Hays's Judith Peeters gave a presentation on "How to use prepare for a job interview in the Netherlands" at Expatica's International Job Fair on Saturday, 14 September 2013.

1. HOW TO PREPARE
FOR A JOB INTERVIEW
IN THE NETHERLANDS
Do’s and don’ts during your Dutch job interview
Judith Peeters 14 September 2013 Amsterdam
Expatica Job Fair

2. Judith Peeters 14 September 2013 2
Judith Peeters, Operations Director Hays The Netherlands
• Master Degree Psychology – Tilburg University
• At Hays since 2007, started as Regional Director, appointed as Operations Director in 2013
• Responsible for offices in Amsterdam, Arnhem, Eindhoven, Rotterdam and Tilburg (70 FTE)
• Previous experience at Coca-Cola Enterprises, Sara Lee and PGI

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1.0
LABOUR MARKET
INSIGHTS

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CURRENT DUTCH ECONOMY & LABOUR MARKET
Figures
1. The Netherlands are still in a recession
– Consumer trust : August -33 (February 2013 low: -44)
– Negative economic growth of -1.8%
2. Since May 2011 the unemployment rate is increasing
– Unemployment rate : 8.7%
– Unemployed people : 694,000
– Number of vacancies <100,000 vacancies (2008: 250,000)
Unemployed people (Source CBS.nl) Number of vancancies (Source CBS.nl)

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DUTCH LABOUR MARKET IN 2013
Chances
1. Largest decreases in sectors
• Construction
• Business Services
• (catering) Industry
2. Recovering sectors
• Purchasing
• Sales & Marketing
3. Sectors definitely looking for people
• Semiconductor & High Tech
• Engineering
• Life Sciences
• Oil & Gas
• Food & Agri

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KNOWLEDGE INTENSIVE,
INNOVATIVE & TECHNICAL
SECTORS ARE LOOKING
FOR HIGH SKILLED PEOPLE
Positivism in Germany and Belgium. World trade is increasing.
Hays Netherlands
Growth in contracting business and permanent placements.
In August we placed record number of candidates for
permanent positions.

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RECESSION
CONSUMER TRUST
HIGH SKILLS
WORLD TRADE

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2.0
HOW TO BUILD
YOUR RESUME

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A FIRST IMPRESSION THAT LASTS..

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RESUME IS LEADING
• Education
• Relevant experience
• Achieved results
• Clear structure
Than, at least as important: the cover letter
• Why this organization?
• Why this job?
• Why you?
• Personal note, describe who you are

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LESS IS MORE | STRUCTUUR & LAY OUT
• Avoid irrelevant information
• Measurable results
• No tables
• Short, use bullets, mark important words
• File name: avoid “CV_new” of “CV02” “CV_Mark_Stoop_PR_Manager.doc”
• 1 letterype, clear structure
• Check contact details
• Uniformity: use same job title in resume, social media

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VALIDATE YOUR CURRICULUM
Try to revalue your resume to Dutch standards. Education, training,
certificates et cetera are never the same in other countries.
Ministry of Education can be contacted for general information
Informatiecentrum Diploma Waardering (IcDW)
tel. (079) 3217 930
fax. (079) 3217 929
e-mail: info@idw.nl
internet: www.idw.nl
Two expertise centres: Nuffic (Den Haag) and SBB (Zoetermeer)

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YOUR LINKEDIN ACCOUNT
Make sure you have a LinkedIn account. Update your account, use a
professional photo of yourself and make sure recruiters can find you on
your key skills, by adding those skills to your account.
Highest density
of Linkedin usage
In the Netherlands

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GOLDEN LINKEDIN RULES
Optimize your profile
1. Add your professional name, location and industry
2. Add your professional photo
3. Add your job title and company
4. Edit your summary to an up-to-date summary
5. Edit your experience and education
6. Edit your skills and expertise
7. Check your privacy settings
8. Ask for recommendations within your network
9. Become a member of interesting Groups, join and start discussions
10. Plan and manage your account, it‟s your personal brand!

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MOST IMPORTANT FOR
DUTCH HR & RECRUITERS
IS THAT YOU
Have a clear, well structured CV.
Leave irrelevant information for the specific application.
Motivate “Why?” you want the job and “Why?” they are your
employer of choice.
Use and update LinkedIn.

