quick look at our open positions!
