Wed, 06 May 2026 15:15:39 +0200 Wed, 06 May 2026 15:15:39 +0200 ContentFeeder 2.0 What to Keep in Mind  1. Don’t Sign Anything Right Away  If your employer presents you with a settlement agreement (VSO), take your time to review it carefully. This is a legally binding...]]> Thu, 13 Mar 2025 10:11:23 +0100
Scammers are getting smarter. They now use well-known company names and logos to appear more credible. Recruitment scams are becoming more common as a result. Unfortunately, we also receive reports of scam messages in the name of Together Abroad. This mainly occurs through WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, and Instagram. Certainly not our intention! Are you in doubt about a message you received from us? Check below for what to do in case of agency fraud or spam through WhatsApp and other social media channels in our name.

We want to...]]> Fri, 13 Oct 2023 20:53:50 +0200
Global mobility has become increasingly common in today's globalized economy. Pursuing an international career can be a rewarding experience, but it can also bring significant challenges, particularly for accompanying spouses. One of the most significant challenges is the impact it can have on their spouse's career.

Many spouses have established careers, professional networks, and support systems, which they leave behind when moving to a new country. This can be particularly challenging for those who have invested years of time and effort into building their careers and establishing themselves in their chosen field. Moreover, giving up a career can have significant...]]> Fri, 05 May 2023 15:43:53 +0200
"Beyond the Employee: Why Including Spouse Career Support in Relocation Discussions is Crucial for Success"

Relocating for a job can be a daunting task, not just for the employee but also for their spouse/partner and family. However, too often, companies only communicate with the employee about the relocation, leaving the family to endure the brunt of the move. This approach can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and reduced productivity, ultimately affecting the employee's job performance.
Involving the spouse/partner and family in employee relocation discussions is crucial for a successful move. It provides an open, yet confidential forum for the family to...]]> Fri, 05 May 2023 14:43:15 +0200
Empowering Knowledge Workers: Why Outplacement is Vital for Career Transitions

In today's rapidly evolving job market, career transitions have become a common occurrence for many knowledge workers. Whether it's due to changes in the industry, restructuring within a company, or personal growth aspirations, navigating a career transition can be both exciting and challenging. To ensure a smooth and successful transition, outplacement services have emerged as a vital resource for empowering knowledge workers.

But what exactly is outplacement? And why is it so crucial for knowledge workers? Let's delve deeper into this topic and explore the benefits of outplacement in empowering knowledge...]]> Thu, 13 Apr 2023 09:59:13 +0200 If both parties are in agreement and want to come to an end of the working relationship, the transition fee does not have to be given to the employee. The legislator granted freedom for the parties to make other arrangements which could mean providing the employee with a higher or lower compensation. Employers could also provide a study or...]]> Fri, 20 Jan 2023 15:13:07 +0100 How to talk about your experiences in an interview The interview process can be daunting, but preparation and practice can go a long way. One of the most important things you can do to prepare is to think about your prior experiences, which will help you to answer many of the most common interview questions. These are what make you unique and qualified for the job, and it’s something recruiters will focus on heavily when determining whether or not you’d be a good fit – so you need to be able...]]> Mon, 07 Nov 2022 12:06:48 +0100 MIX & MATCH VOLUNTEER JOB FAIR
Interested in volunteering? Then come visit booths with local non-profits that are eager to work with
volunteers and do not require Dutch language fluency, and mingle with fellow internationals!

Join Volunteer The Hague project and dozens of the local non-profits on Thursday, 6 October for a Mix &
Match Volunteer Job Fair, taking place from 11:30 to 14:30 at The Hague Humanity Hub City Centre!
Mayor of The Hague, Jan van...]]> Mon, 12 Sep 2022 13:56:29 +0200 Have you been job hunting and wondering why you haven't been able to land a job offer yet? Interview training is key when you're interviewing with international companies because they're different than US companies. Check out Together Abroad interview trainings to prepare for any interview questions you might have such as Where do you see yourself in 5 years? or Why did you choose your major? We created an entire system that turns your prospects from not interested to let's meet tomorrow at 2 pm. And one way is by making sure you're 100% prepared when it comes to interviewing...]]> Wed, 07 Sep 2022 11:19:13 +0200 Each year, about 1.2 million people experience workplace harassment, such as bullying, discrimination and (sexual) harassment by colleagues or supervisors.
Employees, who have been victimized, report in sick more often than an average of seven days per year. Besides the personal suffering for those involved, it will cost employers loads of money. TNO research institute calculated that it costs employers about 1.7 billion euros per year.

Unwanted behaviour is sometimes visible, but often involves subtle remarks or behaviour that is offensive. Awareness was raised in the campaign through posters and radio of situations such as the exclusion of colleagues, unwanted massages and...]]> Tue, 30 Aug 2022 09:22:43 +0200     Undutchables HR Event: Creating Passionate Professionals       Thursday, June 16th       Undutchables invites you and your colleagues to join us at our annual HR event on Thursday the 16th of June. After 2 years we are back with the latest edition of our annual HR Event. This time the theme is passion. How can you create passionate professionals in your organisation? An afternoon filled with interesting speakers who are passionate about their work. Come and join...]]> Tue, 31 May 2022 14:16:25 +0200
Why the tightness is not caused by the ageing of the population
The ageing population is often blamed for the current shortage. But is that really true, wonders Geert-Jan Waasdorp. Ageing is part of the explanation, but certainly not the cause. But what is? Why the shortage is not due to an ageing population
When looking for an explanation for the current personnel shortages, people often mention the ageing population. This argument comes up again and again. And I don't know how often you see a security guard or hospitality worker aged 50-plus (or even older), but ageing is certainly not an issue...]]> Tue, 31 May 2022 08:50:36 +0200
Apply for paid parental leave at UWV

As of August 2, 2022, employees will have the option of receiving benefits during 9 of the 26 weeks of parental leave. For this, the employer must submit an application to the UWV, after which the agency pays the benefit to the employer.

Legally, parental leave is currently unpaid. The Paid Parental Leave Act (WBO) (article) ensures that as of August 2, 2022, an employee can take nine weeks of parental leave for each child with benefit from UWV, provided that this leave falls within the child's first year of life. The same system...]]> Tue, 17 May 2022 12:17:02 +0200
After two long years of pandemic restrictions, we at VTH are thrilled to announce that we're finally holding in-person events once again! For our first event, we'll be holding our popular Mix & Match Volunteer Job Fair on Thursday, 19 May! Join us to meet representatives from local NGOs and service organizations, meet fellow expats so that you can expand your social and professional circles, and learn important tips about the job market and volunteering from our guest speakers. Space is limited, so visit the event page to learn more about the event and register:

MIX & MATCH VOLUNTEER JOB FAIR
Interested...]]> Mon, 02 May 2022 11:55:24 +0200   You are invited to join our Expert Talk webinar:
  “Post Covid Dutch & European Employment;
Legal Trends and Necessities"
  Presented by Alain Camonier –Founder and joined owner of Pallas Employment Law, Michelle Maaien – Attorney at Law at Pallas Employment Law & our own expert Emmanuele van Houdenhoven - Collard - Sales & Recruitment Manager of Undutchables.   Register here Is 2022 really "the year of the employee"? In the current candidates' market, higher salaries, sign-on bonuses and permanent contracts, appear to be the latest Talent Acquisition...]]> Mon, 04 Apr 2022 12:50:34 +0200 Your contract or CAO states exactly how much you earn. You agreed with this with your employer when you started working. We call this your gross salary. But that amount is not what you get paid at the end of the month; that is your net pay, and it is always considerably...]]> Tue, 22 Feb 2022 17:15:47 +0100 We are going German! Join our German Candidate Week February 21st - 25th
(Scroll down for English text)

From DACH to DUTCH. Erfahre wie du bequem von deinem eigenen Wohnzimmer aus in den niederländischen Arbeitsmarkt einsteigen kannst. In der Woche vom 21. Februar veranstalten wir Online-Informationsveranstaltungen, die von Deutschsprachigen für Deutschsprachige entwickelt wurden. Freue dich auf einen spannenden Austausch mit unseren Experten! Sie werden u.a. über folgende Themen sprechen:

• Niederländisches Arbeitsrecht

• Einen Job in den Niederlanden finden

• Kulturelle Unterschiede zwischen Deutschland und den Niederlanden

Die Veranstaltung finden auf Deutsch statt und bieten dir die Möglichkeit auch andere...]]> Tue, 15 Feb 2022 15:56:52 +0100 Paid parental leave in the event of birth before 2 August 2022
On 2 August 2022, the Paid Parental Leave Act will enter into force. From then on, employees can take parental leave with a benefit from uwv. This can also be an option for employees whose child was born before 2 August 2022. 

