Jisse’s first year in financial consultancy
Starting a career in consultancy is about more than landing a job—it's about finding the right fit. Jisse, one of our young consultants, found his perfect place within our consultancy team after an extensive search for the ideal fit. How did he learn the ropes of the financial consultancy world? He tells you all about how he navigated personal challenges, worked on impactful projects at ING and embraced a steep learning curve in his first year of being a consultant!
A thorough decision
Jisse’s journey began with a clear focus. With a background in business administration and a master’s in Accounting and Financial Management, he knew he wanted a career in financial services. “I actually reached out to Solid Professionals on my own,” he says. “I wanted a company in Utrecht that specialized in financial services and was known as a Great Place to Work. Solid Professionals was the only one that checked all the boxes.”
From the get-go, Jisse knew this place was different. “The vibe here was nothing like the other places I interviewed, and believe me I really tried a lot,” he remembers. “With Solid Professionals I didn’t have to go through endless rounds of interviews and multiple assessments. Besides my hard skills and other work abilities, they were more focused on if I, as a person, would fit in with the culture. It felt more real, more genuine.”
Tackling international cost management at ING
Currently, Jisse is working with ING as a service manager at the business partner services department. He manages the allocation of costs from the headquarters in Amsterdam to various global locations. “My role is to ensure that these costs are distributed fairly and transparently across all branches, both in the Netherlands and abroad,” he explains.
This involves working closely with stakeholders to justify cost allocations and ensure compliance with tax regulations. “It’s not always straightforward—each location has its own budget constraints, so clear communication and stakeholder management are key to keeping everyone aligned,” Jisse adds.
"I didn't expect to be able to make such an impact as a junior consultant."
Making impact as a junior consultant
A typical day as a Service Manager is a mix of in-depth Excel work and stakeholder management. I split my time between working from home and being in the office. One moment, I’m in a meeting explaining something to a manager, and the next, I’m diving into the numbers of a project.
It’s a great balance, allowing me to put the skills I gained during my studies to good use. I never imagined you could make such an impact as a consultant, even at the junior level!
Steep learning curve
Besides his job at ING Jisse also participated in consulting within our mother company The Hup. “I jumped into different impactful projects,” he says. “Improving processes, suggesting company-wide improvements—it was a steep learning curve, but incredibly valuable. I liked every minute of it.”
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He recalls one internal project that was particularly challenging. “We had to streamline the month-end closing process for several companies. It was taking way too long to do this, which was the reason we started this project. By the end, we managed to cut down the time significantly. Seeing the real impact of our work was super rewarding.”
Overcoming challenges
Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. “Balancing multiple projects was a real test,” Jisse admits. “There were moments when it felt like everything was happening at once. But because of this I learned so much about time management and setting priorities. Plus, the support from my team and managers at Solid Professionals was fantastic—they always had my back when I was lacking knowledge or needed support. We had a lot of conversations about my challenges in my work.”
“The conversations focused on both technical and soft skill development,” says Jisse. “It was incredibly helpful to have fellow consultants at Solid Professionals to turn to when I got stuck on my assignment. For instance, one of them helped me build a model that made my job so much easier. A fresh perspective can really boost your efficiency!”
Jisse also faced challenges with his soft skills. “There was a point during my assignment where I felt stuck. One department kept failing to deliver the data on time, which caused me to miss my deadlines. I didn’t know how to address the issue or how to communicate the problem effectively.”
That’s when Jisse sought guidance from his performance manager at Solid Professionals. “He walked me through how to handle the situation step by step. He taught me that I could either ask my manager to speak to the other department’s manager or send an email directly to them myself. Initially, I was hesitant, fearing it might upset people. But with my performance manager’s advice on how to word these emails professionally, I felt confident enough to escalate the issue properly.”
Building skills and gaining knowledge
Within our consultancy programme, learning never stops—and that’s what Jisse likes the most. “They really push you to keep learning,” he says. “I got my Agile certification, which prepared me for when I started my first assignment, because that’s what they all use for planning and workflows. Then I went for a Green Belt in process improvement because those projects really got me excited and I wanted to learn more about it.”
Jisse found the mix of hard and soft skills training especially beneficial. “It’s not just about the technical stuff,” he shares. “We also had workshops on stakeholder management and communication. You need those skills to navigate client relationships and internal teams smoothly, especially as a starting consultant.”
The importance of team and culture
The culture at Solid Professionals? A game-changer for Jisse. “The team here is amazing,” he says. “Most of us are in the same life stage, just a few years out of university, so there’s a lot of similarities. Whether it’s after-work drinks, team events, or just chilling together, there’s always something happening that brings us closer.”
And it’s not just about the social stuff. “There’s a lot of support and open communication,” Jisse adds. “We regularly have team meetings, check-ins, and feedback sessions. It’s a very collaborative environment, which makes a big difference in your day-to-day work life.”
Looking to the future: what’s next for Jisse?
We’re looking for a junior consultant!
