Meet the MP: Anne Marie Bakker
Meet the MP: Anne Marie Bakker
đ Position: Managing Partner at Vroom
đ Expertise: People & Change
đ Vroom-journey: More than 30 years ago, I was headhunted by Vroom & Van den Heuvel. Back then, I didn't think too highly of headhuntingâit was just those money-driven, somewhat slick CV shufflers, right? Liesbeth, as decisive as she was, said: "Come spend a few days with us, then you'll at least have a well-founded opinion." And thatâs how I ended up falling head over heels for this unique firm with values like quality, integrity, genuine interest in others, humor, and entrepreneurship.
In 2000, together with Paul, I took the exciting step to take over the company. Now, 24 years later, weâve grown into four Managing Partners with a dedicated team, all while maintaining the same drive, energy, and core values. For over 15 years, Iâve been responsible for People & Change and work closely with my colleagues in General & Commercial Management.
đŻ Why headhunting is such a special profession: If the profession had stayed the same as it was 20 years ago, I probably wouldâve done something else by now. What keeps me engaged is the ever-changing market, skill-based interviewing, and the increasing need for diverse (international) profiles. I don't work with an old-school mentality, but with an open mind and an outside-in approach (and yes, for that, I need others)!
Sometimes I think back to my childhood when, as the daughter of a veterinarian, I loved going to farms to discover what was happening behind the doors of those houses. Everything was discussed around those kitchen tables. I still have that same curiosity.
What drives me is the special trust people give you, the colorful stories you hear, and the insight you gain into organizations and people. It energizes me to contribute to ensuring people work with pleasure and ambition, and that organizations achieve their goals. That's what makes this profession addictive for me and ensures it never gets boring.
â¤ď¸ What makes Vroom so unique: This is the place where I can be myself. I work here with an amazing group of people of all ages who keep me sharp, and I learn a lot from them (and hopefully, they learn from me too). Itâs an environment where we laugh every day, where âsharing is winningâ is in our DNA, and where clients and candidates are our lifeblood.
Our three labels (Talent, Interim, and Executive) and the relationships we've built over the past 36 years make us unique. We donât just rely on an existing network, but we meet new people every day, young and old, and continue to solve the puzzle of great placements together.
đ Fun fact: When I think of people, they often call me out of the blue, even if I havenât spoken to them in years. A bit creepy đ but super handy when youâre a headhunter!
