Wierenga & De Graaf

Wierenga & De Graaf is a recruitment and selection firm founded by partners Jan Wierenga and Leo De Graaf, based in Leeuwarden, Friesland. The company finds people who genuinely move organisations forward through an approach called 'aannemen zonder aannames' (hiring without assumptions). This methodology looks beyond CVs and vacancy requirements, asking the critical questions others do not, backed by a network built over many years in Friesland. The company recruits and selects for higher education and specialist positions, advises on employment practices and guides both companies and candidates towards genuine matches.

Wierenga & De Graaf takes time to truly understand what makes an organisation unique and why candidates would want to work there. The approach emphasises understanding what drives individual candidates and whether a position is genuinely the right step for them. Rather than providing stacks of CVs, the company offers a clear picture of the people behind the applications. The team takes time, asks critical questions and is honest about what is and is not possible, continuing the search if a true match is not evident.

The company works primarily within the Friesland region, developing deep knowledge of the local labour market and organisational landscape. Its philosophy centres on recognising that strong matches are built on understanding both employer and candidate deeply. The team includes consultant partners focused on different sectors and roles, each bringing expertise to the matching process. Wierenga & De Graaf's commitment to careful matching has made it a trusted partner in the regional recruitment landscape.