Leading with Your Strengths: Job Hunting Tips in Technology

Leading with Your Strengths: Job Hunting Tips in Technology

Job hunting in tech can feel lonely and confusing in a market shaped by AI-driven recruitment, geopolitical uncertainty, shifting visa rules, language requirements and lack of feedback. This session is designed to help you cut through that noise and job-hunt from a position of strength.

We'll start with a grounded look at the Dutch tech job market where the real opportunities are and how to navigate it. Then we'll dig into the four competencies employers consistently look for, and what "evidence" of each looks like to a hiring manager.

In a hands-on exercise, you'll pull concrete examples from your own experience — past roles, projects, volunteering, even non-technical jobs — to strengthen your CV, cover letter, and interview stories. No example for a particular competency? We'll help you turn that gap into a plan.

We'll close with practical tips: CV structure, cover letters, company research, interviews, and staying motivated through a long search.

You'll leave with:

• A clearer picture of the Dutch tech hiring landscape
• A working list of your own strengths, backed by real examples
• Practical tips on CV, cover letter, and interview tips you can use immediately
• A community of women in tech to lean on for the rest of your search

Whether you're a recent graduate, changing careers into tech, or restarting your search after a break, come ready to learn, share, and leave with a plan.

Intended main audience: career switcher / students / starting professional / established professional / new in town

Speakers:

• Akemi Micallef Principal Consultant at Infosys Consulting (currently working on SAP S/4 HANA transformation program). Running career events and providing career coaching for Rotterdam Women in Tech and supporting women entrepreneurs through WE Make Trouble.
• Zahra Jafari Platform Operations Engineer – Roaming Specialist / Vertical Owner at Deftpower, with a background in Software Engineering. Co-organizing career events with Akemi for Rotterdam Women in Tech and supporting initiatives that help women navigate and grow their careers in tech.

Date: October 19, 2026
Time: 17:30-19:30
Location: CIC Venture Cafe