Traineeship First Class Specialist

AFAS is a Dutch software company that believes in building a positive and productive work environment based on trust, personal responsibility, and enjoyment. They provide opportunities for growth and development, fostering a culture where employees are encouraged to be themselves and contribute to a stronger collective.

Introduction

Are you looking for a role where you can make a real impact, learn by doing, and work directly with clients from day one? In the First Class Traineeship at AFAS, you will learn how to build strong customer relationships, proactively support clients, and represent their interests within AFAS. You don't need to know everything yet; we'll teach you. With excellent guidance, trust, and room to grow, you will develop step-by-step into a First Class Specialist: someone who truly knows clients and ensures an exclusive support experience.

TL;DR: Get to truly know strategic clients and become their dedicated point of contact, advisor, and representative within AFAS.

Responsibilities

As a First Class Specialist at AFAS, you will be the dedicated point of contact for your own group of clients. These clients use our software intensively and are strategically important to AFAS. You will build a strong relationship with their administration team, get to know their organization, and ensure they know their way around AFAS. You will regularly communicate with clients via Teams and occasionally visit them in person to truly understand what's happening. This role requires in-depth knowledge of AFAS, genuine interest in clients, a good overview, ownership, and the ability to involve the right colleagues within AFAS. You look beyond individual customer queries and aim to understand what drives the client, what projects are coming up, and how AFAS can assist them.

Phase 1 (General Traineeship Foundation)

• Handle customer queries and learn to prioritize.
• Get to know AFAS, our software, and our clients.
• Work hands-on and follow targeted training for both software and soft skills.
• Learn to manage expectations and clearly communicate possibilities to clients.
• Develop an understanding of business processes and how clients use AFAS in their daily work.

Phase 2 (First Class Specialization)

• Learn to build and maintain intensive client relationships.
• Gain increasing insight into client needs and challenges.
• Practice preparing, conducting, and following up on client meetings.
• Learn to proactively advise clients on the successful implementation of AFAS.
• Discover how to engage the right colleagues within AFAS, such as those from product development, product management, or success management.
• Learn to clearly represent client interests within AFAS.
• Deepen your knowledge of industries, client processes, and configuration issues.
• Grow in planning and organizing your own work week.

Requirements

• HBO or university level of thinking and working.
• Eagerness to learn and take ownership.
• Enjoy customer contact and building relationships.
• Genuine interest in clients and understanding their needs.
• Enjoy working with computers: investigating customer queries, finding smart solutions, and understanding how software works in practice.
• A strong sense of business processes and an eye for optimization opportunities in organizations.
• Enjoy being the link between clients and colleagues within AFAS.
• Good planning skills and responsibility for your own schedule.
• Enjoy sharing your knowledge with clients and colleagues.
• Enthusiastic, eager to learn, and not afraid to go the extra mile.
• Believe that AI will accelerate your work and actively use it.
• Dutch language skills preferred (working knowledge required for this role based in the Netherlands).

Benefits

• An attractive salary, profit-sharing, and a 13th month.
• Flexible work arrangements: a four-day work week with Friday as a development day. As a trainee, you are present on Friday once every six weeks. In that week, you have Wednesday off. The option to work from home one day a week. Monday and Thursday are mandatory office days. During your first six months, you will be in the office four days a week to get to know AFAS well, after which it will be a minimum of three days a week.
• Learning and growth are central. With your ambition, our guidance, and training, there are plenty of opportunities.
• Fun activities, such as company outings, an AZ match, or a concert in AFAS Live — if you're up for it.

About Company

At AFAS, we believe that you can only do good work if you can be yourself. We operate on trust and common sense, which is our only rule. Our core values — trust, action, family, and being a bit crazy — are reflected daily. You get the space to do your work your way, take responsibility, and take action. We help each other, speak plainly, and enjoy what we do. Everyone should feel welcome here. Differences make us stronger. It is precisely through different perspectives that we learn from each other and improve.

How to Apply

The Application Process:

1. Online application: Fill in your details, CV, and motivation online.
2. Assessment: Complete a game-based assessment to gain an unbiased insight into your competencies.
3. Introductory phone call: We discuss your motivation, assessment results, and get to know each other.