Team

A little different  – keeps overview – ‘just do it’ – independent thinker – logic

What does your job as Office Manager at Selectum entail?

Selectum is changing and modernizing some of the work processes. Also, our new director Reinoud Roukema is redesigning the organization. As the new Office Manager, I am going to help shape those new work processes. I am new to the world of recruitment. Also I’m not yet completely familiar with Selectum’s industries. This means I have a steep learning curve and at the same time I can contribute with a fresh view at how we can improve processes and reorganize structures. My main task will be to update our record keeping and work processes. For example, more automation, less manual operation and less paperwork.

 How did you end up at Selectum?

I worked at a patent agency, but that was too rigid for me. Before that, I’ve always had dynamic Office Manager positions, where chaos and changes were a normal daily routine. Settings like that suit me a lot better. When I came across the vacancy at Selectum, I was curious and reached out to Paul Haers. What immediately appealed to me? I was promised a jumble of outdated processes, which I was invited to bring order to. Loved it!

I thrive on lively, chaotic working environments with never a dull day. It means I can figure out how to keep an overview and organize processes more efficiently. The perfect combination for me.

What is an important skill in your work?

Keeping an overview and being stress resistant. Not going along with working methods that are outdated, but continuing to work systematically. Empathy and not rushing things are also important skills. I am supposed to change processes in a logical way and bring everyone on board. In order to do so, I have to make sure I don’t overwhelm my colleagues with my new way of working. What’s more, I need time to get to know Selectum, our clients and the recruitment profession. I don’t necessarily need to know everything about our industries. But I do need to know, for instance, how to deal with immigration and work permits for our expats. Or, in general, what steps to take for a successful placing of a candidate. Only then I can truly optimize processes and make things more efficient.

 What do you enjoy most about your job?

My colleagues! I am quite an introverted person, but here I feel at ease. We all work hard, but also have a good time together. We have a super diverse team at Selectum, with all kinds of different backgrounds and ages. That works perfectly for us and it’s great fun. My job is challenging, which is important to me. I was told to ‘have an opinion on everything and come up with suggestions’. That is music to my ears, so within my first week I already had four A4 sheets with ideas for improvements ;-). I can really set out, by gathering information, learning and improving processes.

What is on your calendar for today?

I am cooperating in the project planning for our office renovation. What are we going to do with the old furniture, the old computers? Apart from that, some documents need to be updated, an application for the IND (Immigration and Naturalization Service) needs to be sent off and I’m busy organizing a tasty lunch for an event next week.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I have a passion for high-quality, handmade items you won’t find anywhere else. That’s why I run a webshop for unusual and unique gadgets – a mix of vintage and fantasy. It’s all handmade by me and my family. Last weekend we took part at Fantasy Fest in Rijswijk with our items, a wonderful experience. I am also setting up my own marketplace, as a counterpart to all the dropshipping from China.

Energetic – positive – eager to learn – enthusiastic – connector

What does your job as Senior Recruiter entail?

Selectum is a secondment agency for experienced and highly qualified technicians. We operate in the industries of Oil & Gas, Energy and Construction & Civil Engineering. My work as a Senior Recruiter is very diverse. In short, I source and speak to candidates for technical jobs for our clients. I also communicate with the hiring managers of our clients.

How did you end up at Selectum?

My roots are in the healthcare sector. As a consultant in Social Support Act, I was used to working with complex families and thinking out of the box to help them. My husband worked at Tata Steel. Because of my problem-solving skills, he saw a career ahead of me as a recruiter. When a recruiting vacancy came up at Tata Steel, it was spot-on for me. I am technically inclined and love the world of steel, large plants and engineering. Especially now, with all this transition to hydrogen, green steel and other sustainability efforts going on.

As a hiring manager at Tata Steel, my husband was in regular contact with Gert Jan Pleysier. Selectum was looking for a Senior Recruiter and after several interviews my arrival at Selectum was a done deal. Having already been a recruiter at Tata Steel, my stable network in technicians comes in handy now.

