Finding a Job in the Netherlands

| Covid Edition |

“You’re hired!

now go home…”

A few years ago (we won't say how many), I was a freshly graduated American ready to embark on life here in the Netherlands. Degree in hand and full of ambition, I was sure that the perfect opportunity would meet me. Oh, how wrong I was…

Moving abroad comes with a longer list of challenges than many prepare for. Especially, if you are coming from small-town life like me. I had never even used a train before! So I had a lot to learn before I could reach the working world, literally. Not to mention, the immigration exams that are required upon arrival can be a lengthy process. I quickly realized my attention needed to shift for a while and thus my career plan was put on hold until I could legally stay here.

The time after my immigration exams brought several re-writes of resumes, asking every Dutch person I knew for advice on applying and bracing myself for a pattern of 'no's. I decided early on, that instead of sitting still during this time, why not do something worthwhile? Aside from every photography job I could get my hands on (even as a volunteer), I took an available mail-delivery position to make a little bit of income. So on top of Dutch lessons, immigration exams and delivering mail by my little "omafiets", I had to think about what else I could do to feel like a real human again. That's when the TEFL program came into view.

"Ok, so maybe I do not know Dutch well enough yet to get hired, but I shouldn't let my English skills be a negative thing. Let's capitalize on this, turn it into a selling point instead of another reason to tell me 'no'."

I completed the TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) certificate online and dove into freelance editing and translations for about a year and a half. Every chance I got to proofread for a Dutch business, website or even friend, I did it. Gain experience, if you don't have the papers or the language, experience is your best friend.

After adding more editing experience and my TEFL certification to my resume, I got an email. My name was recommended to a start-up in Eindhoven. They were looking for a native English speaker to help them optimize their texts and were intrigued with my resume (thank you prior journalism work, TEFL and freelance editing jobs!). After a couple of interviews, a practice writing exercise and few phone calls, I found myself hired as a copywriter in a Dutch company. I had done it. My career abroad had begun.

But wait...

Cue Covid-19. The world was facing a turbulent shift and, while it made my issues seem quite small, it was still difficult to leave my new role at work merely a week after it began. Our entire office was sent home to work remotely as instructed by the government. Learning the company, my new workload, the technical programs and even the people, all from my tiny desk chair in my make-shift study, was definitely a challenge. I had found work, and now here I was back where I started, on my own at home. Luckily for me, my company was prepared to make the transition as smooth as possible. They kept us all connected and had a great amount of patience. Luckily, my company was flexible and even continued hiring during the pandemic.

I am extremely grateful for where I am now. We still aren't back in the office, but I finally feel like a functioning part of Dutch society. I believe without the advice of so many, the recommendation from a friend and my own dose of perseverance and patience, this process would have been too much to handle.

So if you are like me, new to the working world abroad, don't get too discouraged. It may take you 2 weeks, it may take you 2 years, but the right job is out there. Just turn your negatives into positives, stand by your value, market yourself and remain flexible. Be willing to step outside the plan and change roles. Find where your skills are needed, focus on what you have to offer (even if it's different than your degree or plan) and market yourself as invaluable... because you are! You just need to believe it before potential employers will.

Good luck out there!

-aw