German professionals on Contour: less hierarchy, more opportunities
Jonas, Kevin and Christian
For many skilled workers from the German border region, applying for a job in the Netherlands feels like a big step. Is my Dutch good enough? What about the cultural differences? Jonas Simmes, Kevin Hirle and Christian Walther took the leap years ago. They share their experiences and explain why the border hardly exists at Contour.
The language: no barrier, easier than you think
For newcomers, the biggest worry is often the language. According to Christian, that fear is unfounded. “There is really no nicer and easier way to learn a language than here on the shop floor,” he says. “Your vocabulary grows a little every day, almost without noticing. And the nice thing is that colleagues take you into account. As soon as they hear you are German, they figuratively hit the brakes. They speak more slowly and are happy to help. You are never left out because you don’t speak it perfectly yet.”
Kevin adds that the region offers a big advantage. “Many people here in the Achterhoek speak a dialect that is very similar to the Low German just across the border. If you understand that, you understand 80% of Dutch too. I never took an official language course. Three months after I started, I was already doing an audit entirely in Dutch. It does not have to be grammatically perfect, as long as you understand each other.”
Kevin knows better than anyone that this language mix sometimes leads to funny situations. “I once had a conversation where I started in Dutch to practice, and my Dutch colleague, out of politeness, stubbornly kept answering in German,” he laughs. “It felt strange for a moment, but we understood each other perfectly. In the end it does not matter which language you discuss things in, as long as the job gets done.”
Kevin
No more silver pins
What struck the men right away was the difference in company culture. Kevin remembers stories from the German industry of the past, where hierarchy was sacred. “My father sometimes told me about companies where the color of the pin you received determined who you were allowed to talk to. Did you have a silver pin and the manager a platinum one? Then you were not allowed to address him, but had to communicate through your own boss. Although that is less common in Germany now too, at Contour you really notice that those barriers are not there.”
In Germany, the lines and rights are often much stricter. Here the atmosphere is calmer and much more open.
Christian
Where they were used to strict hierarchy in Germany, the down-to-earth Achterhoek mentality prevails at Contour. Christian noticed that right away from the atmosphere: “In Germany, the lines and rights are often much stricter. Here the atmosphere is calmer and much more open. You feel accepted right away, even if you don’t speak the language yet.” Kevin adds: “Things are also much more informal here. In Germany, contact with customers or suppliers is often strictly formal, with ‘Sie’. Here you often address everyone, from management to customers, simply by their first name. That makes talking a lot easier.”
Opportunities for people who get things done
Whether you stand at a traditional press brake or program our newest welding robots, you get the room to make the craft your own. According to Kevin, that flat organization means you can make progress much faster. Of course craftsmanship is greatly valued, but the right attitude is at least as important. “At Contour you get responsibility right away, regardless of your age or position.
You don’t have to collect fifteen signatures here to be allowed to do something. Do you see something to improve? Then you can often take it on right away. In Germany, people sometimes plan for months first; here the mentality is more: let’s try it and see if it works. For hands-on people, this is a breath of fresh air.”
In Germany, they sometimes look for a unicorn: someone who is 25 years old but has 15 years of work experience. Here they look more at who you are and whether you are motivated.
Kevin
Another big difference is the mentality around recruitment. Jonas noticed that in Germany it was hard to get a foot in the door without experience. “The requirements there are often very high and application procedures take a long time. Here I had a job within two weeks.” Kevin recognizes that picture and jokes: “In Germany, they sometimes look for a unicorn: someone who is 25 years old but has 15 years of work experience. Here they look more at who you are and whether you are motivated.”
The machines and processes, whether welding, CNC press braking or powder coating, are exactly the same in the Netherlands as in Germany. “Whether you stand at the press brake here or twenty kilometers further on in Germany, the craft stays the same,” says Kevin, who as a team leader is also responsible for part of the production. “The shop floor is a nice mix of young talent and experienced people. And there too the atmosphere is relaxed. Everyone is ready to help others, whether you come from the Netherlands or Germany.”
Driving against the traffic
Isn’t it impractical to cross the border every day? “On the contrary,” says Christian. “My friends who work in Germany toward the Ruhr area are stuck in traffic every morning. That is a real drama. I drive here without any problems.”
Jonas fully agrees: “I always say: I drive in the right direction. The roads here are quiet. I drive 50 kilometers every day, but I do it without stress. No traffic jams, no hassle. And the border checks that people are sometimes afraid of? In practice they hardly exist. You are there in no time.”
Just do it
The conclusion of the three is clear: don’t let a border line stop you. “Contour is a company that looks at your motivation and your technical insight, not only at your diplomas or your language skills,” Jonas concludes. “Everyone is welcome. If you feel like working, you should just apply.”
Come and take a look in Winterswijk. The coffee is ready and we are happy to give you a tour, in German, English or Dutch.
I spoke Dutch to a colleague, who, out of politeness, stubbornly kept answering in German. We understood each other perfectly.