At Maandag®, we brainstorm with you about your dreams. We therefore like to keep talking to you about your ambitions as well as your personal goals. This is also how Kees van Dijk came to talk to Maandag®. To enhance his job satisfaction, he was keen to continue his experience as a functional manager, but also to fulfil his dream of starting his own business. And it succeeded.

A few months ago, ‘Kees’s head was all over the place.’ He wondered if he was still happy in his permanent job as a functional manager. ‘I wanted to discover if I could organise my life differently. So, I put my CV online and posted on LinkedIn that I was open to new positions. Maandag® soon approached me. The first question recruiter Dion asked me was whether I still wanted to work as a functional manager. That question hit the bull’s eye.’

Talking about motivations

As a functional manager, Kees is the translator between ICT staff and employees and specialises in public organisations. ‘I make sure the ICT matches the needs of an organisation,’ Kees says. ‘I talked to the recruiter about my ambitions, and what I like and don't like about my job. He asked about my personal interests, and what drives me. Everything was open for discussion.’ Maandag® struck the right chord with Kees. Together with the recruiter, he soon found out that working part-time would be a good option so that he would have more time to pursue his dream of making furniture. Kees says, ‘I have always been good with my hands and enjoy creating things. I told this honest story to Maandag® and together we looked for the right solution for my needs: combining different ambitions and still having security.’

In your comfort zone

Through Maandag®, Kees started working part-time as a functional administrator at the Municipality of Alkmaar. He now invests the rest of his time in his own business, where he makes cabinets. ‘I like this combination. I’m doing something new, where my heart is, but I can also still use my expertise as a functional manager. These days, people often say: 'Step out of your comfort zone.' But I actually enjoy being in that comfort zone and using my strengths within it. At the Municipality of Alkmaar, I am really adding value with my ICT knowledge and that makes me feel fulfilled.’

Everything was open for discussion

‘The biggest advantage of working at Maandag® is that I get the space, on both a business as well as a personal level,’ Kees says. ‘As a functional manager, I keep gaining experience and get a look behind the scenes at different places. Maandag® listens carefully to personal needs: in my case, that's making furniture. As long as you do your best and are willing, you can discuss anything here.’