Our team would be happy to share their expertise to help you get the answers you are looking for. Feel free to contact us about your situation and any questions you may have.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Meet the Recruiter - Carmen Leal
We have shared a lot with you about our company, our events, the Netherlands as a country and their traditions. We feel like it is high time you got acquainted with some of our colleagues. This blog will give you more insight into the life of a recruiter, the challenges they face, their most memorable moments and their guilty pleasures. This week we will introduce our recruiter from The Hague, Carmen Leal. Enjoy!
1. How did you end up at Undutchables?
I actually applied for a position that my colleague Camila was recruiting for. She gave me a call for a quick phone screening, and we ended up scheduling an intake meeting for that same afternoon. Toward the end of our chat, she asked me if I’d ever consider going back into recruitment — and of course, I said yes! That’s when she told me about an opening at the Undutchables The Hague branch. Camila then referred me to the Branch Manager for the position, and like they say… the rest is history! 😊
2. What are the most/least enjoyable aspects of your role?
One of the most enjoyable parts of my role is connecting with international candidates from all over the world. As an expat myself, I genuinely relate to their experiences and challenges. I love hearing their stories about moving to the Netherlands and being part of their journey to finding a new opportunity here — it’s incredibly rewarding to play a role in helping someone land their dream job and start a new chapter in a new country.
As for the least enjoyable aspect, I’d say it’s those moments when a candidate isn’t selected for a role we were both really hopeful about. Every candidate’s journey is special, unique, and deeply valued, so it’s always tough when things don’t work out the way we’d envisioned.
3. What is the biggest challenge of the job?
One of the biggest challenges in this role is managing expectations — both from clients and candidates. Every company has unique hiring needs, and every candidate has their own career goals and personal circumstances. Finding that perfect match, while aligning timelines, requirements, and communication on both sides, can sometimes be quite complex.
4. What has been your most memorable moment in the job?
I think my most memorable moment was my very first placement at Undutchables — it’s a feeling I’ll never forget! My candidate and I had to meet after hours because we couldn’t find a suitable time during the day. Despite that challenge, she attended the interview with one of our clients, and she had hardly even left the building when I received an excited call from the client offering her the position immediately.
This role was exactly what my candidate had been looking for and more. We’re still in regular contact, the job is going really well, and it genuinely feels like we’ve known each other for years. That experience truly showed me how meaningful and rewarding this job can be.
5. What do you think is key for a successful recruiting process?
It’s essential to truly understand what both the client and the candidate are looking for — not just in terms of skills on paper, but also when it comes to values, company culture, and long-term goals. Transparency, setting the right expectations from the very beginning, and maintaining a personal, human approach throughout the process are key to building trust on both sides.
Even when the outcome isn’t a placement, I believe that staying authentic and compassionate, especially when delivering difficult news, makes the experience meaningful and leaves a positive impression.
6. If you were to have a job outside an office environment, what would be your dream job?
If I were to have a job outside of an office environment, I think I’d follow one of my early dreams — either becoming a teacher or a psychologist. I’ve always been passionate about working with people, understanding their stories, and helping them grow, so either path would definitely align with that!
7. What's your guilty pleasure?
A great cup of coffee, a piece of good chocolate, and getting completely lost in a good book — preferably all at the same time.
Quickfire questions
Q: Coffee or tea
A: Coffee
Q: Sun or snow?
A: Sun
Q: Are you a morning or a night person?
A: Morning
Q: If you could go any where in the world where would you go and why?
A: New York City! It's been on my bucket list for years. I’d love to experience the energy, culture, and diversity of the city firsthand — from iconic landmarks to Broadway shows. There’s something magical about NYC that I’ve always wanted to explore.
" As a recruiter, I’m not just filling roles — I’m helping people find a place where they can thrive and feel fulfilled. "
Undutchables
![]()
