Success Stories
Success Stories
What may be a temporary or sporadic challenge for you, is ‘core business’ to us. You can count on experienced professionals with the right background and knowledge to support you in the best possible way. We feel involved and think proactively. We have experience with all of the above HR services and more. For specific assignments in which we can't support you, we would like to help you find a third party who can. Our goal is to support you in any capacity.
Are you interested in more information about one of our services? Or could you use some help with a certain challenge? Feel free to contact our colleagues.
At Approba, success is not defined by the number of hires we make or how quickly we fill a vacancy — it's defined by the lasting impact we have on people’s careers and the organizations they join.
What truly matters to us is the transformation we help create: renewed energy, deeper job satisfaction, a clear sense of direction, and the confidence to take the next step.
Our role goes far beyond recruitment. We offer a broad range of HR services including assessments, coaching, and in-depth guidance throughout the recruitment and application process. We don’t just match CVs to job descriptions — we listen, we challenge, we guide, and we connect.
Our approach is personal and committed. We support candidates in discovering their strengths, help clients define what they truly need, and ensure that both sides are ready for sustainable success.
We don't push for signatures — we facilitate genuine connections.
By thinking along with our clients and candidates, we aim to bridge the gap between ambition and opportunity, between people and purpose, between talent and the companies that need it.
This is how we define success. This is what drives us.
‘Special’ stories that define what success means to us:
1. The reinvention after burnout
Jeroen, a 47-year-old operations manager, came to us after experiencing burnout. Instead of rushing him back into a similar role, we guided him through a series of assessments and coaching sessions. He discovered his passion for new plant startups in chemical industry and now thrives as an expert in converting R&D dreams into pilot and demo plants in the tradition manufacturing, and upcycling sector — a role that energizes instead of depletes.
2. From technician to team leader
Marco, a skilled mechanical engineer, was feeling stuck in his role. Clients only wanted ‘cheaper and quicker’ without the added value Marco had to offer. Through our in-depth candidate profiling and personal coaching, we uncovered his leadership potential. He's now leading a team of 12 in a semi-governmental organization — and still calls us now and then to share his team’s successes.
3. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity abroad
Patrick, an Instrumentation engineer, dreamt of working in an international context but lacked the network. We connected him with a client expanding into the Northern Africas. After an intensive preparation process, including cultural coaching and negotiation support, he’s has spearheaded innovation projects in Algeria — something he once thought out of reach.
4. A return to the workforce after caregiving
Yvonne, 61, had taken several years off to care for her parents. Many recruiters dismissed her CV. We didn’t. Through personal guidance and skill-based assessments, we helped her reposition herself. She’s now a Continuous Improvement Manager at an automotive company — and a living example that career gaps don’t define potential.
5. From job-hopper to purposeful contributor
Eddy, 29, had changed jobs every 1–2 years, never quite finding his place. Through multiple conversations, we identified a mismatch between his core values, his autism and the cultures he landed in. After targeted coaching and reflection, with help of a HR business partner and a R&D Director at our client, he landed a position within a purpose-driven chemical company — where he just celebrated his fifth anniversary and the recognision of his sprouted enthusiasm and added value.
6. Outplacement with perspective
Mark, a senior engineer, was made redundant, during a restructuring, after more than 25 years at the same employer. Rather than just finding him a ‘new job’, we guided him through an outplacement track with reflection, purpose-mapping, and tailored introductions including ‘how to write a resume’ and ‘how to successfully completing an interview’. He is now a senior engineer at a specialty manufacturing firm and calls the layoff “the best thing that ever happened to him.”
7. From silenced potential to international success: Nora’s journey
Nora, a talented 33-year-old expert in the industrial gases sector, had spent years working in a male-dominated environment in Pakistan — a setting shaped not just by corporate hierarchy, but also by cultural and societal expectations. As a woman, her potential was overlooked, her voice suppressed, and her confidence steadily eroded.
She reached a point where she questioned whether she still belonged in the industry at all.
We saw through the noise and recognized her untapped strength. We approached her proactively, assessed her capabilities, and began a journey together to open new doors — beyond borders.
We introduced her to one of our Dutch clients who not only valued her technical expertise, but also shared our belief in inclusive workplaces. To ensure a smooth integration, we supported both Nora and the client with Cultural Awareness services during her first year — bridging cultural differences, fostering mutual understanding, and helping her build a solid foundation for success.
Today, Nora is thriving as a senior project specialist in the Netherlands. Her confidence has returned, her skills are fully recognized, and she’s building a fulfilling international career — on her own terms.
These are the stories that inspire us.
They are the reason we believe in a human, thoughtful and strategic approach to recruitment.
Because when you invest in people, you don’t just fill vacancies — you build futures.