'I like to surprise myself.'

For over 25 years, we have been connecting organizations with the best marketing, communication, and content professionals. We find suitable assignments or positions for junior, medior, and senior professionals. In Spot On, we would like to introduce them to you. This time, Spot On: Paul van Overhagen, Web Editor (ai) at the government

“Babbage has the assignments and I help their clients with my knowledge and skills. Hopefully until I retire!”

Paul is a web editor (ai) for the government and has been a freelancer with heart and soul for 15 years. 'I enter everywhere full of enthusiasm and when I leave it is: “Great that you were there Paul. You pick up the assignments and make sure it gets done. You make the connection and solve the problems through communication, even when things get difficult”.'

'It is indeed my job as a freelancer to make sure that something really happens. Take, for example, the launch of a social intranet. A script is a must for that. I take care of that, always in consultation with the client. Something needs to change or be renewed. After completing the assignment, I go to the next assignment full of energy, where a new online change process awaits. That's how I keep myself and my clients enthusiastic.'

Oil for the digital government

Paul has been working at Logius for just one month. Logius is part of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) and ensures a digital government that works for everyone. 'Logius is the linchpin and the brand, the external face of the digital government,' says Paul. 'We ensure an accessible, safe and available digital government that meets the highest privacy standards. Everyone knows MijnOverheid, DigID and E-Herkenning, but the 40+ other digital services of Logius are much less visible. And that is not necessary. Logius provides the information and updates to buyers of those products when necessary. You actually want the work to proceed quietly and invisibly, because if people are bothered by it, something is wrong. So it is very important work, it is the oil for a well-functioning digital government.'

Innovation by Beta's

'I work as a web and final editor and write for the Logius website and the intranet. I also do the socials together with colleagues. For example, I write about different subjects for different target groups. It's fun to work here: there are about 1000 talented and smart people working here. It's a kind of Beta club and I really like that. Everyone is open and enthusiastic. They are intellectual developers, product owners, business analysts, security specialists etc. This is where innovation comes from. We are constantly working on how things can be improved and even the web editor gets to put his two cents in,' Paul grins.

An assignment is like a good story with an exciting beginning, an up-and-down middle, and a spectacular ending.

A good story

'I like being a freelancer because I work in different places. I feel very involved with an organization and try to understand it. I also like going to drinks and parties (in my own time), but I also always like it when the job is done. An assignment is like a good story with an exciting beginning, an up-and-down middle and a spectacular ending. I keep getting to know new people and their stories about organizations and systems. I like to surprise myself again and again and to jump in at the deep end with a new assignment.'

Shattered rolls

'At the beginning of my career, I did everything as a communications professional: offline and online media and also all the consultancy work. Now those communication roles have become much more fragmented. I sometimes think that's a shame. I am now really 'chief of online execution', that's how my career went. But I don't regret not becoming a manager! I do regret not becoming an artist. So now I just paint on the side, so who knows?'

Relieving each other of worries

'I have built up a good relationship with Babbage in recent years. They have proven themselves in the market. They look and think ahead and I like that. Babbage has the assignments that I like to do, I am happy with that. They take things off my hands. I want longer-term assignments and that has always worked out so far. And I help their partners and clients with my knowledge and skills. Hopefully until I retire!'

Are you also looking for a new challenge? We would love to talk to you and find your next step together.