How to find a job in the Netherlands

It took Irais Alina Quiroz Rojas 10 application letters before she got a single job interview. But that one interview led to a job. “It was not that easy to get a job in the Netherlands,” says the Mexican expat. “That’s because I don’t speak Dutch and I’m not from the European Union. Companies have to arrange a work visa for me and they think that’s expensive and takes too much time.” These are just a few of the problems facing expats looking for work in the Netherlands. Career consultant Jelda Veninga of TiasNimbas Business School has a few short tips to help overcome these barriers.

Visas

Jelda Veninga recognises that companies don’t want to arrange a visa for new employees. “They don’t want to deal with the bureaucratic mess, but actually it’s not that difficult for a company to apply for a visa.” Visas, therefore, should not be an issue for a company not to consider expat job seekers.

European expats have the advantage that they don’t have to apply for a visa. But they still have the disadvantage of not speaking Dutch. “When an employee has to deal with Dutch customers, companies want the job applicant to be able to speak Dutch. Even when the company is a multinational, in the Netherlands you still have to deal with Dutch customers.” Jelda advises expats to learn Dutch while they are searching for a job. “Not only because they need to speak it, but it also shows that the expat is planning to stay in the Netherlands for a long time.” That’s why TiasNimbas offers Dutch lessons to international expats, alongside their services.

The career consultant also advises job seekers to build a network in the Netherlands. Reportedly, 80 percent of job seekers find work through their network. “We advise our students to visit alumni events of TiasNimbas and make use of our Alumni Buddy System. We also organise career events they can visit.” 

But they aren’t the only network possibilities. “Another tip is to contact the embassy of your own country, because the network of people with the same nationality who are working in the Netherlands can be a good source to find a job as well. Those expats already work somewhere where they may be looking for another expat,” says Jelda. 

Although expats have a language disadvantage, they have the advantage of in-depth knowledge of their home country. “Try to find companies who do business with the country you come from. The advantage is that you know both cultures.” 

Focussing your job search is important according to Jelda, and was also noted by Irais during her interview: “My employer gave me the job not only because of my experience in the field, but also because we fit well. I didn’t apply at every company; I only applied at companies I thought I could fit with. The company sees that you’re enthusiastic and appreciates that you’re not applying to everyone. Eventually that helps you find a job.”

 

Jelda says: "As part of the Career Services Team I like that I am involved in developing people’s futures. My passion is to give practical career advice to students and connect talent and organisations. The combination of cooperating with companies, coordinating the Personal and Career Development Programme and working with young ambitious students from different cultural backgrounds, makes my work both diverse and very enjoyable."