How to Find Expat Jobs in Amsterdam

Finding a job as an expat in Amsterdam can be a daunting experience. There are many exciting opportunities available, however there is also plenty of competition.

The expat job market in Amsterdam is highly competitive. How do you stand out?

Have you already applied to various expat jobs in Amsterdam? Then you will know that the market is competitive and that for each vacancy advertised, there are often hundreds of applicants.

You might be the most qualified person for the role, but if you don’t find a way to stand out from all those other applicants, there’s a good chance that you won’t get the job.

If you want to learn some of the best ways to attract attention to your application for an expat job in Amsterdam, and if you want to impress during your interview, then you can reach out to our career coaches.

Our coaches will help you tailor your CV and motivation letters to the Dutch job market and to each single vacancy you apply for. They will also coach you on how to find the jobs that best suit you, how to approach your interviews, and how to follow up on your applications.

Why is Amsterdam so popular among expats?

Amsterdam is an international, multi-cultural city where many big, multinational companies have established their global or European headquarters. For you as a job-seeking expat, this is a big advantage, because it means that there are many jobs available for English speakers.

The Amsterdam region is also becoming a popular hub for start-ups, which means that many more jobs, especially in the tech industry, are becoming available here.

Whether you are already living in the Netherlands or whether you are searching for a job from abroad, there are various factors to consider when looking for an expat job in Amsterdam. Below, we will look at a few examples.

Do you meet the legal requirements for working in Amsterdam?

There are laws about who may work in the Netherlands and what type of permit you need to be able to do so. If you are an EU citizen or if you already have a work permit for the Netherlands, then you are free to search for any types of expat jobs in Amsterdam.

If you are coming from outside of the EU and you don’t have a work permit or residence permit for the Netherlands, then there are various options available to you.

Are you unsure whether you meet the requirements for working in an expat job in Amsterdam? Our career coaches at The Career Spark can answer many of your questions for you.

Where is the best place to look for expat jobs in Amsterdam?

Most expat jobs in Amsterdam are listed online. So, doing an online search is the best place to start.

If you already know which companies you would like to work for, then you can also reach out to these companies directly, even if they are not currently advertising any vacancies that match your expertise.

There are also many employment agencies (uitzendbureaus) that help expats with finding jobs in Amsterdam. This is a good option if you are already living in the Netherlands.

LinkedIn is also a popular recruitment and networking tool in the Netherlands. It is therefore highly recommended that you optimise your LinkedIn profile and keep it up to date.

Networking is another great option for finding expat jobs in Amsterdam. You can network online via platforms such as LinkedIn and MeetUp, and you can also attend industry events and expat fairs.

Are you finding it challenging to discover suitable expat job opportunities in Amsterdam? Then you can also reach out to our career coaches, who will be happy to help guide you in your search.

Do you need to learn Dutch if you want to work in Amsterdam?

There are many English-speaking job opportunities available in Amsterdam, which means that it is not essential to learn Dutch before you find a job. That being said, learning Dutch will increase the number of options available to you. And it will definitely make it easier for you to adjust to living and working in Amsterdam if you can speak and understand even a little bit of Dutch.

Be well prepared for your expat job search in Amsterdam

Once you have found suitable vacancies to apply for, you need to make sure that you are well prepared so that you give yourself the best chance of getting that expat job in Amsterdam.

At a minimum, Dutch employers usually ask for a CV and a cover letter at the first stage of the recruitment process. In the Netherlands, you are generally expected to have a two-page CV and to write a cover letter that are both tailored to the specific job that you are applying for.

Do you already have a visa or residence permit that allows you to work in the Netherlands? Then make sure to mention this on your CV!

Are you unsure of where to start and what to include in your job application? And do you need help preparing your application documents? Our career coaches are ready to assist you every step of the way.