Paul Walenkamp den Haan
Hello
Welcome and thank you for being here. I'm Paul, 51 years old and recently returned to Western Australia after 16 wonderful and exciting years in The Netherlands. I've created this online CV to support my search for a fulfilling and challenging job here in Perth.
Before you scroll down and continue reading, feel free to view or download my CV by clicking on one of the icons below.
Australia
After completing highschool at Guildford Grammar School I studied Economics at UWA. Economics didn't capture my imagination so I switched to Hotel Management which, at the time, was much more exciting. While at Hotel School, I won the Australian Student Waiter of the Year competition in my second year and spent my third year in The Netherlands on industry placement. Upon completion of my Associate Diploma I was offered two Corporate Management Traineeships by two hotel companies. I went for Rydges Hotel Group. Upon completing that Traineeship I returned to 5 Star Hotels for a while and later returned to Rydges at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel.
The Netherlands Here are the attributes that I will bring to your organisation. I am totally self motivated. You can't launch a social media start-up without tons of motivation. You tell and show me what to do and I'll get it done. I'm looking for an energizing and interesting job and always seek out extra work and more responsibility. I also get a kick out of generating enthusiasm in those around me. This is crucial. Be on time and complete tasks as agreed. Once given instruction I'll get the job done to agreed standards and solve problems along the way. I'm relentless. I've been in many difficult situations and dealt with the situation while maintaining my self control. This covers more than the ability to function enthusiasically in a team. I also bring empathy and interpersonal communication skills into the mix. I also love to mentor people as training has always been one of my favourite things to do. I thrive in an open pleasant work environment try to be an agreeable person. Learning new things and finding out how things work are second nature. I'm "teachable". I love change and this always excites me. Not necessarly of employer but a change in organisational structure, job role or project. I love working with young intelligent achievers and creatives and learning from them. I have reinvented myself a number of times over the years. To be successful at this you clearly need to be adaptable and do what has to be done. From working as a builders labouror to State Manager I can adapt to the situation. I am an extremely loyal person. I have worked for only two employers in the past 20 years. But loyalty also means what one says about the place you're working at. It's about being committed and responsible. In official management functions I have been an effective leader. I lead by example. This has also transfered to my sporting and club activities. As organisations become flatter a natural leader keen to take on projects is very valuable. Responsibility gives me energy and drive.
Whether running my own business, managing a department or driving a major project in a bank, I've always been well organised and utilised the appropriate planning tools. Adhering to budgets and time management principle is all a part of it! According to Forbes Business Magazine there are 10 skills employers seek from 20 somethings. These graduates struggle to demonstrate that they have these skills. Have I acquired these skills over time? Hover over these questions and find out!I also spent 5 years at The Observatory Hotel, Sydney (An Orient Express Hotel). As part of the opening (management) team I was responsible for food and beverage service training. After frequent promotions I left as Assistant Food and Beverage / Duty Manager. Here followed a couple of career re-inventions before it was time to see what life was like in Europe. So I packed up and moved to The Netherlands.
Once in Holland, I decided that the best way to meet people was to play a team sport. I was always facinated by Rugby so I joined the Leiden Students Rugby Club (LSRG) where I played for 12 years and was Secretary of the Club for two. I also headed up the Committee that negotiated with the University to secure a new Rugby Pitch and Club house. My time at LSRG was great as I was always socializing and bashing heads with young academic people. LSRG rewarded my commitment to the club by making me an Honourary Member, one of only five in the clubs 56 year history.
Upon joining LSRG one of the players recommended me to his manager at Dexia Bank, where I was subsequently employed in a variety of roles over a 12 year period. From Customer Service agent to Senior Employee to a Project Manager and subsequently to a Legal Support Officer. At Dexia I had a very interesting and varied career. I underwent and survived many organisational changes and thoroughly enjoyed working with the sharp minded young lawyers and other Bank Employees. All of this in Dutch which isn't my first language. That's English. All the while the Manager in me kept screaming out for more responsibility and the chance to train, lead, mentor and communicate with those around me.
To support my Rugby career I delved into and become an expert at Strength and Conditioning Training for Rugby. To stay physically youthful, and to keep up with the younger players at LSRG, I also gained an extensive knowledge of the Paleolithic diet. This has helped me to shed weight, remain energetic and virile and be very healthy indeed.
Upon finishing up at Dexia, and filled with love for Rugby, I dreamt up, created and launched the social media start-up for Rugby, the Rugby World Directory. Which this page is a part of. This has been an exceptional journey and extremely demanding of a scala of skills and knowledge. Along the way I've had to learn many new things ranging from basic graphic design, web design, coding for Web App development and I've also improved my networking and marketing abilities.
Now it's time for another re-invention and a return to my home town of Perth. I've thrown together this online CV to show some basic html and css skills that I have and also show you the Rugby World Directory platform.
The Companies I have worked for
What am I looking for?
I am looking for a Project Manager or Account Manager role at a web design or digital media company.
My broad range of business and leadership experience, combined with my freshly aquired web design experience and skills, further combined with my actual work experience in these roles give me every confidence in applyng for these roles.
Aside from the formal qualifications and experience, my soft skills, excellent manners, youthful attitude, abundant energy and easy friendly nature will make me a valuable addition to any organisation.
What do I have to offer?
Ben Knuppe
Terry Hilsz