An employee is entitled to parental leave of 26 times the working hours per week per child. From 2 August 2022, a benefit from the UWV can be received for a maximum of nine of the 26 weeks of parental leave. This benefit must amount to...]]> Tue, 08 Feb 2022 12:27:26 +0100
Retaining young talent

Flexible and hybrid working; no longer just a thing for young talent, but also for existing talent in organisations. It is now more and more in demand by all generations in the workplace, but for the younger generation the desire for flexible working is the strongest.

As an employer, you have to make policy on how to deal with the different generational wishes within your company, precisely in order to attract and retain talent. Today's young people have grown up in the digital age and, for example, working online is much more normal for this generation. I can see...]]> Tue, 25 Jan 2022 10:30:15 +0100 Maslow's pyramid has been around for about 75 years, but it is still being used. According to Matt Buckland, we can also put it to good use in job ads. Maslow divided human needs into different layers: the higher needs are only addressed when the lower ones are fulfilled. What can we learn from this with regard to vacancy texts?

What is Maslow's pyramid?
In 1943, Maslow published a paper called "A Theory of Human Motivation" in the journal The Psychological Review. In it, he wrote that human needs must be met in a certain order before...]]> Tue, 25 Jan 2022 10:24:38 +0100
The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) published new salary thresholds for Highly-skilled Migrants, graduates, Intra-Corporate Transfers, and Blue Card holders in the Netherlands.

From 1 January 2022, the following salary limits will apply, based on gross monthly salary excluding 8% holiday allowance. Highly skilled migrants from 30 years of age or key personnel Intra-Corporate Transferee: € 4,840 (was €4.752) Highly-skilled Migrants younger than 30 years or key personnel Intra-Corporate Transferee: € 3,549 (was €3.484) Orientation year or lower salary threshold: € 2,543 (was €2.497) Blue Card holders: € 5,670 (was €5.670) As a reminder, all amounts are calculated on a...]]> Tue, 18 Jan 2022 16:38:54 +0100

Terminating an employment contract through the court/UWV is time-consuming and expensive for employers. Therefore, many employers who need to reorganise their company will try to minimise dismissals by using an alternative process called termination by mutual consent. This is where the settlement agreement comes in....]]> Fri, 03 Dec 2021 11:01:39 +0100
Within this tight labor market, it is important that a potential candidate immediately becomes enthusiastic about your vacancy. If your vacancy text does not emphasize what you are looking for, you can quickly lose candidates. It has also become even more important in this day and age to write inclusively. After all, you want to try to grab the largest possible target group. In this blog, we give you 5 tips & tricks for writing diverse, equal, and inclusive vacancy texts.

Jargon
This may be an open door, but this part is often underestimated. If you have a lot of knowledge of...]]> Mon, 29 Nov 2021 15:25:44 +0100 10 tips to increase your empathy

"There is an empathy deficit in the world. More people are living alone and we are putting less time into social and community activities that enhance our empathic sensitivity. This is worrisome because empathy not only makes you a good person - it's also good for you: if you care more about others, you're more likely to be happy," said economist Richard Layard (Krznaric, 2015). Empathy also has the ability to mend broken relationships, deepen friendships and create new ones. And it improves your creative thinking, as empathy helps you see problems and perspectives from...]]> Thu, 14 Oct 2021 09:30:44 +0200 Are you facing redundancy as an Expat or International in the Netherlands?
It’s not an easy situation if you suspect you’re about to be made redundant, or if you already have been. And so ‘now what?’ is the foremost thought running through your mind. Change is coming for you and maybe for your family, and transitions aren’t easy or straightforward. The challenge is always insufficient planning to prepare you mentally and tactically with the right blend of skills and knowledge.

That’s why outplacement services are all about creating a real, actionable plan for you that helps you secure the next move in...]]> Mon, 11 Oct 2021 16:43:42 +0200

We are going French! Join our French Candidate Weeks

Une escapade en France… en restant aux Pays-Bas. Vous y trouverez croissants, baguettes et macarons ! Durant la quinzaine du 27 Septembre au 8 Octobre, nous organisons un rendez-vous de l'emploi pour les francophones, par des francophones. Vous pourrez écouter des leaders d'opinion et des experts qui partageront leurs connaissances sur des sujets tels que : Les différences culturelles entre la France et les Pays-Bas Le CV aux Pays-Bas Le droit du travail néerlandais ou encore, Comment utiliser LinkedIn efficacement Cet événement se déroulera entièrement en français et vous y rencontrerez d'autres...]]> Tue, 21 Sep 2021 15:26:31 +0200 On Forbes.com a very nice, recognizable list of 14 things that characterize successful people. Where do you recognize yourself?

What do successful people do?

1. They know when to go on with something and when to stop. Some things never work out. And sometimes all it takes is a different approach or a little more perseverance. They make the right choices in time.

2. They do more than is asked of them. Success is only achieved by adding value to others. The more you do this, the easier it becomes.

3. They don't think failure is a problem. The route to success is never...]]> Mon, 12 Jul 2021 16:32:42 +0200
Everyone has a little voice in his or her head. A voice that can say nice and unkind things. Sometimes it helps you but unfortunately it can also undermine you. How do you make sure you keep saying the right things to yourself? What habits make you more confident? How can you easily and in a fun way increase your self-confidence? Great questions with 7 great answers....

1. Compare yourself to yourself
Why compare yourself to someone else? No one in the whole world can be better you than you are yourself. When you don't compare yourself to anyone else, you become...]]> Mon, 12 Jul 2021 09:52:24 +0200
If your (former) employee violates or threatens to violate the non-competition clause, you’ll want to take action as soon as possible to prevent the employee from running off with your knowledge and/or your customers. Two recent court rulings make it clear that you must do this quickly, because otherwise you will lose the right to invoke the non-competition clause at all.

If you wait too long, judges will rule that you as an employer apparently do not attach great importance to the non-competition clause and that the employee could therefore trust that the non-competition clause does not impede their work...]]> Thu, 08 Jul 2021 11:14:55 +0200

Media reports about Volksbank speak of a sickened atmosphere at the top of this "state bank. The CFO literally got sick of it on August 12, 2020. As of September 5, 2020, his resignation as a statutory director followed. Since then, the dismissal has been the subject of litigation. On June 15, the Court of Appeal ruled that the prohibition on giving notice due to illness applies and that the CFO is therefore entitled to continued payment of his salary of €23,000 gross per month. How does this actually work with the dismissal of a sick statutory director?

Step 1: is...]]> Thu, 08 Jul 2021 10:24:54 +0200 Work and home cannot be separated: go for tailored work happiness

Happiness is receiving increasing attention in science and in the workplace. For example, the multidisciplinary research and knowledge institute EHERO (part of Erasmus University Rotterdam) conducts applied scientific research on work happiness within an alliance of leading organizations in the service industry. Within this alliance Erik Bemelmans supports the participating organizations in the design and guidance of happiness interventions that measurably enhance (work) happiness among employees. We asked him, "What is involved?"

But first: why is there so much attention to work happiness these days?
Erik: "That's almost impossible to sum up...]]> Wed, 23 Jun 2021 10:09:20 +0200

5 tips for being less hectic

Does your work sometimes resemble a madhouse? Your company needs to grow, processes need to improve and we have high expectations of each other. But in the meantime working through all kinds of physical and virtual distractions is quite difficult. We get stressed, the work doesn't get done in the expected time and before you know it you open your laptop in the evening or at the weekend. Unintentionally, your stress seeps through to colleagues, the client, your family and friends....

Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson describe in the book "It doesn't have to be...]]> Wed, 23 Jun 2021 09:55:30 +0200
The unemployment rate drops to 3.3 percent in May

In May 2021, 309 thousand people were unemployed. That is 3.3 percent of the labor force. On average over the past three months, the number of unemployed fell by 10 thousand per month. The number of employed persons decreased by an average of 4 thousand per month over the past three months. This is according to the CBS on the basis of new figures. UWV registered almost 250 thousand current WW benefits at the end of May.
In May, 4.1 million people aged 15 to 75 were without paid work for various reasons....]]> Thu, 17 Jun 2021 10:06:20 +0200

Frequently Asked Questions about Outplacement

Have you been told that you may be laid off or have you been laid off in the meantime? Then outplacement may be something for you. The purpose of outplacement is to help employees who have been dismissed, or who are threatened with dismissal, to find a new job.

Why outplacement?
Due to the rapidly changing economy, companies are forced to adapt quickly. An employee is no longer in the right place faster than before. Outplacement ensures that this employee is guided to another job which is a good solution for both parties.

How does outplacement work?
In outplacement a...]]> Thu, 17 Jun 2021 09:48:58 +0200

What do stress and burnout mean? What is stress according to you?

Janet Mulder starts the master class with this question to the participants. All kinds of answers pass in review, including: wanting more than you can handle, an imbalance in your energy, too much tension, loss of control, a shortening of the fuse but also a form of alertness and in itself a healthy stimulus.

