“Applying for jobs via video calling actually worked well for me – I felt more like myself at home.”

For over 25 years we have been connecting organisations with the best marketing, communication and content professionals. We find suitable assignments or functions for junior, medior and senior professionals. In Spot On… we would like to introduce our colleagues to you. This time in the spotlight: Esther Goddijn, web editor at the municipalities of Amstelveen and Aalsmeer.

You are working for the municipalities of Amstelveen and Aalsmeer via Babbage. What exactly does your job entail?

'As a web editor, I am part of the web team and mainly provide extra capacity. There is too much work that needs to be done. I now place a lot of press and news releases, so that my team members have time for other tasks. I also help with subprojects, such as taking PDFs offline that are not digitally accessible. And I rewrite web pages into understandable texts. I will soon be given more tasks, such as creating newsletters. We have a telephone consultation every day at the beginning and end of the day about the daily affairs. That makes me feel like I am really part of the team.'

You have gained a lot of (writing) experience with various clients. Can you tell us more about that?

'About 17 years ago I started as a freelancer with writing assignments for my previous employer RIVM and for new clients. I mainly have experience with the central government, municipalities and non-profit organizations and initially very broadly with writing for trade journals, staff magazines, folders and websites. Later I focused more and more on websites. Because formulating messages short and powerfully suits me very well and online involves much more than just text.

So I thought that in addition to my work experience I also had to do HBO Online communication. I completed that study in 2009. The motto 'lifelong learning' really applies to me. Every year I follow one or more courses or workshops. But I especially like to learn on the job. The profession of web editor is developing rapidly. And I want to keep up and develop myself further.

In the coming period I want to use my knowledge and experience with B1 writing even more, also as a B1 coach. That can also be done from home, as I have been doing since mid-March. And that is perfect, because I am moving with my husband to a new house in the countryside of Leusden next spring.'

What do you find challenging about web editing?

'That you can always learn new things, web editing is a very broad profession. That's why it remains interesting to do. I find it incredibly fun to temporarily support web editors, together with online specialists to improve web content. And the atmosphere is good at Amstelveen. This way I can take a look behind the scenes at various organizations. I do my best to get up to speed as quickly as possible. But the most important thing for me is that the client is satisfied with my work, preferably very satisfied. I set the bar quite high for myself.'

Do you have a tip for other candidates?

'Applying for jobs is now mainly done via video calling. I applied for the municipality of Amstelveen in this way for the first time. The fact that I was immediately successful may be because I feel more at ease in my home environment and can therefore be more myself. And I was very happy that I was able to present myself to a municipality. Furthermore, I like to be honest about what you can expect from me.'

How do you find contact with Babbage?

'I have a good relationship with Anke and her colleagues from Babbage. This agency is the first one I went into business with as a self-employed person. And now again for the municipalities of Amstelveen and Aalsmeer.'

Are you also looking for the next step in communication, marketing or content? Let's look together at where your strength lies.