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ABOUT THE REFERRAL SPECIALIST
Labor markets move through people and the relationships between them
We help organizations, regions, sectors, and partnerships to make existing relationships and networks visible, connect them, and activate them. From Social Network Strategy to word-of-mouth recruitment and ambassadorship.
OUR VIEW ON THE LABOR MARKET
From word-of-mouth recruitment to Social Network Strategy
The Referral Specialist was founded on a simple conviction: good people know good people. Word-of-mouth recruitment makes the relationships within and around organizations visible and usable.
In practice, we observed that this principle works more broadly. Candidates, alumni, students, volunteers, educational institutions, employers, and regional partners are also connected to each other via social networks.
Therefore, we look beyond referral recruitment alone. We investigate which relationships already exist, where connections are missing, and how organizations and partnerships can leverage their networks in a targeted manner. Word-of-mouth recruitment and ambassadorship are important applications; Social Network Strategy forms the broader framework.
The people behind the Referral Specialist
Michael Boud
Founder & Specialist in Social Network Strategy and Referral Recruitment
Michael has been working for over 25 years at the intersection of recruitment, labor market communication, and network activation. Drawing on his expertise in referral recruitment, he developed a broader vision on Social Network Strategy: Approach labor market issues not only from the perspective of target groups and channels, but from the relationships and social networks through which people are actually reached and mobilized.
He advises organizations, regions, sectors, and partnerships on strategy, network structures, activation, and sustainable influx. In doing so, he connects vision and research to an approach that is feasible and scalable in practice.
Maaike Willems
Recruitment & project management specialist
Maaike has been working in recruitment and project management for over 25 years and knows what it takes to make a strategy actually work. She translates plans into a clear approach, organizes the execution, and ensures that people, processes, and involved parties align well.
Her strength lies in complex recruitment and activation challenges where various interests and disciplines converge. With a strong focus on collaboration, candidate experience, and meticulous execution, she ensures that plans do not remain on paper but deliver results in practice.
The right expertise for every issue
Not every challenge requires the same expertise. That is why we work with a network of experienced independent specialists whom we deploy strategically where their knowledge adds value. From referral recruitment and network activation to labor market communication, employer branding, recruitment strategy, program management, and training.
This way, we keep the core team small and flexible and add exactly the expertise that is needed.
Chantal Ockeloen
Activation & creative communication
Connects strategy, storytelling, and creative activation to mobilize employees and networks.
Miriam van Griethuysen
Employee engagement & culture strategist
Connects strategy, storytelling, and creative activation to mobilize employees and networks.
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Elise Dijckmeester
Recruitment project manager
Connects strategy, recruitment processes, employer branding, and execution.
Yves Pilet
Employer branding specialist
Advises on employer positioning and the connection between employership, employees, and the labor market.
Bianca Perfors
Recruitment project manager
Connects strategy, recruitment processes, employer branding, and execution.
Alexandra Davoli
Recruitment Strategist
Helps organizations strengthen recruitment strategically and practically.
Ilse Weijland
Specialist Ambassadorship
Helps professionals authentically make their expertise and story visible and share them.
Gerard Zegers
Networking skills & training
Helps employees develop their networking skills and activate existing relationships more easily.
Andrew van Tienoven
Labor market communication & content
Translates employer stories and labor market issues into understandable, target-group-oriented content.
GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER
Want to discuss your labor market issue?
Are you working on word-of-mouth recruitment within a single organization, or on a broader labor market challenge involving multiple parties? Tell us what challenges you are facing. We would be happy to help think about the appropriate approach and expertise.
Call Michael: +31 6 24 76 87 58