‘I make sure everything runs smoothly’

After I left school, I wanted to work for a year before continuing my studies. But things didn’t quite work out that way. I moved from one employer to the next and in April 2001 I finally ended up at Jones Lang LaSalle. I was looking to gain experience and develop my career. Jones Lang LaSalle is the ideal place for that. The company has grown very quickly in recent years and I’ve grown with it.
I work as a secretary for the National Director and the European Director and deal with all kinds of questions from various different consultants. My job involves drawing up lease proposals and contracts, managing diaries and creating presentations. I keep track of staff leave and colleagues come to me if they have any questions about lease cars or their blackberries. I’m responsible for a department of six secretaries including myself. I distribute the work and coordinate meetings. Once every month I represent the Rotterdam office at the national secretaries’ meeting. I’m also responsible for office management at two locations in Rotterdam – everything down to ordering pens and paper. In this position I work closely with Jones Lang LaSalle’s Facility Manager. We work together to make sure everything runs smoothly in takeovers and relocations.
I don’t really have any regrets about not having been a full-time student. I’ve done a lot of part-time courses, especially since joining Jones Lang LaSalle. The job is certainly varied!