As a general rule, your chances of finding work in the Netherlands vastly increase if you hold at least a bachelor’s degree. If you come with a foreign diploma, your employer may ask for it to be evaluated – you can do this at the International Credential Information Centre (IDW). You may also be interested in comparing your foreign diploma with Dutch diplomas.
Applying for a job
In the Netherlands the process is similar to most other countries. Most often you need to write your CV, make a cover letter, practice your interview skills, dress appropriately, etc. However, what may be different in the Netherlands compared to your home country is that it is normal to include a photo in your CV.
UM Career Services supports students in their professional development to become employable and to be able to make well-considered study choices. They offer tailored and personal guidance, the university also offers quick career advice, walk-in student guidance, individual career counseling, and advice to start your own business. Maastricht University alumni can participate until six months after graduation.
If you are a UM student, you can also check out the Personal and Professional Development Portal, where you can find a broad range of opportunities to improve your employability skills, including the best vacancy search engines, interesting internet tools and upcoming (networking) events of both internal and external parties
Finding work through a job agency
Another way to look for work is through a temping/employment agency (uitzendbureau). The agency will act as your employer and match you to companies that need temporary workers. Some examples of employment agencies in the Netherlands are:
- uitzendbureau.nl
- randstad.nl
- youngcapital.nl
- asatalent.nl
- Adams Multilingual Recruitment (connects multilingual talents with international organisations in the Netherlands)
These are just some examples to get you started – there are plenty of others!
Extra links and resources
- InterUM’s (Maastricht University’s employment agency) vacancy board
- For EEA+Swiss nationals: search for jobs in the Netherlands on the EURES (European Employment Services) website
- werk.nl also has a vacancy board
- Academic Positions has a list of academic and research jobs at various universities and institutions in the Netherlands
- undutchables.nl
- General job search website banenrijklimburg.nl
- Academic and non-academic jobs at universities – Academic transfer
- International jobs in the Maastricht area and elsewhere in the Netherlands
