“Educational.”
Over the past five years a lot has changed within Circle8: an acquisition, a new board of directors, new management structures and a different company culture. If I have to describe this journey in one word, it is educational.
“It was a period in which not only I grew personally, but in which the organization was also rapidly developing. It was constantly about switching, new people, new processes, new ambitions. That made it incredibly varied for me.
From People for Office to Circle8 – the beginning of a new chapter
“My adventure actually began at People for Office, part of Circle8. There I worked for three years as a recruiter for the client, TP Vision in Amsterdam. After that I deliberately made the switch to Circle8, because I found it interesting to build something new, to establish corporate recruitment within Circle8.”
She still remembers her first day at work well:
“I was very warmly welcomed by Madeleine from HR. At that time there was not yet a recruitment department, only an HR team. I was given the freedom and the trust to build that department from the ground up. That felt like a great challenge.”
An organization in transition and growth
“The biggest change was the professionalization of the organization. We have really grown from separate departments into a more cohesive whole with clear processes. For me personally, the move from working externally to internally was the most meaningful. I was really able to build something, get to know colleagues and work on a strong candidate experience. It feels good to be part of that.
Proud of growth and the right matches
“About all the talents we have brought in. Every successful match gives me energy. We attract people who really fit our culture: proactive, entrepreneurial and enthusiastic about working in an organization that is continuously on the move.”
Working at Circle8 – innovative, people-oriented and full of energy
“Circle8 has been around for forty years, but still feels young and innovative. We keep reinventing ourselves: we continuously look for ways to improve, to innovate and to grow further. No day here is the same, and that makes the work challenging e fun. Moreover, the atmosphere in the office is good. It is professional, but also informal and people-oriented.”
Moments of connection and appreciation
“Those are certainly the summer parties, the winter parties and the joint outings. Those moments show that Circle8 invests and truly values connection. I also find the drop-in lunches valuable; those are moments when you get to know colleagues from other departments.”
She laughs: "And to be fair: it's remarkable how attention is given to personal milestones. When I reached my five-year anniversary, it felt just like my birthday, which was a nice recognition for my work."
Growing in an independent role
“I have grown enormously in my role and position within the organization. When I started, recruitment did not yet exist as a separate function. By now everyone knows how to find me, and I am fully integrated into the team. I have learned to streamline processes and to coordinate quickly with the managers. In addition, I have discovered that I thrive on independence: I like that this is truly my project.”
Space for initiative and personal growth
“Circle8 is an organization where an enormous amount is possible, but you have to seize it yourself. Think about where you want to go, discuss your ambitions with your manager and grab opportunities when they arise. There is a lot of room for initiative here, and everything is open for discussion. Maybe you don't always get a ‘yes’, but you always get a listening ear.”
A look to the future: innovation and diversity
“I hope that we continue to invest in innovation, for example with a good ATS system for recruitment and a strong employer branding campaign. I also think diversity is important, that we continue to attract a mix of people in terms of background, age and experience. And above all: that we retain our identity, even as we grow.”
The next five years – building with the same strength and energy
“I hope that Circle8 will still be growing then. That we will continue to know one another, continue to celebrate successes together and stay true to who we are. And that we can then say: Circle8 is an employer that people want to be a part of.”
A milestone to be proud of
Five years at one organization is nowadays a remarkable achievement, especially in a rapidly changing world. This story shows that growth, challenge and job satisfaction can go hand in hand. And that if you're in a good place, you don't always have to keep looking.
