Is the Belgian IT market for the young also booming?

by Fernanda Carcamo

The first vacancies I worked on when I started my career as a recruiter were 3 positions for IT junior consultants for a client in Antwerp.

I sourced three young recent university graduates and they were all called by the client for an interview.

Before the interview, I called the candidates to prep them and to share tips with them.

I was surprised that two of them would not pick up my calls, would not follow-up on my emails, and what was worse, one didn't show up for the interview.

I couldn't believe my eyes.

The company offered them a career path, a competitive salary, a new car with fuel card, daily meal vouchers, 1-on-1 coaching with a senior consultant, insurances, and 25 vacation days per year among other perks.

A young professional turning down an opportunity that seems standard for young graduates in Belgium, but a dream for so many young candidates his age around the world.

That was the first time I got a taste of the intensive fight for IT talent in Belgium, where a young professional with no experience can have the luxury to decline such offer.

This situation reminded me to always keep perspective and to evoke gratitude about what we have in Belgium as not all countries offer such great opportunities since a young age.

And to not take anything for granted, no matter the age.

See what others in Belgium are saying here.