Hey future colleague!

It’s great to see that you are preparing to join Van Oord via the Impact Traineeship Programme of 2025! Two years ago I was where you are now, facing some of the same questions, choices, and challenges that I am sure are going through your mind at this very moment. For me, following the traineeship has been a perfect start to a career at Van Oord, in part due to the deep understanding and knowledge I have gained about the processes that keep VO going, but mostly because of the group of 24 enthusiastic starters that joined together with me and I have become good friends with. Let me tell you about my experiences with the application process of the traineeship.

First up, cover letter and CV round. Putting some extra effort in these two is worth your time, as further down the line during interviews both are used to inform those in front of you about who you are. On multiple occasions I have been positively surprised by interviewers who referred to personal anecdotes and examples of my experiences that I shared in my cover letter. In this year’s trainee programme, you will apply to a specific department, So, make sure to apply for the vacancy that best matches your interests and explain your motivation in your cover letter! Do not worry if you are not 100% certain which one suits you best, it is possible to switch later on in the process (after the inhousedays).

Second up is a video pitch. The pitch is a good time to let your creativity shine and distinguish yourself from the other candidates with a story.  After the video pitch, you will be invited to complete an online assessment, which evaluates your cognitive abilities and intelligence. Next up is the inhouse day, where you get to see the Van Oord headquarters for the first time, and engage in open, informal conversations with employees from all Van Oord departments. This part of the process I liked best, because of the direct, and human interaction with many of my future colleagues. I remember coming here with a million questions and leaving with at least some answers. Engage as much as you can and make sure you have a good understanding of the roles the traineeship and different departments have to offer. After this round, you will need to submit your final top-2 department preferences, followed by your final interviews.

The process might seem like a lot to start with but speaking from experience if you prepare well it is also a lot of fun and a great opportunity to get to know the company. I wish you all the best these coming months and hope to welcome you to Van Oord in September!