"At the 'Strong at work' training a world opened up for me"

After five years without work, Chantal Koning (49) is eager to get back to work. At the training ‘Strork at work’ by Werkse! She got to know her qualities and believe in herself. Now she is ready to apply again with confidence. “Exactly the push I need.”

Chantal says: “Five years ago I had several operations that I had to recover from for a while. At that time I was working for myself as a pedicure. For that work I went to people on my bike with trailer to take care of their feet. During the corona period I was not allowed to work for a while. When I was allowed to return to work, I turned out to have serious problems with my wrists. I had no more strength in my wrists, had a lot of pain and eventually I had to be operated on. The disadvantage was that I did not receive any benefits as a self-employed person.”

Nice conversations
After a tip from an acquaintance, Chantal contacted Werkse!. “I didn’t have so many expectations of it, but I already had nice conversations with consultant Chelle. She was positive and saw opportunities for me.” Although Chantal had no benefits, she was allowed to follow the ‘Sterk aan het Werk’ training. “And I can recommend that training to everyone! It’s great how you’re guided in that.”

Strengthen yourself
During the training, Chantal got to know her qualities and pitfalls. “I’ve really grown because of it,” she says. “One of the parts is that you learn to address yourself positively. That’s to strengthen yourself. And so the whole training is focussed on the development towards work. For example, the trainers look at how you present yourself, also in your cover letter and CV. With those tips I made my resume more attractive.” Through the training, Chantal also knows better and better what kind of work suits her. “I thought it was useful that I could join the Track Caravan. Then you get a look behind the scenes at different companies. What does this company do and what kind of work is there?”

Beaming through feedback
With each session of the training you learn more and more about yourself, says Chantal. “During one of the sessions we did an escape room. There we went to solve puzzles in a local as a group. The goal was to work well together. The trainers watched and afterwards the good points were named. For example, I heard that I communicate well and take charge at the right times. It’s nice to hear those positive things. I just started to shine with it. Of course, there is also attention to pitfalls. That’s how I’m sometimes chaotic or too accommodating, but you learn to deal with that.”

Self-confidence
At the end of the training, Chantal gave a pitch for the account managers of Werkse!. She explains, “With a pitch you present yourself in a story. That went very well. The account managers all saw opportunities for work for me!” She says, “The idea that there is fun work for me is good for my self-confidence.”

Get started with job application!
Because of everything Chantal has learned during the training, she gets to work with applying for a job with confidence. “I have to find work myself, but I needed a wheelbarrow to help me move forward,” she says. She now knows better what she is good at and what she is looking for. “I am broadly interested and I find social contacts important in my work.” She can organise well and may want to do something for the elderly. She wants to apply for a job.

Photo: Alyssa van Heyst