Exellys Stories

Stay up to date with developments, accomplishments and other news and blogs.

8 Things I wish I knew before I started my first job 7 September 2021
Are you a recent grad about to start your first ‘proper’ job? If so, we understand just how you feel. The anticipation. The nerves. The excitement. The self-doubt. It’s perfectly normal to feel a little uneasy before taking your first steps in the world of work. So, to help calm your nerves, here are eight things you should know before starting your first job.
How to adopt the 7 habits of highly effective people 27 July 2021
Do you want to be more successful in life? Are looking for a way to stand out from the herd? If you’re looking for ways to improve yourself, the secret lies in adopting powerful, effective habits. In this post, we’ll show you how to do just that by following Stephen Covey’s influential book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
How to make the most out of your final year as a student 8 July 2021
How do you find the perfect balance between enjoying the last of your ‘student-life’ as much as possible and making sure that you graduate with the right (soft) skills and competencies? Here are six handy tips that will definitely help you graduate in style.
6 things to do at work before leaving on vacation 5 July 2021
Taking time away from the office is a fantastic way to lower your stress levels, improve your productivity, and boost your mood. But if you aren’t careful, work problems can follow you on vacation and leave you feeling even more stressed than before you left. Here are six things you should do at work before you leave to make your vacation as relaxing as possible.
How Louis became the Business Consultant he always aimed to be (Video) 15 June 2021
During the recent virtual graduation ceremony of his Exellys Start Smart class, Louis and his Talent Development manager Leslie Hemmerechts reflected on his experiences of the past two years and how he benefited from Exellys’ Start Smart Program.
7 last minute study tips that actually work 31 May 2021
If you’re a student, January and June usually mean one thing; exam time! If you’re feeling stressed, here are some tips for last-minute efficiency and a care free summer. Because you don’t want to add August to that first list.
7 soft skills you need in today’s business world 25 May 2021
You’ve mastered all the skills and knowledge required to get a degree, but will that be enough to help you land your first job? Probably not. So what are soft skills? Why are they important? And which ones do you need? Those are exactly the questions we’re looking at today!
I’m about to graduate. What’s next? 18 May 2021
Almost graduated? If you’re feeling a bit lost about which direction to head in, here are some top tips for starting the next chapter of your life and getting the life you want to!
5 reasons why your best talent quits 10 May 2021
From our personal experience with coaching over 300 young and promising talents, there are five common problems in organizations that make young professionals think about quitting.
Remember, you don’t need all five to lose your top talent — one can be enough.
Why most developers don’t (get to) code all day 7 May 2021
Congratulations, you got the job! You’re ready to dive headfirst into your new life as a software developer and write thousands of lines of code. Because that’s your job now, or is it? If you really think developers do nothing but code all day, you’ve probably seen too many movies…
Starting your career during a lockdown: Data Engineer Ine about remote interviews & new ways of working 6 May 2021
Ine Nauwelaerts discovered her passion for data science and data engineering during her master’s degree, and her enthusiasm about everything to do with data is […]
A LinkedIn starter’s guide for graduates 28 April 2021
Over 90% of hiring managers use LinkedIn to look for recruits and the professional networking platform is only gaining in popularity. So when it comes to your career, the potential of LinkedIn is huge. Here’s how you get started with the platform.
Technical Analyst Dries about communicating, self-development & life 21 April 2021
Meet Dries: Technical Analyst, sports enthusiast and music lover. He builds bridges between IT-professionals, clients and partners at Baloise.
News: Belgian Talent Incubator launches NL branch 15 April 2021
Exellys, a Belgian based Tech Talent Incubator, recently launched its Dutch branch. With over 120 IT consultants working at +40 companies in a variety of industries and an internal team of tech talent scouts, talent development managers, (digital) marketeers and account managers, the company has already shown an impressive growth curve since its establishment in 2014.
Pivot your career: When should you switch? 13 April 2021
Feeling unsure about your career is totally normal every once in a while. But when is the time to actually jump and make that change you’re looking for?
6 tips for getting the most out of your internship 8 April 2021
Doing an internship over the summer? Internships may not come with much power or allure, they can be a fantastic way to earn professional experience before you graduate. You can even leverage this experience into a full-time position later on.
7 office pranks to try out this April Fool’s (or the next one) 1 April 2021
With April Fool’s coming up you might be still looking for some office prank inspiration. Keep on reading for some of the internet’s greatest examples.
Jürgen Ingels’ advice for young professionals (video) 30 March 2021
We invited Jürgen Ingels to talk about his first book ’50 lessen voor ondernemers’. Which of his lessons can easily be implemented as a consultant or employee?
Starting out with home automation: A practical guide (VIDEO) 16 March 2021
Exellys alumnus Jeroen Reinenbergh offers some pointers about how anyone can get started with IoT at home. His talk covered everything from microcontrollers to starter kits, tutorials, and entry-level projects that anyone can explore.
How stepping out of your comfort zone can become an eye-opening experience 10 March 2021
Exellyst Katrien Meessens recently wrapped up her StreetwiZe expedition. During three days, the Exellysts are brought in contact with boys and girls aged 14 to 17 who are living in a closed community institution. The co-creation project enables the Exellysts to explore skills such as authentic leadership, compassion, engagement and empowerment in a unique way.
