How Håkon experienced his path into NECON

– From the very first meeting with NECON, the focus was on getting to know me. It wasn’t just about a position, but about who I am, what I can do, and where I want to go next.

First contact with NECON

Lunde Pedersen has an industrial background, and his interest in shipping and heavy engineering made Bergen a natural place to look for work. Suddenly, he came across an open job posting for an electrical engineer from NECON.

– I submitted an application and was quite clear about my vocational background, that I was about to finish my engineering degree but still had one semester left of my master’s. Already the next morning, NECON contacted me. They had read my application carefully and knew I was still in the US, but they still wanted to start the dialogue right away.

Browse current job openings at NECON here

Being seen before being hired

Lunde Pedersen felt early on that the process was about more than just filling a role.

– It wasn’t just “here is a position.” They showed a genuine interest in who I am as an engineer and as a person, says the Harstad native.

Shortly after, he had his first meeting with NECON. What began as an interview quickly turned into a more long-term process.

– We spent a lot of time on my CV. We worked on it for one to two months. Everything I had done over the past ten years was reviewed. I got good advice on what should be included, what could be removed, and how my experience could be sharpened toward companies they already had in mind.

Confidence before an offer was on the table

The way NECON communicated throughout the process was important to Lunde Pedersen.

– It was never just case handling or paperwork. They took the time to understand where I was in life, what I could do – and what I should work on going forward. I felt secure long before there was actually an offer on the table.

When NECON decided to move forward with Lunde Pedersen, they were clear that they wanted to invest in him.

– They said early on that they wanted to bet on me. They kept their word – and were quick and professional throughout the entire process.

The right match

Eventually, Lunde Pedersen was introduced to several companies, including Palfinger Marine. In November, he interviewed with Palfinger Marine – with full transparency that he still had a few months left before he could start.

– I was clear that I couldn’t begin until February. That was never a problem. The entire process was characterized by good dialogue and realistic expectations.

Today, he has accepted a position as a Software Engineer in the deck handling department at Palfinger Marine.

– It builds directly on what I already know, but also gives me new challenges. The goal was to find something I could grow in – not just do the same thing every day.

High motivation

This Monday, he started in his new assignment, and his motivation is high.

– I’m extremely excited. First and foremost to finally be finished as a student and enter a normal work routine. But most of all, I’m looking forward to learning from people with far more experience than me.

He also highlights the professional environment as an important factor.

– Palfinger Marine has a strong technical community in Bergen. That’s exactly the kind of environment I’ve been looking for.

To others who are considering NECON, he is clear:

– Don’t be too critical before you make contact. NECON is good at understanding where you are and helping you move forward. You have nothing to lose by having a conversation.