Industry experts predict the Dutch job market will have to rely on foreign skilled workers in the future.The Netherlands is predicted to suffer a shortage of 60,000 skilled workers by 2014. Less and less Dutch youngsters opt for technical courses, and many skilled workers retire in the coming years. Linda Groener from Together Abroad, a job portal for skilled internationals, explains how technical industries in Holland can attract skilled workers from abroad.
How can recruiters attract foreign workers?
You can start by communicating the advantages of working in the Netherlands. Most Dutch people speak English which makes is a lot easier to integrate, you don’t need to speak Dutch right away. In fact, 80% of jobs on our site don’t require a command of the Dutch language.
What are some of the obstacles of hiring people from abroad?
One of the main problems is that most recruiters want you to already have an address in the Netherlands. With the potential shortage of technically skilled workers recruiters need to expand their search area to outside the Netherlands.
How feasible is it to hire people from outside the EU?
Due to the work permit laws, people with EU passports are of course much easier to hire. Though industries such as gaming, IT and other high-tech areas are willing to do the paperwork for people from China, Indonesia and other Asian countries.
How can recruiters help people find their ads?
The key is SEO. Their advertisements need to contain spot-on key words to ensure that they can be found by job seekers. If you place your ads in English, this obviously means that you need to know what foreigners are looking for.
What recruitment trends do you see for the future?
I believe more and more technically skilled workers will be recruited directly from abroad. We don’t have enough Dutch workers with these specialist skills. And although our high quality universities attract foreign students, many don’t want stay and work here. For students from outside the EU/EEA there is a scheme for them to stay in Holland for one year after graduating to look for work, but they must support themselves and cannot receive state benefits. This proves too difficult for many. So bottom line: I don’t see any alternatives to a further internationalisation of our job market.
Together Abroad offers year-round assistance for foreigner job-seekers and companies in the Netherlands. The website includes a job-board focusing on international companies, and multilingual, international candidates and over 7,000 online CVs. Posting and searching for jobs in the Netherlands is quick and efficient. Together Abroad was a finalist at the Expat Service Provider Awards 2011.
The original article by Bryony Ashcroft
For an expat moving to the Netherlands, getting the right direction is very important. It's important that one knows which steps and direction to take. Linda is an exceptionally talent counselor, her advice has helped me land a job within a week of coming to the Netherlands. I am grateful for her mentoring and look forward to a great working relationship in the future.
Dr. Hrishiraj S | Clinical Research & Affairs Manager
Together Abroad provided expert advice on personal branding including developing a top-notch, market-aware CV, highly tailored job applications, and approach strategies with potential employers in the Netherlands. Furthermore, I found them be highly knowledgeable in key related fields such as recruitment strategy, immigration law, contracts, labor agreements, and (un)employment benefits. I would recommend Together Abroad to anyone who needs professional help with transitioning to a new career.
A. Aboufirass | Structural Engeer
Linda is a big mind. She thinks about things that the rest normally overlook. The insight she has about the dutch job market can only be achieved through years of experience and persistence.
Her business savvy is complemented by her mastery of understanding the client's needs and requirements. For my career I could say, she was the “Mary Poppins”, who guided me through thick and thin and helped me to land a career in the Netherlands
S. Bhattacharjee | FP&A Manager
If you are going to enlist the services of a "Career Coach" look no further. The only person you want in your corner is Linda van Orsouw. As an expat, you absolutely want to work with a highly skilled and knowledgeable professional who knows their way around the Dutch career/employment/job market. Linda assisted me in writing and positioning my CV, helped me organize and prioritize my list of opportunities, coached me through mock interviews and was there when I got offered a senior position only 2 months later. When asked I will only refer to Linda and "Togetherabroad".
Mr. C. Joubert
Lead Workplace Strategy Consultant
Mr. C. Joubert
Lead Workplace Strategy Consultant