Navigating Career Success: Insights from SBE Career Services
Hello Charlotte. Thank you for accepting the interview request! Could you briefly introduce yourself?
Yes, definitely! I am Charlotte Sikking. I am one of the coaches and trainers at the School of Business and Economics (SBE) career services team, and I'm very excited to share more about it. I have been working here since January 2023. My background is in work and organisational psychology, and after completing my studies at the University of Amsterdam (UVA), I gained several years of work experience in HR. I worked at Accenture and HEMA, and last year I made the switch to coach and trainer. Now, I mainly focus on career-related matters for students. I support students in their transition from student to work. At Career Services, we offer various services, like workshops, events, individual appointments and online e-modules.. I am also the contact person from Career Services for Kraket, which I find to be a great association. Recently, I gave a workshop at the Diversity and Development Day (DDD).
What exactly did you talk about during your workshop at the DDD?
We developed the workshop specifically for the DDD. The goal of the workshop was to encourage Kraket students to reflect on themselves. We see that Econometric students are quite popular with employers. At the end of the master's program, companies often approach you quickly. The first job usually comes easily to you. Together with the DDD committee, we looked at how we can stimulate students to reverse this process. By that, I mean that you start thinking more about: What do I enjoy? What opportunities are out there?
The workshop further covered: What are my strengths? How can I develop myself during my studies? So, what are the development opportunities such as joining a committee, hobbies, or other activities that help you develop as a person during your studies? We also discussed how to initiate a conversation with a company.
During the DDD, you mentioned a CV scan. What are some common mistakes when creating a CV or a LinkedIn profile?
Good question. There are a few important points for a CV. First, make sure all information is complete. Second, tailor your CV to the job you are applying for. And third, ensure it is chronological, with the most recent items at the top.
Additionally, you want your CV to stand out. For example, it helps to use specific keywords from the job listing in your CV. Think carefully about what is relevant to mention and what is not and consider it from the reader's perspective. Use numbers to make your achievements concrete, for example: 'I organised an event for 100 students.' Also, make sure your CV is no longer than two pages. Recruiters often read a CV in about 30 seconds, so it needs to be easy to read. Use bullet points to make your information clear and concise. This helps the recruiter quickly see what is important. Ensure a clear structure. Use consistent time notations and leave enough white space to keep your CV organised.
What interview training does SBE Career Services offer?
We offer workshops on a lot of career related topics, one of them is Ace the Interview. [Links upcoming events listed below the article]. In these workshops, we practise interview techniques in small, interactive groups. Additionally, we also offer a one-on-one practice interview. Students can schedule this type of appointment to practise for an interview.
Do you have examples of what students want to practise when interviewing?
Sometimes I have appointments with students who, for example, want to apply to Deloitte and want to practise their interview. Other times, students simply want to practise general interview skills because they have never had an interview before and find it daunting. Then we ask questions like 'Tell me something about yourself' or 'What is your motivation?'. These skills are quite general. It is important how you present yourself during the interview.
Every application process is different, but generally, the same types of questions are asked in the interview. You will be asked who you are, what your background is, and what your motivation is. Moreover, you are frequently required to give examples when asked about particular skills. This is usually standard, whether you are applying for an internship or a permanent position. You can always practise your interview skills. How do you sit? Are you sitting up straight? Can you tell your story clearly and concisely?
How does SBE Career Services collaborate with other organisations and departments to offer more opportunities to students?
First of all, we work with Kraket, and every six weeks we have a meeting with the chairman of the board. This is mainly to ensure that we are aligned and that you know what we are doing and vice versa. It is a very pleasant and enjoyable collaboration. We keep each other well-informed and look at how we can help each other. For example, we are part of the Diversity and Development Day. Next year, we want to see if we can join more activities.
Can alumni also receive assistance from Career Services?
Our services are available up to one year after graduation. We have a career platform where all our workshops and events are listed. There is also a vacancy board, and Graduates can schedule individual coaching appointments with us. Alumni can reach us by sending an email to careerservices.sbe@vu.nl.
How would you work with a student at the end of their studies who is still trying to figure out what they want to do?
Well, suppose you are at the end of your bachelor's degree and you have various questions like 'I don't know exactly what I want to do after my studies.' We are here to help you. We can practically support you with your CV, your motivation letter, or your LinkedIn profile. Additionally, we think along with you about important choices, such as: 'What do I enjoy?' 'Which direction do I want to go in?'
This, of course, varies per study program. In your case as an econometrics student, you might have an idea of which directions are available, such as data science, the banking sector, or consultancy. We help you by asking questions that provide insight into what truly suits you.
We also support students with internships. During an internship, you usually work five days a week at a company. You gain experience in your field of study and learn what it's like to work at a company or organisation. I also did an internship myself, and it was very relevant. I learned what I like and do not like. This helped me in making future choices.
Students often say that it helps them in finding a job. They discover what they do and don't like. Some students even get a job offer after their internship. It helps in broadening your network, gaining experience and in developing skills within an organisation. Many students are very positive about their internship experiences.
