About

Koen Van Havere

Focus
Customer experience as the foundation

Approach
No-nonsense, immediately applicable

Output
Practical scripts & results

My training is therefore not based on theory alone. I bring together three perspectives.

25+ years in recruitment. Viewed from 3 perspectives: as a recruitment consultant, as a candidate and today as a client of recruitment agencies. That means I know how external recruitment works from the inside and how it is experienced on the client side.

Today I work through my company Kovalent:

That combination keeps me firmly rooted in day-to-day practice. I know what is happening today, what consultants struggle with and what clients and candidates genuinely expect.

01

As a client

I see first-hand why some consultants immediately build trust – while others are treated as suppliers.

I therefore see first-hand what they do well and what could be improved. Those insights and experiences as a client feature extensively in my training.

02

As a candidate

As a candidate, I am also approached by recruiters for assignments. The quality of that experience varies greatly: from personal and relevant to quick and superficial.

What works? What feels genuine? When do you disengage? And what keeps you involved as a candidate? I turn those insights into practical tips as well.

03

As a recruitment consultant

23 years of experience in a recruitment agency, from Junior Consultant to Senior Director. Among other things, I built the permanent recruitment and selection practice for IT profiles “from scratch” (15 consultants – multiple offices). And I have trained dozens of people to become successful agency recruiters.

Philosophy

"Ask better questions. Understand more. Add more value."

"My solution does not lie in one magical method. It lies in combining experience, current practice and different perspectives. My training is concrete, interactive and immediately applicable. No models to tick off, but insights and techniques that help recruiters have stronger conversations with clients and candidates the very next day."

Edward Vanhoutte

Managing Director - BEAM

Koen is a strong sparring partner with a sharp, strategic perspective. His workshop was practical, relevant and inspiring, always delivered with the right dose of humour.

Charlotte Castelein

CEO - Bakker & Partners

Thank you for the workshop! I have heard nothing but praise. It was inspiring, highly relevant and delivered extremely well.

Emiel Vandewiele

Senior Talent Associate - Interim Management

Koen's coaching helped me become stronger and more confident in client conversations. Thanks to his concrete tips and practical feedback, I now conduct conversations as a genuine partner. Highly recommended!

Wesley Brits

Senior Consultant

What I appreciated most about working together was how seamlessly Koen switches between sounding board, strategic partner and highly focused operational adviser.

Jury member

Alongside my work as a trainer and Talent Acquisition Partner, I also sit on the jury of the Talent Business Awards. Drawing on my experience in recruitment, staffing and client-focused partnership, I help assess which recruitment organisations make a difference through strong, innovative and sustainable recruitment practices.

You can find all information about the Talent Business Awards via this link:
https://talentbusinessawards.com/

Services

I help recruitment and staffing agencies with challenges including:

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My Services

Group Workshop

Tailored Training

Individual Training