Recap: Die Deutschen Woche 2025

From DACH to Dutch. As close neighbors the Netherlands and Germany, as well as the other DACH countries, have quite a bit in common. This makes for a great opportunity to gain international experience while not straying too far from home. Even with all these similarities there are still some things to adjust to when it comes to culture, finding a job, and labor laws and contracts. That's why we dove into our network to gather a great team of experts who understand both markets so that they could share tips, tricks, and helpful information to help German speakers prepare for a career in the Netherlands.

We had a great time getting to talk wkth the candidates who participated in the live sessions, or one-on-one meetings with our recruiters. If you missed the event this time around, don't worry, we thought of that! We have provided a recap below to share the highlights, as well as the links to the full webinars so that you can watch the sessions when you have time. Feel free to bookmark this page to make it nice and easy for you to review all of the information as often as you would like.

Session 1: Living and working in the Netherlands - Cultural differences and what to expect with Sandra Eglau from the Empowerment Foundation

In the first session, we were joined by expert Sandra Eglau from the Empowerment Foundation. As an international professional herself she has experienced the culture shock and adjustments that come with living and working in another country, even one so nearby. During the webinar she shared personal experiences and professional insights focused on the cultural nuances and expectations that international professionals may come across when working in the Netherlands. Highlighting key aspects such as communication style, the significance of directness in Dutch interactions, and the value placed on work-life balance, Sandra provided guidance on which cultural aspects provide the biggest contrast to be aware of, as well as tips for how to integrate well not only in a Dutch workplace, but also outside the office to make sure that you can feel at home in the Netherlands.

Watch the video or view the presentation slides to prepare yourself for a life and career in the Netherlands!

View presentation slides here

Session 2: Finding a job in the Netherlands with Katja Heurkens - Grunewald from Undutchables

In the second session, our very own recruitment specialist, Katja Heurkens – Grunewald offered essential guidance on how to successfully apply for jobs in the Dutch market. Drawing from her own experience, as well as years spent working in recruitment in the Netherlands, Katja walked attendees through each step of the application process, from creating your CV and cover letter, to working with recruitment agencies and how to handle the before, at, and after of interviews. The webinar focused on what makes an application stand out to Dutch employers, including the importance of being concise, honest, and tailoring your application to fit the recruitment culture in the Netherlands. Her practical tips gave job seekers a better understanding of how to align their applications with Dutch hiring expectations and increase their chances of success.

Check out the full webinar or view the presentation slides to discover the best tips for tailoring your applications for the Netherlands!

View presentation slides here

Session 3: Introduction to Dutch Labor Law with Wiebke Bonnet-Vogler from Van Diepen Van der Kroef Advocaten

In the final session of our German Webinar Week we were pleased to hear from Wiebke Bonnet-Vogler, labor law expert from Van Diepen Van der Kroef Advocaten. This insightful webinar was packed with information about what to expect when it comes to the most important legal aspects of working in the Netherlands. Wiebke shared a clear overview of the rights and obligations of job seekers and employees under Dutch labor law, covering topics such as types of employment contracts, notice and probation periods, and legally protected employee benefits, while providing comparisons with the systems in Germany. Special attention was paid to topics like paid leave, sick leave, and termination protection, all explained in an accessible and practical way.

If you are planning to work in the Netherlands and want to to demystify complex legal topics and better understand your employment rights then check out the full recording of this session.

Watch the full webinar here

E-book: Finding a Job in the Netherlands

Download this e-book to get started on your life and career in the Netherlands. We understand that moving to a different country is a huge step, with a lot of pre-planning that goes into it and naturally also a lot of questions. That's why we have meticulously curated this guide with all the information you need when making that big step from Germany to the Netherlands, with a focus on finding a job in this wonderful country. Enjoy!

Download the e-book here

Additional Resources:

Undutchables

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Use your language skills as an asset in your job search. Click below to check out all our current vacancies requiring German fluency. Viel Glück!

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Have a question? Contact our experts!

Our team would be happy to share their expertise to help you get the answers you are looking for. Feel free to contact us about your situation and any questions you may have.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Our team