24 reactions to this article

Mukund ZAMBRE posted: 2008-05-07 22:59:40

Dear editor
I am a Belgium national but with foreign origin. I have two diplomas from Flemish universities with very good points but I am jobless since many years. This is inspite of speaking fairely good level of Dutch. Except for me all my Belgian ex-classmates have jobs since then. So obtaining a job in Belgium is not dependent on skill but on type of person, perhaps on his color and last but not least how much he/she is lucky in Belgium.This is very different in US, UK and Canada. Perhaps you should have mentioned this criteria in your text at least indirectly.

Thanks

Ivana R. posted: 2008-05-17 00:32:56

Hello,

I agree with Mr. Mukund. I have studied in Belgium (PhD) and I have high experience in an Eastern European Country. Unfortunately I couldn't find a job...may be to wash the dishes. In conclusion I will leave Belgium. I have also African friends that want to immigrate to Canada, SUA because of the same problem. So, take care...you, the next!

Hossein posted: 2008-08-20 11:15:31

Hi,

I agree with you as well. As a foreigner who has the Belgian nationality and a PhD in Agriculture, I've also been looking for a job in Belgium for almost one year now. Unfortunately, no result so far!!!

ANNE posted: 2008-10-27 11:34:11

Hi,
I am a foreigner seeking for a job in Belgium after all these comments about joblessness in Belgium a must declare i fell very dissapointed . My daughter is a Belgian and i have a masters degree . I thought with my trilingual language skill couple will my masters degree i will suceed in getting a good job . I am willing to reallocate asap to join the father of my daughter. Dont know what destiny awaits me .

Hossein posted: 2008-10-27 11:47:36

Dear Anne

Although you didn't mention what master you have and languages you speak, but if they are Dutch, English and French, I believe you will soon succeed to find a job here in Belgium.

tom posted: 2010-03-19 13:43:12

Thanks for all of the great information! I believe you have to be creative and stimulating in order to put yourself on the market and show others what you can do. I have been using a website called http://www.careersuccessions.com that provides tools to make future candidates for employment stand out of the crowd. The site offers career consultants, job hunting tips, and career advancement. Good luck!

Leo posted: 2011-09-16 00:17:03

A diploma will not gonna buy you freedom in a foreign country!
get real and get a proper job and try to climb the ladder the hard way! people will start to apreciate you , then you cna wave your diploma!

daniela posted: 2011-12-13 10:07:31

I applied for 300 jobs /vdab.be/. I have two diplomas from Flemish and Bulgarian universities with very good points. But every times answer : 14 day your CV in our database. If you are foreign in Belgium - that is problem for belgian companies.
That is racism.

Ceca posted: 2011-12-14 00:41:44

This is a very usual situation for so many non-EU nationals who emigrate to EU countries to study, masters or a doctorate level. The main point of imperialistic forces is to use the youth, energy and intellectual power of people from less developed and former colony countries. And what happens after wards? Those students (I am talking about PhDes mostly) are forced to go back home where their chances to get a job, after loosing connections and being overqualified, are often even less than they were before going abroad. But everyone must realize that the capitalism and rules of the West are seriously bad, I dare say, one of the worst social arrangements ever. So when deciding going abroad, be aware of these facts. EU countries do not need emigrants, apart of using them to strengthen their economy and science and then buy, buy.

Ceca posted: 2011-12-14 00:58:17

So people...be smart. What this means - in many cases to find a native partner - I am aware of how this sounds, but in the end, if the main goal of imperialistic forces is to exploit poorer countries minds, then why those minds would not be allowed to exploit imperialistic forces. In short, your position in the foreign country will not be improved only by your educational skills... Sad, but true, I know many women from my country (East Europe) who are great in science, but successful only because of their native/EU and powerful husbands and their connections - without that - well maybe if they were next Einsteins, but even then... Sad, very sad, but TRUE.

Andrea posted: 2011-12-28 18:53:49

I am desperately seeking a job from Ostende to Brussels. I am a Hairstylist. For the past 27 years I have been working on my education of different cutting techniques and product knowledge. As well, I can manage a salon. Help make my dreams come true!

