Working in HR

Jacqueline Heijen is HR policy advisor at Radboud University.

“My job as HR policy advisor is incredibly broad and dynamic. I basically develop, coordinate and implement policies on university-wide strategic HR issues. I advise different parties about complex and multifaceted policy issues. I then translate these themes into specific projects and programmes, which I often also personally coordinate. My focus is on topics such as workload, recognition and rewards, sick leave and well-being. Promoting the well-being of staff members is very important to me and I find it inspiring that my job allows me to make an impact in that respect.

As HR policy adviser, you’re given ample scope to carry out projects in the way you conceived this together with the organisation. Because the university is a heterogeneous organisation, there is often no one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why I often enter into discussions with different groups so that we can work together to achieve specific results. Having this responsibility makes my job super rewarding. It’s so satisfying when you’re able to work together with colleagues to create a new service that’s going to help many people.

Within our department, the mutual contact between colleagues is good and close. When I started working here, I liked the fact that I was able to take on projects on my own so quickly. In an effort to help me, my senior colleagues let me observe their projects and explained everything to me in great detail. This meant I was well-prepared to start working on my own policy issues. We still have a good relationship and I know that I can always turn to them for help and advice.

New issues are always emerging and the role of HR within the university is becoming increasingly important, and that’s why my job is so interesting and challenging. For me, it’s the combination of the many growth opportunities and my friendly colleagues that makes Radboud University such a wonderful employer.”

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Sterre Jacobs is recruitment specialist at Radboud University.

“As Radboud University’s Recruitment Department, we provide support for the recruitment and communications for all vacancies within the organisation. I’m responsible for the full coordination and supervision of several additional recruitment projects. The job market has become increasingly tighter in recent years, which makes some positions difficult to fill with the right talent. 

It’s the variety in my work that I find most interesting. There are so many different projects, each of which involves a different approach. Sometimes you’ll need to recruit catering staff, and at other times  a professor. I also like the freedom that this work offers. I get to try out things that I think will work and things that I’m interested in. You can learn a lot from that. 

In addition, what I do here really matters and I get to contribute indirectly to high-quality research and education. When one of our campaigns helps us finally find that one professor we’ve been looking for, it makes me feel like I’m doing my bit for society. I come from the private sector and it was sometimes hard to see what my added value was there, whereas I feel like I’m making an impact here.

The work environment within our department is very informal. Everyone is there for each other and I feel supported. For example, it’s no problem if you want to take a day off. There are also all kinds of opportunities for continued self-development. 

Communication with the vacancy holders from the various faculties and departments also runs fairly smoothly, although some people are more sceptical than others. We’re one of the first universities to engage in recruitment marketing in this way, so it’s not surprising that they’re not used to our approach. Afterwards, when a position has been filled by a high-quality candidate, the vacancy holders are excited after all about the process. Those reactions also make my work extra special.”

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