With these last additions the participants hit the nail on the head. We tend to interpret stress negatively, but it also has all kinds of positive functions. For example, it provides focus and structure and it...]]> Thu, 17 Jun 2021 08:56:53 +0200

What is the drama triangle?
The drama triangle, designed by Stephen Karpman, is a visual representation of communication patterns between people. This triangle is characterized by the fact that you are, as it were, 'caught' in it and then always have the choice of three possibilities, namely: assuming the role of the Rescuer, the Accuser or the Victim.

These three social roles complement each other and produce fixed patterns in communication. The remarkable thing about these three roles is that the persons concerned are not aware of the way in which they keep themselves and the other person, as it...]]> Thu, 17 Jun 2021 08:33:07 +0200

As a manager, are you now managing your home-based team remotely? Then the question has probably arisen in your mind as to how you fulfill your role as manager in this context and best keep in touch with your employees. How do you increase motivation, for example? How do you promote cooperation? And how do you deal with difficult situations?

Create safety and trust
You can start monitoring your employees, asking them about their work and having them dial in at mandatory times. But that doesn't exactly increase trust and motivation. Moreover, some people are in difficult circumstances, for example with young...]]> Wed, 16 Jun 2021 13:57:13 +0200

From quality logos and recommendations by others to statements like "only 1 left! Numerous influencing techniques tempt you every day to make certain decisions. Last September, we attended a seminar where, among others, persuasion guru Robert Cialdini shared his principles for convincing others. We picked up 10 tips that everyone could use:

Tip 1: Use expert opinion
One of Cialdini's principles is authority. If an authority or expert says something, we tend to believe it. See if you can support your viewpoint or opinion with a testimonial or statement by an expert in that field. Can you cite scientific research that supports...]]> Tue, 15 Jun 2021 16:03:56 +0200
How do you leave a good impression, for example at a job application or at another important meeting? Professor of social psychology Roos Vonk wrote a book about how first impressions work and how people try to make a good impression. We picked out 10 practical tips to help you make a good impression.

The 10 tips

Tip 1: Understand how people make a first impression
In most cases a first impression is made automatically, without thinking about it. For example, we quickly know whether someone is confident or shy, spontaneous or closed, friendly or unfriendly, impulsive or indecisive. We deduce these things,...]]> Tue, 15 Jun 2021 15:52:45 +0200
As a manager you fulfill three different roles: that of leader, manager, and coach.
A leader has a vision. A manager converts that vision into practical goals. And a coach helps employees develop to their full potential. It makes sense to regularly think about which role you want to use to achieve your goal. Below you can read what the roles entail and which reflexes and pitfalls you can avoid.

The role of the leader
As a leader you inspire people with your story. You carry out the mission, vision and strategy. You know the values of your organisation and put them into...]]> Tue, 15 Jun 2021 15:30:42 +0200
Working from home, the changing nature of interviews, and hiring. Interviews taking over from group interview exercises and challenges. it will be harder possibly to hire the people who best ‘fit’ if you cannot see them in person, and pick up on nonverbal communication over video calls.

The alarm goes off. It is time to get up and make your journey to work. You take the walk to work, where you stop for coffee, open up your computer and there you are, ready for your 9 am meeting with the team! This routine will of course now be familiar to millions......]]> Mon, 14 Jun 2021 15:01:04 +0200
You need to go through a few steps to get a job. First, you have to send your CV and hope that it is attractive enough for recruiters. If all your experiences and profile management can attract attention through your CV, you are chosen and called for an interview, but this is where the headache of many people begins.

Nervousness, anxiety, unpreparedness, many negative things can separate you from your long-dreamed job. Beyond your qualifications and skills, getting the job depends mainly on how you behave at the interview—what you do, what you say, and how you say it.

It...]]> Mon, 14 Jun 2021 14:44:25 +0200 How to start an international career

If you came to this website and are reading this article, you are probably looking for a job outside your home country and looking for an international career, right? Building an international career abroad is a long-term process that can bring you many great experiences, benefits and personal satisfaction. However, it also demands hard work and complete dedication.

International careers do not just happen. They are planned carefully and built up over a while. It is a fundamental fact that international employers want you to have an international experience before sending you to work...]]> Wed, 28 Apr 2021 12:46:20 +0200 Proposal paid parental leave through House of Representatives

A majority of the Lower House has endorsed the proposal for the Paid Parental Leave Act. Among other things, the bill provides that employees can receive nine weeks of parental leave benefits starting in the summer of 2022.

The proposal for the Paid Parental Leave Act is the elaboration of a European directive for a better work-life balance for parents. The Netherlands must incorporate this directive into national law by August 2, 2022 at the latest. That date seems feasible, now that the House of Representatives has agreed. However, an agreement from the...]]> Wed, 28 Apr 2021 09:57:16 +0200
As of July 1, 2021, statutory vacation days accrued by employees in 2020 will, in principle, expire. The employer is required to alert employees to that expiration date and give them the opportunity to still use the vacation days.

If the employer does not inform the employee in time or is unclear about the expiry period (infographic), the employee retains his right to the unused statutory vacation days after the expiry period. In that case, these statutory vacation days will only become time-barred five years after the year in which they were accrued, just like the statutory vacation days. This...]]> Tue, 20 Apr 2021 15:12:25 +0200
Imposter syndrome: how can employees and employers deal with it

Have you ever doubt your skills or you constantly feel you are not good enough at work? Well, if the answer is yes, you might have imposter syndrome. This is the name given to a behavior pattern where people doubt their success and accomplishments despite strong evidence to the contrary. They have an internalised fear of being exposed as a fraud.

Research reveals that imposter syndrome is related to anxiety, depression and low self-worth, and it has a negative impact on wellbeing through stress, anxiety and feelings of isolation, inhibiting...]]> Tue, 13 Apr 2021 08:18:26 +0200
Female representation and gender inequality at work

Gender inequalities persist in social and economic life around the world. OCDE (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) says that young women have more years of schooling than young men, on average. However, women are still less likely to engage in paid work. Gaps widen with age, as motherhood typically has adverse effects on women’s pay and career advancement. Women are also less likely to be entrepreneurs and are under-represented in private and public leadership.
According to the European Comission’s website, women remain underrepresented in the labour market. 67% of women are currently in...]]> Thu, 01 Apr 2021 16:09:03 +0200
Outplacement or redundancy services: why it is so important?

We live in a time when the modern job market is more complex, competitive and accelerated. It is an environment that is constantly evolving and constitutes a new and frequent job market. As a result, employees now need outplacement support that is more responsive, timely and personalized, provided by experts who can provide flexible and results-focused support.

Outplacement or redundancy services are a great way to support employees who are facing a career transition, especially in these extraordinary times when many people left without a job due to the pandemic.

Outplacement...]]> Wed, 24 Mar 2021 10:59:52 +0100
Coronavirus and the effect on the labor market in the Netherlands

The whole world has been facing the COVID-19 pandemic for one year. To contain the virus, the ideal is to avoid people from leaving their homes, and this implies in close stores, shops, restaurants, bars, and, when possible, making them work from home. However, the closure of all these places reflects both on the economy and unemployment and possible hiring, and such as many other countries, the Netherlands also faces this impact of the coronavirus on the labor market.

Figures released by the Centraal Bureau van Statistiek (CBS) revealed...]]> Mon, 22 Mar 2021 09:55:23 +0100

What is Jooble? Jooble

Jooble is a job search engine created for a single purpose: To help you find the job of your dreams!

You will find all job postings, vacancies and current openings available on Jooble. Have you ever heard something like that? Expect to find many job vacancies in the USA on Jooble. And this is not because Jooble is "the largest job site in the USA", "leading world employment resource" or something like that. This is because of Jooble's operation features; in the same way as any other search engine operates, Jooble does not compile all the information...]]> Thu, 18 Mar 2021 08:41:26 +0100

Getting ready for your Future Proof Job

From Career Transition
Feel supported during the transition and focus positively on your next career step.

To Your Future Job
Together we find and secure the right opportunity, quickly and effectively.

By Having Expert Support
Get direction in an increasingly complex and fast-paced job market. Our outplacement services are built around your needs with your own Expert Career Coach.

Surviving the storm and riding the perfect wave

1.PERSONAL INTAKE
We have the experience and flexibility to build a tailored outplacement solution that works for you. Personalised, flexible, results focussed and fit for the modern...]]> Mon, 06 Apr 2020 15:25:14 +0200 ...]]> Sat, 27 Feb 2021 16:44:34 +0100

If an employer receives an unsolicited CV of a suitable candidate from a recruitment agency, this does not automatically mean that the employer may not approach the candidate directly. This is evident from a recent ruling in which the court rejected the agency's claim for compensation.


The employer, a logistics service provider, had posted a vacancy on its website. A recruitment agency sent the employer an e-mail that it had a suitable candidate. The employer expressed interest. A week later, the agency emailed the candidate's resume to the employer and, shortly thereafter, the cooperation agreement with the terms and conditions....]]> Tue, 16 Feb 2021 10:30:05 +0100
Some workers who can work from home are not doing so despite the circulating coronavirus. The outgoing cabinet is therefore taking measures. In addition, a bill of initiative has been submitted to give employees more rights around working from home.

