A while ago, we announced the arrival of our new colleague Alessandro from South Africa. However, his arrival and induction took longer than expected and hoped for. Alessandro is now in the Netherlands and has also started in his new role as Engineering Specialist Maintenance at one of our clients.
The initial contacts
We first came into contact with Alessandro at the end of last year after he applied for one of our vacancies. This vacancy turned out not to be an exact match for his profile. However, we did see enough common ground to arrange an exploratory meeting to discuss other potential opportunities. Alessandro has been working for many years as a specialist maintenance technician within the pharmaceutical industry. In this role, he has gained extensive knowledge and experience in carrying out maintenance and troubleshooting faults on equipment and utilities, amongst other complex matters. During the initial interview, we also gained a positive personal impression of him and agreed to explore the possibilities. Shortly afterwards, an opportunity arose with one of our clients who was looking for an experienced maintenance specialist. The introduction was quickly followed by an initial interview, and then a second one shortly afterwards. Subsequently, the intention to enter into a working relationship was confirmed.
A longer procedure than expected
Once the contracts had been signed and the visa procedure at IND for the residence permit had begun, we started preparing for his arrival. A start date had been agreed with our client, and we expected the procedure to be completed fairly quickly.
However, it still took some time before final approval was granted. Generally speaking, the IND is quick to reach a decision; in this case, however, they required the full statutory period of three months, which caused a delay. This created an unpleasant situation for us and our client, but as Alessandro would be a welcome addition to the team, it did not prove to be a deal-breaker. Alessandro’s patience was also put to the test; by this point, he was ready to come to the Netherlands. Yet he, too, remained optimistic about a positive outcome. Fortunately, a few weeks ago, the moment finally arrived: his visa had been approved!
Next steps and formalities
Following approval, we were finally able to take the next steps. We’re currently sorting out a number of formalities; Alessandro has now received his residence permit. The biggest challenge is finding suitable accommodation near his place of work. As soon as he has found a home, we can plan the remaining steps, including registering with the local council. Alessandro has now settled into his new job, and we wish him every success and a bright future in the Netherlands!
Interested?
Are you also interested in the opportunities at TailorMinds? Take a look at our careers page – you might find an interesting vacancy online. Do you have any questions? Please feel free to contact us.
