How to Ace Your Next Job Interview in the Netherlands

There’s something universal about the moment before a job interview. Pretty much everyone experiences the strange mix of excitement, nerves, and hope that this next conversation might bring you one step closer to your dream role. For internationals in the Netherlands, that feeling often comes with an extra layer of uncertainty: What do Dutch employers expect? How formal should I be? Will the cultural differences show?

That’s exactly why our Undutchables consultants hosted the webinar How to Ace Your Next Job Interview in the Netherlands—to help you feel prepared, confident, and ready to show the very best of yourself during your next interview.

For all the details you can check out the webinar recording here, or keep reading to jump into the highlights.

Before the Interview: Give Yourself the Best Start

Before you sit down with your future employer for the first time - whether that’s across a table or through a camera - you set the tone long before the conversation begins.

Imagine yourself stepping into the interview feeling calm and prepared because you’ve already done the most important work behind the scenes. You’ve researched the company, you’ve prepared your story, and you know exactly what to expect.

Dutch employers value preparation. It shows commitment, professionalism, and genuine interest. Taking the time before the interview to prepare and get your mindset right helps you both feel calmer and perform better, and also makes a great impression on the person interviewing you. Win win!

Top tips for preparing before your interview:

• Confirm the logistics ahead of time – date, format, location (including your travel route), interviewer names and positions, etc.
• Research the company thoroughly – check out their LinkedIn, recent news, their mission and vision, milestones, goals, etc.
• Review your CV and revisit the job description – make sure that you have concrete examples to connect your skills with the position you are applying for
• Prepare your elevator pitch and practice answers to common questions – practice introducing yourself and answering questions that you think might come up so that you are not surprised when you get into the interview.
• Calm your mindset with small rituals – You could use affirmations, deep breathing, or quiet focus to help you feel calm and prepared.

Whether you’re interviewing online or on-site, the goal is the same: enter the meeting prepared and confident, knowing you’ve done everything you can to set yourself up for success.

During the Interview: Bring Your Story to Life

Interview day arrives. You walk in, shake hands, make eye contact - and suddenly the room feels a little more familiar. You have made it passed the CV check stage and this is your moment to connect, to share your story, and to show your future team who you really are.

One of the biggest takeaways from our consultants was this: interviewers in the Netherlands value authenticity. You don’t need a perfect script. You need to be prepared, honest, and human.

Top tips for success at the interview:

• Make a strong first impression with a firm handshake, good posture, a friendly tone, and eye contact
• Answer questions clearly and concisely – the Goldilocks principle applies here: not too long and not too short, but just right. Make sure your answers are clear and provide context and examples, but don’t let your explanations carry on for too long.
• Use the STAR method to structure your examples – This means share the Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This can help you keep your answer relevant and expressive.
• Don’t shy away from tough questions – there is a good chance you will get asked about things that may feel a bit tricky such as job gaps, salary wishes, or job changes. Don’t worry though, just frame them professionally and feel free to take the Dutch approach and answer honestly and directly.
• Build rapport through small talk and genuine curiosity about the role and company – the interviewer is also a person, and likely one you will be working with if you get the job, so ask questions, be yourself, and show interest in them as well. This also helps show that you are invested in becoming a part of the team.

Interviews are not interrogations; they’re conversations. When you approach them with openness and confidence, you can let your strengths naturally shine through.

After the Interview: Shape What Happens Next

The interview may be over, but your chance to make an impression on the company isn’t. What you do after the call or meeting can reinforce your motivation and help you stand out from the crowd.

Candidates often underestimate this step, but a thoughtful follow-up reflects professionalism and enthusiasm. It also gives you an opportunity to stay top of mind as the hiring team makes their decisions.

Top tips for following up:

• Ask about next steps before you leave – For example, timelines, additional rounds, required assessments, etc.
• Send a thank-you email within 24–48 hours – feel free to go home and take a breather first, but after that it can be very nice to let the interviewer know that you appreciate their time and that you are still enthusiastic about the role. You can even mention a point from the conversation to make your message personal more personal. Remember this follow-up email is meant to reinforce your motivation and help them remember you as they make decisions, so avoid being pushy or requesting too much additional information or contact at this stage.
• If you didn’t get the role, handle rejection gracefully and ask for feedback – One thing that can really make a good (or bad) impression is how you handle it when the answer comes back “no.” Even when a role may not be the right fit, there is a lot you can learn from rejection, and often maintaining a professional tone and respectful attitude during this disappointing phase can strengthen your network and help you be more successful next time.
• Reflect on what went well and what you’d like to improve next time – It is always good to keep an eye open for what you can improve. Feel free to ask for feedback on this point so that you can continue to enhance your interviewing skills and be prepared when the right opportunity comes along.

Remember, every interview, whether successful or not, is a chance to grow. And each step brings you closer to the opportunity that truly fits.