Finding a Job with a Recruitment Agency in the Netherlands

Looking for a job in a new country can be overwhelming, especially when you don’t know the local processes. But if you are in the Netherlands, then you are in luck because there is a widely accepted secret weapon ready to help you find your way: recruitment agencies.

Working with an agency during your job search is far more common in the Netherlands than in many other countries, both for employers and employees. It can be a helpful way to get familiar with local hiring practices, gain valuable tips for the current market, and ultimately discover your next opportunity. With such a great resource at your fingertips, you might as well learn how to use it effectively.

Before you dive straight in, it can be helpful to better understand the steps of a typical recruitment process in the Netherlands, the ins and outs of how agencies work and what part they can play in helping you find a job, plus, understand what you can expect (and what is expected of you) during each phase. In this blog we will guide you through the most important aspects and benefits of working with an agency and share tips for how you can best partner with agency recruiters to help you find the right match for your next career step.

What Is a Recruitment Agency?

First of all, let’s answer the important question: What is a recruitment agency actually?

An agency is an intermediary between employers and employees, essentially a bridge to connect businesses and job seekers. Companies partner with agencies to fill their open roles, and candidates register with them to get in touch with recruiters and be matched with suitable positions across a variety of companies. The aim of a good agency is to find the perfect fit for both parties, helping employers and job seekers match up to build successful teams and careers.

If you are looking for a job you can register with an agency by adding your CV to their database, as mentioned, but can also improve your chances by regularly checking their open vacancies, staying in contact with recruiters, and signing up to receive alerts about interesting job opportunities. All these tools can help you stay up to date and make sure that you get the best chance at finding your next career step. In short, an agency can be your launchpad into the Dutch job market.

Types of agencies

There are several different types of agencies and they work in different ways. Keep in mind that the type of agency is not defined by its name, but has to do with the contract and recruitment structure they use. Here are a few examples:

Temporary Employment (Uitzendbureaus) – This structure often involves recruitment for temporary or entry-level roles for which the agency typically hires candidates on their own contracts, running the entire process from application through payroll management and support during your time in the position.

Direct Employment – In this structure the agency focuses more specifically on creating the initial connection between job seekers and potential employers. After matching the parties together the employment contracts are typically signed directly with the hiring company rather than the agency.

Specialized Focus – Some agencies have a specific industry, area of expertise, or skillset that they focus on. For instance, you can find agencies that specialize in IT, finance, medicine, or languages and international recruitment, as Undutchables does.
Payrolling – While temporary employment agencies handle the payrolling of those they hire, payrolling agencies are also able to provide payrolling services at a later stage. These agencies are not usually involved in the recruitment for a position, but handle the payrolling for candidates and clients who have come in contact with each other on their own but are in need of administrative support.
Hybrid – And then you have agencies (like Undutchables!) that offer a mix of services. This can include any, or all, of the above options. For example, at Undutchables we have a specialized focus based on vacancy language requirements, and are able to work with both temporary and direct employment contract structures. However, we do not offer separate payrolling services ourselves, so we partner with payrolling agencies who solely provide this option.

How Recruitment Agencies Work

When you register with or apply for a role through a recruitment agency, there are several steps involved. Here’s what the process usually looks like:

Registration: When you register, your information is added to the agency’s database. This alerts recruiters to the fact that you are looking for a job. It also helps them to have the necessary details about your experience and current situation in order to match you with appropriate roles based on your skills and preferences.
Application: While your registration with an agency is general, you can also apply for specific roles that match your expertise. This will put your CV directly in front of the recruiter responsible for the open position so that they can review your application and determine if there is a match.
Intake Interview: When a suitable opportunity arises, you will often have an in-depth discussion with a recruiter to help them get to know you and better understand your professional goals. This discussion may take place in person or in a video or telephone call.
Company Introduction: If all goes well in the intake interview and you determine with the recruiter that a role is both interesting for you and a potential match with the requirements, then the recruiter will send your CV to the company along with a tailored introduction highlighting your strengths and why you are a great candidate for the position.
Company Interview(s): After your CV is shared with the company, they will hopefully invite you for an interview. This usually takes place with the hiring manager, HR, and/or other team members. Most Dutch companies hold between 2 to 3 interviews, although some hire more quickly, and others include longer more involved processes. As they are familiar with the company and expectation the agency recruiter can help you know what to expect and support you in your preparation by providing tips and information that will help you succeed at the interview. Some common interview rounds you could expect:
- A first-round call or meeting with HR or a company recruiter
- A second round with the hiring manager, often including a get-to-know-you with the team
- A potential third-round for final alignment, sometimes including a case study or assessment

