Start of Rafael's Circle8 adventure
A year and a half ago my adventure at Circle8 began as a working student in the recruitment department. It actually started quite by chance: I was looking for a side job that would not only look good on my CV, but that also offered more challenge than an average part-time job. Quite quickly I came across Circle8 and I had contact with them. After one phone call and a meeting with my colleague Nicolette – I was actually able to start fairly quickly. From day one I was assigned to our client EZK, and together with my colleagues Rogier Reijwart and Vera van Soelen I gained my first real recruitment experience there.
But my adventure did not stop there. Since last September I have been interning in the marketing communications department on the team of Pieter Bas, Maxime and David. It was a great opportunity to be able to do my internship research in-house at my current client for school. That way I get to know Circle8 from a whole different perspective – and that was precisely my motivation to start this internship internally in a new department. After my experience in recruitment I was curious about how Circle8 looks through the eyes of marketing and communications. Moreover, interesting projects came along, set up by the marketing team, that fit perfectly with my studies and interests. A real match, I can say!
From recruitment to marketing: two worlds under one roof
A question everyone asks me: what is the difference between the recruitment and marketing departments? My answer: the difference is actually quite large! In recruitment the focus is very strongly on the client and deadlines; you live a bit more in your own bubble there and work closely with contract management and client managers. Marketing communications, on the other hand, works across the entire company. There are numerous projects I can join, and I come into contact with people from different departments.
I do notice that my experience in recruitment also comes in handy in my current job. In recruitment you spend a lot of time on hiring and selection, and I now use those skills in marketing to set up campaigns and reach target audiences. Where I used to be mainly calling and emailing, it’s now more about meetings and brainstorming sessions. In addition, I’m now part of a smaller team – there are four of us – and that gives a very different dynamic. So you see: recruitment and marketing may be very different, but the overlap lies in the skills you bring with you!
New skills and growth opportunities
I see this internship as an opportunity to further develop my knowledge and skills in marketing and communications, while also delving into specific marketing aspects and strengthening my communication abilities. It is my first experience on the marketing communications team of a large company, and I already notice there is a tremendous amount to learn. I began my internship with an open attitude and a curiosity to discover how Circle8’s internal communication can be further strengthened. All of this not only gives me new insights into communication and marketing, but also helps me grow both personally and professionally.
In a sense, Circle8 is my first "real" work experience in a large company, and I appreciate the opportunity to get to know the company on different levels. That experience makes me feel increasingly connected to Circle8 and the people around me.
Surprises and lessons from the marketing world
The most surprising thing about my internship so far? The amount of work and responsibility the marketing communications team takes on! There are constantly ongoing projects, and I get the chance to join in and really contribute. Internal communication in particular turns out to be a major focus in the department, and it's great that I get to play a role in this. It feels good to see that my work can have an impact on the company culture and the way we communicate with each other within Circle8.
In short, this internship gives me the chance to learn new things and further develop myself. I look forward to continuing to grow, contributing to the team and finding my place within Circle8 – both in recruitment and marketing communications. Who knows whereTotal Talent Flow me verder nog brengt! If you are also ready for an educational and challenging experience, I can definitely recommend an internship at Circle8! Check out yesterday our open vacancies and join the flow!