My family and I have emigrated. That makes me the first Selectum employee to work completely remotely. It’s very pleasant I was given this opportunity and that we can mean so much for each other. It works really well!

What are important skills in your job?

Communicating. Walking your talk. Connecting people and getting them excited about a project.
You pick a project, start working on it and then finish it well. That’s what really energizes me. I also like to improve the process along the way, if necessary. During my career I’ve intentionally had a variety of employers, in order to expand my view. As a result, I understand many of our candidates’ motivations. For example, how do you arrange the optimal accommodation for someone who will do shift work? It has to be in a quiet environment, for sleeping during the day. But also a good train connection for very early or late working hours is key. Having worked night shifts myself, I understand what a candidate might need. As a recruiter for Selectum, every day I try my best to offer our professionals a great job, in which they can experience their best work-life balance.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Engaging with people. In particular, to convey my enthusiasm about candidates and projects. I really enjoy collaborating with all parties concerned, to get a well-matched placement done.

We do have quite some challenges in this profession, such as vacancies that are difficult to fill. In order to be successful, you need to have patience and perseverance. You will eventually reach your goal as a recruiter, if you go with the flow and don’t give up. Keeping in touch, knowing your network and thinking outside of the box of a CV. A successful placement is always tailor-made.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love going out with our children, we take regular trips in our new homeland Italy. Currently, I am arranging a trip to Puglia. We would like to spend a few nights there in one of those cool trulli’s. I also enjoy spending time with my friends, over a good dinner. My favourite food is not pizza, but sushi.

Helicopterview – perfectionist – sociable – always looking for the 5-legged sheep

What does your job as Senior Recruitment Consultant entail?

My job entails reaching out to candidates, that could meet our clients’ needs. I also communicate with our clients, that are in need for a technical professional to perform a specific role. Selectum is a recruitment agency, specializing in the fields of energy, oil and gas and heavy industry. To find the optimal candidate for a job, you need to identify whether the candidate is suitable on various levels. In terms of experience, actual knowledge of the industry and other specific requirements of the clients (like knowledge of a specific industry software). It means conductions interviews and doing research on LinkedIn, in our own database and my own network. Just as essential are soft skills, like communications skills, collaboration (being a teamplayer) or problem solving and adaptability.

How did you end up at Selectum?

Selectum is a well-known brand in the Dutch recruitment market, so of course I had heard about the company already. When I wanted to try something new, I found the job posting for Selectum. My current role is very comparable to my former job, but the company setting is rather different. Instead of being a huge business with headquarters in the US or UK, Selectum is small and located in Den Haag. It was that setup, plus the personal approach that attracted me. I have spoken to several coworkers (Paul Haers, both Marks, Lennaert van Zon) and the interviews did not even feel like interviews. Apart from the human and family-like approach, I am pleased with Selectum’s knowledge of the industry.

What is an important skill in your position?

Listening. Listening very carefully to our clients and candidates and reading between the lines. I learned to never assume things, but always to clarify and doublecheck – that saves a lot of trouble and disappointment. If a candidate is reluctant to tell why they are looking for a new position, you have to read their context. What did they go through, what do they need, what is their family situation? The same goes for a client, you always have to take into account the project and context, to understand their needs.
Gaining trust and building strong relationships is another key skill. With all stakeholders, meaning our clients and candidates, but also our own team. In that regard, Selectum offers a remarkable level of trustworthiness and personal relationships.

What do you like most about your job?

That we can genuinely help people and change their lives. If we find the right person for the right job, it means they can grow in their profession and build a strong career. You can really feel how grateful some of our candidates are to get a good opportunity. We can make a difference, and this is what I really like about our jobs. Sometimes finding the right candidate also means helping people to relocate. What Selectum does, is really a high level of making candidates feeling at home in the Netherlands. We have our own inhouse office manager who helps with arranging housing, and even pick-ups at the airport. Also building strong relationships with the clients is very satisfying to me, especially when it concerns jobs that help move forward sustainability. Currently we are, for example, helping a client finding the right candidates to work on major projects, like carbon capture and storage projects.

