ABOUT MARJOLIJN
When you’re interested in being coached, it’s important to feel aligned and comfortable with the point of view, approach and personality of your coach.
So… this is me.
WARM WELCOMES AND A WAY WITH WORDS
Having been raised by a kind, open-minded mum and ditto aunties who cared about making people – all people – feel included and feel welcome, led me to get a business degree in hotel management. The hospitality industry (at least in theory) is all about making people feel welcome.
I’ve always had an interest in other people’s perspectives, stories and cultural backgrounds. So I followed up my management degree with another one, in English, where I learned more about stories and perspectives, and honed my language skills: speaking, writing, and editing.
To my surprise though, my career path led me to working in HR. I learned how hiring managers think and make hiring decisions. I also developed a good eye for people’s individual talents as well as where they can be useful in an organisation.
And I focussed on acknowledging and factoring in people’s real experiences in the workplace.
While navigating the job market throughout my own career, I experienced how challenging it can be to land a job.
How difficult it can be to create a career that fulfils your aspirations, fits well with your lifestyle and priorities, and allows you the space to excel being YOU.
FINDING THE COURAGE TO BE ME
Eventually, I spent a decade of my career in HR and recruitment… until I realised it wasn’t the place for me. I care way more about giving people the space to be real than calling them resources.
After some soul searching and working with a career coach myself, I made a big career switch and became a certified Co-Active Coach. This is an ICF accredited coaching degree that is recognised as the most rigorous in the industry.
The life-long journey of discovering who I am, what I believe in, and stand for, and gathering the courage to step into it all and build a me-shaped career and life hasn’t been easy. But it has been worth it!
In my coaching, all of this comes together. Creating space for people’s experiences, making sure they feel welcome in their own lives and work. Being pragmatic about how to communicate effectively. Creating more inclusion in individual lives and the wider world.
My coaching approach
As a coach, my main focus is to let you leverage your skills, talents, strengths, potential… everything that you bring to the table, in your own style and approach. I will look at the whole of you - your situation and circumstances, strengths, personality, talents, insecurities, hopes, and aspirations.
I will be open, honest and kind.
Creating a safe, non-judgmental, welcoming space for all my clients to share their stories and perspectives, where you can express yourself openly, is fundamental to my overall coaching approach.
I will not pretend I know all the answers, but I will ask you the questions that will help you find your own answers, inform your decisions and propel you forward.
I will be a partner on your journey to guide you, support you and champion you on your way.
This is what I want for both my clients and me:
To feel valued and appreciated for exactly who you are
To be able to excel at your work, in your career and as a DEI professional
To do what you enjoy and what you’re great at, enabling you to make a difference at work, at home and in the world
As a career coach, I help my clients find a fulfilling job that fits their lifestyle, lights them up, and lets them shine through both comprehensive coaching and practical job search support (in English or Dutch).
As a DEI coach, I guide my clients to identify, clarify, and implement the ways THEY can contribute the most, as well as keep it up long-term.
My background at a glance
Professional Co-Active Coach certified by the International Coaching Federation
Born & raised in the Netherlands, international perspective and experiences
Fluent in Dutch and English
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
Co-host of the People Impact Podcast
Masters in English
Bachelors in Hotel Management
Straight, white, middle class, university-educated (first in my family) and vocationally educated, cisgender, able-bodied, slightly neuro-diverse, right-handed, Dutch woman.
Even more about me
Besides being a solopreneur, together with my partner I am also raising two lovely, lively kids.
Having studied in various countries, I’ve made friends all over the world (and visit them often).
They’ve shown me different cultural perspectives on life and this world, which is so valuable working with people from all kinds of backgrounds.
My kitchen is my playground as I try out and explore new recipes from all over the world, whenever I get the chance.
I enjoy immersing myself in all kinds of wonderful stories - my favourite type of small-scale travel - from my diverse and overflowing bookshelves.
... while sipping tea, pretty much all day every day.
What my clients say
I would love to connect with you!
I would love to meet you and see if I can help you reach your career and/or DEI goals.
This introductory call is free, and even if you don’t decide to work with me, you’ll likely still walk away with an insight or two on your specific situation.