Jobs in the Netherlands

The Dutch economy is expected to grow by about 3.0% in 2022. The unemployment rate remains low, below 4%. In view of this data, it is clear that it is quite easy to find jobs in the Netherlands if certain conditions are met.

To find a job in the Netherlands, the following general rules apply:

Learn Dutch, because your chances of getting a job increase significantly if you speak Dutch. Alternatively, you must speak excellent English, knowledge of German is also very useful due to the intense trade between the two countries. The Dutch have always been a trading people, so many of them speak English, German and French, but not all. So if you want to take advantage of a wider range of job opportunities in the Netherlands, I recommend learning Dutch.
You have to look for jobs where your skills are in demand (for example, if you know a few foreign languages, you could apply for jobs in the commercial field or in customer service)
Take advantage of the many recruitment agencies in the country
Update your Linkedin profile, try to network, follow Dutch recruiters and HR employees of companies you are interested in

How easy it is to find a job depends on the demand for your profession: (in the field of IT or in engineering it is not difficult to find a job) and on your level of education and/or work experience (the higher your level of education and experience, the easier it will be to find a job)

Unless you have particularly skills and/or relevant experience in your field, it’s not certain that you’ll find a job so easily, and you’ll probably have to get used to a different job at first, but don’t be discouraged, because with perseverance and determination you’ll eventually find the right job for you.

The cities that offer the greatest employment opportunities for foreigners are:

Amsterdam is the economic and financial center of the country, home to many international companies. The city is also visited by nearly 10 million tourists every year.
Rotterdam is famous for its commercial port, the largest in Europe, and much of the city’s economy revolves around it.
The Hague, while not the country’s capital, is the seat of the Dutch government, and many international organizations have their headquarters here.
Utrecht is a lively college city, home to numerous startups in many fields (finance, technology, etc.)

As already mentioned, knowledge of Dutch is of great advantage, but even with knowledge of English it is possible to find some jobs:.

Finance jobs, you can find work with foreign companies in the Netherlands, or even with the same Dutch companies that have a strong international presence (Philps, Heineken, etc.)
Customer service in companies that are looking for native speakers for their customer service centers (in addition to your native language, you must also know English)
Agricultural jobs, fruit harvesting, animal husbandry, etc.
Cleaning jobs, housekeeping, etc.
Logistic jobs, lorry drivers, messengers, warehouse workers, etc.
Factory jobs, operators, laborers, etc.

Most in-demand jobs in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, most jobs are currently in demand in the following sectors:

Engineering
Internet Technology
Financial sector
Hospitality
Logistics and transport

There are good possibilities of finding manual jobs such as: mechanic, welder, carpenter, plumber, etc. You will have good employment opportunities if you khnow English.

Work culture in the Netherlands

Dutch society is fundamentally egalitarian, and this is reflected in the world of work. The work culture is not hierarchical in any way, and everyone is included in the discussions and decisions that are made, and employees who express their opinions openly and directly are well regarded in the company.

This does not mean that the Dutch do not work, on the contrary, they have a strong sense of duty, they love their work and want to do it well. Thus, despite the informal environment, there is a strong work ethic, and people rarely fall behind on deadlines.