How my life changed after graduating in IT (VIDEO) 23 February 2021
In this interview, Software Engineer Jochen shared his journey from the moment he graduated as an IT student up until today. Some of the topics he discussed were his general career path, what he does and doesn’t miss from his student days, and the impact of Covid-19 on his day-to-day work.
Is our health more important than our privacy? 16 February 2021
We recently invited privacy activist and director at the Ministry of Privacy Matthias Dobbelaere-Welvaert to give our Exellysts an online keynote on tracking applications, their known issues, and the impact they are having on our privacy. Here are some of his thoughts…
What do these people actually do? 17 IT function titles explained 9 February 2021
We get it, the spectrum of IT jobs is a broad one and navigating through this sea of function titles isn’t always easy. So, if you’re looking for a simple way to explain your grandmother what you actually do for a living, this list will definitely help you out!
Exellys on tour – Meet us at your (virtual) job fair 3 February 2021
Here’s a (pretty lengthy) list of all the (virtual) job fairs and events we’re doing in the upcoming weeks and months. So grab your calendar, start highlighting some dates and let’s have a conversation. Our tech talent scouts, consultants and talent development managers are looking forward to meeting you.
25 ways to boost your productivity in 2021 23 January 2021
As work productivity resolutions are near the top of most professionals’ lists, we thought we’d offer a helping hand. We’ll discuss 25 ways that you can boost your productivity at work. The best news? There’s no need to wait until the New Year; you can start implementing these ideas right away!
Organizing talent management in the remote age 20 January 2021
The corona pandemic has forced every organization to rethink the way they work. Almost overnight, homeworking has become the new standard. But what does it mean for your talent management strategy? And how can you successfully implement it for remote teams?
Why energy management is the secret to better work 12 January 2021
In the competitive business world of today, where organizations are demanding ever-higher performance from their teams, we need something that can reconcile the high-demanding expectations towards productivity and results in the mental and physical health of employees. Enter energy management.
5 awesome last-minute Christmas gifts for your techie friends 18 December 2020
Still wondering what to get your techie friend or loved one this Christmas? Well, stop stressing because we’ve got you covered!
Burrito’s and learning (part 2) 24 November 2020
In our previous ‘Burrito’s and learning’ blog, we discussed some of the basic tips that we’ve picked up in our switch to online training. We’ll continue with some of that prep work in this blog and dive into a practical example.
Burrito’s and learning (part 1) 23 November 2020
We take a lot of pride in our training programs, but just like everyone else, we were forced to switch it up over these last few months. Here’s how we tackled that switch.
5 Career killers you need to avoid 10 November 2020
You have probably worked hard to achieve your current career status. Coming so far, the last thing you want, is to make a mistake that ruins all your progress. In this article we take a closer look at the 5 biggest career killers and, more importantly, how you can avoid them.
7 things no one will tell you about salary negotiation 12 October 2020
How do you ask for a raise and actually get one? Whether you’re starting a new job, are up for a promotion at your current employer, or just don’t feel that the value of what you do is reflected in your current paycheck, you’re bound to have this conversation at one point in your career.
Roadmap for a Digital Future in Belgium 30 September 2020
Belgian companies need help to focus on digitalization. So it’s time to come up with a pragmatic action plan, packed with concrete initiatives to facilitate digital transformation. The kick-off of this initiative was given on the 15th of September, when some of Belgium’s most important digital leaders (full list at the end of the article) got together for an inspiring roundtable discussion.
How to discover a company’s actual culture 11 August 2020
In order to really get to know a company’s culture, you’re going to have to go beyond the about us-section on their website. The best way to learn more about a certain company’s culture is to get in touch and to openly speak with people who actually work there. Here’s how you get started.
My journey from Industrial Engineering graduate to Chapter Lead 5 August 2020
Meet Lore Donné! After graduating as an Industrial Engineer, she joined Exellys in September of 2018 as a Full Stack Developer. Here, she shared her two-year journey from Groep T graduate to Chapter Lead.
Introducing a talent development strategy in your organization 15 July 2020
Cultivating a thriving learning culture is a delicate balance between formal training and supportive coaching: and employees are what make an enterprise flourish.
With this in mind, talent development may seem pretty easy: training sessions and that’s it, right? Wrong. Here’s how you introduce a talent development strategy in your organization.
Why you aren’t coaching employees to excellence 22 June 2020
Many organizations expect senior leaders and middle managers just like you to take up these coaching roles. But you have the feeling that you’re not as effective at it as you could be. Here are some of the reasons why…
Why talent development matters on the job 11 June 2020
As a CEO, team lead or hiring manager, talent development should be one of the cornerstones of your working philosophy. But what is the tangible return on investment of talent development, really? And why does it seem to be so tricky to get it right?
How to handle (exam) stress 8 June 2020
It’s natural to feel overwhelmed with stress every once in a while. But it’s important to remember that everyone’s in the same boat and you certainly aren’t alone! That’s why we wanted to offer you our most effective tips and strategies for coping with stress. These ideas will help get you going and stay cool, calm and focused!
Why it’s hard to find talent (and how to solve it) 27 May 2020
With only a limited number of yearly graduates with a tech related background, it’s safe to say that tech talent isn’t growing on trees. But why exactly is it so hard to find talent and how can we tackle this?
Hocus Focus: Six ways to concentrate better 19 May 2020
Living in an ‘always-connected’ world has made life more demanding and stressful than ever, with infinite diversions nothing more than a click or tap away. But too much tech is only part of the problem. Here are six research-backed ways to turn the tide and boost your concentration.
