Finding Your Next Job with a Recruitment Agency

Finding a Job in the Netherlands as an Expat with Abroad Experience

If you’ve recently moved to the Netherlands, or you’re planning to, finding a job is probably at the top of your list.

And while the Dutch job market is full of opportunities, figuring out where to start can feel overwhelming. You might be adjusting your CV to a new format, trying to understand what employers expect, or sending out applications and hearing… nothing.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. This is exactly where a recruitment agency can make things a lot easier.


Why Many Expats Choose to Work With a Recruitment Agency

When you’re new to a country, you’re not just job hunting, you’re also learning how things work.
A recruitment agency acts as your shortcut into the local job market. Instead of applying blindly, you get guidance from people who understand both Dutch employers and international candidates.

With Abroad Experience, the process is simple and personal. It usually starts with a conversation about your background, your strengths, and what kind of role you’re actually looking for. From there, we match you with opportunities that fit, not just on paper, but in terms of work culture and expectations too.

And importantly, we help you navigate the process step by step, so you’re never left guessing what’s happening next.


It’s about the right job

One of the biggest frustrations for expats is applying to dozens of roles without really knowing if they’re a good fit.
A recruitment agency changes that!

Instead of sending your CV into the void, you’re being introduced to companies that are actively looking for someone with your profile. Abroad Experience, for example, focuses on multilingual professionals and international environments, where English is often the main working language.
That means you don’t always need Dutch to get started, something that makes a huge difference when you’ve just arrived.


Support that makes a Difference

Let’s be honest, interviews in a new country can feel intimidating.

What kind of questions will they ask?
How direct should you be?
What does a “good answer” even look like in a Dutch work environment?

This is where having someone in your corner really helps.
Before your interview, you’ll typically get a preparation call with practical insights about the company, the team, and what they’re looking for. You’ll also get tips on how to present yourself in a way that fits local expectations, without losing your own personality.

It’s the kind of support that can turn a stressful experience into a confident one.


The Real Benefits (from an Expat Perspective)

Working with a recruitment agency like Abroad Experience isn’t just convenient, it can genuinely improve your chances.
Here’s what makes the difference:

– You understand what employers are actually looking for
– Your CV is aligned with Dutch standards
– You’re guided through each step of the process
– You get access to roles that aren’t always publicly advertised
– You’re matched based on both skills and personality

In short: less guesswork, more direction.


Why Abroad Experience?

There are many recruitment agencies out there, but not all of them truly understand the expat journey.

Abroad Experience focuses specifically on international professionals. We know what it’s like to start fresh in a new country, and what kind of support makes that transition easier. Our approach is personal, practical, and focused on long-term success. It’s not just about getting you hired quickly, but about helping you find a place where you can actually settle in and grow your career.

If you’re looking to grow your career in the Netherlands and want a recruitment agency that truly understands international job seekers, Abroad Experience is here for you. Take a look at our job listings and resources and start your journey today: Abroad Experience Jobs


Why Abroad Experience?

Want more tips, guides, and insights to help you grow professionally and succeed in your international career? Check out our other blogs or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest advice and opportunities.

 

What is an intake interview & how to succeed

an intake interview
Photo by ANTONI SHKRABA production

Are you looking for a job and wish to learn more about recruitment processes within recruitment agencies? You have come to the right place! Let’s start at the beginning and focus on the intake interview: the expectations, the format, and the goals.

Intake interview: Definition

An intake interview is quite short, the goal for the recruiter is to quickly grasp what your motivations are for the role, get a better understanding of your experiences and finally know more about your personality. Usually, it lasts between 15 and 30 minutes during which you get a presentation of the brand, a more thorough job description and get asked general questions.

The format

The intake interview is the next step after you applied for a new role. It commonly represents your first interaction with your recruiter, who will have previously emailed you to plan this interview. The usual structure of an intake interview is the following :

  • Presentation of the interviewer
  • Presentation of the brand
  • Presentation of yourself
  • Presentation of the job
  • Questions about you, your experiences and the vacancy.

At the end of the intake interview, the recruiter knows whether or not you fit the role as well as if you will thrive within the company culture.

The expectations

It is important that you keep in mind that the recruiter will be evaluating you on different criteria during this interview: communication skills, behaviour, personality, and capacity to present your experience in accordance with the opportunity… As you may have guessed by now, even if it is short it is not an interview to go unprepared for, they are questions that you can and should have an answer ready for.

