ABOUT MARJOLIJN
Whether you’re interested in career or DEI coaching, working with a coach is an intimate process. It’s important for you to feel aligned and comfortable with the point of view, approach and personality of your coach.
To give you an opportunity to assess if I’m the right person to support you on the journey to your next chapter - here’s my story.
I sometimes say I was born outside my comfort zone and spent my life finding my way back in - to a career and life that is me-shaped.
My career in HR and recruitment in different-sized companies in the Netherlands was fruitful and rewarding for a while. It gave me the opportunity to learn how both hiring managers and job applicants think. I also developed a good eye for people’s individual talents, and helped them loearn how to appreciate and use them. Likewise, I always made hospitality, employee experience and inclusion (which has always been a big part of who I am) an integral part of my initiative.
In time, though, the traditional HR roles stopped ‘fitting’ me.
After some soul searching and working with a coach myself, I got certified in Co-Active Coaching, determined to help others create their space in the job market.
But I knew that there was more to creating that fully ME-shaped space.
I experienced my own fair share of gender and age-based discrimination. And I also reflected on the fact that wanting ALL people to feel welcome and included has consistently shown up in my personal and work life: I was raised by kind women who welcome all guests with plenty of food, drinks and ‘“make yourself at home’” and I went to Hotel Management School, which to me seemed the ultimate place of 'you are welcome here.
As a result, I realised that Diversity, Equity and especially Inclusion are a natural extension of what was always important to me and my ME-shaped career turned out to be twofold:
I help my clients create their own space both through career coaching and by improving diversity & inclusion.
I deeply believe that the job you go to every day can be in the shape of YOU.
To help you find and land such a job, I look at you as a whole. Your life situation, lifestyle, goals, priorities, the career phase you’re in, as well as your personal traits, talents, potential, and aspirations.
And then, through both comprehensive coaching and practical job search support (in English or Dutch), I will help you find a fulfilling job that fits your lifestyle, lights you up, and lets you shine. Because that’s what a YOU-shaped job is all about!
I coach individuals, specialists, trainers, and team members to foster DEI in their organisations and communities.
Because it matters, what you do matters. I am interested in your personal story and background, and in every DEI contributor’s individual drives and abilities.
I guide you to identify, clarify, and implement the ways YOU can contribute the most, as well as keep it up long-term.
I take your creation of a YOU-shaped space, and welcoming spaces for others, personally.
My approach to coaching is more than a process. I love working with my clients. I love their efforts and honesty, their talents and potential. I get invested and I care.
So, when you work with me, you don’t just get a Netherlands job market insider and a committed career and DEI coach, you also get a cheerleader who will champion you and root for you every step of the way!
Interested in working with me?
If you are looking for a career or DEI coach, let’s have an introductory call (free, no strings attached) and see if we are a good match. I’d love to meet you, and even if you decide this is not the path you want to take, you will still walk away with a fresh perspective on your specific work-life situation and a new network connection.
“Marjolijn has a secret power to empathically help you find the right direction. Our coaching sessions made me more confident to transition through my career and the visualisation sessions were extremely insightful. I have enjoyed every interaction we've had and I can vouch for her kindness and attention to detail that has helped me get more in tune with my feelings, emotions and career goals. I would highly recommend Marjolijn for career coaching.”
- Nimeeta Gakhar - Social impact Portfolio Manager
My background at a glance
Professional Co-Active Coach certified by the International Coaching Federation
10+ years of work experience in HR & Recruitment
Speaker at the Amplify DEI Summit in 2020 and 2021
Worked in organisation sizes from 2 to 500 people, from culture to finance and from market research to real estate
People Impact Podcast host
Masters in English (language & culture)
Bachelors in Hotel Management (business & hospitality)
2700+ connections on LinkedIn as the result of building relationships with real human beings
Even more about me
I’m a straight, white, middle class, university-educated (first in my family) and vocationally educated, slightly neuro-diverse, able-bodied, right-handed, cisgender Dutch woman.
Besides being a trained and certified Co-Active Coach and constantly doing the work in the realm of DEI, together with my partner, I am also raising two lovely, lively kids.
My kitchen is my secret playground as I lose myself trying out and exploring new recipes whenever I get the chance.
I'm an aficionado of 'scruffy hospitality: caring more about making your guests feel at home than impressing them with a perfectly polished dinner table.
Having studied in various countries, I’ve made friends all over the world (and visit them often).
And I find great joy in immersing myself in all kinds of wonderful stories - my favourite type of travel - from my diverse and overflowing bookshelves.
...While sipping tea, of course.
