Exploring new career steps with the support of a mentor

Finding a job can be tough. You might not know many people, have little knowledge about how things work in the Netherlands, or find it hard to meet employers. That's why Essent and Refugee Talent Hub are organizing this mentor programme for you. There are only a few spots available, so sign up quickly for the Essent Mentor Programme 2024!

About Essent

We are Essent. Since 1909 we have provided energy to our customers. Millions of customers and businesses choose Essent or one of her other labels: energiedirect.nl, Powerhouse and Vandebron on a daily basis. In our own unique way, we deliver what we excel at: affordable and sustainable energy solutions for everyone.

Committed to giving back, Essent aims to contribute to equal chances on the Dutch labor market for refugee talents by organizing an extensive professional mentor programme with Refugee Talent Hub. In this programme, you will be matched with an IT professional from Essent, from whom you will receive guidance to boost your professional development and make steps with the ultimate goal in finding a job. Interested? Sign up now!

What does the Mentor Programme involve?

Over the course of 4 months, you'll receive support from a mentor at Essent. Together with your mentor, you'll learn about steps you can take to find a job in the Netherlands. By the end of the programme, you and your mentor will have worked on:

• Creating a strong CV
• Building a LinkedIn profile
• Crafting a brief self-introduction (pitch)
• Writing a compelling cover letter
• Practicing job interviews
• Expanding your professional network
• Understanding the Dutch job market

**You will receive a certificate at the end of the programme, if you have actively participated. 

During the mentor programme, your mentor will share their knowledge, skills, and network with you. But your mentor can also learn a lot from you! You'll also meet other participants and learn more about working and about Essent.

The mentor programme is not full-time training; nor does it give you a guarantee to find a job at Essent. You'll talk with your mentor about once a week for 4 months. During these conversations, you'll work on your professional development which will increase both your confidence and your skills to find suitable work in the Netherlands. You'll also participate in events and online meetings with other mentors and mentees. 

Essent IT

Essent is at the heart of today’s biggest transitions: Energy!
Combine this transition with Digital & IT and you will find state of the art solutions and applications for Essent’s 2.5 million customers. The department is working with SAFe agile, DevOps and always together with the business. IT has a simple focus in everything they do: optimisation, innovation and improvements to create perfect customer experiences. Want to read more about working in IT within Essent? click here

What do we expect from you?

• You have a refugee background.
•  You have experience/knowledge or demonstrable affinity with IT. We will give priority to software developers with experience in coding.
• You're actively looking for work and want assistance.
• You participate in both online and live events (see Important Dates).
• Starting from September 25, 2024, you can meet with your mentor once a week, either in person or online, for 4 months.
• You speak Dutch or English proficiently. All group activities will be in English. 
• Your CV is in our database.
• You're enthusiastic and motivated to make the most of the mentor programme.
• You have access to a computer with internet and a camera for video calls.

Important Dates

• Live Kick-off: Wednesday, September 25th, 2024, 10:00 - 13:00
• First online check-in Mentees: Wednesday, October 16th, 2024, 11:00 - 12:00
• Live Job Application Skills training: Monday, November 25th, 2024, 10:00 - 13:00
• Second online check-in Mentees: Monday,December 2nd, 2024,  10:00 - 11:00
• Live Closing event: Monday, February 3rd, 2024, 10:00 -13:00

*Live events will be held at Essent HQ, Willemsplein 4, 5211 AK 's-Hertogenbosch. Travel expenses will be reimbursed, but only if incurred on the day of the event. Please read our travel reimbursement policy carefully.

How do I sign up?
Not sure what your next career step should be? Want to learn how to present yourself well in job interviews? Want to expand your professional network? Then sign up before August 19th, 2024 for the new Essent mentor programme!

If selected, we expect you to attend both online and live events (see Important Dates). Also we ask you to carefully look at our no show policy.

If you have any questions about the programme, contact us at info@refugeetalenthub.com. We hope you'll take advantage of this great opportunity for professional development!