How Business Engineer Viktor became a BI Consultant 5 May 2020
Let us introduce to you, Viktor Van Beersel. A 25-year-old BI Consultant who calls himself a true social animal and values contact with other people more than anything else. That’s why he felt a spontaneous spark with both Exellys and Biztory, where clients and colleagues don’t bite but and are just an easy conversation partner.
If you don’t give your employees a chance, they will go look for it elsewhere 27 April 2020
Even if you don’t see them immediately, there are several valid reasons why it’s often better to promote from within, instead of relying on external hires. We listed five reasons why you should give your employees a chance and stop them from looking elsewhere.
5 learning platforms to sharpen your skills while staying at home 20 April 2020
“Never waste a good crisis”, a saying you probably heard more than once since the coronavirus outbreak started. But wasting away your time with Netflix probably isn’t the best way to tackle your quarantine. Why not boost your skills and qualifications? We listed some of our favorite technology skills platforms you can use to get ahead.
How to find a job during a pandemic 15 April 2020
If you’re approaching graduation or are on the lookout for a new challenge, the coronavirus pandemic may have got you wondering, “Should I even bother looking for a job with all of this going on?” You should! We’ll show you how to jumpstart your career in these uncertain times and give you our ultimate job-hunting tips for landing a job during a pandemic.
From engineering student to technical consultant – Meet Casper 6 April 2020
Let’s meet Casper, a 22-year old who is really interested in traveling and exploring other cultures, he’s a great communicator and an awesome programmer. Coincidence or not, those three things are now part of his job as a Technical Consultant at Swift.
Tech-related tv-shows to binge watch your way through quarantine 17 March 2020
You did your absolute best to postpone this for as long as possible, but you can’t take it anymore. It’s time to binge-watch your way through this covid-19 quarantine. Well, don’t worry because we made a list of tech related tv-shows and movies that will keep you entertained between the four walls of your living room.
How to prepare for a job interview through Skype 16 March 2020
Whatever the reason, you received an invitation for a job interview. But then the Corona virus happens, nobody’s shaking hands anymore and the job interview you have been looking forward to becomes a Skype call. But how do you prepare yourself for an online job interview? Here are some pro tips.
The do’s and don’ts of office pranks 15 March 2020
How do you make sure that you don’t turn your office prank into a career limiting move? We listed some easy to remember do’s and don’ts, so that your next (or first) office prank won’t get you fired.
How to work from home more efficiently 11 March 2020
Chances are your employer recently asked you to start working from home. Whether you work from home fulltime, once a week, or just every once in a while because of a virus outbreak, here’s how to be as productive at home as in the office.
Why you need to start thinking exponentially 10 March 2020
The ability to think exponentially is one of the most important skills for those looking to succeed in today’s tough economic climate. We need to challenge ourselves to shift our mindsets to ‘see ahead of curve’ in order to make the right decisions for future success.
How to survive as a woman in tech 6 March 2020
A few weeks ago, we invited 4 top leading ladies to have a round table session with some of our female Exellysts. They took the time to share their experiences and stories on leadership, career progress and gender equality. Based on the insights of these power women, here are some tips and tricks to handle yourself as a woman as you pursue your career in tech.
Google Hash Code 2020: The Exellys edition 24 February 2020
Since we’re always in the mood for a challenge, we registered our office bar as one of the more than 700 official hashcode hubs.
The art of making a job fair worthwhile 18 February 2020
Here is a common misconception about job fairs. A lot of people seem to think that a job fair is just meant to be ‘strolled around’, to get a general idea of what companies have to offer and collect brochures and goodies.
6 easy ways to make your CV stand out 4 February 2020
Are you graduating this year? Or are you on the lookout for a new challenge? Spoiler alert: Even if you’re being spammed by recruiters on a daily basis, you’re probably going to need a CV.
We decided to make it fun and selected these 6 GIFs to help you get started.
Projective acquires majority stake in Exellys 23 January 2020
Projective acquires the majority of the shares of Exellys. Raf Seymus, current CEO and founder of Exellys, joins the board of Projective and becomes managing partner of Stellar Labs. Together, the group has more than 300 consultants and a turnover of more than 45 million euros.
7 (tech) conferences we’re looking forward to in 2020 20 January 2020
If you want to improve yourself, attending a conference every now and then can make a difference for your business and career. We’re anticipating quite a few this year. Here’s a short list of conferences we’re looking forward to in 2020…
I spent over an hour dangling from a cliff, and this is what I learned about leadership 6 January 2020
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to join one of our Grow Smart kickoff weekends? Well, our digital growth marketeer Pieter Mijnendonckx recently found out first hand. He shared his key take aways right here…
An Exellys Intern story: How a taste of ‘company life’ can make an impact 25 November 2019
Exellys matches the finest tech talent with ambitious companies. Not only for recent graduates and young professionals but students as well. This Summer, 8 motivated students completed an internship at our clients. We had a quick chat with Atsuki Kojima, an international student from Japan who completed an internship at e-commerce pioneer Veepee in Brussels.
Web Summit 2019: Our key take aways (Part 2) 11 November 2019
It’s a wrap! After a spending a couple of days in Portugal for Web Summit 2019, this is what several of our consultants will remember…
Web Summit 2019: Our key take aways (Part 1) 11 November 2019
It’s a wrap! After a spending a couple of days in Portugal for Web Summit 2019, this is what several of our board members, key clients and trusted partners will remember…
10 ways to become better at presenting 6 November 2019
You may not be the world’s best public speaker, but the following ten tips will help you improve the quality of your presentations, whether you are presenting yourself during an interview, demoing a product, or trying to land that all-important promotion.
