Interview with multilingual consultant Özge Ince
Our communications staff recently interviewed another one of our multilingual consultant. This time it was Özge Ince's turn.
Why did you choose the reintegration profession?
"I kind of fell into it. I had just graduated and had my HRM degree in my pocket; on LinkedIn I had let it be known that I was looking for work, and I applied for HR-focused positions. Until Inge from Puls approached me, I was working as a commercial customer advisor. I didn't know there was such a thing as a reintegration consultant!"
What did you think of the mentoring and onboarding process at Puls? Was this what you expected in terms of guidance?
"It was a fine coaching experience! When I finally made the switch to Puls, I had few expectations because I didn't know the profession well yet. But when I compare it to other companies I have worked for, I find Puls a fine employer because I was also coached in groups. This way you can also spar with your colleagues and that gives a familiar feeling. I was able to reach everyone quickly, even though because of Corona everything was remote. I also received a nice welcome package"!
Is the work what you expected it to be?
"In itself, yes. In the first phone conversations with operations director Leon, he shared a lot of substantive information about the field. From him and from the group coaching, I learned a lot, which allowed me to quickly start working well. My day consists partly of administration (reporting), and partly conversations with clients. I like that balance, that variety is nice. But I did not expect as much how intense the work is sometimes and that reporting can be quite complicated; there are many rules. There is more to it than I thought, but that is a nice challenge and it all goes well."
What do you like most about the Work & Mobility Consultant position?
"The conversations with clients; with some clients you really click and build a bond. You're going to miss them when you close the file. That's what makes the work fun. With phone calls / video calls by Corona, that feeling was a little less, so I hope I can visit clients more soon! It really is people work; that has always appealed to me. Also the freedom and arranging my own schedule is nice".
What does an average workday look like for you?
"I have calls lined up daily; thankfully, I'm starting to get back on the road a little bit now. The calls recently have been mostly via Microsoft Teams and by phone. I did visit some clients. I have a maximum of 4 calls in a day, so I have enough time to report as well."
With some clients you may also be able to communicate in your native language. What is the added value of this with respect to client and employer?
"That's right, Turkish is my native language. My first case in that was that I got to interpret on a Mediation assignment once, I liked that. I now have about 10 Turkish clients. I feel they tell me more because I also speak Turkish. They are then more likely to discuss their problems because I can understand them in their own language. They stick well to the assignments because I can explain it exactly and they understand it better then. Then you also notice the respect from the culture: they want to do it right. Legislation is also difficult to explain if you don't speak each other's language. But sometimes it does cost me trouble to speak Turkish, at home I mainly speak Dutch. But it is definitely an advantage for some clients that I speak Turkish".
Do you enjoy being able to communicate with some clients in your native language?
"I like it, but I didn't expect to have to do it in this position. It's special, though, because before in school I wasn't allowed to speak Turkish! Now it's actually an added value. Even with side jobs I wasn't allowed to speak Turkish, not even with Turkish colleagues. That's why I had to get used to it, but I can be myself now"!
Do you feel like you'll hear more information then?
"I do indeed get more information, clients talk more extensively about their limitations. They can also share things they cannot say to their employer. You can get to the heart of the problem, which is more difficult when you don't speak each other's language."
And do you feel that you also penetrate more with the client and possibly partner?
"Often family is present at the interview; that's nice because they often understand me faster. I do try to communicate primarily with the client, but having someone present can give the person extra confirmation and confidence. The conversations often run more smoothly when someone is present. Otherwise things are often just a little more difficult".
What are additional things that you deploy to make this happen?
"Find activities in their own language. At the mosque nearby, for example, clients can do things, or in a Turkish community center. I mainly give tips on that. The person sitting there, a family member or a friend, often arranges it further. I did arrange for someone to take a course at the local library. Sometimes relatives see me as a daughter who takes care of everything"!