From your personal experience in HR, what are common reasons why people don't make it through the CV selection?
Yes, I've seen some odd CVs. For example, in consultancy, I once saw a CV with a Disney format. It's important to align with the sector you are applying to and use the appropriate language. Unclear CVs are a turn-off. If it's not clear what someone does or what their background is, it becomes challenging to assess their suitability for the role.
You need to explain who you are and what you have done. If those two things aren't clear, it's essentially a bad CV. The rest is secondary, right?
Yes, that's correct. It needs to be clear what your background is, who you are and what you want to do. Your CV is your business card, the most important document when applying for a job. Especially nowadays, when motivation letters are sometimes not even requested or used in different forms, clarity in your CV is very important.
You also mentioned the use of keywords per industry. Is it becoming more common for employers to use programs to quickly go through a large number of CVs?
Yes, that's correct. Keywords are very important for this reason. Use standard titles like 'Work Experience' and 'Education' instead of creative terms. Some students use very different labels, but it's better to use the standard terms. If a tool scans a CV and it can only recognize (for example) ’Achievements’ instead of ‘Work experience’', it can be a problem.
How does SBE Career Services address diversity and inclusion in its offerings and support its students from various backgrounds and identities?
We are currently working on better aligning our services with the needs of the new generation of students. We have conducted research into these needs and are now looking at how we can adapt our offerings. For example, we are exploring ways to provide more experiential learning opportunities instead of just traditional lessons.
And regarding diversity and inclusion, we have many international students who use our services. We take that into account. Of course, our working language is also English. We ensure that our services consider different cultures and can address the questions of students who are not from the Netherlands and have specific concerns. We try to accommodate all target groups.
That's interesting. What is the difference between today's students and those from the past?
We are still in the brainstorming phase, so I can't be very detailed yet. But we notice a shift towards valuing personal experiences and learning by doing. There is also more emphasis on personal responsibility and equality in the learning process. We are considering the use of more digital tools to support these preferences.
Traditional methods are not necessarily unacceptable, but a more interactive and personalised approach is often more effective. Students focus a lot on success. We want to emphasise that success doesn't necessarily mean making a lot of money. It depends on what success means to you personally. Maybe it’s important to you to have a balance between private life and work, or study and other activities. Every person is different.
It seems that there are differences per country when it comes to applying. Do you see that?
Certainly. Yes, we notice this as well in our individual appointments and workshops. Students who have come here from another country often have different questions. Each country has different ways of applying for jobs, so we try to pay attention to that. For example, in other countries, references are often asked for, while in the Netherlands, interviews frequently include questions about hobbies, interests, or more personal questions like who you are as a person. In more Asian cultures, for example, such questions are rarely asked. So, students from those backgrounds are not used to discussing these topics, and we try to support them with that.
Do you notice that the desire to 'make an impact' also translates into interest in other sectors, that students are less interested in the financial sector and more in government or similar fields?
Yes, well, it's funny that you mention that. You hear a lot that students want to make an impact and give meaning to their job. And those are also many of the questions we encounter during coaching, like 'I want to make a difference' or 'make an impact.' Indeed, some students say: 'I don't necessarily want to go into the commercial sector or the Big Four, for example, and want to go in a different direction.' On the other hand, the impact is very dependent on what it means to you. So, for one person, it might be: 'I want to work at an NGO (non-profit organisation)' or 'I want to work for a foundation,' or at a small startup focused on sustainability, but for another, it might be: 'I want to work at a university because I feel more connected to society there.' Or even: 'I want to work in consultancy because I can have a broader reach there.' So, yes, it depends on what it means to you personally.
Why do you think the current generation is more focused on making an impact?
I’m not an expert in this field, but it might have something to do with how we’ve developed ourselves. We've come so far that we can ask ourselves these questions. With more access to news and social media, we are much more aware of what is happening, and that motivates students to contribute more. I think that years ago, less information was available, so people didn't have the same access to all that knowledge. Of course there was still a desire to make a difference, as there are great examples in history of how people made a difference in the world.
What is the step-by-step process if you need career help?
You can contact us in several ways. You can reach out through our Career platform. Here you can register for a workshop or event, book an appointment, see our job vacancy board or read some interesting reads. Another way to reach us is through or Canvas pages: The general Career services page and our online Gradup e-modules. If you can’t find what you’re looking for on Canvas, the website or the career platform, drop us an email: careerservices.sbe@vu.nl. Do you want more information about how to contact Career Services, then check the VU website.
What individual services do you offer?
We have different options: a CV, motivation letter or LinkedIn check, a mock interview, career coaching, and internship advice.
What does a personal conversation with Career Services look like?
A conversation usually lasts between 15 to 60 minutes, depending on the type of appointment. It can be online or on campus, with me or one of my colleagues. For example, with the CV check, students bring their CV or send it in advance. During the appointment, we discuss how the CV looks and how it can be improved. Career coaching strongly depends on the specific question of the student. You share your questions and we design the conversation around them.
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