You have been searching high and low for months now. You’ve send a dozen emails without ever receiving a reply, and you’ve called every contact number you could find, and then some... Sadly many internationals and expats can confirm that it can be difficult to find English speaking jobs in Amsterdam. But don’t fret! We know it’s possible! In this guide we will tell you everything you need to know about job hunting in Amsterdam.

What’s the job market in Amsterdam like?

First things first. When you’re looking for an English speaking job in Amsterdam it’s useful to know what the job market is like. When it comes to finding a job in the Netherlands, Amsterdam is probably one of the first cities you will think of. It’s seen as the international hub of the Netherlands with lots of opportunities for expats. A lot of international companies are establishing their headquarters in the capital due to its great central location as well as the pull the city seems to have on internationals.

Looking for a vacancy in the field of hospitality or customer service? Look no further. Amsterdam is overflowing with tourists, hotels, shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. They are always looking for extra people to join the team. But there is so much more. IT, marketing, financial, legal and commercial businesses are booming at the moment. The opportunities are endless, we’ll gladly help you grab them.

What to do when looking for English speaking jobs in Amsterdam

Check all the boxes

When you’re new to job hunting in the Netherlands you will have to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information in order to land that dream job. EU citizens from the EEA (European Union plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) are free to live and work in the Netherlands. If you’re from outside of the EU you typically need to apply for a residence permit or obtain a work permit. Highly-skilled migrants in the Netherlands typically do not need a Dutch work permit but may need to apply for a Dutch visa.

Whatever your situation is, make sure you check all the boxes so you can start your job hunting with as little bumps as possible.

Don’t be afraid to network or ask for help

The great thing about looking for English speaking jobs in Amsterdam is that you’re not the first one to do it and you won’t be the last. This means you won’t have to do it alone and that there are lots of informative sources to help you. If you’re new to the Amsterdam area, you might not have many contacts in the city. Luckily there are a lot of groups for internationals you can join in order to meet people. And who knows, you might just bump into a job opportunity while you’re busy making friends.

Professional help is also never far away. You can of course do all the job hunting yourself, but it may be wiser to work with a recruitment agency. Recruiters have a lot of knowledge of the Dutch job market. Moreover, recruitment agencies save you a lot of time by only sending you vacancies from companies interested in multilingual talent that both fit your criteria and specific working field.

Take initiative!

If you want to try your luck with a company that doesn’t have any vacancies listed, you might be able to still get in by sending an unsolicited application. Employers in the Netherlands often appreciate the initiative. Try finding a contact within the company, preferably someone from the HR department, so you can address your application to a particular person.

If your daring tactics pay off and you get invited for an interview, don’t forget to tailor your CV and cover letter to suit the Dutch job market. Employers like hearing about your hobbies and additional interests, so don’t be afraid to include them.

Learn the language (or at least a few words)

If you’re looking for English speaking jobs in Amsterdam, you’ll find no shortage. In fact, with English being an increasingly common business language in the city, it’s not always necessary to speak Dutch in order to find work. That said, learning Dutch can greatly improve your chances of landing a job in Amsterdam. Have a look at the different courses that the city of Amsterdam offers.

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start applying! Or check out our vacancies and register. We will be happy to help you find your dream job.