Recruitment for work in the Netherlands looks a little different to what you may be used to when applying for a job in eastern and central Europe. What to do if you’re thinking about working abroad but don’t know where to start? Are you wondering what formalities are ahead of you or whether you need many certificates and documents? Let us explain everything. If you want to work in the Netherlands, the whole process follows a single pattern, supervised by an employment agency.
How to get started?
Entering the Dutch labour market can start in one of three ways. You can fill in a general application on the job intermediary agency’s website, get in touch with the agency directly by phone or check out up-to-date and attractive job offers. Once you choose the one that you find most advantageous, you can apply by completing the form for the offer in question. In any of these cases, you’ll obtain the necessary information.
When filling in an application, you will have to provide basic personal information:
- first name and surname;
- date of birth;
- e-mail address;
- phone number.
Job interview
The next step is an interview with a recruiter, in which we can get to know each other better. We ask about your previous work experience, skills, and career history. If you have additional qualifications, for example, a reachtruck or heftruck licence, it is worth mentioning it. Foreign language skills or experience in specific positions will be an extra advantage. If you’re interested in going abroad with a partner or as a group, it’s a good idea to mention it at this stage of the conversation. If you tell us about your expectations during the job interview, we will try to match you with the most favourable offer. After the interview, you will be e-mailed job offers with job descriptions and all the necessary information to help you make a decision.
Formalities to be handled before you leave
You may already be informed of the outcome of the recruitment process at the time of the interview, but sometimes it’s necessary to wait for a phone call. When looking for a job in the Netherlands through an employment agency, the person concerned finds out if they have been hired in a few days. The necessary documents are obtained at the interview and job selection stage. The prospective employee delivers most of them online and sends the other ones (such as the agreement) by post.
Requirements for jobs in the Netherlands
Before travelling to the Netherlands, it will be a good idea for you to make sure that you have an undamaged and up to date (at least 6 months old) identity document. What’s more, in many cases, what we require is only your willingness to work shifts, motivation, flexibility, and ability to organise your work. A communicative command of a foreign language is often welcome, due to the international environment, which is very common as far as Dutch clients go. However, we also have job offers without the language requirement. An active category B. driving licence is an extra advantage, which is sometimes necessary if the distance between the workplace and the agency flat is considerable. Moreover, you can receive 25 EUR per week for being a driver. The final stage after recruitment for work in the Netherlands is the trip. Once you have completed all the formalities, you will be informed of the date on which you must turn up and the location of your accommodation. Once you arrive, you will be looked after and assisted by coordinators. In the first meeting, you will sign a Dutch employment agreement and receive the necessary guidance to start your new job.
Current offers – warehouse jobs in the Netherlands
If you’re still thinking about getting a job in the Netherlands, we have some offers for you. One of the most popular jobs in the Netherlands is the one of an order picker, a warehouse worker responsible for finding items on storage shelves or in rooms and placing them into envelopes or boxes for safe delivery.
*For order picker positions at Jumbo and GXO Logistic, we don’t require English language skills or experience in a similar job. We will teach you everything from scratch.
