Sam is one of a kind. Never have I met a person that talks so much and so fast, listen so well. Within no time, and maybe after one or two off interviews, Sam gets a grip on who you are as a person/professinal and what you need.
He’s results oriented, and get those results fast. He landed me a job at Scrambled, which was a perfect match. Unfortunately that adventure didn’t last that long due to covid. But then Sam was right there. Carefully assessing what I needed and when I was ready for the next step.

Like I said, Sam is something else, but definitely one of the best recruiters I have come across. And simply put, a good bloke.

Martijn – Lead frontend developer

Sam brings genuine energy and authenticity to recruitment that’s refreshing in this industry.

What stood out was his approach – he’s not your typical recruiter. Sam clearly cares about creating positive experiences for candidates and is working to elevate standards in engineering recruitment. His enthusiasm is infectious.

I’d welcome the chance to collaborate with Sam in the future.

Tzomily-Nasra Anvar – Lead Developer / Software Engineer

https://tzomily.substack.com/

Sam brings an unfiltered, personal, and refreshingly straightforward approach to his work—something that’s rare in today’s landscape.

I reached out to Sam at a moment when my confidence as a programmer was low. I had just been told that my contract would not be renewed, despite the hard work and effort I’d put in, and it really took a toll on me. After reading someone else’s positive recommendation, I decided to contact Sam—and I’m incredibly glad I did.

He immediately showed me what was possible, helped rebuild my confidence, and ultimately introduced me to the role I’m in today. As of writing this, I’ve been here for nearly six months, and I absolutely love it.

What truly sets Samuel apart is the after-care. Even after placing me, he continued to check in and support me. Those small details in how he works make you feel at ease and genuinely cared for.

I can confidently say that Samuel is exceptionally talented at what he does.

Jessey – Front end developer

I have worked with Sam both as a candidate and as a hiring manager. From both sides, I have been very satisfied with Sam’s services. Sam takes a different approach than the mainstream recruiters out there; he actually takes care of his customers and delivers on his promises. We have attracted both great freelance talent and permanent talent through his services in hard-to-fill roles.

Bram Versluis

Interim Head of Development

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I have enjoyed working with Sam over the past decade as a candidate and hiring manager. I also trust him enough to stake my own reputation by recommending him whenever someone in my network needs a recruiter.

Sam knows everyone and has a lot of experience. This allows him to get results that other recruiters can’t. He’s smart, pragmatic, and realistic. He won’t waste your time. That, and overall just being a really nice person, is why I’ve been happy to work with him for all these years..

Filip De Waard – Development Manager at Timewax

Sam is one of the greats. Always mixing hard work with a lot of humour. You can say he is the Liam Neeson of recruitment “He will look for you and he will find you.”.I loved working with you!

Randy Daal – CXO

When you got air of me being on the market again; you were honest and a helping hand as a friend. Giving feedback on different elements in the process, and being open to do a mock interview; That’s a 10 out of 10.

I would love to recommend you to my friends and colleagues. However, you already placed them. And this time you placed me.

Tessa Van Walstijn – Frontend developer

Sam has been an incredible help to me and World of WOW in finding and placing a software engineer. From our very first conversation, it was clear that he is highly engaged and genuinely committed to understanding our company before suggesting any candidates.

What I especially appreciated was Sam’s ability to look beyond technical skills alone. He also focused on cultural fit, which is equally important for us. His involvement, empathy, and thoughtful approach made the entire process smooth and effective.

I would highly recommend Sam to anyone looking for a recruiter who goes the extra mile and truly cares about finding the right match.

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Niels Couwenberg

Co-Founder & Head of Product World of WOW

Having spoken to many recruiters in my career, I can very safely say I’ve never come across a more like-able guy than Sam. He really took the time to get to know me, what drives me and what I look for in life and in my work. He’s very good at making sure you feel right about your decisions and he will be honest the entire way. I’m certain anyone will enjoy working with Sam the same way I have and he will definitely be the first person I call when I’m looking for a new position.

Tristan Jacobs

Front-end Developer

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Working with Sam was an excellent experience. He reached out to me after I applied to a position for a company he was working with because he saw that there was more to my profile than my CV reveals on the surface.

In working with Sam I came to find that his methods are very much candidate-first. He took the time to get to know me, understand what I was looking for (and more importantly, exactly what I wasn’t), and only sent me leads when he felt they truly fit with those parameters.

Sam helped me to find a new role at a company that was not actually hiring at the time, effectively conjuring a position out of thin air by simply understanding who I am and what type of company / team would see the value I could add as a potential candidate – and putting us in a room together.

“Sam can find you a job that doesn’t exist yet” is just about the highest praise I could imagine giving.

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Jelle van Wijhe – Technical Product Owner and Backend Developer

Samuel reached out to me recently with an amazing opportunity that got me really excited and willing to switch jobs. The whole process was really smooth and fast, he was always available for solving any of my questions, and really great to chat with. He is very pro-active and was on top of everything throughout the whole process, and managed to get me a real good offer. I’m extremely happy with how it all went, and I would definitely recommend Samuel if you’re looking for your next job.

