From searching to being discovered: how Zahra and Camiel found their place at HEINEKEN
Reading time: 7 minutes
Zahra already knew which company she wanted to join. Camiel was still figuring out his direction. Magnet.me helped both of them move forward in two very different ways.
Most graduates do not have too few options. They have too many.
Opportunities are scattered across company websites, LinkedIn pages and different career platforms. Every employer presents its roles differently. And while you keep searching, one question remains unanswered: which opportunity is actually right for me?
Zahra Rana and Camiel Verboeket started their searches from opposite positions. Zahra had been interested in the HEINEKEN Global Graduate Program for some time. Camiel had just completed his master’s degree and an internship at the Dutch embassy in Colombia, but had not yet decided which direction he wanted to take.
Magnet.me gave both of them something that can be difficult to find in a fragmented job market: relevant opportunities in one place. For Zahra, that meant discovering and comparing her options. For Camiel, it meant that the right employer could discover him.
Plenty of options. No complete picture.
Zahra already knew that she wanted to work at HEINEKEN. When the Global Graduate Program was not open in the year she completed her master’s, she decided to gain more experience and explore other opportunities in the meantime.
Navigating those opportunities was not always easy.
“There was so much available that it was difficult to understand what was possible and which opportunities were the best fit for me.”
Camiel faced the same challenge. Having just completed his studies, he wanted to compare different companies and roles without having to research and approach every employer individually.
“Job openings were scattered across countless company websites and LinkedIn pages. Building a complete picture took a lot of time, and it was difficult to know whether an opportunity was right for me or whether something better was still out there.”
Their problem was not a lack of possibilities. It was the noise between them.
One platform, two paths
Magnet.me helped Zahra bring structure to her search. She used the platform to discover current vacancies, open days and employers she might not otherwise have considered. The opportunities she saw reflected her interests and helped her explore beyond a single job title.
Also, Magnet.me helped her get to know an employer that was already on her radar better. Through Magnet.me, she came across a CareerFairy livestream about the HEINEKEN Global Graduate Program and the different tracks within the program.
“That livestream gave me much more detailed information about the Global Graduate Program and had a major influence on my decision.”
For Camiel, Magnet.me worked differently. Many of the roles that surfaced aligned with his profile and preferences, reducing the time he spent filtering through irrelevant opportunities.
The real turning point came when a HEINEKEN recruiter discovered his profile and contacted him directly.
“Instead of having to identify HEINEKEN as a target company myself, the opportunity came to me. It meant I could focus on conversations that were genuinely relevant to my background and ambitions.”
That introduction was the starting point, not the entire journey. Camiel researched the Global Graduate Program, spoke with current graduates and then entered the standard application and interview process. Without that first contact through Magnet.me, he believes he probably would not have discovered the opportunity.
Why HEINEKEN was the right fit
Zahra chose the Commerce track within the HEINEKEN Global Graduate Program because of HEINEKEN’s strong brand, its reputation in marketing, and the opportunity to explore different disciplines within commerce.
With a background in marketing, she did not want to move immediately into one narrowly defined role. She also wanted to discover whether other areas, including sales, could suit her.
She is now completing her second assignment as a project manager within the field sales retail team.
“I have gained a much broader understanding of the different departments within commerce and how each of them creates value. What stands out most is how quickly you can learn from different colleagues and teams.”
Camiel was drawn to HEINEKEN’s international scale and the combination of analytical problem-solving, collaboration and operational responsibility.
The Supply Chain track within the HEINEKEN Global Graduate Program gave him the opportunity to work on concrete challenges from the start. His assignment includes supporting the electrification of HEINEKEN’s transport fleet and optimising logistics routes.
“I wanted a hands-on role where I could see the direct impact of my work, both in the numbers and in the way operations run every day. That is exactly what I found.”
From more options to more direction
The right match delivers more than a new job title. It creates direction.
For Zahra, the Global Graduate Program has helped her understand how broad the world of commerce is and which types of work give her energy.
For Camiel, a broad search has turned into a much clearer career path.
“This opportunity gave me much more clarity about the kind of work I want to do. I now know that I want to work in a global environment that combines operational responsibility with continuous learning and improvement.”
Two graduates. Two different searches. Two different ways in which Magnet.me made a difference.
Zahra used the platform to discover opportunities, learn more about employers and make a more informed decision. Camiel built a profile that enabled a relevant employer to find him directly.
Because you do not always need to know your next employer before you start. Sometimes the best next step begins with discovering what is out there. And sometimes it begins by making sure the right opportunity can discover you.
Discover opportunities that fit you
Complete your profile on Magnet.me and explore relevant jobs, traineeships, employers and events. Whether you already know where you want to go or are still exploring, Magnet.me helps you move from endless searching to more focused discovery.
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