Sometimes, the best talent is closer than you think. And sometimes, you just know someone would be a great fit for your organization. That’s exactly what happened with Anne Pieters, a data management consultant at APG, and her lifelong friend Rachel Debets, who joined the Regulatory & Financial Reporting team at Asset Management in February.
Anne and Rachel go way back. “Our parents were close friends, so we basically grew up like cousins,” Anne explains. A future working together? That wasn’t on their radar back then. Rachel was working in consulting but was ready for a new challenge and more growth opportunities. “I saw a job opening at APG and thought—why not call Anne? We’d talked about her work before, but this time I really wanted to know: what’s it actually like to work at APG?”
An honest conversation
What followed was a candid chat about APG’s culture, growth opportunities, and team dynamics. “Rachel was looking for a place where she could learn and grow,” Anne says. “And I knew APG could offer that.”
Since Anne wasn’t too familiar with Asset Management herself, she reached out to a colleague through her YoungAPG network to help answer Rachel’s more specific questions. “I wanted to be sure the team would be a good fit for her—and vice versa. Everything I heard was really positive.”
The power of referral
For Rachel, having someone on the inside to talk to made a big difference. “You get way more context than you would from just a job posting. You know what you’re walking into.” That’s the real strength of referrals: candidates come in better informed and often better prepared.
Anne agrees: “When someone comes in through a referral, there’s a higher chance it’s a good match. As an employee, you can gauge both the person and the team or culture. That alignment matters. And honestly, I think those people tend to stick around longer too.”
A nice bonus
Anne had already seen the referral program mentioned on the intranet. “It’s a great setup. I got to help Rachel take the next step in her career, APG gained a great new colleague, and I got a little something out of it too. We’re using part of the bonus to go out for dinner together—to celebrate the new job and the fact that we’re now coworkers.”
More than just work
Even though they work in different departments, Anne and Rachel still catch up regularly—over coffee, lunch, or a drink after work. “It’s brought us even closer,” Anne says. “And I’m learning more about Asset Management through her, too.”
Got someone in mind?
Rachel’s happy with her move, and Anne’s proud to have played a part in it. Their story is a great example of how powerful referrals can be—not just for the company, but for you and your network.
Know someone who’d be a great fit for APG? Check the intranet for more info on how to refer a candidate. Your tip might just lead to the next perfect match.