Want to Land a Job in the Netherlands? Here’s What You Should Do

I can’t tell you how often people ask me, “Soreh, how do I get a job in the Netherlands?” And I get it. So many people want to move to the Netherlands because of the great quality of life, job security, higher wages, and more. Or maybe you already live here but are looking to switch jobs or even change careers. Where do you begin your search? And what should you do to get that job that you’re going to love?

Start Learning Dutch, Yesterday

I know that learning a new language is not exactly what you want to do when looking for a job. But the Dutch love it when people show interest in learning their language, understandably so. You want to stand out from the competition.

Even if you’re applying for an English-speaking role, many companies in the Netherlands will greatly appreciate and value your ability and willingness to communicate in Dutch. Some companies even offer to pay for classes or give you time off to go to classes. But there are so many ways you can start learning for free, like on Duolingo or checking out Dutch language channels on YouTube.

Clean Up Your CV, Cover Letter, and LinkedIn

There is nothing more off-putting than a poorly written CV, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile. Those are the first impressions you make on an employer. So make sure you make a good impression. Your CV should be one page, max two. Same for your cover letter.

If you’re applying for an English-speaking role, your CV, cover letter, and LinkedIn profiles should be in English. It is the same if the job is in Dutch, German, or any other language. Make sure all three of them are written well and aren’t hard to read. Run your CV, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile by a trusted friend, family member, or someone like me who creates them for a living. I’d love to help you improve your documents.

Don’t Copy and Paste

Do not use the same CV and cover letter to apply to every single job. The Dutch love curated CVs and cover letters for every single job. So, read every job description and edit them accordingly.

Find A Way To Stand Out

Hiring an employee costs a lot of money and energy, especially if you’re coming from abroad. And in certain sectors, the competition can be quite fierce. So why should the employer choose you over someone else?

Make sure the company knows that you’re in it for the long haul. You’re not going to bail the minute you get a better offer. Many companies want employees to stay for at least a few years, usually more. So make sure to explain to them how committed you are to your potential new role at this company.

Show interest in learning about the local culture, customs, traditions, holidays, food, music, language, etc. Take a deep dive into the company’s history, ethics, and goals. Using that information, ask questions and express an interest in the company beyond how they can help you.

How To Apply For Jobs

LinkedIn is a great platform for job openings—the Dutch LOVE LinkedIn. Follow companies, apply for jobs using the platform, and stay active on LinkedIn. You can also use Indeed and MonsterBoard.

Recruitment agencies are also a great way to find jobs, especially when applying from abroad. Just type “recruitment agencies in the Netherlands” into your search bar. There are so many companies helping employers find employees. You can also check out what this recruiter had to say about landing a job in the Netherlands.

Be Patient

Unfortunately, the Dutch are fast at a lot of things, but hiring is not one of them. So be patient. Keep applying and follow up. If it’s not working, take a good look at your CV, cover letter, and LinkedIn to see if there are improvements to be made. If you need help with those, feel free to send me a message here.

For more tips, be sure to follow me on my Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.