Nathalia – Senior software engineer

Sam has been of great help in finding new talent for my current as well as for my previous company. Fast, flexible and pleasant to work with!

Maarten Timmerman – Co-Founder & CFO

Sam helped me get the job that aligned a lot with my career goals and skills. He was supportive, and professional throughout the whole process. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a new role!

Ioanna Vounzoulaki – Junior developer

I’ve known Sam Holloway for quite a few years now, and in that time he has been one of the very few recruiters I genuinely enjoy working with.
What stands out to me most is his approach. Sam is transparent, easy to talk to, and always straight to the point.

There’s no unnecessary sales talk or pressure, just an honest conversation about opportunities and what might or might not make sense.

Over the years we’ve had several conversations about potential roles and the direction of my career. What I appreciate is that he actually listens. He takes the time to understand what I’m looking for, what motivates me, and what kind of environment I work best in. Because of that, the opportunities he brings up usually make sense instead of feeling like random roles being pushed just to fill a vacancy.

On that note: not once has he made me feel like I was simply a means to close a deal or earn a commission. The way he works makes it clear that he genuinely wants to help people find the right next step in their career. That kind of mindset is rare in recruitment.

If you get the chance to work with Sam, you’ll quickly notice the difference. It feels less like dealing with a recruiter and more like having someone in your corner who wants to help you make good career decisions.

To Sam, thank you for being in my corner.

Roberto Gardenier – Technical Product Manager / Team Lead 👍

I had the pleasure of working with Samuel during my job search, and I couldn’t have asked for a better recruiter. From the very beginning, he was professional, transparent, and always supportive. Samuel consistently checked in with me, making sure the opportunities matched my skills and career goals, and that the company was a good fit for me.

Being recruited from abroad, I truly appreciated how Samuel handled the process — he was attentive, proactive, and made sure I felt confident at every step. His guidance made relocating and securing a role in the Netherlands much easier.

I highly recommend Samuel to anyone looking for a recruiter who is professional, approachable, and genuinely invested in your success.

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Artiom Nichifor

Software developer

Sam helped us hire a senior founding engineer, a critical role we couldn’t afford to miss. He was flexible and quick on his feet when our needs shifted mid-process. He asked the right questions to truly understand what we were after, and his extensive start-up experience meant he got the nuances.

From kickoff to aftercare, the process felt professional and authentic, and we ended up with a great hire.

Mathias – CTO

Straight to it. No essay. You get enough of that. Got me and my wife laughing. For a minute I thought it was just a catchy ad. By the end of the message I had a feeling I’d be writing this recommendation eventually.

Most cold messages I get are some variation of vague role, calendar link, chase. Samuel’s wasn’t. He ran the intro call himself – no handoff, no script, no rehearsed lines. He asked real questions, listened to the answers, and pushed when something caught his attention. It felt like a conversation between two people who were curious about each other, not a screen.

The thing I most want anyone reading this to know: Samuel treated me like a person, not a CV.

Lu and I were mid-move from Brazil to the Netherlands. New country, new system, my wife with her own career to figure out – the usual chaos that nobody wants to ask about because it’s complicated. Samuel asked anyway. He brought up relocation and timing before I had to. He gave me room to breathe. Not once did I feel like I was being fit into a process that ignored the rest of my life.

He moved fast behind the scenes too. When he said he’d put something forward, he did. When he said the team made decisions quickly, they did. Job-hunting across borders is its own kind of stress test; he never left me waiting.

His feedback was honest. Good and bad. It helped me grow in ways I hadn’t seen coming. Most people in his role tell you what you want to hear. Samuel just tells you what will actually help you. That’s rarer than it should be.

Fast, direct, clear about what he could and couldn’t promise. No theatre, no spin. And underneath all of it, a kind of quiet care that made our international job hunt into one of the unexpectedly good parts of moving countries.

Samuel does this work the way the rest of us wish recruiters would. He’s curious, honest, respectful of your time and your life, and none of it is performance. It’s just how he works.

So: if you’re a candidate wondering whether Samuel is worth your time, yes. Easily. And to any hiring manager reading this. You’re lucky if he’s the one calling.
Samuel, thank you. For the questions, the honesty, the care, the respect. For making something that didn’t have to be personal feel personal anyway. Lu and I won’t forget it.

Waiting on your little ones to grow up enough for us to spin around amazing places in Brazil one day!

P.S. Turns out the recommendation isn’t enough. I owe you a beer too. First round’s on me when you’re in Amsterdam.

Felipe Mendonca – Senior AI engineer

Big thanks to Sam for helping me land not one, but two great roles in my career. He is excellent at what he does. I’m sure he has the superpower to identify skilled people and place them in the right company at the right time.

He is super supportive, quick to respond, and really gets what you are looking for. He genuinely cares about finding the perfect fit for you or the company. Could not recommend him enough if you are job hunting or looking for skilful people to hire.

