Finding Your Place by Being Yourself

When Brendan joined Xebia, things moved quickly. Even before his first official working day, a client interview appeared on his calendar. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, he felt something else: reassurance. From the very beginning, it was clear that his start had been carefully thought through. “It was one of the best starts I’ve ever had,” he says. “I immediately felt that people here care about how you land.”

That feeling already started during the hiring process. Brendan expected a standard technical interview, but instead found himself in a week-long assessment that felt surprisingly realistic. There were role plays, conversations with different stakeholders, and moments where he had to think on his feet. “It was intense,” he laughs. “At one point I told my wife I was exhausted. It felt like I was already working here.”

Rather than testing his technical knowledge alone, the assessment focused on who he is and how he approaches problems. For his final presentation, Brendan chose a metaphor that felt natural to him: football. He explained consultancy as a game where everyone has their own position on the field, but no one plays alone. You need to understand the game, read the situation, and adapt constantly. Sometimes you defend, sometimes you attack, and sometimes you cover for a teammate who is out of position.

“That is exactly how I see my work,” he says. “You need to know your strengths, but you also need to be flexible. The best teams are the ones where people trust each other enough to move around and help where needed.”

When the process ended and he was offered the job that same day, it felt like a personal victory. “I was exhausted, but proud. It felt like I had already played my first match.”

A soft landing from day one

Healthcare is entering a critical phase of transformation. The sector recognizes AI’s potential to From his first day, Brendan experienced what he describes as a soft landing. The onboarding was clear, structured, and intentionally human. Even the format stood out. “It felt like an escape room,” he says. “That immediately told me this was not a corporate environment. People think about how things feel, not just how they function.”

In football terms, it felt less like being thrown onto the pitch and more like joining a team that already knows how to play together. He was paired with colleagues who checked in regularly, answered questions, and made sure he knew where to stand and when to move. That support helped him deal with something many new consultants recognise.

“I definitely had imposter syndrome at first,” he admits. “I kept thinking everyone here must be better than me.” But instead of being judged, he was encouraged. “People told me to relax and just be myself. Otherwise, they would not have hired me.” Over time, that reassurance turned into confidence.

Feeling supported, not measured

In healthcare, data represents human lives. Yet more than half of organizations say poor data What stands out most to Brendan is how supported he feels, both professionally and personally. If something is difficult with a client, he knows he is never alone. There is always someone to talk to, someone who helps him analyse the situation and adjust the game plan.

“You are not left to solve things on your own,” he explains. “It feels like having teammates around you who want you to succeed.”

That sense of support extends beyond work. HR feels approachable and human, and personal matters are handled with care and discretion. “I feel seen here,” he says. “I feel comfortable and safe.”

Over time, Brendan stopped comparing himself to others and focused on playing his own game. He realised he did not need to score every goal or prove himself every single day. He simply needed to show up, do his part, and keep learning. “That realisation took a lot of pressure off,” he says.

When Brendan talks about Xebia, one word keeps returning: human. By taking away unnecessary stress, the organisation allows him to focus on his work and enjoy it. “I have not felt this good at work in a long time,” he says. “This really feels like a place where I belong.”

When you feel supported, you move with confidence.

Move with us...

Curious how others experience working at Xebia? Read more stories from people who keep moving with us.