The urgent advice from the cabinet is to work at home, unless that is really not possible. This should prevent the spread of the coronavirus; the workplace is a major source of infection. Nevertheless, recent studies show that some employees work on location. A RIVM poll in January found that of those workers who say they can work from home,...]]> Tue, 16 Feb 2021 10:23:24 +0100     It's a big week for Undutchables.
They are turning 25! On February 5th they celebrate their 25th birthday and they would like to take this time to
thank you for your continuous support. You’re a part of our journey.

A company's history tells its story. For Undutchables, on their 25th anniversary, they want to invite you to relive Undutchables' history by sharing a few glimpses of the past 25 years. Curious about how it all began? Read about our story here.

Celebrate with...]]> Mon, 01 Feb 2021 13:46:52 +0100
Working in 2021: what will that look like?

Because of the coronapandemic, our way of working looks completely different than it did a year ago. But to what extent are these changes permanent? If corona is on its way out, what will working in 2021 look like? Will we all go back to the office or will working from home be here to stay? And what will the workplace of the future look like? We outline 2021 in six trends and developments in working.

1. We will continue to work at home (in part)
Last summer, the KiM (Netherlands Institute for Transport Policy...]]> Fri, 22 Jan 2021 12:54:24 +0100
News from Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment
Pilot web module Labour Relationship Assessment (WBA) launched

The pilot of the Web Module Labour Relationship Assessment (WBA) (Webmodule Beoordeling Arbeidsrelatie (WBA)  went online today. By completing the questionnaire, clients can find out whether they are allowed to hire a self-employed person for a job or whether an employment contract is required.

This pilot web module is anonymous and no rights can be derived from it at this stage. The Cabinet wants to evaluate the pilot later this year to find out whether the module is useful as a tool and to improve it where necessary.

Last...]]> Mon, 11 Jan 2021 20:19:12 +0100

You are invited to join our Expert Talk:

"Practical Agile Methodologies to realize your 2021 business goals with your (remote) team"

Presented by Jo Gelok- Change & Program Manager and owner of RedValue & our own expert Marjan Stoit- Sales & Recruitment Manager at Undutchables.

2021 is closing in. Despite the unpredictability of these times due to COVID pandemic, you are probably busy with your plans for 2021. But since everyone is still working remotely and this seems to stay this way for a large part of the new year it might seem challenging how to get everyone in your...]]> Thu, 03 Dec 2020 14:26:36 +0100
Deeknemen niet meer mogelijk, trajecten zijn vergeven
GRATIS LOOPBAANONTWIKKELINGSADVIES MET OVERHEIDSSUBSIDIE

Gratis loopbaanontwikkelingsadvies met overheidssubsidie

Bent u op zoek naar een andere baan en weet u niet wat uw competenties zijn, waar uw interesse ligt en wat uw kansen zijn op de arbeidsmarkt?

Heeft u een Nederlands BSN-registratienummer? Dan is deze gratis Loopbaanontwikkelingssubsidie voor jou mogelijk.

Via de Nederlandse leersubsidie kun je vanaf 1 december 2020 een gratis coachingstraject volgen.
De subsidie wordt heropend voor 50.000 mensen.

Intake en arbeidsmarktscan
Het programma start met een telefonische intake en een arbeidsmarktscan. In de telefonische intake bespreken we uw situatie en wat uw vraag is.
U ontvangt een online vragenlijst...]]> Tue, 01 Dec 2020 00:59:51 +0100
Adzuna's City Ranking 2020:
The best cities for jobseekers

St Petersburg has been named the best city in the world for job-seekers, followed by Vienna (2nd place), Moscow (3rd place) and Frankfurt (4th place)
Utrecht ranks fifth in the international rankings as the best Dutch city for jobseekers, beating cities such as Rotterdam (6th place), Eindhoven (11th place) & Amsterdam (17th place).
Most work is available in Moscow, New York, St Petersburg and London, with between 100,000 and 250,000 vacancies per city.
Jobseekers looking for...]]> Mon, 30 Nov 2020 18:38:01 +0100
Not available all spots taken.
Free Career Development Advice with government subsidy

Are you looking for another job and don't know what your competences are, where your interest lies and what your chances are in the job market?

Do you have an Dutch BSN registration nr? Then this free Career development Advice subsidy good work work for you..

Through the Dutch learning subsidy you can follow from 1 December 2020 a free coaching program.
The subsidy will be reopened to 50,000 people.

Intake and labour market scan
The program starts with a telephone intake and a labour market scan. In the telephone intake we discuss your...]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2020 16:17:43 +0100
What is an outplacement trajectory?
During an outplacement trajectory you go through different phases to come to a new, fitting job. At Together Abroad all trajectories have five phases, which you go through more or less extensively depending on your personal situation and needs.

What the trajectory will look like exactly, you determine in coordination with your personal coach. Because YOU are central to us! Then, during the outplacement trajectory, a planning is made. So that we can find a new and suitable job for you as soon as possible.

Together with...]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2020 14:33:36 +0100 SURVEY : Expat partners are an untapped source of highly-skilled labour

A survey of people who moved to the Netherlands to be with their partners who either lived or were posted here shows seven in 10 gave up their career or business to relocate. And despite claims that the Netherlands has plenty of jobs for international workers, almost seven in 10 said not speaking Dutch was a problem when trying to find a job.

‘Even though the official work in all the tech companies is done in English, the culture within the organisation compels you to learn Dutch or else...]]> Sat, 21 Nov 2020 11:21:20 +0100
On Monday 28 September, the cabinet announced in a press conference in connection with tightened coronary measures that the limited capacity test will not be introduced in the Tozo 3 on 1 October 2020. The capital test will in any case expire on 1 April 2021. This means that entrepreneurs can apply for Tozo 3 for the period from 1 October 2020 up to and including 31 March 2021. For the period from 1 April 2021 to 30 June 2021, a new application procedure will follow for Tozo 4. Read the Kamerbrief HERE
The Cabinet realizes that municipalities have been preparing...]]> Thu, 08 Oct 2020 13:42:20 +0200 You are invited to join our Expert Talk webinar: Diversity on the workfloor; How to make sure your female applicants make it to the final cut

Presented by Wendy Broersen - CEO and Founder of Superwomen Academy & our own expert Marjan Stoit - Sales & Recruitment Manager at Undutchables

Register here

We all would like to see more female applicants and make sure there are female professionals on the short list. But how do you do that? In this talk Wendy Broersen addresses all phases of the hiring process and beyond, to highlight what you can do to make...]]> Mon, 07 Sep 2020 15:08:45 +0200

Are you ready to advance your career?

Meet Nyenrode Business University digital and find out how an MBA program can boost your leadership impact and how you can gain an international view on business and management. Nyenrode’s unique combination of academic theory, practical relevance and personal development will enable you to apply what you learn during your MBA in the daily practice of your organization or your future career.

Which MBA suits you best?
- Full-time MBA, the European MBA based in Amsterdam.
- Executive MBA, focused on leadership and global business.
- Modulair Executive MBA, choose from 3 tracks: Business...]]> Wed, 22 Jul 2020 12:06:28 +0200
Can’t seem to find your dream internship in the FMCG industry? So many questions appeared, such as “Is my academic background good enough” or “Do I need to speak a foreign language?” These concerns should not stop you from landing on an amazing internship in FMCG. However, pre-requirements do mess with applicants’ minds but don’t worry. Let me ease your concerns by tearing these pre-requirements apart, as a recruitment intern at Henkel

Your spirit matters!
Of course, you are worried that people might have better academic backgrounds, results, or skills. However, at some companies like Henkel, it does not matter...]]> Tue, 21 Jul 2020 16:01:56 +0200
Webinar: The consequences of Covid-19 on the Dutch labor market and what you (as job-seeker) can expect by Undutchables
The Covid pandemic has impacted practically every aspect of life. And this is no different for the Dutch Labour market. During this webinar we will touch on aspects that were influenced by Covid-19 with a focus on the Dutch labour market. We will go into details on what onboarding looks like now and our predictions for the future. We will also share some inside scoop on how our clients are adapting their business in response to Covid-19.

Another focal point will be...]]> Wed, 15 Jul 2020 18:36:52 +0200

An Expat dentists, orthodontist and dental care provider in Amsterdam to help you with strong and healthy teeth and gums, and dental emergencies.
Are you an expat living in the Netherlands in search for professional dental care? Then we would like to welcome you to our DentalZorg clinics in Amsterdam Noord and Zaandam. We understand that, certainly in the beginning, it can be quite overwhelming to live in a new country and new city with different cultures and people. But don’t worry. We will make you feel at home from the moment you walk into one of our professional dental centers.

