Spoorstraat Hosts Career Development Workshop with Nima Sagharichiha of ProContext

04.04.2023

Support from an expat expert

On13 March, Wittenborg's Spoorstraat campus welcomed top job coach Nima Sagharichiha, founder of ProContext Expat Academy, to host a workshop on career development and standing out as a professional in the Netherlands. The workshop, titled, “Success on the Dutch Job Market,” saw Sagharichiha take students and alumni through his five-step formula for achievement, especially in multicultural or foreign settings. Sagharichiha is an Iranian national with more than 25 years of experience in the Netherlands. “I was born in Iran. But I have been living in the Netherlands since 1995,” he explains.

Sagharichiha's education includes a BSc in Automotive Engineering from HAN University of Applied Sciences in Arnhem, which he completed in 2005. “After my studies, I worked at ASML for more than 11 years (2006-2017).” Following that period, he decided it was time for a change. “In 2017, I decided to follow my real passion. I became a certified coach and trainer and I founded ProContext, a coaching and training agency. As a facilitator/trainer, I am also a partner of Development Dimensions International.” He explains that in this role he provides leadership programmes around the globe to international corporations. “Besides that, I am one of the official external coaches of ASML in Veldhoven in the Netherlands.”

Just a few years ago, he founded ProContext Expat Academy, a coaching and training service for managers and employees alike. "I am creating an Expat Academy for Dutch companies and internationals to help them on their journey on the job market," he says. Sagharichiha describes “guiding and helping many international jobseekers to be successful in Dutch companies,” as the achievement of which he is most proud. “Finding a job in a limited time frame and being successful on the job can be very challenging. When internationals succeed, this can be lifechanging for them. When I have a positive role in their journey to success, that is very satisfying.”

Sagharichiha's five steps to career success

Describing what his workshop offers students, he says the main takeaway is his five-step model to gaining success on the Dutch job market. “The students also gain awareness about the importance of the right timing/planning for each of those steps. Besides that, they will learn about the cultural differences on the Dutch job market – and how they can apply this awareness in their job search.”

Sagharichiha's formula includes the following steps:

1. Finding focus

2. Creating a personal pitch

3. Creating a professional CV and cover letter

4. Training for the job interview

5. Developing negotiation skills

Sagharichiha, who lives by the motto “A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow!”, stressed during the workshop that planning and setting goals is key for professional development. By staying organised and addressing areas of needed growth, jobseekers will be equipped to take advantage of the Dutch job market and score the job they really want. Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences thanks Sagharichiha for delivering such an insightful workshop, and hopes those in attendance can use what they learned to achieve their professional goals within the Dutch working world.