Finding a job these days isn’t easy. Between endless rejections and the pressure to customise every application, even experienced professionals are burning out.
While AI tools promise quick help, most of them are built for other markets and often miss the mark when it comes to Dutch hiring culture.
That’s where Lumen Career, a new startup from Amsterdam, comes in.
Lumen Career: Help professionals navigate local employment landscapes
Founded by Cristian Bello, the platform combines job market intelligence, advanced AI models, and cultural insights to help professionals navigate local employment landscapes more effectively.
In this edition of “What’s in a Name,” we are turning the spotlight on Lumen Career, which is quietly reshaping how job seekers navigate the ever-tougher hiring landscape in the Netherlands.
So, what’s the story behind Lumen Career? Let’s step into the light and find out.
Why the name ‘Lumen’?
“We wanted a name that reflected both what we do and how we want our users to feel during their job search journey. Finding a job can be challenging; it often feels like navigating in the dark,” explains Cristian Bello, CEO of Lumen Career.
The word lumen means “light” in Latin, and that meaning is exactly why they chose it. They wanted to be that guiding light that illuminated the path to finding the right career opportunity.
“Many of our users naturally refer to our AI simply as ‘Lumen’ and that’s exactly what we hoped for, like having a trusted companion who lights the way forward and helps them see opportunities they might have missed otherwise,” he adds.
It’s more than a name, it’s a mission
Lumen Career isn’t just trying to speed up job applications. It’s about helping people feel more confident and less overwhelmed.
“Career transitions are pivotal moments in someone’s professional life, and they shouldn’t have to navigate them alone or in uncertainty,” says Bello. “Our mission is to light the path to better career opportunities, helping job seekers see clearly what employers are looking for, understand how to position themselves effectively, and move forward with confidence rather than stumbling in the dark.”
Duration to finalise the name
The Lumen team took about two weeks to decide. They wanted something that would capture the whole journey of finding a career, not just the mechanics of applying for jobs, but the emotional and strategic aspects.
“We went through various options, but when we landed on ‘Lumen Career’, it immediately felt powerful to us,” adds Bello.
Yes, the .com mattered
Even though a lot of startups today go with .io or .ai domains, the Lumen team still saw .com as the gold standard.
On the other hand, trademarking the name went smoothly. No major issues came up, which isn’t always the case for new startups, says Bello.
Will the name ever change?
Lumen Career is growing and planning to bring new features, like job discovery, interview coaching, and even emotional support tools.
Having said that, the team has no plans to change the name.
“The name represents our core mission very well, so for the short and medium term, we don’t envision changing or diversifying it. It has the flexibility to grow with us as we expand our career services,” confirms Bello.
Does the name matter?
Not as much as what you build, according to Bello.
“I’ve always believed success comes down to execution rather than flashy ideas or expensive domain names. A good name can definitely help with positioning and branding, but ultimately, a startup’s success depends on how well the founders execute their vision and deliver value to customers,” concludes Bello.
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