As an interim, you never really seem to fit in, but nothing could be further from the truth. You have to put in the effort.

In Spot On, we're pleased to introduce our colleagues. This time, we're featuring Tim Kooijman. Tim is a Communications Consultant at Babbage and currently works as an interim communications advisor for the Municipality of Haarlem.

The fact that one of my assignments took place just a few blocks from my house immediately resonated with me. Because I often have opinions about my surroundings. Part of me thought, hey, but now I can make an impact here too, you know? Let's see how easy it is to make a difference in a neighborhood. Then you're really confronted with reality.

With a background in acting, journalism, and philosophy, Tim is a man of many talents. He ultimately found his niche in communications, where his curiosity and intuition for people and stories are well-suited for his work.

After a period as a freelancer, Tim decided to join Babbage as a Communications Consultant and focus more on government communications. "I was getting a bit tired of the constant acquisitions, dealing with pension plans while still fully employed, and everything that comes with being self-employed. Then I came across an assignment with the municipality of The Hague, where I could focus on investment districts. One of those districts was right near me."

Dynamic assignment in Haarlem

In his current role, Tim works as an interim communications advisor for the East district of Haarlem, covering Alderman Floor Roduner's portfolio and the housing, heritage, and nightlife team. "It's a dynamic assignment: so much is happening, and you're bombarded with a huge amount of information. I really enjoy that; it's essentially a matter of constantly keeping that communication spark alive."

What appeals to him about Haarlem is the visible impact of the work. "You create communication that has a direct effect on the city and you also regularly speak to residents." He continues: "It always touches me when people say the communication is clear and that they're happy the municipality is really paying attention to this problem. It's good to see that you can actually achieve something like this on behalf of the municipality. But honestly, it also touches me when people say they're not involved enough in the things the municipality is doing. Making the municipality's efforts visible. That's great."

Specific interim competencies

According to Tim, an interim role requires specific skills. "A key one is having the courage to connect. You basically have to talk to everyone; you're always on call, you're in touch with everyone."

That also means joining in on Friday afternoon drinks or showing genuine interest in how a colleague's weekend was. "This is to ensure you do your job well and show yourself, because you're welcome to be there. You're an equal, but you do need to be part of the team."

It's a great compliment to receive: "Hey, I thought you were just an employee of ours." "That's great to hear. There's often this image that interim workers never fully fit in. That's not true, but you do have to work for it. You have to give of yourself, but of course, also maintain your boundaries."

Tim also emphasizes the importance of self-confidence and the courage to contribute your own ideas. "You're an 'outsider,' and therefore have an overview of a particular work environment. It's important to keep exploring your own uniqueness and dare to say, 'Guys, I don't get this. Why are we doing it this way?' This also keeps your client on their toes, because if you're a permanent employee who's been doing something for years, you no longer think about the why."

Communications Consultant at Babbage

Tim is also positive about working at Babbage. “I really appreciate the dedicated team that focuses on acquisition and client contact. They love chatting with clients and exploring their challenges. I no longer have to worry about finding new assignments or the intensive bookkeeping. This allows me to focus on the client's challenges, the creative side of things, and the solutions they need. And I still enjoy the variety in my work.”

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.

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