Meet our team: Yousra Oulad Youssef
We are very happy to say that our crew is expanding again. Meet Yousra! A warm personality with an infectious enthusiasm; perfect for convincing both freelancers and companies of a good mission or match. We’d love for you to get to know her a little better, so read along in this interview about who she is, what drives her and what she thinks sets her apart from other recruiters.
What was your working life like before working at addon?
Yousra Oulad Youssef: “I’ve been a recruiter since I obtained my master’s degree in HR. In the beginning, I was on the lookout for IT profiles as well, but for the French market. Then I switched to an opportunity in logistics, quite a different world than that of IT. It was fun but I soon learned that to me, the bigger tasks and test like hunting the perfect candidate are what I need. The rush, the variation, the adrenaline… It’s more my thing. So, I decided to switch again and search for a job that would enhance that kind of positive stress for me.”
How did you find addon?
Yousra: “Actually, addon found me! I had indicated that I was open to work on LinkedIn and Youssef saw that and contacted me. I knew him and addon from a previous employer where addon was a client. I never had to do with Youssef myself, but I always heard colleagues raving about him and the company. That fantastic feedback soon warmed me to the idea and offer of Youssef to join addon.”
“The challenges are certainly there but I thrive because of them. I’m used to a whole another world and market. Recruiting for the Belgian market is new, and IT remains a demanding industry. I’m still very happy with my choice!”
What’s recruiting life like at addon?
Yousra: “Every day is different but most of all: every day means new learning opportunities. That’s good for me. I’ve no experience with the Belgian market yet, so I had to learn about the culture, about the type of candidates that we approach. It’s a bit of a particular market. I’ve been here one and a half months now, but it feels like six because of the sheer volume of knowledge I’ve gained (laughs). My colleagues are always available, though. That’s really nice. I can reach them for questions – and I do have a lot of those. They’ve helped me out a lot already.”
“Even though we’re not physically together, I’ve never felt the distance or felt isolated. In all honesty, that was my only concern. I love to work within a team, I’m a social and communicative person and I was a bit scared I’d feel lonely. However, it’s never been like that at all. I’ve been reassured quickly!”
What’s the most challenging part so far?
Yousra: “Like I said, the Belgian market is a bit peculiar to me as it’s the first time I’m dealing with it. The main thing I’ve gathered is to check the language first because there’s such a distinct split between Dutch and French. So, what I do now, is first check the native language of the candidate I want to approach, and then send them a message in their mother tongue. It’s a bit more personal and enables them to respond in their own words. Once the conversation has properly started, we can switch to English – which is of course more up my alley. However, I believe that the first efforts should come from me. It’s a small detail, maybe, but I think it can go a long way.”
“The most arduous part for me is the freelance aspect. Even though I really like it, I’m used to hiring people for permanent contracts, which is very different, of course. The freelance market is fickle, and you have to move quickly. So far, it’s been a lot of new things, fast, and at the same time (laughs). It’s doable, though, and I’m having the best time.”
What sets you apart from other recruiters, do you think?
Yousra: “I think it’s to do with the way I interact with candidates. I don’t like to exchange messages via email, even if it’s the easiest way. Calling is just as fast and the fact that people can hear my voice and speak to me gives them the tendency to trust me more. In addition, I feel like I can explain the mission better and tell them exactly why I think it would suit them. I’m building relationships with them, so that when my name pops up on their screen, they know who I am, that I’m committed and will send them personalized requests. I’m not just sending them bulk messages.”
“In that regard, people should know about me that I’m very available and approachable. You can count on me within working hours as well as beyond those. I don’t really care if it’s nine pm. I’ll reply to your message, and won’t wait until the next day, so we can make some speed. To me, that’s going the extra mile.”
Do you have any advice for candidates who’d like to come work at addon?
Yousra: “I do think you need to be cut out for this and be up for a high-paced and ambitious job, or you won’t be very happy. It’s vital in this role that you don’t back down from a challenge, that you’re eager to learn, and that you’ve got a proactive personality. Ideally, you want to be fully involved and engaged, and immerse yourself completely. Bring everything you’ve got I’d say. If that’s you, you won’t regret it a minute. You learn so much, it’s such a great experience. I love it here. And if you do come along, you can trust on me to be your devoted buddy, so you’ll be well onboarded. Promise!”
Hey! We are addon. As we want to keep our personal and human values high, we welcome anyone who wants to contribute to our story and mission. Don’t be shy to contact us: we’re approachable, available and we can’t wait to meet you!
