Where the right people make the difference

Can you briefly introduce yourself?

“My name is Ila Reinders and I’m the HR Manager at IMS. I studied Human Resource Management at Saxion University of Applied Sciences in Deventer, followed by a degree in Risk Management at the University of Twente.”

“My career path has been quite diverse. I spent several years working in HR at the University of Twente, and later transitioned into the corporate world to further develop myself. Since then, I’ve held HR management roles in construction, financial services, and legal consulting, before eventually finding my place at IMS.”

What makes working at IMS unique?

“IMS is a high-tech company where innovation goes hand in hand with a people-first approach. We build some of the most complex machines out there, but it’s the people who set us apart. The atmosphere in the office is informal yet professional. People are always willing to help each other out, and there’s plenty of room to take initiative. We approach challenges critically, but always with a positive mindset.”

“The people at IMS are naturally curious and solution-oriented. Our machines are always custom-built, so standard solutions usually won’t cut it. That means you often have to think beyond the obvious. And we work closely together. You’re never tackling a project on your own. You collaborate with engineers, project managers, and customers to achieve the best possible outcomes.”

What gives you the most energy in your work?

“What I love most is seeing people grow. Whether it’s watching a new hire become fully self-sufficient or seeing someone move up into a new role. It energizes me. I also really enjoy it when former employees come back to IMS. They’ve tried working at another organization, and realized that IMS simply fits better across the board. That feels incredibly rewarding.”

What does IMS do to support employee development?

“We strongly believe in growth. Both on a technical and personal level. New employees go through a comprehensive onboarding program, where we encourage them to really establish their place within IMS. We support people who want to specialize, but also those who want to broaden their scope. We offer training, conferences, and coaching to help them get there. We take the time to understand what someone needs, and we do everything we can to support that.”

How would you describe the company culture at IMS?

“People here are open, engaged, and forward-thinking. We’re a flat organization with an open-door policy. Everyone is encouraged to contribute their ideas. At the same time, there’s a real drive to keep improving. And we always want to take the next step in precision. That makes the work challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. And of course, there’s plenty of room for fun. Whether that’s lunch in our company restaurant or joining a sports activity after hours.”

Besides technical skills, what traits do you look for in new team members?

“We’re always looking for people who are open-minded and genuinely curious. People who make connections easily and don’t think in silos. In an interview, I always look for candidates who are authentic and enthusiastic. I really appreciate people who are just themselves. That’s what makes them interesting.”

Is there a job interview you’ll never forget?

“Oh yes, definitely! I once had a great interview with one of our former IT specialists. He seemed incredibly nervous, so I asked him about it.”

“He said, ‘I am nervous. And to be honest, I’m not a big fan of HR. You guys always ask these weird questions. You can’t prepare for them. ‘What are your strengths?’ ‘What are your weaknesses?’ I don’t really know what to say to that.”

“So I told him, ‘Well then, we won’t ask you those questions.’ And from there, we had a really great conversation. That kind of honesty and enthusiasm, we really value that here.”

What’s the best way for candidates to prepare for an interview at IMS?

“Look up who you’ll be talking to ahead of time. Check out their background, and come up with a few good questions. What do you want to know about IMS and how we work? Who will you be collaborating with the most? Write those questions down. And if you don’t get a chance to ask them during the interview, you can always call or email afterward.”