Everything you want to know about that
newcomer to the job market
Everything you want to know about that young starter on the job market: How did he experience his search for a job, how well did his education match up with his job, what are this young employee’s wishes and needs, how does he view collaboration with colleagues, and what impact did Corona have on his (learning and work)experience?
These are questions I put to Jork, former MEPD intern and now employee at CompetenSYS. This is an organization that helps municipalities, SW, and employment organizations to better understand people, so they can more quickly and easily find a suitable job. Meet Jork!
Education and internship, so valuable
‘During my Applied Psychology studies, I did an internship at MEPD,’ Jork says. ‘I see this as a very valuable and educational period in my life. Both for my personal development and career orientation. I assessed people and had interviews—and above all, I learned to develop my own style. I also saw how others make connections in conversations by sharing their own examples. This has become an important ingredient in my current conversational style. I give something of myself and get trust and a pleasant conversation in return. That gives me a good feeling!
Internship, the stepping stone to work
Thanks to my internship, I gained a better understanding of which type of organization would suit me as well as what kind of work I’d enjoy. In that regard, my internship was an essential stepping stone to my first job. The search for this job took about two months. I was looking for a position where I could use my analytical skills as well as my social skills. In addition, I want to help people move forward in their work. The job at CompetenSYS, which I applied for, really suited me. The interviews went well, and I could—and dared to—be myself. That is very important to me. I was the youngest (25 years old) when I started at CompetenSYS. During my first few client meetings, I worked alongside a colleague, but after a few times, I was on my own. At first, I found this quite exciting and there were certainly some moments of doubt, but by now I’ve gained the confidence that I can handle it.
Tips for even better collaboration
Collaboration with other colleagues was a bit ‘strange’ because of corona. You didn’t see each other, and there was less room for natural social chats to really get to know each other. The conversations were initially over the phone or online, which meant you didn’t really get to know people. Fortunately, we’ve since been able to meet in person regularly, which really strengthened our team’s bond. What I like about our organizational culture is that we’re allowed to make mistakes. You’re not immediately blamed for them. In fact, they stand up for you and support you. Because of this, I feel supported by my colleagues and can always make use of their expertise. On the flipside, I enjoy being asked for my opinions now and then—for example about reporting methods or about quality. I like to contribute my ideas and want to make a difference.
Regular peer review sessions with focus on content and process, collaborating on projects, and being involved in organizing fun activities—I think these elements are important for young starters to feel engaged and connected to an organization. So far, I’ve learned the most during moments of collaboration with colleagues, such as during onboarding or when learning a new task. You literally see and hear how someone approaches something. My drive to acquire knowledge and apply it in practice really comes into its own at such times.
My wishes and needs
What I find important within an organization are the following aspects:
- A safe environment, where I can be myself and am trusted to do my work in a way that suits me.
- A “we” culture. I think it’s important to be part of the whole.
- The independence and freedom to conduct conversations in the way I think is best and which fits my own approach.
- Security; I do well in a calm and content environment.
- Being challenged and stimulated. When I come across a fun new task, I’m happy to point out that I’d like to do it more often. That’s why I’m now also involved in certifications (their quality). I really enjoy this addition and it certainly adds variety.
Contact with supervisor
My supervisor initially checked in with me regularly, to see how things were going and what could be improved or done differently. This has happened less frequently over time, as I’ve become increasingly self-sufficient. But if there’s ever something, I know there’s room to talk about it. I like that, and it also gives me the chance to develop in asserting my boundaries and standing up for myself—even though I might always find that a bit difficult,’ says Jork.
