Over the past two weeks, we’ve welcomed a new colleague as a highly skilled immigrant: Shah. He started as a BMS Automation Engineer at one of our client companies. Now that the main formalities are complete, Shah was especially curious about what the next steps will look like. We’re happy to provide this outlook.
Initial Meeting
In April, we met Shah while he was still working on a project in Ireland as a highly skilled migrant. He had indicated that he was open to taking the next step; one of our clients had learned of this and asked us to handle the onboarding process.
Emigration Process
After the initial meeting, we exchanged information about the upcoming emigration process and our role in it. We then discussed the agreement, signed it, and initiated the permit procedure with the IND. Approval followed fairly quickly, and we were able to start looking for housing. This process also went smoothly this time. A temporary residence was arranged in consultation. The flight was booked in early May, and the client was able to move in. In the days that followed, formalities such as opening a bank account and registering with the municipality were taken care of. A visit to our office for a more in-depth introduction and to sign the final documents was also on the agenda.
The Next Steps
Last week, the plan was to pick up his visa in person at the IND office. Afterward, we had time to reflect on the process over a good cup of coffee and look ahead to what lies ahead as work begins this week. Shah is approaching this process with confidence, and we wish him the best of luck.
We discussed differences in work culture, workplace safety, hierarchical relationships, proactivity, and how to structure life outside of work. We frequently visit our colleagues at or near the workplace; together, we review a Risk Assessment and Evaluation (RAE) that provides valuable insights into workplace dynamics and safety. We listen to how team cohesion is taking shape and what role our colleague can play in this. Usually after three months, we conduct a behavioral assessment and discuss it together. This focuses on work behavior; when you learn to better understand your own behavior, feedback truly becomes a gift rather than a personal attack. This also makes it easier to provide feedback in a safe manner.
Life Outside of Work
We’ve noticed that many colleagues in the Netherlands have a much better work-life balance. This can mean our new colleague has some free time. We explore and brainstorm ways to support them in their personal life as well—for example, joining a sports club or connecting with a religious community.
Interested?
After reading about our approach above, are you interested in the opportunities at TailorMinds? Check out our job listings page—you might find a position that interests you. Do you have any questions? Feel free to contact us.