Y posted: 2012-01-04 10:59:11

Dear ALL,

I was so disappointed that i finally google if there is a problem with me , my master, my skill or something else and happen to read the whole article and comment above. I will confirm that these people discussing above have 100% reason. There is a problem of racism though you are skillful. Fortunately i have some freelancing projects to be able to sustain. I am in brussel nearly 6 months and still looking for a job in php here. Some friends who have contacts have already secured a job. Its either luck or belgian people fear international competency.
Lets hope to see some changes...

Wouter posted: 2012-01-09 16:03:00

Yeah...

OFICIALLY, being native cannot be a job requirement in Belgium, but if a foreigner is rejected for a job, it's impossible to proof that being a foreigner was the reason to be rejected, even though it's often obvious. I used to know a guy, born here in Flanders from Arab parents. He also had an Arab name. He spoke Dutch perfectly, was entirely familiar with Belgian habits and stuff, he felt Belgian. He had a very hard time finding a job. For years kept sending application letters, until he was sick and tired of it and changed his name to Bart (a typically Flemmish name). After that, he found a job in less than a month.

James posted: 2012-02-10 12:15:42

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james posted: 2012-02-10 12:16:39

<a href=”http://www.jobseurope.net>Jobs in Europe</a>

Ion Marc posted: 2012-02-16 19:28:56

On my blog you can find helpful information about work in Moldova http://job-in-moldova.blogspot.com/ and about job offers, visa information.

orlando posted: 2012-02-20 09:49:58

hi im a filipino!...im looking for an oppurtunity to work there in belgium..im a architectural moulding designer....i used to design our products in photoshop auto cadd 3d for presentaion and corel draw as a software for CNC machine, im also an operator for CNC MACHINE.....we used styro foam as a master mold to create different architectural moulding design...hope somebody help me to assit my dreams come true to work in belgium.....thank you!

danny phills posted: 2012-03-14 05:52:53

looking for a job in belgium, log on now to www.jobclickr.com over 50 companies are hiring now.

Lily posted: 2012-03-15 13:55:44

hi im from Singapore........Im actively seeking Accounting

brown walter posted: 2012-04-04 18:19:32

The Dorchester
Park Lane
London
W1K 1QA
England,
United Kingdom.





The Dorchester Hotel requires the services of reputable and devoted workers for the underlisted job positions. Qualified persons should contact us immediately for job placement.

Language Requirements: Any of English, French, Spanish, Italian,and Dutch

Employment Type: Full Time

Preferred Language of Resume/Application: English

F

nicolas posted: 2012-04-26 13:01:42

A multinatinal paint manufacturing companyin Al Quasis,uk london,invites applications for the above position.
Key requirements of the role:
More than 100 positions available:

1. Rides and Attractions:

Operator


2. Park Services:

Attendant


3. Food and Beverage:

Bartender* * Cashier* * Waiter/Waitress* * Host * F

Milyv posted: 2012-04-27 22:23:58

I am also non-EU Citizen and have two masters from two recognized univeristies in the Netherlands. I have been applying to several jobs in Brussels for months and eventhough I have the perfect profile for those positions, I have never received any reply. When I finished my first master I though I could get a job, but again the same story.

I feel giving up, but I am married with a EU citizen, so I guess I will have to change my name in order to get a job

Ann posted: 2012-05-15 21:16:21

hallo allen
ik ben Begische, en zoek al 20jaar naar een (vaste) job.
tijdelijke jobs kan men krijgen, van 1week, 1maand, tot
maximum 6maand. (dit doe ik al 30jaar)
nu alweer 2jaar zonder job , zelf met de hulp
van VDAB, enz... OOK VOOR BELGEN IS ER GEEN WERK !!!
Waar kan ik heen ?

Ana Barroso posted: 2012-05-27 23:46:34

Hello

I was just searching in the internet for information about British Expats in Belgium as my family is there and I am thinking of moving there.