How to survive your first conference 30 October 2019
If you’re about to pop your conference cherry, it’s natural to feel a little anxious. You may be worried about what to wear, feel stressed about presenting your elevator pitch and maybe you’re even a little unsure about how to, you know, crush it. Here are some top tips for making it awesome. Let’s get right to it!
Exellys is Antwerp’s most promising SME of the year 28 October 2019
Last week Unizo selected Exellys as Antwerp’s most promising SME of the year. We’re very happy with this recognition and extremely proud of the entire Exellys team but we’re not stopping there…
How to drastically improve young workforce retention 16 October 2019
1/3 of new starters changes employers in the first year… If you’re an employer, and these stats don’t worry you, you’re obviously doing something right. Congrats! But for the rest of us mere mortals, the rewards of improving workforce retention should be obvious. If your turnover is less than ideal and you’re interested in doing something about it, keep reading.
How to give feedback to your manager 14 October 2019
If you’re fresh from school and new on the job, you may feel insecure about giving feedback. If something’s bothering you, you may not know the best course of action to take. Being able to provide feedback to others without causing offense is just as important as being able to accept feedback about yourself
Why you should focus on sharpening your presentation skills 8 October 2019
Whether you’re presenting your ideas to a prospect or pitching a new app in the boardroom, strong presentation skills are a must for both sales reps and developers (and all function titles in between). Here’s why…
This Exellyst created an AI course without a line of code 30 September 2019
Ever heard of Udemy? Well, Data scientist and Exellys consultant Domien Van Damme is a big fan of the platform and recently even created his very own course: Machine Learning, AI and Data Science without programming. In the first days alone, 2.224 people registered. Here, he elaborates on why he took the time to create this course.
3 Rules for scaling your team for greatness 24 September 2019
Digitalization is forcing companies to innovate rapidly. Tech trends are forcing organisations to become leaner and more efficient while at the same time having to expand their IT & Engineering teams. How do you find the most suitable employees from the available talent pool? Here are three rules for scaling your team for greatness.
How Hendrik became a traveling SAP Business Analyst 21 September 2019
Hendrik knew he wanted to do ‘something with IT and business’ after graduating. And possibly with lots of traveling because he wants to nourish his curiosity for other countries. He found his passion and felt an immediate connection with Umicore, who offered him a job as a world traveling SAP Business Analyst. A match that goes both ways!
Rutger: From computer science graduate to technical consultant 20 September 2019
They say first impressions are the most important. So, when Rutger discovered Exellys and everything we stand for, he kept in touch. Because he could not get us out of his mind, even after having committed to another job, he eventually ended up with us. And that’s where the love story continues. Meet one of our technical consultants who, honestly, always had a connection with us and wisely decided to make his move.
How Maxim became an IT system administrator 19 September 2019
In September 2017 Maxim started working at Melexis as an IT System Administrator and proud Exellyst. He made what he considers the best decision ever when choosing Exellys and kickstarted his career from day one with our Start Smart Programme. Today, (almost) 365 days later, he looks back on his experiences. Time for a chat!
Steven: From engineering student to front-end developer 18 September 2019
Surviving your final months as a student, graduating, finding a job that you like and still finding the time to have something that looks like a social life. Sounds challenging with only 24 hours in a day, right? And chances are you’re in a similar situation, or you will be sooner rather than later.
How Mara from Romania became a Full stack Java Developer in Belgium 17 September 2019
What if we were to offer you an international professional adventure? Would you hesitate? Mara seized the opportunity and relocated all the way from Romania to end up as one of our Exellys Consultants. Today she is very happy to be here and proud to call herself an Exellyst working as a Full stack Java Developer at ING Belgium.
How to build a great(er) team 10 September 2019
As a manager, you know first-hand how crucial, yet difficult, it is to foster and promote great teamwork among a group of professionals. Teamwork doesn’t just happen by accident; it needs to be nurtured and crafted over time. But no team members are perfect in every way, they each have their own set of strengths and weaknesses. So how can you, as a manager, lead your team to greatness?
Bridging the generation gap in your workplace 30 August 2019
For the first time in history, four generations can be found around the meeting table. Each with their own style and preferences, their collaboration poses an entirely new challenge to employers that want to on-board and integrate tech talent. The stakes are high; miscommunication and frustration can lead to lower productivity and even conflict. But for managers who succeed, the rewards are great. This is how you bridge the generation gap in your workplace.
Glass ceilings are made to be broken 26 August 2019
A few weeks ago, Exellys and CIOnet joined forces and organized a ‘Women in Tech’ event. 4 business savvy women shared their stories on the battles and triumphs they encountered during their way to the C-suite. Based on their insights and stories, we’ve captured some lessons learned for the tech industry.
Spotify’s Engineering Culture: An introduction 20 August 2019
Since its launch in 2008, Spotify has grown exponentially to account for an estimated 40 percent of the global music streaming market. To reach over 180 million active listeners and 83 million paid subscribers, Spotify developed a unique Agile methodology. Let’s have a closer look at their engineering culture.