The...]]> Wed, 15 Jul 2020 10:35:08 +0200
You are invited to join our Expert Talk: Multilinguals' Journey to the Netherlands
Presented by Dirk Meeuws COO & CTO at OnRecruit & our own expert Emmanuèle van Houdenhoven - Collard - Sales & Recruitment Manager at Undutchables

We take great pleasure in inviting you to join our 3rd Expert talk. This webinar will be about; Multilinguals' Journey to the Netherlands; in which we will show the multilingual candidates positioning in the Dutch labour market. Where do they come from, what drives them, which skills do they have and what is important to them during their job search in the...]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2020 11:52:11 +0200 Let us have a glance at the tips you should use to prepare efficient resumes. By following them, it would be much easier to clear the...]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2020 10:59:35 +0200
Reading time : 5 mins

Now it is time for all of us who navigated this pandemic safely, to face new challenges that awaits us. COVID19 changed all our lives in ways than we can imagine. I began this year in HR by focusing on building critical skills and competencies to meet the digital disruption that was widespread. However, COVID-19 drove an unprecedented transformation in business and ways of working in a very short period of time. The way we lead people, the way we manage our workforce and the tools have to be changed now. In this brief post,...]]> Wed, 17 Jun 2020 18:16:23 +0200
You are invited to join the Undutchables Expert Talk webinar:

Jobcrafting; In which you will learn more about the why, how and what of Jobcrafting.
Presented by Kim Jansen - Psychologist and Trainer at The Young Workforce & our own expert Marjan Stoit - Sales & Recruitment Manager at Undutchables

We take great pleasure in inviting you to join our 2nd Expert talk. This session will be about Jobcrafting; in which you will learn more about the why, how and what of Jobcrafting. And for you as (HR)manager it is fun and valuable to understand how to implement this concrete...]]> Tue, 16 Jun 2020 15:30:39 +0200
In a recent lawsuit in Amsterdam, a verdict was reached that an employer may not halve an employee’s salary because of the coronavirus crisis. The employer in question had done so because the compensation received through the NOW scheme was too low to pay the full salary.

The employer involved in the lawsuit, who runs a restaurant in Amsterdam, found himself in financial trouble as a result of the coronavirus crisis. In March, he applied for compensation through the NOW scheme and received 60% of the wage bill of January 2020 as monthly compensation. He responded by paying all of...]]> Tue, 09 Jun 2020 10:46:03 +0200
Student with side job eligible for income support through TOFA scheme

TOFA New scheme for flex workers
There will be a scheme for flex workers: the Temporary Bridging Scheme for Flexible Workers (TOFA). The TOFA is intended for employees with a flexible contract, who have (almost) no income and cannot receive a benefit due to the corona crisis.

Minister Koolmees of the Ministry of Social Affairs has directed the UWV to implement the temporary scheme for flextime workers, called the TOFA. This scheme allows flextime workers who have had at least €400 in income in February 2020 to apply for...]]> Tue, 09 Jun 2020 10:36:54 +0200

Dismissal on probation
How does the trial period work?
The probationary period is a short period at the beginning of an employment contract in which the employment contract can be terminated immediately by both the employer and yourself. There is only a probationary period if this period has been agreed upon in writing.

Duration of the probationary period
The maximum duration of the probationary period that can be agreed depends on the length of your employment contract. For example, the probation period for an open-ended employment contract may not exceed two months. Even if there is a fixed-term employment contract...]]> Mon, 08 Jun 2020 08:48:55 +0200
People searching for a job are not very creative when it comes to completing their LinkedIn account. Strange, because they describe themselves as specialized and focused.And there itimmediately goes wrong: for almost everyone. The site with business profiles published its annual list of most frequently used words with which users define themselves.

According to LinkedIn this shows the difficulty of making a ‘significant profile’. Many people use standard terms, resulting in the following top ten empty phrases: specialized, leadership, focused, strategic, experienced, passionate, expert, creative, innovative, and certified.

‘People find it difficult to distinguish themselves from others’, according to Anoek...]]> Sat, 06 Jun 2020 11:27:23 +0200
Are you ready to advance your career?
Virtual MBA Roadshow June 29 2020, 5:00 PM

Meet Nyenrode Business University digital and find out how an MBA program can boost your leadership impact and how you can gain an international view on business and management. Nyenrode’s unique combination of academic theory, practical relevance and personal development will enable you to apply what you learn during your MBA in the daily practice of your organization or your future career.

Which MBA suits you best?
- Full-time MBA, the European MBA based in Amsterdam.
- Executive MBA, focused on leadership and global business.
-...]]> Wed, 03 Jun 2020 21:42:27 +0200
Learn Time Balance

In our busy world, it is sometimes challenging to combine work with private and social life, while not getting stressed. The trick is in knowing and following a time balance. Here are some time-management tips which will hopefully help you to not lose your nerves and to stay efficient and happy within and outside your work. 1. Do a time audit of your regular week
Spend one week looking where and how you spend your time. Using these results, consider how you may redistribute your time to have enough for the activities you really value. Also notice...]]> Wed, 01 Apr 2020 06:07:54 +0200
Incorporating Work–Life Balance Values in Corporate Culture

The importance of the work–life balance is strong nowadays, so is our interest in it. The concept of this phenomenon has gone through major changes. The first understanding of it was the time balance between “work” and “play”, however things are much more complex. The work–life balance is the theory of appropriately prioritizing work style with lifestyle, including family, leisure time, personal development, etc. This balance is different for everybody, depending on the needs of every person. Some put great importance on their work ambitions, others emphasize on family development, or hobbies and...]]> Wed, 01 Apr 2020 06:05:14 +0200
The importance of work – life balance is growing strong nowadays, so is our interest in it. The concept of this phenomenon has gone through major changes. The first understanding of it was the time balance between “work” and “play”, however things are much more complex. The work – life balance is the theory of prioritizing appropriately workstyle with lifestyle, including family, leisure time, personal development, etc. This balance is different for everybody, depending on the needs of every person. Some put great importance on their work ambitions, others emphasize on family development or hobbies and personal time. Thus work-life...]]> Wed, 01 Apr 2020 06:03:37 +0200 NOW scheme (wages allowance for employers) is ready! counters almost open ( 31 March 2020)

During the corona crisis, the cabinet wants to protect people's jobs and incomes. Therefore, an economic emergency package was announced on March 17. One of the measures is a compensation for the wage costs for companies that are now losing turnover. The terms of this temporary emergency measure bridge for preservation of property (NOW) have been announced today. UWV strives for companies to submit an application from April 6. Companies that meet the conditions can expect an advance within two to four weeks.

Many entrepreneurs are...]]> Wed, 01 Apr 2020 05:37:41 +0200

It is possible to become less stressed if you are following these eight things:

1. Do one thing at a time.
This statement was backed up by relevant research at the Stanford University. The researchers found that “multitaskers were terrible in all three experiments, worst of all the researchers found that when frequent multitaskers attempted to focus on a single task, they used their brains less effectively than non-frequent multitaskers.” Instead of stressing yourself with many things at the same time, focus and finish one thing first, and then move to the next task.

2. Double the estimate of how...]]> Mon, 30 Mar 2020 11:37:35 +0200 Silence and noise during the Corona crisis

Professors are streaming lectures from home, students have gone to their parents, when possible, and employees are looking for possibilities to collaborate online. It is quiet at the campuses of Nyenrode Business University.

Everyone is finding their way at home between preparing sandwiches for children, conference calls, writing course outlines and reading manuals about digital teaching. On campus, in Breukelen as well as in Amsterdam, occasionally you come across a student, an employee or a professor looking for coffee, while they focus on a project that they cannot complete from home. Apart from...]]> Mon, 30 Mar 2020 08:49:46 +0200 MBA – The masterplan for your career

Join the QS MBA Event in Amsterdam this March

The key to succeed in today’s business is having the right qualification and a professional network. An MBA from a well-respected, highly-ranked business schools offers you exactly that!
The Master of Business Administration is a renowned management degree that is not only popular with its students but with companies and recruiters all over the world. Its combination of business theory, case studies and networking can upgrade your career to the next level.

Meet Top Business Schools in person

So how can you apply for...]]> Thu, 05 Mar 2020 16:36:12 +0100
WHAT IS OUTPLACEMENT & WHAT DOES AN OUTPLACEMENT SERVICE DO?
When an organization makes the tough decision to lay off employees, Outplacement Service is one of the most important parts of any severance package they offer.
Outplacement is a service offered to employees who have lost or will be losing their job to help them quickly find a new and satisfying job.

Outplacement iservice s a benefit offered by responsible organizations to help former employees quickly find a new job in the job market.
Outplacement services include career coaching, resume and CV writing, interview preparation, referrals to hiring managers and targeted...]]> Fri, 14 Feb 2020 15:40:49 +0100
Don’t worry speak Dutch - Talencoach – Albert Both

Dutch has a reputation for being very difficult. Dutch people love to say that their language is one of the hardest languages to learn.But…if you look at it objectively, Dutch is the closest language to English; it is as a matter of fact a kind of German light (a language that is logical and consistent, according to many people).Yes, chances are high that you’ll experience some challenges and obstacles whenever you try to learn and to speak Dutch. Even if you speak Dutch already, you may often find that somehow you...]]> Mon, 30 Sep 2019 10:42:27 +0200
Presentations at the Expat Fair, Sunday 6 October - register now!

