Dirk on his reporting traineeship at Rabobank
Dirk Harmelink found himself at a crossroads after completing his master’s in Finance. He was ready to start applying for jobs - but where do you begin? In the end, his traineeship brought him exactly where he wanted to be: a challenging role as a Data-Driven Reporting Specialist at Rabobank. Dirk shares how he took his first steps in the workplace, how he handles tight deadlines, and how he keeps making his work more efficient.
Master finished - now what?
“After graduating, I had no idea where to start,” says Dirk. “I started looking online for traineeships and that’s how I found Solid Professionals. In no time, I was in touch with recruiter Cindy, and it immediately felt right. She really thought along with me and helped me find a job that suited me. During my studies, I found topics like derivatives, portfolio and asset management super interesting – and that’s exactly what I’m working on now! Thanks to Cindy’s personal attention, I’ve really found my place.”
From student to young professional
Working life is quite different from studying. “I now work in the Wholesale & Retail External Reporting department at Rabobank, where I gather data from various systems and turn it into reports for, for example, the ECB. I had no work experience when I started and had never done an internship, so the first few months took some getting used to,” says Dirk. “How do you even communicate via Teams? How do you deal with tight deadlines? In the beginning, everything felt new, but things quickly started to fall into place.”
Tip: if you start working on a strong CV before you’ve even graduated, you’ll already have a head start! Want to know how? Recruiter Cindy shares her tips.
Analytical challenges
“I’ve found my footing now. My work is dynamic and challenging. The reports we produce go directly to regulators like the European Central Bank (ECB) and De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB). That means everything has to be spot on. We check, analyse, and correct data before it’s shared externally. I dive deep into the numbers and work a lot with tools like Excel and SQL to carry out analyses. That kind of analytical work really suits me.”
Working in the reporting department
In addition to analysing and reporting, Dirk is also involved in process optimisation. “We’re constantly looking at how we can work smarter and more efficiently. For example, by automating reports or improving processes. Recently, I worked on a project where we created a clearer overview of unpaid loans and the physical assets taken as collateral.”
The combination of analytical work, process improvement, and project-based challenges makes his job especially interesting. “It’s not just about entering numbers and reporting – you’re really involved in thinking about improvements and given the space to take initiative. That also makes your own work easier over time.”
Develop quickly
For Dirk, the traineeship at Solid Professionals was a great starting point for his career. “What I found really valuable were the training sessions I received. For example, a SQL course that now helps me analyse data more efficiently. But also the two-day Secure Base training, where you learn how to create a sense of safety in a new working environment, was a real eye-opener. During MBTI (a model that helps you discover your personality type), I learned how to work better with different personalities – something that really helps in a team. It also helped me get to know myself better.”
“I’m someone who enjoys working independently during the day by diving deep into datasets. At the end of the day, I like discussing the outcomes and having team conversations – I’m really glad that this traineeship allows me to work in that way. It just goes to show: the better you get to know yourself, the more you can shape your work around that.”
Sharing struggles
Another big advantage? The community of fellow trainees at places like ING, ABN AMRO and Tikkie. “We’re all in the same boat. A bank is much more complex than you’d expect when starting out. Sometimes you just don’t know where to find the answer to a question or who to ask. That’s when it’s great to bounce ideas around with other trainees and realise they’re running into the same things. The socials and outings keep things light – it’s good to be able to laugh now and then about the struggles we go through together.”
Curious to read more experiences? Check them all out or read the story of Beshoy, Financial Risk Specialist at ING.
The balance between work and private life
“I work 36 hours a week, and it’s great. That free Friday afternoon gives me time to work out or just relax. I’m free to work from home or at the office – sometimes we have fixed days at the office, but overall it’s really flexible. Maintaining a good work-life balance is what truly keeps the job enjoyable. At first, I thought: I want to work forty hours, I’m young and full of energy. But this balance suits me better than I expected.”
Talent manager Floris helped him with the balance. “With Floris, I didn’t just talk about work, but also about my personal life. He was a great sounding board and adviser when it came to areas where I could still grow. We’d put together a plan for how to tackle that practically over the coming period. It’s really helpful when a talent manager thinks along with you and is involved in conversations with your manager too.”
Dirk is very happy with his choice to start his career with a traineeship. “You get guidance, learn lots of new things, and gain access to companies you wouldn’t normally get into so easily. I’m exactly where I want to be!”
Is this something for you?
Ready to sink your teeth into financial reporting and collaborate with teams like Risk and Controlling? As a junior reporting specialist, you’ll work on sharp analyses, external reporting, and process improvement. Sound like something for you? Check out the Junior Reporting Specialist vacancy!
