The Netherlands - living and working conditions
1. How to find a job
General:
There are many different possibilities for finding work in the Netherlands. However, more than 60% of all vacancies are filled informally. So having a good network (also) improves your chance of finding a job in the Netherlands. Channels commonly used to find work include:
The CWI:
The Centre for Work and Income (Centrum voor Werk en Inkomen – CWI) supports and assists jobseekers in their search for work. Registration with the CWI is not compulsory.
Employment agencies, recruitment and selection agencies and secondment agencies:
There are many specialised employment agencies in the Netherlands. Recruitment and selection agencies, including “head-hunters”, are also active. It is normal for these agencies to first submit candidates to a psychological test or have them take an assessment. As well as temping work, working on a secondment basis is also increasingly being used. Among others, employment organisations use this method to be able to keep (IT) specialists in particular under contract.
Advertisements:
You are advised to consult the Dutch newspapers for vacancies. The Saturday editions of national newspapers contain the most vacancies.
* NRC Handelsblad: managerial positions.
* De Volkskrant: public sector, academia/medical profession.
* De Telegraaf and the Algemeen Dagblad: commercial vacancies.
* Regional papers.
Internet:
Online applications on companies’ websites and the use of CV databases, such as that of EURES, are the norm. Employers use CV databases to recruit candidates. If you can understand Dutch, you can use www.werk.nl, the website of the CWI.
Job fairs:
Job fairs are becoming increasingly popular. They are organised by, among others:
* the CWI
* employment agencies
* colleges and universities
Among other things, keep an eye on the websites of these organisations for dates and locations.
2.How to apply for a job
The Netherlands has its own (unwritten) rules concerning job applications. Below is information that may be useful when applying for work.
With regard to the job application procedure it can be said that:
* this differs according to the type of work you are looking for;
* in the case of agricultural and low-skilled staff, employers usually appreciate a personal visit;
* applications from abroad are generally made in writing;
* for jobs at a qualified and highly qualified level, a typed application letter with CV is the standard procedure;
* it is not uncommon to phone a company beforehand; however, make sure you have first prepared a number of clear questions;
* Dutch employers usually reply fairly quickly; if you have still heard nothing after 14 days, contact the company by phone.
Application letters are more appreciated if:
* they are in Dutch (unless indicated otherwise);
* they are typed out;
* they are short and concise, but also to the point and professional;
* they are written on one sheet of white A4 paper.
As regards the structure of your letter:
* you should first explain why you are applying for the job concerned;
* you should then indicate why you believe you are a suitable candidate and why you are motivated to do the job; motivation is one of the most important selection criteria for Dutch employers;
* finally, you should say you would be pleased to attend an interview to explain your application in person.
The Curriculum Vitae (CV):
* should be to the point and professional;
* normally contain a maximum of 2 pages (A4 format);
* only contain dates and (personal) information; irrelevant information should be omitted;
* normally be adapted to the job under consideration.
The order in a CV is:
1. personal details;
2. education (including relevant courses, exact start and end dates and whether you have a degree; start with your most recent education);
3. work experience (including exact start and end dates); start with your most recent job; mention the name of the employer and the tasks carried out;
4. hobbies and voluntary work.
References and copies of certificates need not be attached. These can be taken with you to the interview.
Résumés are becoming increasingly common, especially for people with considerable work experience. They are also often used for (open) applications to headhunters. The features of a résumé are that they are usually:
* shorter and more descriptive;
* begin with a description of the type of job you are looking for;
* slightly more subjective, as some items can be given more or less emphasis;
* and do not contain exact dates; you should mention only those figures that underline your suitability.
The form of a résumé may be historical, analytical, chronological, functional or creative.
Application forms:
Application forms are mainly used by large-scale employers and for online applications.
The following comments can be made about job interviews in the Netherlands:
* the emphasis is on your motivation; why have you chosen this job with this company?
* It is appreciated if you can name a number of positive – and less positive – skills / qualities; explain these with examples.
* You will usually be interviewed by one or two people; several interviews (two to three) are common.
* At the end of the interview you will generally be given the opportunity to ask questions; think about this beforehand.
Open applications:
Open applications are very common in the Netherlands. It is not unusual to phone a company beforehand, both for open and targeted applications. However, make sure you have first prepared a number of clear questions.
There are several channels for information about companies:
* the Chambers of Commerce;
* your own country’s embassy or consulate;
* Yearbooks (such as the ON yearbook and the Intermediair yearbook).