Our extensive programme includes a wide variety of workshops and presentations, all geared to making your transition to life in the Netherlands easier. More than 40 professionals will introduce you to everything you need to know about their area of expertise: themes include Relocation, Finance, Jobs for Expats, Family, Healthcare, Education, Transport and Housing & Setting Up Home.
Get your free Expat Fair ticket here, and you will also receive a personal link to register for any presentations you want to see.

Nedles will be there to give you the...]]> Mon, 30 Sep 2019 09:52:22 +0200

Madison Parker International BV is a strategic recruitment consultancy specialized in the global placement of permanent and interim professionals, fully supporting major businesses in the commercial, finance and technology sectors in the Netherlands and various international markets.
Recently we interviewed the Management from Madison Parker International BV. We talked with Salah El Kholali, from The Hague office, who joined Madison Parker International early 2018. Besides his strong knowledge of Recruitment he build over the years, his area of expertise is Business Development & Strategy.

Tell us about your function at the Madison Parker job agency and what is the motivational driving force in your job? 
My role at Madison Parker...]]> Tue, 09 Jul 2019 17:21:51 +0200
“Happiness comes when your work and words are of benefit to yourself and others.”—Buddha

“People who are happy in life have an easy time feeling good and recovering from adversity; they have close, supportive social connections; and they believe that their presence in the world matters,” writes Emiliana Simon-Thomas, the science director of Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, on the Greater Good Magazine. Similarly, she defines happiness at work as “feeling an overall sense of enjoyment at work; being able to gracefully handle setbacks; connecting amicably with colleagues, coworkers, clients, and customers; and knowing that your work matters to yourself,...]]> Thu, 11 Jul 2019 10:40:16 +0200 “The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.”— Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen monk and mindfulness meditation master.

Mindfulness is the ability to be aware of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surroundings in a gentle, non-judgmental way. When we practice mindfulness in our daily lives, our thoughts tune into what we are sensing in the present moment rather than dwelling in the past or imagining the future, thus helping us to become calmer and kinder to ourselves and others.

Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program in the United...]]> Wed, 05 Jun 2019 20:03:55 +0200 Google for Jobs Is Coming to the Netherlands

Rumor has it that Google’s job search engine Google for Jobs is coming to the Netherlands. Is that true? Apparently yes, and very soon. Even though the service is available in a few countries, it is not fully available in Europe yet. On April 2019, however, Emerce reported that Google for Jobs was already being tested in the Netherlands and France. Richard Collins from ClickID, one of Google’s partners, told Emerce: “Google for Jobs is reportedly testing in the Netherlands and France, theoretically they could launch before the summer.”

Google for Jobs...]]> Wed, 15 May 2019 20:02:27 +0200 Join the Undutchables team and internationals from all over the world for one of the most anticipated parties of the year. On May 18th 2019 we will be hosting our annual Eurovision Songfestival party. Just like every year the party will have a theme, this year the theme is Calling all Comic & Superheroes. You are invited to put your mask on and party with us. Are you feeling heroic?
There will be a private viewing area with Silent Disco where you can watch the Song Contest unfold. At the same time we will have a DJ downstairs for those...]]> Mon, 29 Apr 2019 12:18:10 +0200
The world is changing fast and so is the world of work. Technological transformation, global competition, and demographic change are affecting drastically how we work, consume and live. These three factors, according to the study Employment and Social Developments in Europe 2018, have determined two trends in the European labor market: Human capital quality improvement (reskilling) and highly diverse forms of work (atypical working).

Atypical work, defined by Eurofound (European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions), is any employment relationship that do not conform to the standard or ‘typical’ model of full-time, regular, open-ended employment with a single...]]> Tue, 23 Apr 2019 14:50:26 +0200 Employer Branding and What It Comprises?
In an era driven by Artificial Intelligence and Automation, Employer Branding is the much-needed human touch to a company. According to LinkedIn, 80% of HR managers and recruiters around the world agree that a great brand makes it easier to recruit the right talent. Before diving into the details of employer branding, it is essential to highlight the differences between certain terminologies that are often misused synonymously.

Corporate Brand (CB), or simply ‘the brand,’ encompasses a firm’s business and the product or service they sell – brand as a service provider. CB can be perceived...]]> Tue, 16 Apr 2019 15:53:16 +0200
“The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.”—Harvey Firestone, American businessman and founder of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company.

Well-being, in short, is the state of being comfortable, healthy, and happy. Can the work environment be a place where people feel comfortable, healthy and happy? Yes, it can, and it should be. Focusing on employees’ well-being is not only the right thing to do: “Following the greatness of human spirit, everyone should be given an equal opportunity to acquire knowledge, develop skills, and use his or her natural talents in the workplace, thus creating joy.“—says...]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2019 20:11:16 +0200 How to Attract Top Talent

‘Top talent’ is a buzzword that is thrown around a lot in the job marketplace. As the job market has grown naturally competitive, the demand for the best possible workers has grown exponentially. A wrong recruit can end up costing money, time and training if they turn out to be a bad fit, but on the other hand, companies want to know how to attract workers who will go above and beyond what is expected of them.

What Is ‘Top Talent’?

While the general idea of top talent constitutes an ideal employee, who performs or...]]> Tue, 09 Apr 2019 13:05:17 +0200 Do’s and Don’ts of HR Analytics People are the core of business. It is known that, among executives’ global business concerns, human capital is the top issue. Organizations that can attract the right skills, manage talent and utilize its capacity effectively, and retain employees will be paving their way for long-term success. Today, however, human resources departments (HR) of most organizations are generating enormous amounts of data that can be difficult to assimilate. The question is how to turn this data into valuable insights that support decision making. Here is where HR analytics comes into play.

Human resource analytics (HR...]]> Tue, 02 Apr 2019 13:00:32 +0200 6 Steps to Effective Time Management How many times have you heard someone say: “There aren't enough hours in the day?” It is easy to spiral further into a stressful state after taking on an unrealistic workload or not effectively managing your time. Workloads can become overwhelming and social lives suffer, yet this does not have to be the case. Practicality, communication, and positivity are essential in ensuring deadlines are met and stress levels are kept to a minimum. Here are six steps to go about effective time management:

1. Prioritise

The best starting point in time management is to create a...]]> Mon, 25 Mar 2019 21:26:11 +0100 The Do’s and Don’ts of Social Recruitment

According to the Arberdeen group, 73% of millennials found their last job through a social media site. The use of social platforms as a talent database or advertising platform is a shift in the employment landscape that takes advantage of online engagement to actively seek out top talent through building company brand awareness and online reputation. Having a company with a large online presence that clearly communicates its values significantly reduces the time it takes to fill in vacancies.

With 75% of potential hires not actively searching for a new role, it is up...]]> Tue, 19 Mar 2019 15:46:44 +0100
Generation Z (Gen Z) refers to the population born between 1995 and 2012—people of 23 years-old in average today—which will be forming the modern workforce, and that, according to United Nations, will account for 32 per cent of the global population in 2019. Compared to previous generations X (millennials of 48 years-old in average) and Y (32 years-old in average), Gen Z brings new characteristics to the table that represent a challenge and an opportunity to those companies aware of the emergence of this new talent wave.

Different generations usually differ, but there might be a special ground for challenge...]]> Tue, 12 Mar 2019 14:11:23 +0100 “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”—John Quincy Adams, President of the United States from 1825 to 1829.

Positive leadership, according to the Financial Times’ lexicon, are the principles that promote thriving at work, interpersonal flourishing, virtuous behaviors, positive emotions, and energizing networks. It focuses on facilitating the best of the human condition to emerge—its virtuousness—and thus, motivate people to unlock their potential inside the organizations.

Inspiring positive emotions in the workplace is highly beneficial and widely documented within scientific research and positive psychology. Positive emotions like joy,...]]> Thu, 07 Mar 2019 16:31:55 +0100
It has been a while since my last job interview, so last June, I was a bit nervous when I received an invitation to give a short presentation to my potential new managers. For me, the difficulty is not so much as to what to say—that part I can thoroughly research and rewrite (I use the STAR method). The part I find most nerve-wracking is adapting my attitude and behaviour within the first moments of the interview itself.

Personality Traits

Up to a certain point, attitude and behaviour can be prepared. There are some do’s and don’ts that one is...]]> Mon, 04 Feb 2019 13:12:59 +0100   7 Trends That Will Change Recruitment in 2019


1. Niche Recruiters
Talent is becoming increasingly scarce, but unusual professions are also on the rise. This has to do with automation and the emergence of new technologies. Think, for example, of a Drone pilot, Cyber Security Specialist, or a Blockchain Developer. Have you heard about any of these five years ago? This is the ultimate challenge for the niche recruiter of the future in the Netherlands.