How to future proof your business using Horizon Scanning 8 August 2019
Given the scale and scope of current changes, how can future leaders thrive and prosper in the coming years? That was the question that futurist Keith Coats recently answered for us. When talking about some of the crucial skills for future fit digital leaders, he introduced us to the concept of ‘Horizon Scanning’ and explained how to master this skill through a framework called the TIDES model.
Netflix’s The Great Hack: A Modern Day Horror Story 1 August 2019
Even if you’re very familiar with data tracking, it’s hard to find Netflix’s new documentary The Great Hack anything short of terrifying. Like a horror story for the digital age, the documentary features the twin villains of Cambridge Analytica and Facebook and shows how they used people’s own data to weave a dystopian web of deceit and distrust.
Glickman and Exellys: a good match right off the bat 24 July 2019
“We’re 9 months along and our first impression has been fully confirmed. The consultants at Glickman are a perfect fit.”
Why this is the book you should read on your next holiday 23 July 2019
If you’re starting to think about which books to take to the beach this year, we suggest 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by renowned historian Yuval Noah Harari. In this blogpost, we’ll discuss four of its most crucial lessons and show you exactly why it deserves a spot on your summer reading list!
Video: How a Bio Engineer ended up as a Project Manager in Germany 6 July 2019
Meet Luigi, a 27 year-old Bio Engineering graduate and IT Project Manager. In this video, Luigi tells us all about his professional journey so far.
Video: From Business Engineering graduate to Functional Analyst 29 June 2019
Meet Lise, as a recent graduate in Business Engineering she quickly found her way to Exellys. As a Functional Analyst at Belfius Insurance it’s her (and her team’s) job to translate the business needs into requirements developers can work with. She’ll walk you through the journey that started the moment she graduated.
Video: The unexpected career path of a bachelor in IT 29 June 2019
When it comes to a career, there’s no such thing as a straight line. Just ask Stijn, a bachelor in IT who joined Exellys as a Business Analyst a while ago.
Video: How Denny became a .NET Developer 29 June 2019
Meet Denny, AP Hogeschool graduate (Bachelor in Electronics/ICT) and currently a .NET Development Consultant at Ferranti. In 12 minutes Denny will take you through his entire Exellys experience, covering why he chose for Exellys, the selection procedure, the training and coaching and everything in between.
Why Unity is one of the best game engines for beginners 24 June 2019
Thinking about getting started with game development but don’t know where to start? We suggest Unity and here are five reasons why!
7 video’s to show you what working at Exellys is really like… 20 June 2019
Every week we publish another blogpost. But what of instead of telling, we showed you what we’re all about? We browsed through our YouTube channel and selected 7 video’s that give you a quick impression of the life of an Exellyst.
How to think more productively 17 June 2019
A while ago, Functional Analyst Jolien Jackers took the time to write a blogpost on the Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy or REBT in short. How do people create their own stress and how do I start thinking more productively? Find out right here!
Does the money even matter? What makes developers stay (Podcast) 10 June 2019
Joren Verspeelt, one of Exellys’ full-stack developers recently got invited to the Lazy People Podcast a while ago. In the one hour talk he focused on the problem of talent retention within IT companies. Why are well-paying and cushy jobs being abandoned? And more importantly, what can companies do about it?
How this Functional Analyst is working on the most innovative projects 3 June 2019
Let’s meet Giani-Luigi Driesen, curious to say the least and passionate about football and all things digital. He likes to learn, whether it’s about technology, biology or how people interact with each other. So diving into a major project at Belfius Insurance as a Functional Analyst proved to be an interesting and exciting first job experience.
How 40 consultants hacked the future of work 27 May 2019
1 challenge, 40 motivated Exellysts, 1.576 post-its (give or take) and potentially a beer or two. The perfect recipe for the first edition of HackSmart, Exellys’ very own two-day innovation hackathon.
9 Career lessons to learn from Game of Thrones 21 May 2019
That was it, Game of Thrones is over. After 71 episodes it turns out, Game of Throne’s biggest ‘gotcha’ was that between all the violence, nudity and dragons, the show actually offered some important career advice too. So, here are 9 career lessons that this legendary show taught us. Just be careful, because spoilers are coming…
Exellys is IT Sourcing Company of the Year 17 May 2019
Last night we attended the 20th edition of the Datanews Awards and became IT Sourcing Company of the Year. This award wants to honor companies who successfully succeed in helping others to find, attract and retain the right people for the job.
How Maxim made it from Functional Analyst to Product Owner 13 May 2019
Maxim Van Aert is an ambitious Product Owner at ING. He is leading a team, making important changes within the company and is always able to take people in tow. His endless drive helps him to grow as a professional, while still being down-to-earth and always open to learn. Time for a chat with this people-oriented young professional.
Exellys’ Company Culture 11 May 2019
We aim to foster a tight-knit company culture where young and like-minded peers share common ground. Our culture is open, hardworking and lots of fun. Even though our Exellysts don’t all work for the same customers, we can still proudly call ourselves a community.
What you need to remember from Stack Overflow’s 2019 Developer Survey 23 April 2019
For nine years, Stack Overflow has fielded an annual global survey asking tens of thousands developers about their opinions on a wide variety of topics, from which programming language they prefer to how optimistic they are about the future. Following the recent publication of the Developer survey results 2019 we picked out some of the highlights.
SingularityU Spain Summit: Our Founder’s favourite talks & take aways 9 April 2019
A while ago, our Founder & CEO Raf Seymus hopped on a plane to Spain to attend the Singularity University Summit in Madrid, a two-day conference that helps leaders understand how to apply exponential technologies to create positive change and economic growth.