I can confidently say that Samuel is exceptionally talented at what he does

Nisha – Senior QA engineer

I had a very pleasant experience working with Sam.

From our initial call, Sam was really interested in getting to know me first, understanding my needs and situation and finding the best possible match. Also, Sam was constantly keeping me up to date, and I always felt I was a top priority.

Especially in the current market, Sam was a very pleasant surprise. Sam did everything in his power to find me the best match and also find me the best possible deal. I cannot recommend Sam enough, and I would love to work with him in the future!

Michael – Java engineer

I’m very grateful that life led me to work with Sam. It’s rare in our industry to meet someone who is so transparent, open and at the same time so easygoing. At first, I had some doubts about my technical level, but Sam has a remarkable ability to understand people, not just from a technical perspective, but also on a personal level. Thanks to his support, I gained real confidence and was able to breeze through the interview stages, which ended with a fantastic offer.

I can only recommend Sam; he’s someone who brings out the best in others, both professionally and personally.

Mark Balyi

Senior React-React Native Developer

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I had the true pleasure working with Sam, and I can confidently say he’s one of the best recruiters I’ve ever met.

Not only did he help me land a great opportunity, but he also went above and beyond to adapt to my (admittedly tricky) schedule 😉 …and making the whole process smooth and stress-free.

Sam is professional, kind, and genuinely cares about the people he works with. He’s not just about filling roles; he makes sure the job is the right fit for you.

I’m incredibly grateful for his support, and if I ever need to make a career move again, he’ll be the first person I call!

Benoit Chabernaud

Infrastructure manager

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Sam reached out with an interesting opportunity, and from the very first message it was clear this wasn’t a generic approach. When I asked for more details, he responded promptly and openly. I was upfront with Sam that I wasn’t actively looking for a new role, and he respected that completely, no pressure, no (annoying) persistence. He arranged a no-commitment meeting with the company, where I immediately felt taken seriously.

Throughout the process, I felt I could be honest with Sam about the doubts I had. He gave me the space to work through them at my own pace. That made a real difference.

After a few conversations, I found myself genuinely excited about the position. I’m incredibly happy with the step I’ve made, and it simply wouldn’t have happened without Sam’s great opportunity and his thoughtful, personal way of working.

William – Senior software engineer

Working with Sam started as a very refreshing experience and ended up elevating my expectations of how good a recruiter could be. From the very first conversation, it felt less like a formal recruitment process and more like catching up with an old friend who got into tech, but you two are still vibing, approachable, natural, and completely at ease, yet always sharp, prepared, and professional when it mattered.

What really stood out was how well Sam explained the role, gave real insight into the company, and set honest expectations from the start. This led to better preparation and mitigated stress along the way. In the end, there were no surprises, just clarity.

If Sam ever reaches out to you, you’re lucky; take the chance. Not every recruiter stays in your corner through the whole journey, but Sam does.

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Rafal Janus – Senior software engineer

Working with Sam is always great. He has a deep understanding of the roles I need to fill, coupled with his knowledge of the EU market and he gives his all for both the client and the candidate. This makes him an invaluable partner in the recruitment process.

Sam consistently delivers top-notch candidates and operates with the utmost reliability, making him my go-to technical recruiter. I’ve used Sam to hire Product Owners, Engineers (various types) and Engineering Managers.

Adam Castle – Head of Platform Engineering @ Sympower

Samuel is the rare recruiter who took the time to actually learn who I am, ask me what kind of role and company I was looking for, instead of immediately presenting me some random job opening.

Throughout the hiring process, he kept both sides informed daily. Super smooth!

Erwin Dral

Customer Success Manager & Product Manager

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I had a great experience with Sam. I went from looking for my next role to accepting an offer in record time. Sam kept me up to date throughout the whole process so I always knew what was happening.

He took the time to understand what I was looking for and worked with me to find the role that was right for me.

Very friendly, pleasant to work with and overall a great guy. I strongly recommend him if you’re looking for a new role or looking to hire someone.

Steve – Java engineer

Sam changed my perception of external recruiters, for the better! From our first conversation, he showed genuine interest in who I am and worked hard to ensure that the role and company were a good fit for both my needs and theirs. Sam always kept me updated and proactively provided me with feedback and context to set me up for success during the interview process. The job search can be tough, and having someone like Sam there for support and guidance made all the difference.

Gabrielle Tang

Senior Engineering manager

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I had the pleasure of working with Samuel, and I can confidently say he is a highly professional and supportive recruiter.

From the very beginning, Samuel showed genuine interest in understanding my experience, skills, and career goals. He maintained clear and timely communication throughout the entire process and demonstrated an earnest and transparent approach. Thanks to his guidance, the process felt smooth, personal, and human from start to finish.

I highly recommend Samuel to any professional seeking opportunities or any company looking for a recruiter who truly cares about connecting the right people with the right roles.

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Henrique Domareski – Senior software engineer