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 - Polina Zalivina
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 Amsterdam, Polina Zalivina. Enjoy!
1. How did you end up at Undutchables?
My journey with Undutchables started through an old colleague of mine. He sent me a vacancy as he knew I was searching for a job at the time. I read through the text and applied that same hour. After growing up in multiple countries, and becoming an expat myself in the Netherlands, it felt like a natural next step to stay in the international sphere and help others going through change. After visiting the office for my interview and assignment, I knew that this is what I wanted. Two weeks later I signed the contract and became the newest member of the Amsterdam team.
2. What are the most/least enjoyable aspects of your role?
My favorite part is delivering the good news. It is such an amazing feeling to tell a candidate who has been in process with you for several weeks that the company wants them to join the team. And of course, cannot forget about telling the client that the candidate has accepted the offer. This tangible progress gives me the motivation and drive to keep taking on new vacancies.
The part I enjoy less is change and uncertainty. As I am the middleman between ambitious candidates and demanding clients, it is important to keep the communication open and transparent. Just as it happens in life, not everything depends on us. For example, vacancies close due to other reasons than just a company finding the right candidate themselves. Delivering this news to a candidate who had hoped for and worked hard to pursue the role is always a tough call to make.
3. What is the biggest challenge of the job?
The biggest challenge is finding the right balance between the needs of the client and the expectations of candidates. Some vacancies have very specific requirements, which can make the talent pool quite niche. At the same time, candidates have their own expectations regarding salary, career development, company culture, and flexibility. The challenge is to identify the right match, even when it is a challenging process, while keeping both sides engaged, honest and collaborative.
4. What has been your most memorable moment in the job?
Making my first placement is the day I will never forget.
I introduced this candidate just a week prior. In those 7 days, he had 2 interviews and an assessment leading to them closing the position and sending him the contract.
It was a Friday morning, and I saw that I had a missed call from the night before. I dialed the unknown number and heard the sentence I never thought I would here from an unknown caller. “We would like to extend an offer to [candidates name]”
Safe to say it was the best Friday on the job!
5. What do you think is key for a successful recruiting process?
I think transparency and clear communication are key to a successful recruitment process. Both the client and the candidate should have a clear understanding of the expectations, requirements and process from the beginning. It’s important to be honest about what can and cannot be offered, provide realistic feedback, and keep both sides informed throughout the process, even when there are delays or changes. This builds trust and helps create a positive candidate and client experience. Ultimately, successful recruitment is not just about filling a vacancy, but about creating the right match for both sides.
6. If you were to have a job outside an office environment, what would be your dream job?
Growing up I always wanted to be a detective and police dog trainer (at the same time).
7. What's your guilty pleasure?
Chocolate! Or Salt and vinegar chips. But not at the same time!
Quickfire questions
Q: Coffee or tea
A: Definitely Coffee
Q: Sun or snow?
A: Snow! (With 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: I would love to visit Antarctica to see penguins in their natural habitat. 🐧
"Every candidate has a story. Good recruitment starts by listening to it."
Undutchables
![]()
