Things to know before applying for a job in Netherlands as an expat

When applying for a job in the Netherlands you may find yourself surrounded by a multitude of concerns and questions. The processes may prove different than what your accustomed to in your home country and employer expectations vary based on cultural. The Netherlands being a highly demanded destination for expats to settle in, has a competitive job market.

A few tips you may need to look at before applying to Dutch or Dutch-based companies are as follows:

Have your non-Dutch diploma validated in the Netherlands

To be of further value to the Dutch job market, having your diploma validated by a registered entity in order to make it more meaningful to your possible future employer is crucial. The registered entity will hold the authority to make comparisons between the diploma you hold and benchmark it with the Dutch standard of education. The registered entity will then provide you with a letter that states that the acquired level of education that brought about your diploma is up to Dutch standard. This is because different countries may adhere to different standards of education and employers may wonder on the level of education that the institution in which you obtained your diploma from holds.

Update your LinkedIn profile

For one reason or another, LinkedIn seems to hold great value in job search and networking in the Netherlands. The website is also quite useful for one: looking at what the job market has to offer and what activities fellow engineers/doctors/marketing specialists etc… are carrying out in the Netherlands. What skill sets are most sought after and what are the latest employment and job news. LinkedIn may also provide a great tool for networking from the comfort of your own home. Sending messages to recruiters and introducing yourself may prove beneficial. LinkedIn also has a premium membership that offers extra privileges which you may find useful.

Have your resume well executed and ready

A few tips on a successful resume that appeals to Dutch employers.

Keep your resume clear and brief. Most employers skim through resumes rather quickly. It is as such best to have your most important qualifications in clear sight.
Proofread your resume numerous times. Check for grammar or spelling mistakes, you can also have someone else proofread it for good measure. Employers may find you reckless and not a good candidate from a simple spelling mistake on your resume.
Keep your resume to two pages, with only the most important and relevant information present.
Do not use the same resume to apply to all jobs, tailor your resume to fit the position and company you are applying to.

Be confident

Dutch employers need to know that you are a legitimate candidate and a deserving entity to the job you’re applying for, this means that you need to present yourself in a confident and assured manner. This confidence needs to reflect in interviews, resumes and especially motivation letters. Dutch employers enjoy candidates who view themselves as equal counterparts, that is individuals who have a strong belief in what they have to offer to the company. Coming through as confident is as such crucial, after all if you don’t believe you are worthy of the position you are applying for, it is unlikely that the employer will feel any differently.