Together Abroad at International Career Event VU University

Each year VU University organizes a career event for international students interested in starting a career in the Netherlands. During this event you are informed about career perspectives after obtaining an academic degree, PhD-positions, networking possibilities and practical advice on grants, immigration, residency and application procedures in the Netherlands.

Incorporated in this event is a career fair. Here, employment agencies and international businesses interested in attracting international young professionals and researchers present themselves and share their expertise. Moreover, a number of supporting organizations is present to answer your questions, such as the Dutch immigration service, VU Career Information Center and the Expatcenter.

International Career Event 2012


The Career Event 2012 was a successful day with over 200 participating students. The survey-evaluation shows there was a real need for this kind of event. Furthermore, students highly appreciated the information provided at the first half of the day, during which presentations were held by various organizations such as Together Abroad, the Municipality of Amsterdam and I-ProVU.

The organizations and companies that were invited to share their expertise at the subsequent fair were very content to be face-to-face with so much potential talent, and expressed their wish to attend next year. For the 2013 edition we intend to invite more companies, and HR managers that have experience with hiring international staff.

Evaluation furthermore shows that 87% of all students that registered for the Event were interested in specific career information from their faculties. This year the faculties of Social Sciences and the Economics and Business Administration organized a specific programme; for the next Career Event more faculties will work on a separate programme to satisfy the needs of the students. Overall we can look back on a very instructive and successful day, and we are looking forward to organizing one next year!


Career possibilities in the Netherlands


Zoekjaar
The Dutch government stimulates international Bachelor’s and Master’s students to start a career in the Netherlands after graduation by offering a residence permit for a search year or zoekjaar. This permit is valid for twelve months and gives you free access to the Dutch labour market. For detailed information on the application procedure and requirements, see the Nuffic website.

Jobs
If you are looking for a job in the Netherlands, there are several key job boards that you can visit. The job boards below are in English and are aimed at foreign professionals.

Together Abroad , JobinAmsterdam,  Careers in Holland,  Skilled Migrant Programme
By the time your search year residence permit expires and you like to continue working in the Netherlands, you will have to find a job as a highly skilled migrant. Two main requirements apply here. First, the company has to be entitled to employ highly skilled migrants. You can find a list of these organizations here. Second, your gross annual salary must be at least €26931 (this amount may be adjusted on a yearly basis).
In some cases, scientific personnel of certain categories is exempted from this norm. Please see the IND website for more information.


Academic Career Network
If you wish to pursue an academic career in the Netherlands you can search for PhD positions and other academic vacancies on Academic Transfer, the website of the Dutch Academic Career Network. Vacancies at VU University can be found here.

Read the article on the VU university website