Good advice in a glance

Hans van Slooten – CFO Randstad
In your career it is important to choose which company you would like to work for. An example is to not dwell on a function you want to have, but focus on the culture of the company. This is because a function is temporary, you will have it for around two or three years and then you want something else. So, it is very important to see if the company itself fits you the best.

Jack de Kreij – CFO VOPAK
Go and do something that you are passionate about and not something that others say is good for your CV. I don’t believe in careers that are mapped out in which people say that they do something because it looks good on their CV. So, always look for something that you are passionate about and stay open-minded. Then you can excel. Enjoy new insights and try to get the most out of your role, then opportunities that you could not have imagined beforehand will present themselves.

Lans Bovenberg
Do not be afraid to fail or to be different, but see it as an opportunity. You should try many things in life, you will end up learning from it. So do not be afraid to try new things or to be different from other people.

Jan Bos – CFO Post NL
The main thing is that you enjoy your time as a student. When choosing a job do not think too much ahead but choose for a job where you can learn something to discover and maximize the potential of your talent’s.

John van Pol – CEO of Ingu Solutions
Be careful taking very successful business people as an example. Do not try to use what Microsoft or Facebook have done as a model to set up a business, as there is no formula for success. I never read those entrepreneurial books they sell. You need to do your own thing; it will get you there eventually. Follow your passion and not the money, unless your passion is money. People will notice that you are not engaged with what you are doing and they will be reluctant to do business with you. If people feel your passion, like what you are doing and you are good at it, you will succeed.

Edwin Adams – Geldvoorelkaar
If you are mainly looking for safety and security, you will miss out on many opportunities. I understand that you can go through a certain career after graduation, but it might be interesting to take on challenges which do have a little risk and less security. You can win more, not only financially, but also for yourself. Also I would definitely go traveling for a year after the study, which is definitely good for your development.

Mark Vlaminckx – Achmea
In the past it was always important to acquire knowledge. I think this is still important, but I also think that competencies regarding innovation will become more important than the knowledge you already have. It is a matter of attitude: are you curious, can you apply yourself to it? I think this will become more exciting than existing knowledge. Whenever I hire people, I primarily pay attention to this attitude. When someone comes from a university that person has already shown that he or she is capable of gaining new knowledge, so the content of the job is not going to be a problem. A lot of jobs that you see today didn’t exist 10 years ago, so be curious and try to have the right attitude towards innovation.

Pieter de Boer –  Recruitment consultant at KPMG
Orientate yourself as early as possible! When you graduate, you know what is out there and companies get to know you. Go to as many activities as possible that are organized by associations and companies for a broad orientation. And be critical, you have to make a choice that is best for you.  A broad perspective makes it easier to make the right decision. Some additional advice from me, become an active member of the study association. This is no guarantee but it is very good for your personal development.

Bob van den Brand is a teacher and researcher, part-time at the University of Tilburg and part-time at the TIAS School for Business and Society.
Go abroad! Now is the time where you have a lot of free time but little money, afterwards you have more money but little free time. It all becomes more international, even as an auditor. Previously, it stopped at the border. If you can experience some of the internationalization, do it! Also internships are very important. I heard that internships will be part of the bachelor program in the future. Just to feel how the working life is and to taste the corporate culture.