2. Chatbots
Chatbots are slowly and increasingly conquering our recruitment world. Do not panic, this is going to bring many benefits. Chatbots on your website...]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2018 11:19:40 +0100   What Is the Difference Between Recruiters and Intermediaries?

To clear the confusion once and for all, we will answer the question: what is the difference between recruiters and intermediaries?

What is a recruiter?
The word recruiter probably betrays what this person is responsible for within a company: recruiting and selecting new staff. When we ask Google for a definition of the term 'recruiter', we find out that Google hides a deep-seated dislike of recruiters. Fortunately, we know better.

The office of a recruiter is at (large) companies where people are regularly sought out for a specific vacancy. For example, if...]]> Fri, 23 Nov 2018 11:02:20 +0100 Interview with Team Coach Sylvia Melzer


“I believe we can have more fun and create better results if we learn to understand and appreciate each other. I want to better the workplace.”


Sylvia Melzer works as a Team Coach, Organizational Advisor, and Interim Manager. Her extensive 20+ years working in teams herself, in a variety of roles from manager to consultant to projects, provides her with the experience and skill sets needed to navigate the highs and lows of teamwork. Sylvia Melzer has a bicultural upbringing, whereby she is sensitive to the nuances of cultural differences and she is a...]]> Wed, 21 Nov 2018 16:32:09 +0100 Why Reconcile Technology and Communication

Technology has transformed communication by increasing the transparency in the way we converse. Mimicking human interaction is perpetually developing as we can now talk to our devices and they respond. Streamlining technology and communication has enhanced our collaboration in the workplace and will continue to do so as we embrace technological advances such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Acutely aware of these branches of technology, the Netherlands is heralded as ‘The Digital Gateway to Europe,’ with their government backing the digitalisation of healthcare, mobility,...]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2018 12:28:44 +0100
Why You Should Put Millennials at the Heart of Your International Hiring Strategy

There are three forces acting on the world of international hiring and assignments and these are creating a need for recruiters and HR to shift their strategic focus to the Millennial Generation (Born 1998 -2002).

This does not mean discarding Generation Y (Born 1965 1982) and Baby Boomers (Born 1946-1964), as a multi-generational hiring strategy will lead to diverse teams that are more flexible and adaptable and more high performing; I am fully behind multi-generational teams!

However, the demographic shifts that are occurring in the candidate marketplace...]]> Thu, 15 Nov 2018 15:09:40 +0100 Why Job Recruitment Agencies Are Needed in a Flexible Economy

As the Dutch economy continues to grow, some of it as a result of its fast-expanding digital economy, some have questioned the role of the Netherlands’ job recruitment agencies (uitzendbureaus) that have always played a significant role in its unique working culture. These temporary employment agencies owe their existence to the economic climate of the second half of the 20th century—a period of economic fluctuation within various sectors. In general, this is also evident in sectors like the agricultural industry, which calls on temporary workers based around the seasonal growth...]]> Mon, 12 Nov 2018 12:35:17 +0100 How the Digital Economy Works

What started out as a new way of delivering goods through online digital sales has transformed the way global business is done, as well as the economy as a whole; the internet has driven the world towards a new Age of Network Intelligence where a plethora of information is readily available at our fingertips. Our everyday lives have forever changed, from the way we can find specific jobs through a simple Google search to the way we easily interact with others through social media. Not only has the digital economy created new opportunities through globalised...]]> Thu, 01 Nov 2018 13:02:19 +0100 Digitalization and Job Hiring in the Netherlands

The world as we know it is changing at a fast pace, moving from traditional business and cultural forms to digital technology in a process called digitalization. This process affects all aspects of our society, from communications, to production, to environment, to sales, to family life, and to working conditions. Today, we can even speak of a digital world, with a span including most ages and geographies across the planet: Half of the world's population is online, one third is on a social network, and more than half use mobile technology. This represents...]]> Wed, 31 Oct 2018 14:12:01 +0100 Why I volunteer at Together Abroad
Like many who graduate from university, it was a challenge for me to find a job that would cater to my academic strengths. I found myself caught in a catch-22 situation that many graduates find themselves in; needing to find a job for professional experience, but not having enough professional experience to land a job. Discovering volunteering opportunities can be an effective way to break the loop, and it shows future employers that you are a proactive individual that keeps finding opportunities where they can.
Having completed a philosophy degree, I wanted to find...]]> Fri, 12 Oct 2018 13:46:30 +0200 The Importance of Job Recruitment Agencies in a Flexible Economy

As the Dutch economy continues to grow, some of it as a result of its fast-expanding digital economy, some have questioned the role of the Netherlands’ job recruitment agencies (uitzendbureaus) that have always played a significant role in its unique working culture. These temporary employment agencies owe their existence to the economic climate of the second half of the 20th century—a period of economic fluctuation within various sectors. In general, this is also evident in sectors like the agricultural industry, which calls on temporary workers based around the seasonal growth...]]> Fri, 12 Oct 2018 15:37:10 +0200 How to Fit into a Multicultural Work Place

We live in a multicultural world, full of varied ideas, beliefs and cultural backgrounds mixing in constant flux. This phenomenon is contemporary to our increased globalization, where multicultural workplaces are not just a result, but the desirable mirror of a plural and diverse society. Diversity brings about debates on openness, inclusiveness, communication, and respect, while cultural competence, the ability to interact effectively with people from other cultures, becomes one of the critical skills to master in these working environments.

Cultural diversity manifests in the values, norms, and traditions that affect the way...]]> Wed, 10 Oct 2018 15:35:24 +0200 Cyber War and the Implications for Organisations

For as long as companies and their consumers have become increasingly dependent on the internet to conduct business, there have been growing concerns regarding their vulnerability to malicious online attackers. Malware attacks, DDOS attacks or stolen personal information are valid threats to websites, and they are among some of the reasons why an increasing number of businesses are looking into responsible methods of protection.

Last year, Equifax, a consumer-reporting agency, revealed a data breach in which the personal details of over 146 million people in the US were stolen, including names, social security...]]> Thu, 11 Oct 2018 13:01:30 +0200 Salary Negotiations

Last year, the news buzzed with articles about economic discrimination between women and men. The Dutch News Broadcast NOS wrote a short article on why women are less successful when it comes down to salary negotiations. According to the article, women use insecure language more often; they downplay their own qualities and results; they have less confidence during the negotiations.
The article used the discrepancy between the salary of men and women as its topic to focus on the pitfalls of women, but it applies to anyone who wishes to tackle their salary. When it comes to negotiating,...]]> Thu, 04 Oct 2018 13:14:56 +0200   5 Tips to Bring Out the Best in Employees

A competitive salary is enough to attract candidates to the door, but maintaining employee motivation and morale is a continuous challenge for employers. Ray Williams of Psychology Today says that a person becomes motivated when they have a sense of purpose to achieve both their own goals and the goals of a company. Essentially, any action that can connect the needs of a worker with the objectives of an organisation can have a substantial positive impact on the motivation of a workforce.

1. Company benefits
In addition to competitive pay, candidates...]]> Thu, 04 Oct 2018 13:24:52 +0200 Jobseekers’ Diaries: “Paying your dues” at Entry-level

“There’s a fine line between putting in the time and staying too long. How do you know when you’re paying your dues or wasting your work? It all depends on how you define and interpret the phrase.”

A traditional work motto I consistently use as a mantra is: “You gotta pay your dues.” Typically, when weekdays are long and tough, I repeat this to myself. However, this motto can be perceived differently depending on your mindset. Those who blame others for their problems, or those who tell others they are “lucky” in life...]]> Fri, 28 Sep 2018 15:01:09 +0200 Your Talent Value as a Personal Brand

For young professionals at the start of their career, their talents and potentials may go unrecognized, as they are yet to learn and experience how to effectively communicate their skills and abilities. To overcome this barrier, start with developing a strong personal brand and learning how to ‘sell’ it.

Measuring one’s talent value is an exercise in self-discovery. One area to begin in is to ask those who know you well to describe you with three words. This can show how people perceive you and what characteristics of yours tend to stand out....]]> Wed, 26 Sep 2018 15:23:47 +0200
COME AND MEET ADAMS MULTILINGUAL RECRUITMENT FOR A SPEED INTERVIEW THE AMSTERDAM EVENT TAKES PLACE ON 25TH OCTOBER

Have you ever been on a speed date? How about a speed interview? A speed interview is a one-on-one interview lasting about 10-15 minutes. Speed interviewing is a great opportunity for companies and recruitment agencies to get in touch with qualified candidates in one session. It is also an extraordinary chance for anyone searching for a job to receive valuable tailor-made advice.

