My name is Sasja Robben, I’m 27 years old, and in my free time I enjoy working out and cooking.

How did you end up at WestCord Hotels / this specific hotel?

It’s already been over seven years since I started working for WestCord. From a young age, I spent every summer at Camping Stortemelk on Vlieland. During my gap year, I decided I wanted to work there, and that’s how I began at Strandhotel Seeduyn. After four great years, I moved to Groningen to join The Market Hotel from the very beginning, right at its opening.

How did you build your career within WestCord Hotels?

Step by step!

I started at Strandhotel Seeduyn without any hospitality experience. Since I worked full-time there, covering breakfast, lunch, dinner, the bowling alley, and the Musketier Bar—you name it—I learned an incredible amount during that time. Eventually, I worked my way up to Shift Leader.

When The Market Hotel opened, I started there as a Floor Manager and later moved up to Assistant F&B Manager. About a year ago, I tried stepping away from hospitality for a while, but I quickly realized how much I missed working at WestCord.

So, I returned to The Market Hotel in a fantastic role where I still manage the team on the floor but am also responsible for part of the HR operations. I now handle job vacancies, interviews, performance reviews, and much more!

What does your typical day look like?

That really depends! The days when I’m working on the restaurant floor look completely different from the days I spend behind the scenes.
A day focused on HR-related tasks usually looks like this:

08:45: Start up
09:00: Open inbox and answer emails
09:30/10:00: Online meeting with HR / Recruitment colleagues
11:00: Job or progress interviews and a meeting with the F&B Manager about vacancy updates
12:00: Lunch
12:30: Check emails and review HR Office; I usually call potential candidates in the afternoon
14:00–15:00: Conduct interviews (internship, progress, or job interviews)
16:00: Draft or update contract proposals, give feedback, and prepare the next day’s agenda
17:00: Wrap up the day and head home!

My work is incredibly varied. Some days I’m working on online learning modules in OneTeam, other days I’m planning an Embark training or coordinating internship programmes. No week is ever the same!

What do you enjoy most about your role?

The combination of my two roles! I hire new team members and then get to work alongside them on the floor. It’s amazing to see people grow and develop. Also, no two days are ever alike, which keeps things exciting.

What is most important to you in a job?

My colleagues!

A fun, friendly team where we can communicate openly and honestly. A place where we can laugh together but also know when it’s time to get serious and get things done.

In what areas would you like to develop further?

I haven’t been working in HR for very long yet, so I’d like to deepen my knowledge—especially on the “technical” side: numbers, collective labour agreements, legislation, and employment policies. That side of HR really interests me, and I’d love to learn more about it.

What has been your biggest highlight so far at WestCord Hotels?

Wow, after more than seven years at WestCord, I’ve experienced so many great moments! If I had to choose one, it would be the warm welcome I received when I returned to The Market Hotel after a short break from hospitality. It truly felt like coming home—especially now that I’m in a role that suits me perfectly.

How would your colleagues describe you?

I think my colleagues would describe me as a perfectionist, especially when it comes to details in the restaurant. I also value a positive and friendly atmosphere, so hopefully they see me as a cheerful and pleasant colleague. Lastly, I hope they know me as someone they can always turn to—reliable, supportive, and genuinely involved.