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YOU CAN VISIT
OUR WEBSITE
FOR RESUME TIPS
HAYS.NL
AND FOLLOW OUR
COMPANY ON
LINKEDIN

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3.0
HOW TO PREPARE
YOUR INTERVIEW

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ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK THE INTERNET
Check the vacancy in Google, probably you find additional interesting
information. Always check the latest figures, annual reports, press
releases and „work for us‟ page of the company that invited you. Make
sure you are very well prepared and up-to-date.

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MAKE SURE YOU BRING ALL RELEVANT
PAPERWORK
Don’t forget
1. Curriculum Vitae
2. List of references
3. VISA and/or work permit
4. Registration local community
5. Passport

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SOCIAL MEDIA CHECK
LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube
1. Check the LinkedIn and Twitter accounts of the people who invited you
2. Check the corporate LinkedIn company page and Twitter account
3. Always check YouTube for video‟s in which CEO‟s or managers talk
about their company
4. Make sure you do an extensive „social media check‟ on other relevant
platforms (e.g. Coca-Cola, check their Facebook page)

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PREPARE QUESTIONS YOURSELF
About the team, the business, the contract, the future
Always show your keen interest and prepare some interesting questions. Not
necessarily brain twisters, but well considered questions regarding the team
and or operations.
Don‟t mention clichés.

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ALWAYS PREPARE
QUESTIONS LIKE ‘WHAT ARE
YOUR PRO’S AND CON’S”
You bet any Dutch recruiter will ask you about your pro‟s and con‟s.
Make sure you do not hesitate, but bring your unique selling points and
share your thoughts about improvements as well. Sell yourself, but be
honest.

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MAKE SURE YOU
ARE AWARE OF
YOUR OWN USP’S
ASK OTHERS FOR
THEM

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4.0
TYPICAL DUTCH
COMMUNICATIONS

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MOST IMPORTANT
The Dutch are…
1. Direct
2. To the point
3. Non-hierarchical, horizontal management structures
4. „Poldermodel‟, lots of meetings to reach consensus
For job applications: communication style is concise, professional and direct

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DON’TS
You should actually understand
1. We are always in time, don‟t be late!
2. Keep personal issues for yourself
3. We are used to the so called „9-to-5‟culture, we eat at 6!
4. Working life and home life separated
5. Business wise we do not hug, we shake hands

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BE SURE YOU ARE
Clear about yourself and your motivation. Well prepared and
eager to do the job. Absolutely arrive in time and well dressed.

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FOR ANY TIPS
LEARN FROM THE
INTERNET AND
YOUTUBE VIDEO’S

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5.0
CONTRACTS IN
THE NETHERLANDS

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DUTCH LEGISLATION
– If you work in the Netherlands, Dutch law fully applicable
– Legislation covers: trial periods, holidays, notice and dismissal,
minimum wages, health and safety and equal treatment.
– Legislation dismissal is protective of employee
– Some industries have Collective Labour Agreements (CAO)
More information www.internationalezaken.szw.nl

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MOST COMMON CONTRACTS
Direct employment at organisation
1. Start at a temporary contract for a fixed period of 6 months
2. This can be prolonged max 3 times, max 3 years
3. Then automatically unlimited term
4. Notice period usually 1 month
Employment through an agency
1. Secondment
2. NBBU: collective employment agreement for temporary workers
3. Freelancer / ZZP-er

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FISCAL ADVANTAGES – 30% TAX RULING
Tax advantage for highly skilled migrants
Some conditions
– You have to be employed
– Specific experience or expertise
– Gross annual salary to surpass a limit
Information at Expat centres in Amsterdam and Eindhoven or at www.belastingdienst.nl

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WE POWER THE
WORLD OF WORK
AND PLACE THE
RIGHT PEOPLE IN
THE RIGHT JOBS

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CONCLUSION
We have some typical characteristics. However we are open
and pleasant people to work with. Never be shy, but as well
never over act. Our economy is still in a recession, but we are
ready for and have trust that on short notice our economy will
recover. There is always demand for skilled labour. Prepare
yourself for the recovery by looking into the mirror, adapt your
resume to our standards and make sure you look oke on social
media and Google.

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THANK YOU