Wittenborg Hosts CV Workshop Led by Recruitment Expert Olfertjan Niemeijer

15.11.2024

Students Receive Valuable Insights and Personalised Feedback on Job Applications

Wittenborg recently hosted an interactive online session featuring Olfertjan Niemeijer, founder of Independent Recruiters. The workshop aimed to equip students with the tools needed to create standout CVs and cover letters that catch the eye of potential employers.

Olawale Olukunga, a recruitment consultant at Independent Recruiters and a Wittenborg MBA (Master of Business Administration) graduate from 2021, opened the session with an introduction, welcoming attendees and highlighting the importance of professional documentation in job applications.

Niemeijer went on to lead the session, sharing more about his experience of his company in the recruitment industry, which he founded in 2003. "We do a lot of things," he mentioned, highlighting the wide range of services his company provides, which include recruiting professionals and managerial talent across the Netherlands. He emphasised the importance of understanding the recruitment landscape, stating, "We are now a team of about 40 recruiters working in the Dutch market, but we are also part of an international network active in 36 countries."

Niemeijer advised students on the necessity of fluency in English, mentioning that in "about 25% of business it doesn’t matter whether you speak Dutch; it's all about knowing business English." He noted that many Wittenborg students are often on the lookout for their first opportunity in the Dutch or European labour market, saying, "I've met a lot of Wittenborg students through the years, and a lot of them are looking for that first opportunity."

He stressed the importance of gaining work experience, encouraging students to pursue internships or any business-related roles. "The first thing I always advise people to do is get work experience," he advised. "It's not easy, but it's certainly possible to do so, and it will always help your chances in the Dutch market."

In his analysis of CVs submitted by students, Niemeijer offered key advice for improving their effectiveness:

Include a Smiling Photo: "A CV is a marketing tool. Please use it that way. People want to work with people that smile. Don’t put a picture on your CV that doesn’t smile," he emphasised.

Clarify Your Location: "Make sure you are mentioning where you are based," he urged, explaining that clarity on location is crucial in the Dutch job market.

Be Specific About Your Experience: He stressed the importance of providing context about past employers: "If you write a CV, it's also very important to understand that the person who reads your resumé does not know what the company is about. Be specific about what your company does and your role within it."

Tailor Your CV: Niemeijer asserted, "I think there's never a perfect CV, but you should always adapt your CV to the opportunity that you are pursuing." He noted, “A good CV gets you that interview, and that interview is what you're after because that’s the opportunity for you to make a connection.”

Understand the Subjectivity of Feedback: Niemeijer remarked, "If you ask 100 recruiters about your CV, you will get 100 different pieces of advice. That's the difficulty about it." He elaborated, "In the end, you always have to represent yourself, so you have to make the choice that you think is best."

Throughout the workshop, Niemeijer encouraged students to expand their networks beyond their immediate circles. "More than 60% of the jobs are filled through networking in the Netherlands, so it's really important to start working on a network outside of Wittenborg or outside of your group of friends," he asserted.

Sophia Faraji, Wittenborg’s External Relations & Events Manager, highlighted the significance of the session, stating, “A well-crafted CV and cover letter are your first opportunity to make a lasting impression. Tailoring your application to the job description is essential in showcasing your unique fit for the role. The job market is constantly evolving, and it's crucial to adapt our application strategies. The insights from this session will empower us to present our skills and experience more effectively."

Faraji also said that the Independent Recruiter has been supportive in providing resources and insights for Wittenborg students, and the institution looks forward to further strengthening this partnership through workshops and potential internship opportunities.

Ava Mehrani, MBM (Master of Business Management) student, attended the session, saying that there were many valuable insights, especially for someone like her who lives in Apeldoorn.

"I found it particularly helpful to learn how to position myself for jobs in cities like Amsterdam without letting my current location work against me. The recruiter’s advice on how to present flexibility in my resume to avoid location-based rejections was really eye-opening. Also, hearing about what stands out to recruiters at first glance—the key details they look for—was extremely helpful."