Our hiring process
At PhotonFirst we like to keep our hiring process transparent, fast and personal. From your first online introduction to a visit to our office in Alkmaar, you always know what the next step will be and who you will meet. On this page you will find the four steps or our process, so you can see exactly how we get to know each other and decide whether we are a match in our photonic sensing adventure.
1. A brief online introduction
After you apply via our online form, we carefully review your resume and motivation letter. If we believe there could be a match with the role, we schedule a 30-minute video call.
In this conversation we’ll talkabout your motivation and experience and of course tell you more about the role and the team and all the exciting things you’ll be working on. We’ll cover some practical stuff (notice period, visa etc) as well and of you can address any questions you might have too of course. After the call, your application will be discussed with the Hiring Manager and if there is an interest on both sides, we’ll arrange next steps.
2. First interview at the office in Alkmaar
During this first on‑site interview, you’ll meet your future manager and one other colleague from the PhotonFirst team. The first on-site interview will be mainly a technical assessment.
We dive deeper into your experience, your way of working and the skills you will need to become successful in the role. We will also assess your potential add to our company culture. It is also a good moment for you to ask in‑depth questions about the roadmap, tools and/ or and expectations for the first months.
On the way in (or out) we’ll give you a short tour: the labs, cleanroom, office space and canteen. You get a first impression of the atmosphere, the technology and the people you will be working with every day.
3. Second interview with colleagues
In the second interview you meet 2 different team members. This conversation focuses on how your approach to problems and your way of working lines up with our company values. For technical roles, we often discuss concrete examples from projects in integrated photonics sensing, so you understand the kind of systems and applications you will be contributing to.
4. Short case / Case presentation / trial day
As a final step, we may invite you to work on a short case or to join us for a trial day, depending on the role. This can be a small assignment, a technical case, or a practical challenge close to the work you will actually do at PhotonFirst. If you are invited to present a case, you present your approach and outcomes to a few colleagues (most of whom you already met), which helps both you and us to see what collaboration could look like in real life. You are more than welcome to join our daily team lunch afterwards!
Afterwards, we’ll give you a call soon to hear your thoughts and share our feedback. If there is any other meeting you would like to have before making a decision, don’t hesitate to bring this forward. If there is match, we discuss the offer and soon you will be starting your deep tech entrepreneurial adventure in Alkmaar.