I would like to stay at Selectum for years. Because here I can grow, as a professional and also as a person.

This job can be challenging at times. As we often say, our clients expect us to find a five-legged sheep that fits the client’s organization on many levels. An important aspect of our job is to advise and to help both clients and candidates what would be the right next step for them, given the circumstances.

What’s on your calendar for today?

Some interviews with candidates, a recruitment meeting, responding to some mails from candidates and catching up with admin.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to read, especially crimes and thrillers, but also non-fiction about political situations and biographies about politicians. I have a background in political science and this helicopter view never leaves me. Also I like to do jigsaw puzzles and listen to true crime podcasts. It relaxes me and sharpens my mind at the same time.

Lifelong learner – analytical – driven – social – international

What does your position as senior recruiter at Selectum entail?
As a Senior Recruiter for Selectum, an agency specializing in the energy, oil and gas and heavy industry sectors, I work closely with clients to understand their hiring needs and provide recruitment solutions. My role involves sourcing and attracting highly qualified candidates for various technical, engineering, management, and operational roles within the industry. Responsibilities include managing the recruitment process, from sourcing candidates through our own company database and also networking, job boards, and social media to screening, interviewing, and shortlisting candidates matching our clients’ needs.
We always aim to find technical professionals that are happy committing to Selectum. Offering interesting, perfectly fitting projects and often tailor-made agreements. If people come from abroad we arrange everything, like work permits, housing, relocation.

How did you end up at Selectum?
Back in The Hague after 3 years in Canada, I saw the Selectum advertisement for a Senior Recruiter in the Energy sector, it was like ready my portrait! I knew I would love this job so I contacted them without a second thought. After 3 interviews, we decided together to take the plunge.
In a challenging situation with a language barrier, I am fortunate to have the right work experience, which helps me work efficiently despite the cultural and language differences. And I have always believed that when you are determined and when dedicate your energy to something, you will find a way to succeed. Another factor that positively impacts my work here is being part of a great team that truly understands the challenge and acts inclusively. We are all adapting daily in the best way we can, continuously supporting and advising one another.

What are important skills being a senior recruiter?
Client Understanding: A recruiter must understand the client’s sector, challenges, and projects. Asking the right questions is key to gathering this information, increasing the recruiter’s chances of success.
Sourcing Skills: The ability to find and attract suitable candidates through various channels and strategies.
Interviewing and Listening Skills: Effectively assessing candidates by understanding their experience, potential, goals, and limitations.
Convincing and Negotiation Skills: Persuading candidates and clients while maintaining a fair and transparent process.
Organizational Skills and Prioritization: Efficiently managing time, tasks, and priorities to ensure a smooth recruitment process.
Good Sense of Humor and Perseverance: Maintaining a positive attitude and resilience throughout the recruitment challenges.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I find it rewarding to be the bridge between candidates and companies. As a recruiter, my primary motivation throughout the years has always been and still is to help clients achieve success by finding the right talent, while also allowing candidates to grow in their careers. In doing so, I play a role in enabling our clients to successfully execute their projects. The more you know and understand your client’s and candidate context, the better partner you become.
More recently I also enjoy working more and more often with renewable energy jobs.
An other motivation is to be part of a team. I enjoy being in a team where individuals contribute their skills, knowledge to solve problems together and find solutions on a daily basis.
The biggest challenge is to find qualified people for our clients especially with a Dutch language requirement. To succeed, I dig deep to find out what triggers candidates: an exciting project, a better salary, better conditions, a project closer to home, a more challenging job, a next step in their career? Every person is different and has different expectations. It is our role to understand this.