Companies will have to create radical digital sustainability 2 April 2019
Industry 4.0 is ushering in a new era of exponential change, rapid disruption and regulatory challenges on a scale never seen before. But Raf Seymus, Founder & CEO of Exellys, believes that the future for businesses is extremely bright: “While many jobs will be automated out of existence, many more new jobs will be created,” he predicts.
I believe in the collaboration between man and machine 28 March 2019
Acronyms such as IoT, AI, and ML can make it easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges presented by Industry 4.0 (i4.0). But according to Veerle Lozie, VP of Operations and IT at Melexis, there’s no need to worry. “The opportunities will be huge for everyone”.
Industry 4.0 is going to change life fundamentally 25 March 2019
For me Industry 4.0 is about hacking. We can alter genes and create super humans, we can produce new molecules in order to make new materials and we can even squeeze time. It’s no longer science-fiction. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is here and, according to Jurgen Ingels, Serial Entrepreneur & Investor, this is how we should tackle it.
Government can enhance trust in technology 20 March 2019
The technologies driving Industry 4.0 have already started to change the way we live, work and interact with each other. Robotics, infotech, biotech, and nanotech are fundamentally reshaping the way that we live. According to Philippe De Backer, Minister of Digital Agenda, the fact that Industry 4.0 will be driven by technology means that up to two-thirds of people will have to be retrained and reshaped in the next ten to fifteen years.
Technology can turn this planet into a garden of Eden 18 March 2019
From autonomous vehicles to digital assistants and self-healing materials, the lines between the biological, physical and digital spheres are being blurred before our eyes. Change is happening at an exponential speed and the emergence of cyber-physical systems shows us that the Fourth Industrial Revolution is already underway. Yet according to Erwin Verstraelen, Chief Digital & Innovation Officer at the Port of Antwerp, many people are unprepared for the challenges that lie ahead.
Google Hash Code: The Exellys Edition 4 March 2019
Hash Code is a team programming competition organized by Google for students and industry professionals across the globe. Some motivated Exellysts took on the challenge and participated in the qualification round on the 28th of February. Six of our consultants formed two teams and took on a Google engineering problem.
What you need to thrive in Industry 4.0 20 February 2019
In five years, over one-third of skills that are considered important in today’s workforce will have changed. Innovations such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, genetic editing and more are no longer science fiction but near future. Companies need to embrace this technological and digital (r)evolution and talent needs to be prepared today in order to tackle the innovations of tomorrow.
A 10 step guide to finding your career path 13 February 2019
In an ideal world, everyone would have a clear calling and settle into a life-long, fulfilling career doing what they love. Unfortunately, things don’t work out that way and many people find themselves unsure of which occupation to choose, or which direction their career should take them. Whether you’re just starting out, or are trying to decide your next move, this step-by-step guide might help…
Exellys is nominated for Trends Gazellen 2021 9 February 2019
We’re very excited to share that Exellys has been nominated for Trends Gazellen 2021 in the category large companies.
7 Habits of unsuccessful people and how to tackle them 3 February 2019
Bad habits can have a significant impact on all aspects of our lives. They can affect our levels of happiness and limit our successes. These habits can sometimes be difficult to break. If you aren’t careful, you can turn these patterns into a mindset and stifle your potential. A life of success is waiting for you; we’ll show you the routines you should adopt instead.
Why transparency should be a top priority for your company 29 January 2019
Being honest and sharing information should always be at the top of your agenda. The world is becoming increasingly closer-knit and the largest companies are emphasizing openness. Whether or not these tech giants are doing a good job at making transparency a priority, your company definitely should. Here are five reasons why.
14 rules programmers should live by 22 January 2019
There are some truly great programmers out there. So, what sets them apart? All successful programmers live by certain rules and applying these rules can help you become more efficient and productive.
Reimagining work in the age of AI 8 January 2019
It’s 2019. Take a look around you. Far from being the stuff of science fiction, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has already become an indispensable part of your daily life. But are robots coming for our jobs?
Michiel flew all around the globe for a training week 10 December 2018
Wanna go into the wide world, ha? We get it. We’re all young. Most of us like discovering new cultures from time to time. That definitely goes for Michiel, Exellyst for 2 years and traveler at heart. He was able to mix business with the pleasure of exploring Shanghai thanks to Atlas Copco!
4 reasons why fun in the office is important 27 November 2018
Who has time for fun when there’s work to be done? We do! Our new office is awesome, but, as anyone who visits us soon finds out, it is more than just an office: it embodies who we are and what we do. Our new home perfectly symbolizes our mission: to nurture top tech talents through training, coaching in a fun and stimulating environment.
Attracting young tech talent at an established industrial player 19 November 2018
“We especially appreciate the matchmaking between candidates and our organisation, the time gains throughout the process and the continued training and coaching efforts.”
Meet Steve Wozniak in our office 13 November 2018
As you may have heard, we recently moved to a brand new office in Mechelen. Next to our tech talent scouts, talent development managers and sales and marketing teams we also have some very special guests… No less than ten pioneers in tech. That’s right, we named our meeting and training rooms after some of the people who had (and still have) a tremendous impact on technology today. They don’t need an introduction so let them introduce themselves just as they do on the walls of our office.
