The Northern Netherlands is a growing region, and companies across Groningen, Drenthe and Friesland are looking for talent to help their companies grow. The vibrant student life in the North also gives plenty of opportunities for students who are looking for a (part-time) job in addition to their studies.
There are several ways for looking for vacancies:
Take a look at our Service Providers page for recruitment agencies.
IWCN Service providers for finding your job
Many job openings are posted online. You can look at the websites of the companies and organizations where you would like to work to see if they have vacancies. A keyword to know for many job sites in the Netherlands, even if the site is in English, is vacatures, which means “job vacancies.”
Make it in the North is a non-profit project and platform fully in English with everything you need to build your career in Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe.
On the website you can:
In English:
In Dutch:
Many companies use job agencies to filter potential candidates. A good agency will build strong connections with companies and be their first point of contact when the company has a new vacancy. The agency searches their database for suitable candidates and advertises on their website to reach a wider audience and increase the chances of securing the vacancy for their client, thereby earning themselves a commission.
You can either forward your CV to the job agency or apply for one of the vacancies. Both can be done online. If your CV matches the required criteria, the job agency will contact you to make an appointment, where they will register you and have a chat about the job and what you are looking for. This is a good way for the consultant to put a face to a name, as they receive many job applications every day.
Some job agencies for non-Dutch speakers are:
Job platforms for students:
Many jobs are considered “hidden” – that is, they are jobs that are not advertised openly or publicly. In this case, it would be worthwhile to apply to any company you would like to work for. You can also look at their particular websites to see what services they offer to get an overview of the company. When you apply, be specific about what position you are looking for so they can find a placement in the company or perhaps recognize the need to create such a position. Explain why you would like to work for them and what you can offer, so it will be obvious that you have taken the time to research them and are not just sending out applications and CVs to every company.
The most successful way to find a new job is through networking and contacts. Networking can happen anywhere (e.g. sports clubs, your child’s school, joining clubs and interest groups etc.) Be ready for the question, “What do you do?” Spend time on perfecting your profile and practicing your ‘pitch’, but keep it simple and natural. Here are some tips to building your network. For meeting other internationals in the north here are some groups that you may want to consider joining:
LinkedIn is a popular recruitment medium in the Netherlands, so keep your profile updated and make sure to set your location to the Netherlands. Check that your profile and experience are consistent with your CV and use a (professional) photo. Recruiters and hiring managers in the Netherlands are constantly looking at profiles or placing job advertisements here. You can join groups, take part in discussions and use LinkedIn for job research. You can also sign-up for job alerts, which will notify you of jobs matching your requirements.
Many companies are increasingly aware that talented prospective international employees coming to the Netherlands often have equally talented spouses or partners who also wish to further their careers.
As a ‘trailing spouse’ in the Northern Netherlands, you may find that finding a job depends on building up a network of warm contacts and that getting a job is based upon knowing the Dutch language.
In the North especially, having some knowledge of Dutch business terminology is seen as a prerequisite when dealing with customers or suppliers. Not all (but many) jobs require this, so a language course could be key in taking the next step.
Some of the large employers in the region offer career support for spouses, such as the University of Groningen’s Dual Career Support programme, which includes monthly meet-ups and group support.
Volunteering can also be a good way of meeting people and building a personal network, while groups like InterNations can also be very helpful when seeking new opportunities.
Make it in the North is a non-profit job platform fully in English with everything you need to start your career in Groningen and the Northern Netherlands.
Are you looking to work for a Dutch employer but they can’t help you with applying for your work and residence permit? Tentoo makes sure that expats and knowledge migrants can work without worries in The Netherlands.