What’s on your calendar for today?
Today, I am going to source candidates to identify and attract qualified candidates. I am going to review resumes, conduct initial screenings, and evaluate candidates to create a shortlist of the most suitable candidates for each role, focusing on technical expertise and industry experience. I will lead Teams or phone interviews to assess candidates’ qualifications, technical skills and also to understand their career aspirations and suitability for specific roles I am currently working on. I am going to coordinate recruitment process (arranging interviews with clients, providing feedback on both sides).

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love to explore life. Ashtanga yoga for self-awareness and improving focus (and flexibility!!), meeting up with friends for laughter and sharing the good and hard times, cooking good food that makes everyone enjoy life, seeing my daughter growing up, going to Scheveningen beach, biking in the dunes there. Biking is an excellent way to stay active and physically and mentally healthy, and most of all it makes me happy. And also travelling as being back to Europe, in proximity of different countries makes it so easy to experience a variety of cultures.

Sincere – likes to work for the bigger picture – driven – loves a challenge

What does your position as account manager at Selectum entail?

Selectum seconds high-level technical specialists to our clients, like EVOS, Eni and Tata Steel. As an account manager I fill open positions, together with our sales- and recruitment team. Relation management is one of my tasks, maintaining contacts with clients and candidates. We aim to maintain long-term working relationships and build trust for all parties. So I am very attentive to what direction our clients want to go and which technical specialist would fit where (consultative selling). Not only for current positions, but also for the future. It’s a puzzle we complete together, after listening very carefully on both sides.

How did get you in contact with Selectum?                                                         

I love selling, especially products or services I believe in. I used to import Tahitian pearls. Later on in my career I raised money for the Forgotten Child Foundation (Stichting Het Vergeten Kind) as a relationship manager. In recent years, I sold solar panels and became increasingly interested in innovations in the field of sustainability. My special interest? Renewable energy and hydrogen. When I came across a vacancy as an account manager at Selectum, everything converged.
Here I can match specialized engineers with companies, that are working on new energy solutions for our global environmental and energy problems.

What are important skills as an account manager?                                 

Listening closely to and having a good sense for our industries. We deal with engineers and clients who are deeply involved in the matter. As an account manager, you need to have a good understanding of the client’s technical demand and the professional’s knowledge/experience. When building new plants, what exactly does a process engineer do? What technical and petrochemical knowledge does an inspector need? What is needed as a maintenance specialist in heavy industry, such as at Tata Steel? By bringing together demand and experience/knowledge, you can make a perfect match between clients and candidates.

What do you enjoy most about your job?                                                           

Our team professionals is always working on challenging business targets. All of us have a drive to achieve great results, I love that! Also I really like the way Selectum puts people first. I used to work with products, now the focus is on people. Our team stands for integrity, reliability, ambition and human warmth. That personal touch really suits me.

 What’s on your calendar for today?                                                                         

I am going to deep dive reading CVs of new candidates. Our clients have interesting projects for technical professionals and we can find the right people from our database. Later on I have scheduled an interview with a senior Electrical Engineer.

What do you prefer to do in your spare time?                                                     

I have a green thumb, so in summer we always grow hundreds of tomatoes. Also I am a sociable person, enjoying dinners with friends and family.
My wife is Greek and one day I would like to own a piece of land in Greece with my family. The ultimate dream would be a small boat, for relaxed fishing.

Driven – technical talent – meticulous – resourceful ‘nothing is impossible’ – empathetic

What does your job as Administrative Assistant Recruitment and Sales entail?
Being the link between our Sales and Recruitment departments, I ensure a smooth exchange of information. At Selectum, we use an integrated system that records all our candidates, clients and assignments. This makes it easy for my colleagues to access the necessary data. As soon as we have a new candidate, I process the C.V., so the profile can be presented to our clients by the recruiter and consultant. I also handle the publication of new vacancies on our website and the promotion on social media such as LinkedIn.
Using our integrated system as a strong foundation, together with our large, international network, we can successfully match talented professionals with our clients. This contributes to the success of both our candidates and our clients.

