Sem on his first months at Hammer

Six months ago, Sem Brekelmans joined Hammer as a part-time market analyst while finishing his studies. In April, he took the first steps in transitioning into his professional career, moving from university to a full-time role at Hammer. In this article, we explore his journey so far, the insights he’s gained, and what it’s like to work at Hammer.‍

‍Can you share a bit more about your background and how you joined Hammer?

Like several colleagues at Hammer, I also studied Business Administration, but I decided to take a more specialized path early on. After the first year of my bachelor’s program at Radboud University, I chose to follow a dual track, focusing 50% on Business Administration courses and 50% on Business Economics. This combination allowed me to balance broad business skills with a more analytical and economics-focused approach, which I thoroughly enjoyed. After completing my bachelor’s, I pursued an MSc inBusiness and Social Impact at Utrecht University, driven by my interest in understanding how businesses can deal with corporate responsibility.

It was during this master’s program that I first heard about Hammer. A friend informed me about an open position as a junior market analyst, and the role description immediately grabbed my attention. Around that time, I had just finished a project for my master’s in which our team assessed the attractiveness of the B2C market for a B2B firm focused on sustainable building solutions. I found the experience highly rewarding, particularly because our work genuinely contributed to the client’s strategic decision-making. This hands-on project sparked my interest in market intelligence, and Hammer’s vacancy seemed like a perfect fit. I joined Hammer part-time in April 2024 while completing my master’s. After graduating I transitioned to a full-time role as market analyst in July 2024.

What are your main responsibilities as a market analyst?‍

During my first weeks at Hammer, one of the senior team members described the role of market intelligence with a memorable metaphor that still resonates with me: “Market intelligence is like piecing together a complex puzzle”. At the start, I focused on finding specific pieces of data, but as I gained more experience, I was given greater responsibility in determining which pieces were relevant and how they fit into the broader picture.

Since joining full-time, I have worked on a range of projects that showcase the variety in market intelligence work. For example, one of my initial projects involved supporting a large chemical company in evaluating the attractiveness of various potential product-market combinations. This project was a perfect example of the different tasks a market analyst tackles: conducting extensive deskresearch, interviewing industry experts, building data models, and synthesizing findings into clear insights for the client. This blend of responsibilities has not only developed my analytical skills but also reinforced the importance of delivering actionable insights that support clients in making strategic decisions.

How has Hammer contributed to your professional and personal development?

Working at Hammer, which has a relatively small team, has brought a range of advantages for my development. From the start, I was included in important client meetings and had direct access to senior team members whenever I had questions or needed feedback. This openness, combined with the quickly increasing level of responsibility and the diversity of tasks, has enabled me to develop rapidly.

In regular development discussions, there’s also plenty of room to identify areas for further growth. For me, a key area of improvement is presenting my findings more clearly and concisely. I sometimes find it challenging to distill the vast amount of information I gather into the most actionable insights, so I receive additional guidance and feedback in this area. This support has been invaluable in building my confidence and effectiveness in delivering insights to clients.

How would you describe the culture at Hammer?

The culture at Hammer was one of the main reasons I didn’t hesitate to accept a full-time position. The team truly values independence, with no place for micromanagement or unnecessary bureaucracy - somethingI can confirm is more than just talk. I also appreciate Hammer’s balanced approach: there’s a strong commitment to working hard when needed, but also a focus on taking time to unwind and connect as a team. This combination of hard work and team spirit makes Hammer feel like the perfect fit for me.

‍This article is written by Sem Brekelmans