A brand new office in Mechelen: a successful opening night 26 October 2018
An impressive office, a buzzing crowd and four captivating panel members eager to share their story and love for Exellys on a Thursday night. That is all it took to introduce the new Exellys office in Mechelen. See you soon?
Exellys hacked the Port of Antwerp 16 October 2018
As you might have seen on our social media, last week 10 Exellys consultants participated in the ChainPORT Hackathon. Tom Bruyninx, Java API developer at ING and one of the participants, took the time to write down his experiences.
A dynamic private banking environment 25 September 2018
“Thanks to Exellys, young graduates benefit from a smooth transition from academic to professional life in an enriching and well-structured way; the surrounding frame ensures a happy landing in our organisation.”
Man of steel: Where the steel industry and IT come together 6 September 2018
When you match an industrial engineer with an innate passion for oversized swords with an internationally renowned steel company like Arcelor Mittal… you just know you’re a winner! But how do the steel industry and IT come together?
10 questions you should ask yourself after one year on the job 3 September 2018
After one year on the job, it’s time for a Q&A with yourself! It doesn’t hurt to look into your rear-view mirror every once in a while. Not to get nostalgic or go over all your shoulds and should nots. No, it’s healthy to look back at where you first started because it will remind you how far you’ve come, how much you’ve grown and most importantly, where you’re heading.
How a 27 year old consultant ended up working from a beach in Mauritius 21 August 2018
Let’s be honest here, if you were to picture yourself in your next IT job, would there be any palm trees, sandy beaches and clear blue water in the frame? The answer is probably no, unless you work for an awesome employer who sends you on a mission to a tropical island. That is exactly what happened to lucky bastard and Exellyst Arvid who spent 3,5 weeks in Mauritius on an assignment for BrightKnight!
You have a limited amount of fucks to give, spend them wisely! 9 August 2018
Every year the Exellys team gets a book for some light summer reading. Each book is carefully selected for its valuable lessons. This year, we received a book by Mark Manson: The subtle art of not giving a fuck. In this blog post we share 4 lifechanging truths we learnt. Ready to be enlightened? Keep on reading, unless you don’t give a fuck, of course.
The five best talks from JS/CSSConf in Berlin 7 August 2018
Three front-end developers are sitting on a plane. What happens next? Not too long ago Stijn, Steven & Yoran, three Exellys consultants of the ING team attended the JS and CSS Conferences in Berlin. When they came back, we asked them to select their five favorite talks. So sit back, grab some popcorn (and maybe a note book) and let’s get started!
Partnering for talent incubatorship 3 August 2018
“A good understanding of our organisations’ needs and the ability to match talent profiles, characterized by an open and flexible partnership.”
How to take your career into your own hands 31 July 2018
Exellys has by now become strongly associated with tech, but (and there is BIG but 😉 ) the fact is that although we specialize in matching IT Talents, we wish to nurture ALL talents from various educational backgrounds. That’s why we decided to share our top 4 hacks to accelerate your career growth.
Be smart about your career by starting smart 10 July 2018
Our Class of 2016 successfully concluded the two-year Start Smart Programme at Exellys and we’re so proud of our graduates. It was a pleasure seeing and helping them grow into the confident young professionals they are today. Bright, competent, ambitious and ready for world domination. Their employers are damn lucky to have them on their team!
How our Belgian Red Devils can teach you to be better at your job 4 July 2018
We we’re watching the game and it’s safe to say that we broke some sweat. But what we took away from this experience is the incredible resilience the Belgian team displayed. They were defeated, all the odds were against them but they fought back as a team and came out on top! Here’s how.
How to ace your exams with time management 12 June 2018
Exams aren’t everyone’s favourite time of the year; there’s lots of work to be done, a ton of distractions and constant demands on your attention. Sometimes, just avoiding Fortnite or resisting Netflix can seem more challenging than your actual revision! To succeed, you’ll need discipline and a good framework to help you manage your time effectively.
The Glue – A challenging IT scale-up 29 May 2018
“Exellys has an excellent feel for our way of working and knows our DNA well; they always keep this in mind when matching talent with The Glue.”
Scrum in five minutes 15 May 2018
Ever heard of scrum? Small tip: it doesn’t have anything to do with rugby! Scrum is an agile framework for managing work. Today, we’re going to take you through the basics and essentials, the things you need to know to become a Scrum Master. Just one thing, before you draw any conclusions. It’s about way more than playing with Legos!
18 job interview tips by Mathilde, an Exellys Tech Talent Scout 24 April 2018
You’ve made a great impression at a job fair. Or perhaps you wrote an exceptional letter of application? Whatever the reason, you received an invitation for a job interview. Perhaps this is your first interview or maybe you’ve got a few under your belt already. Fact remains that effective pointers are worth their weight in gold.
Fast learners, great potentials 19 April 2018
“At the very moment, meeting Exellys was a real gift as they helped us to find the rare tech talent we were looking for.”
The hackathon aftermath 17 April 2018
We organised a kick ass hackathon. The challenge? Crack the code of private banking. Not an easy thing to do. Almost 30 young hackers and hustlers came to Antwerp to take a shot at glory and more importantly to win a 4 day trip to Lisbon’s Web Summit, the largest tech event in Europe.
Disrupting disruption: What the heck is a Hashgraph? 10 April 2018
Hashgraph DLT technology is a superior consensus protocol with a unique data distribution structure. It may be a much better alternative to current blockchain technology. The project is still under development and there is no public version of it yet. Nevertheless, it’s interesting to follow the development of this technology to see where it might lead.
