Wende Poels

Why this persona fits the audience

Works in a 3-person recruiting team in Amsterdam that makes hiring-webinar recordings and onboarding videos, often with one person presenting while another manages screen shares, timing, and candidate questions.

• Age: 32
• Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Occupation: Talent Acquisition Coordinator
• Income: EUR 52k
• Education: Bachelor's degree in human resources
• Company size: Small (under 50 employees)
• Years in role: 4

“It's all about finding that balance – making sure we're attracting the right people while also making their first impression of us as smooth and welcoming as possible, even if it's through a screen.”

Wende Poels grew up in a family that valued pragmatism and diligence, instilling in her a strong work ethic from an early age. Her decision to pursue a Bachelor's in Human Resources was driven by a genuine interest in people and organizational dynamics, coupled with a desire for a stable career. After graduating, she spent a couple of years in a generalist HR role before finding her niche in talent acquisition. She joined her current small recruiting firm four years ago, drawn by the promise of making a tangible impact and working in a less corporate environment. Her role has evolved significantly, especially with the company’s increasing reliance on digital content for recruitment. She was instrumental in developing the process for creating their hiring webinars and onboarding videos, a project that initially involved significant trial and error. Recently, Wende championed the adoption of a new scheduling tool to better manage interview slots and also pushed for a more standardized script template for their video presentations to ensure consistency and save time. She sees her income as adequate for her current lifestyle but is keenly aware of its limitations in a high-cost city like Amsterdam; saving for a down payment on property is a persistent, long-term goal. She views time as a valuable, finite resource, always looking for ways to optimize her workflow without sacrificing quality or the human element in her interactions. While status isn't a primary motivator, she derives satisfaction from being recognized for her organizational skills and contributions to the team's success. She recently decided against a more expensive, feature-rich video conferencing software in favor of optimizing their current toolset and training, a decision driven by budget constraints and a belief in maximizing existing resources.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Wende’s weekday typically begins around 7:30 AM with a quick check of urgent emails and Slack messages while making coffee. She cycles to her office in Amsterdam-Zuid by 8:30 AM. Mornings are often dedicated to candidate screening calls, scheduling interviews, and following up with hiring managers. Lunch is usually a packed meal eaten at her desk while reviewing potential candidates or planning the day's video recording session. Afternoons are a blend of collaborative work with Mark and Lena on their latest hiring webinar, troubleshooting any technical issues that arise during recordings, and refining onboarding video scripts. She aims to leave by 5:30 PM, often stopping at a local Albert Heijn for groceries, before heading home to cook and relax, perhaps catching up with friends online or tending to her balcony garden.

Lifestyle

Wende lives a structured but comfortable life in a lively Amsterdam neighborhood. Her rented apartment is compact but well-organized, featuring a small balcony where she cultivates herbs and a few tomato plants. She’s financially conscious, saving a portion of her salary for future travel and occasional investments, but enjoys exploring Amsterdam’s cafes and markets on weekends. Her routine is generally healthy, involving cycling to work and trying to fit in a yoga class twice a week. Socially, she maintains a close circle of friends from university and work, preferring smaller gatherings over large parties.

Work life

Wende thrives on the dynamic nature of her role within a tight-knit recruiting team. Her days are a mix of coordinating interview schedules, crafting compelling job descriptions, and, crucially, managing the production of hiring webinars and onboarding videos. This video aspect has become a significant part of her workload, requiring her to work closely with a colleague who handles the presenting and another who focuses on technical aspects like screen sharing and timing. The pressure is on to deliver polished content efficiently, especially when fielding last-minute candidate questions during live recordings or ensuring smooth transitions in pre-recorded sessions. Her team relies heavily on effective communication and shared calendars.

Relationships

Wende is close with her parents, who live in a smaller town in North Holland, and enjoys Sunday dinners with them. Her core friend group consists of about five people, a mix of former university classmates and work colleagues, with whom she shares life updates and often seeks advice. Her immediate recruiting team of two colleagues, Mark (presenter) and Lena (technical producer), are her primary professional confidantes.

How they decide

Wende approaches decisions methodically. She gathers information, considers the input of her immediate colleagues or close friends, and weighs the practical implications and long-term benefits. She's not prone to impulse buys, preferring to research options thoroughly, compare features, and ensure a solution aligns with her team's workflow and budget. Peer recommendations and clear, tangible benefits often sway her final choice.

How they sound

Wende speaks clearly and at a moderate pace, with a slight Dutch accent that becomes more noticeable when she's tired. Her language is professional but friendly; she avoids overly casual slang in work contexts but will use phrases like 'gezellig' or 'lekker' in informal settings. She tends to use complete sentences and prefers to articulate her thoughts precisely, especially when explaining processes or technical details. She's mindful not to sound overly critical or complain directly, often framing issues as 'challenges' or 'areas for improvement'.