How did you end up at Selectum?
Through a secondment agency. The diversity of the job attracted me. I can express my technical talent here (ICT), along with my artistic side. Furthermore, my long-standing experience as a Notification Administrator (Law Editor) in laws and regulations have trained me to work very diligently. Working at Selectum, I have come to the right place. I thrive in getting PC’s ready for use, careful record-keeping, taking care of our social media and organizing get-togethers with creative invitations.

What is an important skill in your position?
Having a good eye for detail. I am both fast and meticulous. Fast by nature and meticulous thanks to my experience publishing complex texts on laws and regulations. Those must be absolutely free of errors. Now I put my accuracy to use for Selectum. Our communication system is the basis for everything, it has to be perfectly in order and that is what I strive for every day.

What do you like most about your job?
The people I work with. My colleagues and I collaborate well together to make a difference. Also we can all be completely authentic. We respect each other, have a good time together and face every challenge as a proper team. I am convinced that this open and collegial atmosphere contributes to Selectum’s success.
There is also room for my creativity, for example in improving our social media channels and making processes more efficient. It’s all a great pleasure to me!

What’s on your calendar for today?
Today I’m busy processing C.V.’s and preparing them to be sent to our clients. Also we’ll have a meeting about how my current role can be expanded. I would like to progress to a position as Sourcer. We will explore the options to combine my current tasks with future responsibilities as a Sourcer, to ensure a smooth transition.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to be in nature and make artistic creations, preferably in a park. Last year I hung a 30-metre-long chain of luminescent hearts, making the paint myself. I also like to play the piano, photographing professionally and I love everything to do with hi-fi. And of course gaming, preferably endulging in BeatSaber with my VR glasses.

My education in Chemical Engineering has taught me a lot about improving processes, techniques and products, but also how to implement this in an organisation and how to inform your clients and the market of these improvements.

During internships I developed an interest in the human side of engineering, and noticed that the quality of the technical specialist could be a crucial factor during the process as well as in the end result.

Because of this experience I decided to pursue a career in job placement and recruitment. I am interested in the techniques, but my focus is on the people. The contacts with both professionals and clients make my work very dynamic. I get a lot of benefit from having a technical education; I know what our specialists are talking about, which makes it much easier to get to the heart of the matter. I can link this information with the wishes of our clients, because, naturally, you also need to take the wishes and requirements of the client into account. After finding a match, the collaboration is then about bringing the project to the desired completion. I have extensive experience in offshore recruitment, but recently have been able to add experience in the (petro-)chemical and pharmaceutical industry, and with power plants to that.

Since 2010 I am using this experience in my work for Selectum, within a team of no-nonsense co-workers that get what this business is all about: working hard trying to find the perfect match between technical professionals and companies.

I started working with Selectum on January 1, 2004. This was six months after its inception, and it was a fun challenge to help build a company up to a fully-fledged player in job placement of technical specialists. Through the years I have, like every other staff member, developed my own field of expertise; because of my previous work experience I ended up in inspection. I worked for SGS, where I have gotten to know many companies and their processes, equipment, and piping very well. After this I managed a technical recruitment agency which placed technical professionals in various positions in all areas; from design to construction and maintenance. Here I was able to expand my expertise and experience beyond the field of inspection.

From 1997 onwards, job placement has been my main focus. It is incredibly rewarding to me to assist people in finding a new job, and help companies in finding new employees. Helping people will most definitely be one of the best experiences of your life, and if you are doing this together with colleagues that share this passion, you will strengthen each other and create lots of energy. Also due to the arrival and efforts of new colleagues we can be very proud of what we have accomplished and of Selectum’s current status in the market. Our reputation is incredibly important to me, and the reason why this enduring collaboration has been so successful. Selectum stands for trustworthiness, integrity, results, and building enduring relationships with our clients and professionals, and so do I.

Since 1990, I’ve had several jobs in the employment industry and I really enjoy it. After finishing my education in Personnel & Organization, I found a job at the HR department of a renowned financial institution. But it was not until I started working at an employment agency that I really felt at home.

