Emy Mylona is a VU alumna with a master’s degree in Human Resource Management. She has worked for several companies in the Netherlands and is now working for VanMoof as a People Operations Specialist. Not only has she gone through the sometimes nerve-wracking process of getting a job several times herself, but she knows exactly what companies look for when it comes to hiring new people. What are some of the pointers she can give freshly graduated students on getting a job? And what things might she have done differently looking back?

‘When I decided to move to the Netherlands to pursue my master’s degree, I knew it would be a challenge. Although I had prior experience in my home country, it felt like starting anew; like applying for my first job for the second time. Being an expat in a foreign country also meant simultaneously learning the ins and outs of the job market while interviewing with companies.

Even before I graduated, I started applying to jobs that matched my experience and interests. I was visiting job websites daily and I adjusted my resume as I went along. This period was a rollercoaster: one week I would receive a lot of rejection emails, the next week I would have three interviews scheduled. What made my decision final was the team that I was lucky to meet during the trial days and the face-to-face interviews I had with them. The people I work with are the most important element I was looking for in my first job after my studies; I wanted to work with individuals who are as motivated and passionate as I am and from whom I can learn. When I started my career, I was employed in a large multinational corporate organisation, yet the local office I worked in was relatively small. This is when I realised that I really enjoy the interaction and the fast pace one can have in a more dynamic environment. When I moved to Amsterdam, I was already aware of the vibrant start-up scene and the innovation that comes along with it. What solidified my decision to join a start-up after I graduated was the speech of a start-up CEO in the opening ceremony I attended as a master’s student. It was so inspiring and compelling that I knew it was an environment I wanted to be in.

Knowing myself, I also knew that the start-up environment is the one that suits my strengths and personal interests. I like variety in my work, I enjoy the opportunities that change brings and I believe start-up cultures attract the kind of people I want to work with. I couldn’t see myself anywhere else and I know I can deliver the best work when I work somewhere I feel comfortable and productive. I strongly believe it’s important to know what each type of organisation offers. Do you like stability, established procedures and a certain level of hierarchy? Then a large corporate company is for you. If the opposite attracts you, start-ups and scale-ups are the places to be.’

Starting your career ‘Starting out, there’s a lot of competition as many young people have similar backgrounds and experience and it’s relatively more difficult to stand out. This is why, in my opinion, it’s very important to be prepared. I spent a lot of time getting to know myself at work, either by gathering experiences (both professional and volunteer ones) or by completing personality tests. Being confident is essential in interviews. First impressions matter. The more you practice, the better the impression. I did many mock interviews with friends so that I would become more comfortable talking to recruiters when the time came. I also spent a lot of time improving my resume so that it's concise, appealing and so that it would give the right information to the recruiter who’s reading it.

When I started interviewing entry level candidates myself, I sometimes saw that people are open to everything. Now, I know when someone is at the beginning of their career, the eagerness to try things out is high - however, a sense of direction is always handy so that the recruiter knows your interests and goals; then they can ‘direct’ you to the right path. I also sometimes noticed a lack of preparation, which definitely doesn’t strike the right chords. So, all in all, preparation and enthusiasm are key!

I would encourage all young people to keep their eyes open for opportunities in their work. Is there a project that your manager proposes and interests you? Jump on it! Are there training events or webinars that you could attend? Sign up and share with your network. Anything you learn now will be useful later. And last, but not least, speak up. If something isn’t working out for you, you can always have a conversation with your manager and work this out so that it benefits both you and your employer. I am a firm believer that if we know ourselves and our strengths, as professionals, we can shape our role and career however we aspire it to be.’