I am Portuguese and I live in UK for 8 years.

But after reading all the coments for the editor about his comments I was preplexed and decided, No I have to speak.

What most people and Mukund and Ivana are saying IS NOT TRUE AT ALL.

If there is one thing Europe, Belgium more treasures and gives total priority IS SKILLS AND EDUCATION.
I am European and I know that the highest Education score,grade, the more prestigious Education school/University you have had the better, that is how it works in Europe.
The best ones with the best highest grades and only the best and knonw University are picked for the best companies, THIS IS A FACT.
IT HAPPENED TO MY BROTHER.
Is has been like this circle for centuries and part of the Educational system and that is why so many kids and adutls fight for grades and Universities like dogs and study until they drop dead, really applying themselves, something that doesn`t happen here or outside of Europe and that is why other people do not understand this way of being and do not understand either why they are more mature, go getters, self motivated, with a can attitude, with a real picture of goals anf life in their heads and ready to assume real life and not cowards or childish attitudes, more independent, freedom of voice and choice, smart, ready to take on life challenges, konwing what they want , who they are and where to go, what road, with hardship and work to pay colleges we became stronger, knowledgeable, self suficient and learn from one little breadcrump to make one big meal.

AND THAT MY FRIENDS AND READERS IS THE DIFFERENCE, LIKE OR NOT OF SUCCESS AND WORKING TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS NO MATTER, TO FIGHT FOR THEIR CORNER AND IN TOTAL CONFIDENCE.

My brother is in Belgium, Ghent for 7 years and went from a excellent independent University - Biotechnology in Portugal as a sandwich course degree as a program and he did work his butt off for the best grades and worked in bad conditions for his projects until one day after he finished his degree his efforts and hard work was noticed by a known company and man that offered him a job after his work placement, he took it immediately knowing that the job was less and not even for the degree specialist that he wanted but he said yes, was Money and Experience, a chance TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE, FLEMISH, IMPORTANT PEOPLE AND NEW WORLDS AND DOORS. He worked his ass off, under terrible weather conditions, working outside with 10 degrees below zero with deadlines and motivating himself and all the other man, just like the army and he did the Belgium Royal Marina compound , managed it, worked on it and helped to design it for a couple of Euros but the reward was excellent references, for the first job, paid him Flemish lessons and controls the language totally like Dutch, opened doors to the most pretigious companies and after a couple of years ans specializations he is now managing, liaisoning with the best Eco Energy Companies in the world, Nuclear Technologies, Oil Companies Consultations Advice and back then he many times walked home on foot, many days could afford to much food and lived with his school mates to save on rent.
Today he lives in one of the biggest apartments across the Ghent river luxurious part that he ownes and flying intenationally and people pay him for advise.

SO PEOPLE AS YOU CAN SEE DO NOT GO BY DUBIOUS ADVICE FROM THOSE PEOPLE, LOSERS THAT DO NOT AND DID NOT UNDERSTAND THAT IF YOU WANT SOMETHING SO BAD YOU APPLY YOURSELF ? FIRST BE POSITIVE MIND AND VISUALIZE YOUR GOALS, WHAT YOU WANT AND WHAT YOU WANT YOUR LIFE TO BE THEN YOU BE 100% CREATIVE TO CREATE THOSE CHANCES AND DOORS EVEN PICKING UP BAD JOBS, IS NOT I TELL YOU BY SITTING ON YOUR BACKSIDES DAY AND NIGHT AND PROCRASTINATION.
JUST LIKE THE AMERICANS, YOU WANT IT , GO GET IT, WORK FOR IT,
DREAM IT, YOU DO NOT HAVE IT, YOU CREATE IT, USE INOVATIVE WAYS AND IDEAS TO FUND YOUR DREAM EVEN PUT YOURSELF SLEEPING ACROSS YOUR TARGET COMPANY, BUSNESS IF YOU HAVE TOO, CREATING FRESH APPROACHES;
Me I survive in UK for a long time by creating the chance given by the Government to create my own job, Be a BusinessWoman and happily and by doing what I love.