Offer and Contract Negotiation: Ta da! If everything is still looking good once you have made it through the interview rounds then you should receive an employment offer. Your agency recruiter can help you finish up the process by guiding you through arranging the necessary paperwork and helping you to navigate any salary negotiations.

Placement Options

When an offer comes through there are two main types of placements you might encounter:

Temporary Contracts: If you are hired on a temporary contract (keep in mind that this can also be for longer-term roles), you will work at the client company but your contract is with the agency itself, which handles your salary payment, holiday arrangements, and other administrative details.
Direct Placement: In this case, you sign a contract directly with the company, and they handle all employee support from that point on.

What to Look For in an Agency

When selecting an agency to work with, you want to make sure that you find one that matches your values, area of expertise, and follows best practices for privacy and employee benefits. We advise you to keep the following considerations in mind:

Privacy Compliance: Ensure that the agency adheres to GDPR regulations and ethical privacy practices. It is not unusual to be asked for your ID/work permit to confirm employment eligibility, but this data must be deleted after 4 weeks if no contract is offered. Other unnecessary personal data requests can be red flag though so if you are ever unsure feel free to reach out to the agency to better understand why they need the information and request to see their privacy policy.
ABU/NBBU Certification: Organizations like ABU or NBBU ensure that agencies follow legal and ethical standards for recruitment practices and employment benefits. Read more about the ABU/NBBU standards here and look for their logos on agency websites or office doors to see if your agency is certified.
Free for job seekers: In the Netherlands it is required by law for recruitment agencies to be free of charge for candidates. If you are a job seeker and an agency asks you for money for their recruitment services then this is not allowed.
Personal Fit: There are a lot of agencies with a variety of different approaches to choose from, and chances are you might even get the chance to work with multiple throughout your career. When selecting who to work with, choose an agency that offers vacancies that match with your career goals, and whose approach resonates with you.

The Benefits of Working With an Agency (especially Undutchables 😉)

So, after all this information about agencies and how they work it is time to talk about why you would want to work with an agency in the first place. We might be biased but we are convinced that working with a recruitment agency can be a big help in making your career road smoother and more successful. There are so many benefits to working with an agency that they speak for themselves though, so here are just a few of the advantages for you to peruse:

Registration in a database that connects you with a broad network of recruiters and job opportunities in one go.
Working closely with a recruiter who knows your profile and actively searches for matching positions that could be a nice fit for you.
Support to successfully navigate the Dutch job market as an international.
Access to expert tips and advice to refine your CV and cover letter.
Interview preparation assistance to boost your chances of success.
Detailed insights into company culture, expectations, and vacancy specifics to help with interviews and prepare for onboarding.
Personalized feedback and quicker updates, as agencies maintain close relationships with employers and keep the process moving forward.
The potential to stand out in competitive industries and large cities with a recruiter advocating for you behind the scenes.

Want to learn more about the benefits and what to expect? Check out these helpful tips or reach out to our team and we will be happy to discuss the process and how it can benefit you.

Conclusion

Working with an agency isn’t just about finding a job - it’s about finding the right job for you, and getting the support you need along the way. Every agency operates slightly differently, so don’t hesitate to ask questions and clarify the process with your recruiter as you go. This valuable support network can help simplify the recruitment process and increase your chances of success in the Dutch job market. So, whether you’re just starting your career or advancing to the next level, find a trusted partner to help you achieve your goals and give working with a recruitment agency a try. Happy job hunting!

You can also learn more about the process of working with a recruitment agency in our vlog about the subject. Or check out our entire "Tips & Tricks" vlog series for more ideas that will help give you an edge in your job search.

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