After the launch of the 1st cycle of the NSI ERP Academy (a training program comprising 35 days of learning, followed by 30 days of mentoring ; as a bonus, it also provides professional certification), we wanted to know how our new colleagues have tackled this turning point in their careers. At the end of the 1st day, we met Gary and Thibault.
Could you briefly introduce yourselves?
Gary: I’m 24 years old and I have just taken a Master’s in Management Sciences at Solvay, passed with distinction. I found this great opportunity with NSI on LinkedIn and I applied for it because, as I read the job description, I told myself “that’s exactly what I’m looking for.” I remember my exact words: it’s practically a tailor-made job for me that meets all my expectations.”
Thibault: I’m 25 years old and I studied at the Louvain School of Management in Louvain-La-Neuve as a Management Engineer specialising in Supply Chain Management and Procurement. As opposed to Gary, I already have a few months of work under my belt. I’ll be frank though, that job wasn’t really what I wanted. It was too ‘routine’: the same assignments every week and every month... so, I was looking for something else, and again, like Gary, I really liked this job description. It involves different projects, the chance to move around every day, to meet new people, new customers and different corporate cultures, etc. That’s what I really liked — leaving my comfort zone.
How did you find out about the NSI ERP Academy?
Thibault: I have actually only really found out about it today, even if the recruiter gave me a few details in my interview. I have to say that by the time we leave this academy, it will have given us considerable experience. I had already heard about NSI beforehand from 2 friends who went to work there a month before me, and I’d only heard good things from them. I was also able to get positive feedback from two people from my region who have worked for NSI for many years.
Gary: Personally, I discovered it via the LinkedIn post shared by an NSI employee. I live in Braine L’Alleud and honestly, I’d never heard of NSI before, even though it set up there a little while ago... It’s crazy! It’s a big company in Wallonia and there it is, I’m just finding out about it!
What happened next? Did you check NSI's website? Did you look for more information?
Thibault: Yes, absolutely. We explored the site little by little, and I particularly appreciated the company’s values. The friendliness, the way that a company of this size acts like a SME and maintains that close feeling.
Gary: I applied directly and they got in touch straight away. The HR team followed up with me directly, right up to the point when I signed the contract. I’d also say that somewhere, during the interviews, there’s an element of seduction because... right from the start, from the first interview, you feel good about it and the HR team in particular is very welcoming. I was surprised, even now, by the organisation, because everything is really well run and there’s unbelievable follow-up, and frankly, it’s just great.
Thibault: I also said, I’d never had an interview like that before: very easy-going and friendly and everyone we met seemed to be very proud to work for NSI, you really felt that! Everything went very well.
How did the process go?
Gary: I’m still amazed by the number of interviews: 4! Anyway, I said to myself, it’s a long-term contract and therefore I understand — you can’t get to know a candidate in just ¼ of an hour. It’s normal really! They were also very honest in the interviews. I think that it feels right, or it doesn’t. In the last interview, I met 6 people and so, when I began, I said “It’s challenging to have to win over 6 people!”
Thibault: I went through 3 stages myself — the last was a simulation of a presentation on part of the Dynamics 365 solution for a customer. That certainly requires a little personal investment and hard work... Although I have to say that it’s understandable to ask us to prepare and get involved because NSI invests enormously in us.
Gary: We have to demonstrate our implication, the fact that we really want to work — and I think that we can only do that by giving a presentation.
If you had to describe NSI in three words, what would you say?
Thibault: Proximity - friendliness - efficacy
Gary: I’d say efficacy as well, and actually, the same thing! It’s really what represents NSI best.
What’s your feeling after this 1st day? What surprised you most?
Gary: I was quite surprised that 10 people began at the same time and I thought that was cool because it makes us like a team already. Even if we’re not working on the same software, we quickly got chatting together so that made us feel like a team; it’s been a great day!
Thibault: Having experienced a first day in a different company that was nothing like this, I really loved that this wasn’t regimented but was really well organised. We met a lot of people in the company: the HR people, the fleet supervisor, the managers, all through the day. I loved that it was all really well planned compared to my previous experience where I was kind of thrown in at the deep end.
Gary: To be honest, this weekend I saw a photo of the room ready to welcome us and I thought — can’t wait ‘til Monday. You see what’s waiting for you and it feels great! In conclusion, I would like to say don’t change a thing! You’re great at this, it’s fantastic!