Meeting of the Minds: Photo Report 27 March 2018
That’s right, Meeting of the Minds. These are our quarterly meetings with all Exellysts: consultants, internal staff and management. A group that hasn’t stopped growing since 2014.
Our focus? Knowledge sharing and co-creation, because that’s in our DNA.
Data Trinity: What you should know about the Data Big Three 20 March 2018
We are fast approaching the ‘Data Age’, an entirely new era that will see the rise of everything from humanoid robots to autonomous vehicles and more.The power that this data will bring is virtually limitless and will change the way we communicate, work and live. Within the global datasphere work can be categorized into three main areas: Data Science, Big Data and Data Analytics.
How to find the perfect professional match 13 March 2018
Matchmaking is serious business, especially when it comes to the graduate-employer relationship. Why? Well, you’re a first-timer, a newbie, a greenhorn… As with your very first serious relationship, the experience you gain will set the tone for the rest of your career.
The ultimate guide to finding a Blockchain job in 2018 6 March 2018
Given that this particular market is growing exponentially, wanting to get involved is natural. If you are thinking of making a career change, this guide will supercharge your move off the sidelines and into the thick of this exciting space.
Google Hash Code: Photo Report 2 March 2018
Some motivated Exellysts took on the Hash Code challenge on the first of March. Hash Code is a team programming competition organized by Google. Here are some impressions.
7 videos to show you what working at Exellys is like 27 February 2018
You can keep reading about what it is we do exactly but why do that if you can just see it? We selected 7 video’s from our YouTube channel to give you a quick impression of the life of an Exellys consultant.
Weathering the financial crisis and beyond 15 February 2018
“Attracting tech talent via Exellys guarantees that both candidates and our company can really get to know each other.”
How to go about internships: 6 golden tips 9 February 2018
How do you know if an internship will provide you with the experience and accomplishments you’re looking for? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back and we’ll be breaking down 6 golden tips to get you where you want to be.
Digitalization in the banking industry 6 February 2018
Self-driving cars, drone deliveries, smart buildings, and Elon Musk’s vacuum tubes. The technology is there and the world is ready. But how does this ‘digital is the new normal’ mentality impact the banking industry?
Machine Learning is changing the world. This is how you stay ahead. 30 January 2018
No machine in the history of mankind has a learning capacity comparable to the human brain. Not yet. But things are changing.
5 must see talks (according to our presentation skills trainer) 29 January 2018
For this blogpost, we had a small chat with Cris van Cleemput – Founder and owner of Cyres and Exellys’ longtime presentation skills trainer. He listed some of his all-time favorite talks which we boiled down in this short list.
When alliances are formed, both companies and employees grow 23 January 2018
Many companies are working hard on rethinking and rebuilding their employer-employee relationship framework. The Alliance, a book by Reid Hoffman, provides insight and a framework for the new model of employment.
4 Industries that will never be the same after Blockchain 16 January 2018
You might first have heard of blockchain in connection with the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. It seems to be in the news more frequently nowadays, and people are talking about it more and more.
Why engaging your employees is vital 3 December 2017
In the current business landscape, competition for both customers and employees is fiercer than ever before. Despite this, we see more and more in the media that employees aren’t happy in the workplace.
Technology and innovation will save the day 15 November 2017
Exellys attented the Web Summit in Lisbon this November, the Walhalla of all things tech. It was an amazing event and we were blown away (yet again) by how technology and innovation are reinventing the way we live, work and interact with each other.
This is why a Tech Talent Scout at Exellys is so much more than a recruiter 2 November 2017
We at Exellys, are passionate about attracting, selecting and matching IT graduates and young IT professionals with the perfect job at the right company. We bridge the gap between the academic and the business world and by doing so we give them both a chance to boost their potential.
Robotics: join the (r)evolution 17 August 2017
From Star Wars to superhero movies, robots are never very far away in modern life. But this is fiction. Right? It will be reality sooner than we think. The future of robots is here. Now.
Java 9: All you need to know about the features and release date 26 July 2017
The upcoming Java Development Kit – JDK 9 will be packed with amazing new features, including modularization, a read-eval-print, ahead of time compilation, and a memory-saving enhancement.
Talent is overrated, so start smart 3 July 2017
Do you need to be born with the seed of success already in you? If you feel like you’ll never have what it takes to be a good data analyst/blogger/zoo keeper and that it’s just not in you, well, this blog post is for you.
Hunting for your first job in IT? Here’s how you start. 26 June 2017
Finding your perfect job is never easy. But, don’t despair. The good news is that you have your future in your own hands! You’re in the driver’s seat. It’s just a question of finding the right gear and accelerating in the direction of your professional goals.
How to use personal branding for a flying career start 6 January 2017
As a young graduate, you may think personal branding is not really any of your concern. Think again. First of all, personal branding is rapidly becoming a necessity in a fast-changing job market, where you increasingly need to “sell yourself”.
Building the bridge between business and IT 27 December 2016
One year ago, Lissa and Vincent started working for Exellys as IT business analysts for Umicore. Umicore is a worldwide and BEL20-listed company that aims to deliver materials (mostly metals) to the processing industry.
Raf Seymus in Knack GO Startersgids 1 August 2016
For organisations, talent is key to make a difference. But in reality they usually look for ‘experience’ and work-related knowledge. That observation, in combination with my personal experience, gave me the idea for Exellys.