What part do you play in MbarQ’s journey?
I’m the talent coördinator at MbarQ, which means I look for new potential colleagues on the one hand, but take on other soft HR tasks on the other. Regarding recruitment, I cooperate with recruitment companies and operate as a focal point for possible candidates. Besides that, I try to link up between employees, new prospects, managers and even the Cronos mothership when they have any questions.
What’s it like to hop on the MbarQ train?
I’m really close to the team, which makes it really fun to work for MbarQ. As soon as people start at MbarQ, I’ve walked a certain path with them: from reaching out and laying out the first groundworks, to talks with managers, technical tests and eventually onboarding. So when someone new arrives, I already have a closer connection with that person. Which is a positive experience in both ways.
MbarQ is a new start-up. Do you see the team growing?
It’s fun to work for MbarQ. As a start-up, you run into several challenges, such as finding the right people. But as a team we’re up to it. We really tackle possible roadblocks as a team by coming up with ideas together. We’ve been growing in numbers, but in experience as well: new projects, new people, new expertise, new ways of working … It’s nice to see how Stefan and Erik (Managing Partners, red.) are handling this increase. And of course, from my perspective, it’s fun to be as closely involved and positively involved as I am.
“As a start-up, you run into several challenges, such as finding the right people. But as a team we’re up to it.”
Eline Van Gilsen, Talent Coordinator
Do you feel like you play a direct part in their growth?
I’m definitely not claiming every new colleague is a direct result of our recruitment efforts, since people arrive due to a number of factors (direct referral, recruitment companies, spontaneously, …). But I do feel partly responsible for the growth the team has known so far, because that’s the feeling Stefan and Erik communicate as well. You’re often the first point of contact with a new candidate and when you see that person starting after a while, you really feel involved with the team and the organization.
What are MbarQ’s biggest trumps when you contact a new candidate?
I always start out with their mission statement: making data and AI scalable from a business point of view. This is directly followed by the experience and expertise of Stefan and Erik, which is insane. They have the right knowhow, know exactly what they’re doing and fulfill each other perfectly. Besides that, lots of people are looking for the exact approach of MbarQ, often without finding it. So there’s often an instant connection between our mission and vision and a possible new colleague.
Do you experience difficulties in finding the right people for MbarQ as well?
Of course, because you cannot deny the current market, which is scarce to say the least. IT Professionals are being bombarded with proposals and messages or invites from recruiters. You really need to stick out to be heard. As soon as we have a connection and we start talking about MbarQ, things run smoothly. But you need to make that first impression. Luckily, we have a broad scope in who we’re looking for. For instance, we don’t limit ourselves to Belgium and dutch speaking colleagues. And sometimes, mentality or competences take the upper hand on skills or experience.
Luckily, we have a broad scope in who we’re looking for. For instance, we don’t limit ourselves to Belgium and dutch speaking colleagues.
Eline Van Gilsen, Talent Coordinator
Who would be a right fit for MbarQ when speaking of mentality?
First of all, people with the right mindset: think business. Which is of course new in the field of data and AI. And building on that, we’re looking for people who think along in general. We’re a start-up, so there’s room to do so. Since we’re a small team and work closely together, we’re looking for team players, however, from time to time you need to work independently on projects as well.
Do you have any further ambitions concerning the talent coordination at MbarQ?
I really want to let quality dominate quantity. I don’t want to chain myself too much to certain quotas. It goes without saying that we want to grow. So in that respect I would like to see the team multiply itself due to next year. But everyone who started out so far is a direct match with the team and I really believe that’s even more important. So, so far, we’re doing not too bad.
