There are a variety of employment opportunities for foreign nationals working in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is the most English-proficient non-English speaking country in the world but despite this most companies in the Netherlands require a foreign national to speak Dutch, if you’re not a native English speaker. While there are plenty of Dutch jobs available, the Netherlands is quickly becoming known for its tech industry and is also a hub for creative industries, advertising, gaming, fashion, research and life sciences. The Netherlands job market is extremely competitive. The most popular cities to work in the Netherlands are Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Delft, Leiden, Haarlem, Breda, Almere, Alkmaar, etc. These cities have national and international companies, industries, factories, hotels, cafes and schools that employ in huge numbers. The top five largest industries in the Netherlands are Agriculture and Food Industry, Chemical Industry, Energy Industry, Tourism Industry and Metallurgy Industry. The most in-demand careers in the Netherlands are ICT Specialist, Engineers, Healthcare Specialists, Innovators in creative industries, Managers, Technicians and Associate Professionals, Skilled Agriculture workers, Clerical Support Workers, Plant, Machine Operators and Assemblers and Service and Sales workers.

A job application in the Netherlands requires a resume or a Curriculum Vitae and a cover letter. The resume should be chronological and personal details such as religion, age, race, marital status and signature should never be included in a job application for the Netherlands. The resume should include professional experience, educational background, soft skills and career goals. A complete dossier of educational certificates, diplomas, job recommendations and references will be requested by the company you are applying to. The cover letter should explain why you are right for the job and how you could add value to the company despite not being from the country. It is also advisable to translate the resume into Dutch with the help of a professional translation service.

Working in the Netherlands requires a residency permit and a work permit. The eligibility for permits depends heavily on nationality and background. It is highly difficult for a non-EU and non-EEA foreign national to obtain a work permit. The Netherlands provides two types of work permits: employment permit (TWV) and single permit (GVVA), or combined residence and work permit. The type of permit provided depends on how long the foreign national will be working in the Netherlands. Foreign workers can apply for a GVVA themselves, but only employers can apply for a TWV.