  • Can you present yourself? If there is one question you should have a prepared speech for, it is this one. It will be asked throughout the whole interview process. Unfortunately, candidates tend to lose themselves in the question and go back and forth when remembering details they forgot to mention. In order to avoid that, the most efficient way to answer is the funnel method. The funnel method consists in starting with general information about yourself and ending your answer with specific information. The perfect way to answer would be to first quickly present the values and qualities that define you best, your educational background and less significant experiences that are still worth mentioning and to end with the most interesting work experience. By interesting, we mean the one that is closest to the job you applied to or gave you the most important skills for the new role. This last part shows the recruiter that you did your research, know how to present yourself efficiently as well as started to picture yourself occupying the role.
  • What kind of job you are interested in? Here the recruiter is trying to see two things: if you understood the job description and if you match other roles they have available.
  • What is your understanding of the job description? There, it is important for you to be able to provide your own explanation of the job description and not just read back to the recruiter the job offer you found online. This is an opportunity as well for you to align the position’s mission you are applying for with experiences you’ve had previously.
  • What is your ideal work situation? What kind of companies do you see yourself in? Here the recruiter wants to see what kind of work environment you are hoping for, how you view your colleagues as well as how you act as one.
  • Why do you think you are a good fit? This is an alternative question to the one mentioned before. Here the recruiter expects you to demonstrate your knowledge of the position as well as your ability to match your skills to the position’s requirements. Do not forget to justify everything you state to the recruiter. For example, don’t just say “I am extremely creative”, but “I am extremely creative as you can see with my job experience in 2020 where I got the opportunity to rebrand my brand’s social media completely and rose up to the challenge”.
  • Why are you looking for a job? Why did you leave? Here the recruiter is trying to figure out how it went with your previous company. Did you get fired? What was missing from your previous job? Make sure that the answer you give is not negative towards your previous employer. Indeed, it gives the recruiter an idea of how you would speak about their brand if you happen to leave at some point. Answer honestly and stay neutral.
  • What kind of person are you? How would your friends describe you? This question allows the recruiter to perceive whether or not you fit into the company’s environment as well as the team you would be working with. It is important to be yourself as it is important that you end up in a company in which you feel comfortable.
  • Why the Netherlands? When do you plan on moving? If you are an expat that hasn’t moved to the Netherlands yet (housing guide) make sure you have a precise answer to that question. Indeed, the recruiter won’t present you to their clients if they feel that your plan to move here is not serious. To answer correctly to this question make sure to mention, the date you plan on moving, where you think about living, if you already have been to the Netherlands, and if you know someone already living here…
  • What languages do you speak? As we are a recruitment agency specialised in the recruitment of multilingual job seekers, it is important for us that you are able to share your language proficiency with the CEFR levels so we can show an accurate representation of your skills to our client.
  • What is your salary expectation? It is important for you to prepare that question and justify the salary you aim for. Make sure to study the market, look up the salary given to similar positions.

Last advice

the intake interview may seem quite daunting after seeing all the different questions you need to be able to prepare but do not worry it is quite simple. Once you have your answer prepared you can succeed in any intake interviews that may come your way.

  • Be yourself: an intake interview is not only for us but for you to evaluate whether are not the position and company are made for you.
  • Be honest: never say something you do not actually think in order to “fit in” there is no point as you wouldn’t be happy if you end up in a company that does not match your personality.
  • Always justify your answers: give examples of situations you encountered during your previous work experiences.
  • Always prepare questions: it is an easy way to demonstrate your motivation and preparation. It is also a great way for you to know more about the job and your future company.

Abroad Experience International Recruitment wishes you the best of luck for your next intake interview!

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Great work benefits: Travel expense payments

travel expense
Photo by Skitterphoto

Although it is not compulsory, most companies in The Netherlands reimburse the cost of your work travel expense. The policy regarding the amount to be compensated for public and private transport varies from company to company.

When travelling by private transport it is common to receive €0.19 cents per KM up to a certain KM distance per day. The KM distance per day is once again decided by the company. When travelling by public transport companies request invoices/receipts of your travel costs, to insure the reimbursement of your travel expense. The policy regarding travel expenses will be stated in the Assignment that you sign with us.

How to get travel expense payments?

When starting a new position and travelling by public transport you are required to obtain the yellow personalized OVchipcard (persoonlijke OV-chipkaart) with your photo on it. You can request this through the NS/OV chipkaart website. You will need to provide a passport picture for your card, as seen below.

If you do not have a personalized OV chipcard yet, you will need to buy it as soon as possible as it may take up to 2 weeks for you to receive the card at home. For our information, you will need a Dutch bank account to order this card. If you do already have it, you will only need to pay for the new monthly “abonnement” via the website.

Please be aware that we will not be able to reimburse the cost of the card itself (around 7,5€).
You can pay via IDEAL and you will receive an invoice with the charge. Once you email us the invoice as proof of payment, we will reimburse your travel costs in your 4 weekly salary payments.


For further information, please visit http://www.ns.nl/reizigers/ovchipkaart/index.html