Almost 25% of our new colleagues choose a job at Essent because of enthusiastic stories from friends and former colleagues who now work at Essent. In "Thanks New Job," we highlight successful referrals. This time, Chris Stolk is thanking his father, Ruud Stolk, for his new role as DevOps Engineer.How do you know each other?Ruud: “I've known Chris since he was born, actually even before that. He's my son. From a young age, Chris was interested in programming, creating things, and experimenting—everything from simple applications to complete frameworks. So, it wasn't surprising that he ended up in IT as a developer. It took some convincing to get Chris on board with Essent; the commute from Amsterdam Noord to Den Bosch, along with the traffic, was an issue, but Essent's flexibility with remote work solved that. Now, Chris works from home most days and is in Den Bosch once or twice a week.”
Chris: “You could say we go way back—before I even met Ruud, he already knew me, and that's because he's my dad. From a young age, he taught me what I could do with a computer. In 1999, when I was 10 years old, we built my first website together. My interest in creating digital things has never faded since then.”
What are your roles at Essent?Ruud: “I'm a Release Train Engineer. I ensure a seamless alignment of IT developments with the business.”
Chris: “I'm a DevOps Engineer in the High Voltage team.”
How did you know about the referral program, Ruud?
Ruud: "I joined Essent through a referral from a former colleague myself.”
Ruud, why did you think of Chris for this position?
Ruud: "Chris and I often talk about work and the challenges he faces at various employers. After I joined Essent through a referral in January 2023, I immediately knew Essent would be the perfect company for Chris. The work environment, the colleagues, the attitude, and Essent's excellent employer benefits are the ideal ingredients to boost his development and bring him great job satisfaction. Plus, we work at a company that plays a vital role in the energy transition and takes its social responsibilities seriously. The IT ambition to become a tech company is particularly appealing to someone like Chris. He has exactly the technical and human skills we need at Essent."
Chris, how did Ruud introduce Essent to you, and what convinced you to apply?
Chris: "My father and I often talk about where we work. He's always spoken highly of Essent. The transition Essent is undergoing, moving towards becoming a tech company, really appeals to me."
Any tips for Chris as a new colleague at Essent?
Ruud: "The only tip I can give is: enjoy the journey at Essent IT. Realizing these plans and contributing to customer happiness is no small feat."
What will you do with the €1,500 referral bonus?
Ruud: "Good question! I plan to share the amount with Chris, and of course, we'll use some of it for one of our father-son dinners."
Any tips for other colleagues on how to refer someone and earn the bonus?
"Tell people what a great employer Essent is, where employees have the opportunity to get the best out of themselves both at work and at home."
Use your network!
Join in and refer someone from your network as a new colleague, just like Ruud did. Not only will you help Essent, but you'll also earn a nice bonus for yourself.
Visit
werkenbijessent.nl/en/campaigns/referral