Guides on applying for jobs in the Netherlands:
“Looking for work in the Netherlands” –
ISBN 90-5896-0145, available to order from www.labourmobility.com
“125 tips om je beter te presenteren tijdens sollicitatiegesprekken” (“125 tips to improve your presentation at job interviews”) –
ISBN 90-71844-811
“100 succesvolle sollicitatiebrieven” (100 successful application letters”) –
ISBN 90-74900-07-0
“Ik ben de beste; de 10 geheimen van succesvol solliciteren” (“I’m the best; the 10 secrets of successful applications”)
3. Registration procedures and residence permits
If you are a national of one of the Member States of the EU / EEA or Switzerland and wish to come to the Netherlands, the following procedures and guidelines apply if you wish to stay in the Netherlands for more than three months:
* registration with the municipality in the Netherlands in which you are resident;
* registration with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst – IND).
For residence you will in any case need:
* a valid passport or other valid travel document;
* sufficient means of support;
* a certificate of medical insurance (see Chapter 4.6 on medical insurance).
The following reasons for residence are considered as a stay pursuant to the EC Treaty:
* Work;
* Study;
* Economic inactivity;
* Stay as a family member of an EU national.
Even if you do not need a residence document (period of stay < 3 months), it may still be useful to have a declaration of registration with the IND. Organisations such as the Tax and Customs Administration and banks may request this.
4. Working time
By law you may not work for more than nine hours a day and 45 hours a week. The average working week is between 36 and 40 hours. The Netherlands has a five-day working week, although four-day working weeks are sometimes found.
All this is regulated by the Working Hours Act (Arbeidstijdenwet – ATW) and the Working Hours Decree (Arbeidstijdenbesluit).
The Working Hours Act imposes a number of standards:
* on maximum working hours;
* minimum rest periods;
* night work;
* breaks;
* overtime and
* on-call services.
NB: There is a separate decree for the transport sector.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment has brochures with information on:
* work and rest times for the road transport sector,
* the maritime shipping and inland waterways sectors.
5. Incomes and taxation
An income tax is levied on the pay of an employee. The employer deducts tax at source and remits it together with the social security contributions to the tax authorities. This so‑called levy at source is an advance levy for income tax.
Income tax is levied on the sources of income in accordance with the “box” system. Not everyone is liable to pay income tax. This is because no assessment for income tax is imposed if the difference between the income tax owed and the advance levies (such as wages and salaries tax and dividend tax) does not exceed EUR 217. Wages and salaries tax may therefore be both an advance levy and a final levy.
Income tax is levied on the sources of income in accordance with the “three-box” system.
Box I: income from employment and home ownership;
Box II: income from a “substantial interest”;
Box III: income from savings and investments.
Each box has its own way of levying tax. The income from the various boxes is not interchangeable. It is therefore not possible to offset negative income from one box against positive income from another box.
The tax rate for income from employment and home ownership (Box I) is progressive and is charged over four “brackets”. Each bracket has a fixed tax rate. As a result, the higher the income the more tax is paid.
Motor vehicle tax: The amount of the motor vehicle tax depends on the weight of the vehicle and the type of fuel used. This may vary slightly from province to province. The website of the tax and customs administration (belastingdienst) contains a programme for calculating this amount.
Local taxes:
The type and amount of local tax to be paid varies according to local authority. Common local taxes include property tax, commuter tax, tax on tourists, parking tax, tax on dogs, tax on advertising, sufferance tax (precariobelasting), sewage charges, refuse collection charges, and legal fees.
Information can be obtained from the relevant local authority. To do so, visit the website “Postbus 51” or the homepage of your local authority.
6. The social security system in this counrtry
The Dutch social security system is one of the most comprehensive in the EU.
As soon as you start work in the Netherlands, you will automatically begin making payments into the Dutch social security system.
Most social security contributions are deducted automatically from your salary. In the case of so-called employee insurance, both you and your employer pay contributions.
If you are legally resident in the Netherlands but lack the means to support yourself owing to:
- long-term disability;
- unemployment.
you can claim benefit from the Dutch state (Ministry of Social Affairs).
Your possible entitlement to benefit as a result of involuntary unemployment is intended as a temporary bridging measure. It is up to you to make every effort to find another job as quickly as possible. In this connection, any job is considered suitable.
The Employee Insurance Agency (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen – UWV) provides advice over the phone to jobseekers residing in the Netherlands and can be reached on the following number: 0031 113750350
Source: EURES