Refugee Talent Hub has been nominated for the LoopbaanPro Awards in the Team of the Year category. Joost de Ruiter from LoopbaanPro recently interviewed our director Wilma Roozenboom about the power of a network and the importance of a personal meeting.

Please note: this article was translated using a translator app

A network is career guidance for status holders

 “For our target group, namely status holders, a network is the most important form of career guidance,” Wilma explains. “Connections on the Dutch labor market – or better: the lack thereof – is often the main thing standing between them and a nice job. We remove that obstacle through networking events, where status holders and employers can meet.”

Opportunities for employers

 “Corporates, but also SMEs, see status holders at best as a group that needs to be helped,” Wilma continues. “But I think that's the wrong frame; status holders are talented professionals who can come and work for you - they just happen to be born in another country. Did you know that there are still organizations that exclude applicants with a two-year gap in their CV in advance? Well, then every status holder is also excluded. I don't think you can afford that as an employer in this tight labor market. And above all, you shouldn't want it if you want to be somewhat inclusive as an employer. In addition, we know that more diverse and inclusive organizations are more future-proof. So it is also a wonderful opportunity for employers!”

'What do you need in your work?'

 In addition to organizing networking meetings, mentor programs and training, Refugee Talent Hub also offers advice to employers. “For example, we advise corporates that employ status holders on how they can best integrate our target group into their workplace. And make no mistake: it does not matter whether someone is from Eritrea or Ukraine. You have to ask: 'what do you need to work well for me?' And yes – someone from one country may give a different answer than someone from another. But the initial question remains the same.”

 Wilma knows that asking that question has an effect: she also asks it to her colleagues. “Because although we have a lot in common - we are all high in energy - we are also very diverse. For example, we have people from the corporate world and people with a refugee background in our team. This diversity means that everyone has different instructions for use, and everyone therefore answers the question differently. For example, one person wants his input to be appreciated. And the other person wants clarity about what is expected of him or her. By asking the question, we know how to deal with each other, and we work better together as a team.”

Seconded, no subsidy and beautiful location

 What other things contribute to the success of the Refugee Talent Hub team? “Perhaps there are always two to four seconded people here – they rotate regularly,” Wilma suggests. “That provides fresh blood, and therefore new inspiration. And also: that we are not dependent on subsidies – our work is fully funded by partners. This means we can implement something when we think of it, and we don't have to wait for the green light first.”

 “Our office is also in a special location,” she continues. “We rent a space in Boost, which is a community center for refugees in Amsterdam. This keeps us in close contact with our target group, and it ensures that we always eat delicious food. Syrian or Iranian cooking is often prepared here, depending on who is in the kitchen. Photos regularly appear in our group chat of what is currently on our plate. That is enviable for the homeworkers, haha!”

 Finally – not unimportant for the proper functioning of her team – Wilma hires her people based on their skills, and not on their CV. “I have actually forgotten what the professional background of most of my colleagues is,” she says. “But they are good at their job, for example organizing events, managing stakeholders, taking photos or coming up with new programs. And they all support the mission of Refugee Talent Hub with heart and soul. That's what it's all about as far as I'm concerned.”

Skills leading

 And of course: no matter how well a team works together, it is ultimately judged on its output. Wilma makes no secret of her team's results. “We are doing great projects with major players such as Microsoft, Amazon and IKEA,” she adds. “But it is the experiences of individuals that really make our impact tangible. That's why I recommend everyone to read about Zakaria, for example. He arrived here from Syria in 2019, and – thanks to our networking events – now works as an IT specialist at the Ministry of the Interior. Or read about Ilham ! He is a Uyghur who now works at Triodos – that is where he can express his passion for sustainability.”

 ** This is a shortened version. Read the full article on the Loopbaan Pro website .