Robert Hukshorn

Client: Robert Hukshorn was interim general manager for a Dutch innovator of diagnostic and analytical tools for the beauty industry.

Industry: High Tech, Beauty, Packaging

Function: Management

Challenge: Robert got the rug pulled out from under him when the pandemic cancelled the short-term contract he had lined up after his interim job ended.

Process: With help from TCD, Robert learned to love LinkedIn and build up his network of business contacts. He also learned how to reframe his career in a more positive light.

Landing: In less than six months, Robert had offers from two companies – landing as segment director of petfood at a company where he looks forward to many more years of professional growth.

Robert Hukshorn was interim general manager for a Dutch innovator of diagnostic and analytical tools for the beauty industry. When his one-year interim GM contract ended, Robert expected to transition to a previously arranged interim assignment at another company. His plan fell apart when the second company went into lockdown mode in early 2020 and cancelled his contract.

„I was negative and very backward looking. I was focused on what had happened in the past and struggled to convey what I had achieved. TCD helped me to reframe my career in a more positive way and look forward.”

Robert began his TCD experience with the Career Plan and found it to be a very good tool to reassess and confirm his career goals. The most interesting takeaway was learning about himself and the work environment that suits him best.

In the next phase of his TCD program, working with Isabelita Castilho, Robert learned how to use LinkedIn to market himself to employers – his biggest area of growth.

„I discovered I was only connected to about 10% of all the people I knew. I really put effort in. Now I have 750 contacts compared to about 200 before I started with TCD.”

Robert’s job search yielded results in less than six months. Through networking alone, he had offers from two companies, one of which was a great fit – a packaging company in the Netherlands at the forefront of innovation, where Robert is now segment director of petfood.

„TCD helped me build a strong network, and that network delivered. Both companies I got offers from came to me through my network,” said Robert.

Back to main page