The dynamics of supply and demand, the contact with people and the satisfaction of finding the right match made me realize that I had chosen the right direction. Then, after having worked as an intermediary, senior intermediary and branch manager, it was time to spread my wings.

In 1999, I started working in the multi-disciplinary world of technical project contracting, including contracting for the (petro)chemical industry and the onshore and offshore oil and gas industry. In addition to secondment, the services that are offered in these specific industries are recruitment, outplacement and training. Daily contact leads to the deployment of the right people, and this requires tailor-made solutions. We are able to find the right solution by offering the right combination of services and consultancy. The considerable differences between clients are an added challenge and make sure that our work never becomes dull.

Since 2005, I have had commercial responsibility for the activities of the technical branch of the Selectum Group. The switch to Selectum was a logical step for me: firstly, because I can work here with like-minded colleagues, and secondly, because of the professional way we serve the market, always putting people first.

One of the consequences of the development and growth that the Selectum Group is going through is the recruitment of new and very competent colleagues. We all have the opportunity to approach the market using our strengths. We work together as a team, with a lot of energy, enthusiasm, experience and knowledge.

I’ve been part of the Selectum team since November 1st, 2018, working as a financial and administrative assistant. After a series of jobs at a travel agency and in the film business, among others, I found myself at this recruitment agency for highly qualified engineers. At Selectum, I’m responsible for all financial matters: booking invoices, paying our candidates’ salaries on time, processing declarations and overseeing NEN (Dutch standards authority) audits.

I’m very happy to be working in the pragmatic and structured environment at Selectum. Everyone has their own, clear role, but we are all open and helpful toward each other. Working together is very important to us. And although we like to challenge each other, we always do this with the greatest respect.

At my first introduction to Selectum, I immediately felt at home. My husband is an engineer, so I’m familiar with the technical world and it always seemed to me an excellent career field. All in all, I was triggered to apply for a job at Selectum.

Selectum’s most striking quality is the tailormade service offered to both clients and candidates. The contracts are always meticulously attuned to the wishes of both parties. Everything is possible, as long as it is within the law. And all those ‘exceptions’ made in a contract must be translated in financial terms. That’s what I like most about my job. At Selectum, I can dive into all kinds of specialisations to complete the custom-made assignments efficiently and correctly.

In 2019, we started implementing a new IT system, which allows us, at Selectum, to further improve our services, and attract excellent engineers and interesting clients. I’m really looking forward to contributing to that!

Every Monday, Thursday and Friday after work I come home full of energy. There is a positive atmosphere at Selectum and we really believe in what we do. After work, I enjoy looking after our two children and making time for my sporting hobbies: swimming and tennis.

I have worked in recruitment since 1987, and with a background in business administration and marketing, that might not make a whole lot of sense, but I was interested in working with and for people.

The first years I had to learn what job placement, recruitment, contracting, and outplacement were all about. After that period I started working in a management role on various special projects for large clients.

From 1996 onwards I began specialising in job placement for ICT- professionals. It is nearly impossible to do business without ICT, and there are a lot of benefits from having a great ICT system in place. Computers can do a lot, but it is the ICT specialists that keep them up and running.

People have been a running theme throughout my career; they make or break an organisation. A business will be successful if its people function at their highest level

. Supply and demand of qualified candidates is incredibly interesting. What makes a person qualified? What is the difference between adequate and successful? How are these professionals employed in the organisation? These are daily challenges our clients face, and I get to use my experience to assist them in taking them on.

Since 2011 I have been responsible for the ICT branch within Selectum. With this discipline I’d like to bridge the gap between engineering and ICT, because both will stand to gain tremendously from an even better collaboration.

So why Selectum? My co-workers and I share a passion for this speciality, the drive for getting results, and the people-focussed services Selectum provides. I get a lot of energy from connecting companies with ICT professionals, resulting in collaborations on great projects.