It has been quite some time since Sander van ’t Noordende graduated in 1987. His graduation internship at ABN focused on a strikingly current topic: the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in managing investment portfolios. “AI was still in its infancy back then, so don’t imagine too much,” he says with a smile.

Van ’t Noordende’s thesis turned out to be a hit. He earned a top grade for his graduation internship. “ABN thought I should apply to the bank, but through my network I had already come into contact with a recruiter on campus. He suggested I talk to Arthur Andersen, now Accenture,” he recalls. 

To prepare, he was given a 12-page booklet. “Beyond that, there was no way to prepare for the interview. There was no internet yet.”

Letter

That introductory interview took place on a Wednesday. “The following Saturday, a letter arrived with a job offer,” Van ’t Noordende says. “I did try to negotiate my starting salary, but I was told to take it or leave it

For soon-to-be graduates who think they have bargaining power in their first job, Van ’t Noordende has a sobering message: “Of course you should try to negotiate, but large companies like Unilever and ASML work with standardized salary scales.” 

There is often little room for starters to change that. “If you really want to discuss your starting salary, you’re better off applying to mid-sized companies or startups. There is usually more flexibility there.”

Beliefs

Van ’t Noordende also emphasizes that salary is not the most important factor when graduates choose their first job. “All labor market research shows that people value other things more,” he says. 

“First of all: does the work appeal to you? And does the role a company plays in society align with your own beliefs? Also important: can you learn and grow? Will you end up in an inspiring environment where you can develop yourself?”

How do you find out whether a company is a good fit? “You can look at a company’s website and read its annual report,” Van ’t Noordende advises. “Talk to people who already work there or at its suppliers.”

Atmosphere

It is essential to get a clear picture of the company you are applying to, says the Randstad CEO. Those who work at a company whose culture and atmosphere do not align with their personal values are unlikely to be happy. “Only 5 percent of people are willing to move to a company they don’t feel at home in for a higher salary.”

During the conversation, Van ’t Noordende wonders what typical starting salaries actually are. He quickly asks Gemini, Google’s AI chatbot. 

“A bachelor’s graduate in electrical engineering starts at 4,200 to 4,900 euros per month. A master’s graduate earns between 4,600 and 5,500 euros. Not bad, especially if you also get to do meaningful work!”

This interview was also published in the 4TU Career Special, an annual publication by the journalistic media of the four technical universities. Read the eighth edition here, featuring career tips from alumni, inspiring start-up stories, and a special supplement on working for the Defense sector.

This article was translated using AI-assisted tools and reviewed by an editor.