Veiled Saleswoman Becomes Store Manager: Inspiring Career Success Story

At the helm of a thriving business located in a busy shopping center, Rachida El Khalfioui now manages around fifty employees from twenty-one different nationalities. This diversity is perceived by the manager as a true asset that allows her to faithfully reflect her customer base. Completely fulfilled in her role, she particularly appreciates the freedom to organize her teams and the close proximity with her hierarchy. In this structure, CEO Bert Verhoef personally knows the first name of each of his collaborators.

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The integration of difference has manifested itself very concretely in her professional journey. It was during her career that she chose to wear the veil. Far from being an obstacle, this decision was welcomed with great casualness by her colleagues, who reacted as if to "a change of hairstyle". The company even went so far as to provide headscarves embroidered with its logo, according to the References website.

This trajectory, however, began entirely by chance twenty-one years ago. At just 18 years old and freshly graduated, Rachida initially intended to join the police force. Looking for transitional income before taking her entrance exams, she submitted her application to the Kruidvat in her neighborhood after spotting an advertisement in the window. Hired the very next day, she has never left the company since, gradually climbing the ranks thanks to her daily commitment.

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Now responsible for training the group’s future managers, the store manager applies strict but open recruitment criteria. During interviews, she deliberately avoids questions related to age, gender, or ethnic origin, exclusively favoring ideas and the presentation of applicants. She also recommends job seekers to immediately focus on career prospects and the integration process in order to quickly assess the culture of the company they are targeting.