MeetDistrict's approach to recruiting young professionals is rooted in the philosophy of offering opportunities and building trust. Inge: "It's all about putting the right person in the right place.” Rather than focusing solely on age or experience, the company prioritises aligning individual talents with roles that allow them to thrive.

In a scale-up transitioning into a small to medium enterprise (SME), roles often evolve in tandem with the company. This environment naturally attracts younger employees who are eager to grow, adapt, and take on challenges. Inge: "The reality is that people who are older often want to stay in their comfort zone, while younger employees are more open to change and eager for guidance."

However, Inge points out that a team filled with ambitious young professionals requires structure to channel their potential effectively. Inge: "Young employees come with drive and ambition, but they need the right balance of guidance to truly flourish. We pair them with experienced colleagues who can provide mentorship and share wisdom in a non-hierarchical, supportive way."

MeetDistrict recognises the importance of creating a nurturing environment where young talent can develop their skills. The company believes in investing in people with potential, even if they lack extensive experience. Inge emphasises the need to focus on intrinsic qualities like drive and passion, with the understanding that skills can be honed over time. Inge: "It's about giving and receiving opportunities. Many of our team members have grown from roles like Community Host or BackOffice support into more advanced positions because they were given a chance to explore and develop their strengths."

For MeetDistrict, the decision to hire young professionals is also about adaptability. Inge:  "Younger people are generally more mouldable and open to change. They actively seek out opportunities to learn and grow, which aligns perfectly with the evolving needs of a modern business."

While MeetDistrict does not maintain a robust internship program, Inge believes that internships can be an invaluable recruitment tool for any company with the right infrastructure. Inge: "A good intern who learns, contributes, and feels motivated to stay with the company is a win-win situation. Please – never ever take on an intern to use them as your personal coffee assistant. 

However, it requires a certain kind of structured environment to make the most of these opportunities, and that’s really one of my wishes for MeetDistrict in the future as well.”

MeetDistrict relies heavily on Runners who take on all kinds of chores during the daily operations, outsourced by a student job agency. Inge: “Let’s not forget about the Runners who enter our working environment as job students. Of course, the tasks they come in to do are not as advanced, but it does keep the middle ground between an internship and a young employee; just by walking around and having a taste of what a professional environment looks like.”

One of the misconceptions Inge encounters is the assumption that younger employees are primarily motivated by salary. She points to research conducted by Vlerick Business School, which shows that while financial rewards are important initially, non-financial benefits gain significance once young professionals begin their careers. Inge: "Things like work-life balance, opportunities for personal development, and a positive work environment hold tremendous value for them. Not to confuse the work-life balance with a 9-5, by the way. It refers to your very own personal balance between your professional and personal daily activities, complemented by passion, desire, and fulfillment."

MeetDistrict strives to offer more than just competitive salaries. The company focuses on creating a work environment where individuals feel valued, supported, and able to make a meaningful impact. Inge: "It's about finding a balance between what one needs functionally and what feeds their soul, providing both satisfaction and growth. Providing nice cars an fat pay checks might be nice when you sign your contract, but that really will not be the reason why someone decides to stay."

MeetDistrict is committed to developing the soft skills of young professionals, knowing that academic achievements alone don't always translate into practical expertise. Inge: "I really don’t care whether your graduated Cum Laude; I will give you the opportunity to show me what you can do in real life, because that’s the only way to learn. Investing in soft skills allows individuals to discover their strengths and weaknesses, contributing to their long-term growth and success.”

The company places a strong emphasis on building trust and fostering collaboration. Inge: "From the beginning, you should be honest about your company’s structure with all of its pros and cons. We invest in each other with the understanding that we may not know where it will lead, but we trust that it will be mutually beneficial. We grow together and are honest about what we can offer as an organisation. And if one day someone decides to leave the nest, we can only hope that they do so because they have outgrown it and will always remain an ambassador to us in the future."

MeetDistrict's recruitment philosophy is holistic and inclusive. While they champion the potential of young individuals, they also recognise the value of experience. Inge: "It's important to provide opportunities for those who bring wisdom and life experience to the table. The goal is to create a balanced team where everyone can contribute and grow."

I strongly value the opportunity to work proactively and take initiative, and to have been given the responsibility for creating a pleasant and productive work environment.

I wouldn’t consider Inge my manager, really. Instead – she’s my coach. Trust really lies at the basis of the company culture at MeetDistrict, which means that you’re allowed to try and fail; there’s the safety net to catch you when needed.

The freedom in how I approach my job gives me the space to take initiative and develop a broad range of both personal and professional skills, for which I am immensely grateful.

After learning a variety of skills during my time as a Community Host, it became clear to me where my true interests lie. I am enormously grateful to have been able to grow into a new position which truly fits me and energises me every day.

As a young graduate, MeetDistrict gave me the opportunity to grow under Ken's mentorship (Head of Design & Build). Thanks to his guidance and being able to call on his years of experience, I’ve made tremendous progress and was able to collaborate on projects I probably wouldn’t have gotten the chance to elsewhere.

As a young employee at MeetDistrict, the opportunity to constantly try and discover new things, follow up projects closely from the sidelines, and take charge of many initiatives myself has always been a plus!