Adams Multilingual Recruitment is hosting 2 Speed Interviewing Events and we are inviting participants to register with us now to attend!...]]> Mon, 08 Oct 2018 10:18:35 +0200

Effective Communication with Management

“He doesn’t understand me at all” is what my colleague said, as she fell back in her chair earlier this week. She has mixed feelings about management in general. They are busy with meetings but have no clue what we actually do; asking them anything will never result in clear or workable answers; their well-meant new ideas are only an extra burden to our already overflowing workdays. Relations between employees and their managers are not always positive. Many of the clients I speak to do not have the best of memories and experiences with their direct...]]> Mon, 24 Sep 2018 16:08:54 +0200  

How to Be Wanted by Recruiters

In the stressful business of applying for jobs, recruiters are often the primary gateway to getting the position. Winning them over has many elements, and each one takes some unpacking before you have a strategy that will work. A good CV is an essential part of that strategy, but it is not the only one. Your personal brand, your education, your work experience and even your values all factor into how recruiters view you as a potential candidate.


Recruiters are people too. They are there to find candidates for jobs, not jobs for candidates....]]> Mon, 24 Sep 2018 12:21:13 +0200
The Netherlands is renowned for having the happiest employees in the world. The Dutch employment protection legislation (EPL), preventing the firing of permanent workers, is globally unique. Dutch employment contracts are, unless otherwise specified,assumed to be valid indefinitely. However, an emerging shift in the Dutch labour market towards more flexible and freelance contracts has brought about somewhat of a contradiction in how the Dutch view the concept of job security. Legislation has slowly caught up with these changing circumstances, adjusting to the new trend while still trying to maintain a form of job security that Dutch employees are...]]> Mon, 24 Sep 2018 15:06:43 +0200
Career theory often highlights the importance of role models as a motivational tool for aspirants to set and reach ambitious goals in their career paths. The consensus is that role models provide a positive and nurturing effect for aspirants. Typically, a role model is someone who has already achieved the career goals one desires, sometimes sharing a similar background, mind-set, and core values; in other words, an ideal self-reflection of oneself in the future.

Recent research has backed up the usefulness of role models with similar backgrounds, showing that strong female role models can encourage women to pursue careers in male-dominated...]]> Wed, 19 Sep 2018 14:06:19 +0200
The changes for HR in 2019


What will HR professionals notice about the plans that the Cabinet has in store for 2019? The budget of the Rutte III cabinet provides a little more purchasing power. But much also depends on employers and trade unions: they have to provide higher wages and conclude an agreement on pensions. Personeelsnet gives an extensive overview here of measures that HR will face in 2019.


HR professionals will encounter many changes next year, such as: an extension of maternity leave, change to the chain scheme, and compensation for the transition allowance.


Personeelsnet below lists the...]]> Mon, 24 Sep 2018 09:01:07 +0200
The Dutch Cabinet announces reforms in the labor market

The Budget Memorandum and the Tax Plan for 2019 have been presented. Here are the highlights for the labor market.

The 'Opportunities for the future' section of the Budget Memorandum 2019 endorses the government's desire for a smooth, balanced labor market. There is not much news on this part, as the intentions of the cabinet were already known. However, the changes are very significant to HR.

Labor market and economy

In the Budget Memorandum 2019, the Cabinet first makes room to determine the importance of a good labor market for the economy: “To...]]> Mon, 24 Sep 2018 08:30:22 +0200
Behaviour to Avoid in the Dutch Workplace

Once you have a job in the Netherlands, the next step is to adapt to the Dutch way of doing business. Depending on your cultural background this will either come as a big shock or a small adjustment to your expectations. It is essential to understand the Dutch workplace, and which behaviour you should avoid, to be successful in your career in the Netherlands. What is clear is that the Dutch take their Nederlandse werkcultuur seriously, with the country having a healthy sense of work-life balance and some of the shortest working weeks...]]> Mon, 24 Sep 2018 10:30:44 +0200
Hiring an employee is only the first step in a long road to maximising their potential for the benefit of their career, and is essential for any company to thrive and succeed. Ensuring future growth means companies should be committed to a sustainable talent development strategy that consistently retains top talent. In an increasingly globalised economy, young workers are more willing to jump ship and move jobs more frequently; one survey found that around 38% of millennials were expecting to switch jobs within the next two years.

Many forward-thinking companies realise that maintaining their competitiveness in the job market and...]]> Wed, 19 Sep 2018 14:22:54 +0200
In previous jobs, and now in my role as a content writer, I have made a lot of mistakes. I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly during dozens of conducted job interviews, and I am consistently amazed at how basic the things are that usually go wrong.

My first job interview is one of those awkward events in life that keep me awake at night. I was eager to make a good impression, so I decided to go there at least 30 minutes in advance. It was not something unusual for me – I am well-known among...]]> Wed, 19 Sep 2018 13:36:19 +0200 In the stressful business of applying for jobs, recruiters are often the primary gateway to getting the position. Winning them over has many elements, and each one takes some unpacking before you have a strategy that will work. A good CV is an essential part of that strategy, but it is not the only one. Your personal brand, your education, your work experience and even your values all factor into how recruiters view you as a potential candidate.

Recruiters are people too. They are there to find candidates for jobs, not jobs for candidates. This distinction means recruiters are put...]]> Tue, 11 Sep 2018 15:32:01 +0200
The Do’s and Dont’s in the Egalitarian Dutch Workplace

The Netherlands provides businesses with a perfect strategic location from which to serve markets within the EU, including central and Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The openness of the Dutch economy is one of the reasons why the Netherlands is extremely popular with foreign companies. And, of course, its egalitarian model of the workplace. In the egalitarian model, employees have general job descriptions, rather than specific ones as with the traditional hierarchical corporate structure. They also work collaboratively on tasks and behave as equals, instead of reporting to a superior....]]> Tue, 28 Aug 2018 16:10:45 +0200
New EU Privacy Law
Many online users have likely noticed an influx of emails, from some companies, highlighting new privacy policies and user agreements online in cooperation with new EU laws.The new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be the most significant data protection overhaul in two decades starting from 25th May, replacing the out-dated and much criticised 1995 EU Data Protection Directive (DPD); it seeks to address the growing challenges of globalisation and international data flow, as well as improving user control over their own personal data online. The new laws will strictly apply to all companies operating in...]]> Tue, 28 Aug 2018 16:56:05 +0200

Branding is essential for every company to attract new partners, customers and candidates. Branding helps build strong and long-term relationships by increasing the brand awareness within the industry. Nowadays, companies try to recruit talents that they can benefit from, including at a reduced cost of hire, and with useful results and positive recognition. In fact, there are specific practices of branding that employers can apply to recruit talent effectively.

According to a 2014 research from HR analyst Aptitude Research Partners, 1 in 4 companies is not confident about their employer branding. Employer branding consists of a combination of functional, economical...]]> Fri, 20 Jul 2018 14:05:23 +0200
Flexible labour and self-employment in the Netherlands are on the rise, says an overview report by TNO Innovation for Life and Statistics Netherlands. Workers with a flexible employment contract have risen from 12% in 2001 to 16% in 2012. In 2014, the proportion of Dutch employees with a flexible work relationship increased even further to 22%, according to the report. This makes the Netherlands one of the top three EU15 countries with high rates of labour market flexibility, right behind Portugal and Spain. The group of flexible workers is diverse, and it is comprised of:
• employees with a fixed-term...]]> Fri, 20 Jul 2018 13:52:55 +0200  
Employee development matters. Successful companies not only invest in human capital, they also know how relevant it is to focus on employees’ welfare and continued learning to maintain engagement and creativity inside their organizations. Helping people reach their fullest potential means investing in the future by fostering productivity and retaining talent within the group.

Studies have shown that organizations with a career development program demonstrate up to 250% higher productivity (Scales, 2012); 25% higher employee retention (Deloitte Research Brief, 2012); 10% sales improvement (Sales Enablement Optimization Study, 2016); and 13% stronger business results (Bersin, 2011). Besides improving productivity, retention, sales,...]]> Fri, 20 Jul 2018 13:44:00 +0200 Business culture thrives on managers. Managers drive their organizations. And nothing is more important than the place where they perform. That is why it is vital for companies to position the right person at the right place. But great managers are scarce. In general, it is difficult to find the exact combination of professional and human skills required to successfully lead a group of people within one person. Some of those talents, however, can be taught.

Management style will slightly differ between countries depending on their business culture. In the Netherlands’ egalitarian society, for example, managers and subordinates are expected...]]> Fri, 20 Jul 2018 13:36:11 +0200

Nowadays, more than ever, having a diverse workforce with people from different cultures and backgrounds is essential for a company’s success. A large number of managers are instilling the idea of diversity in their companies hoping to reap the benefits it brings with it.

Having a diverse work environment, however, does not necessarily mean that your company will be successful. Diversity needs to be understood on all levels and most importantly implemented accordingly in order to start seeing changes. The question most people struggle with is how to go about the concept of diversity.

Before we can answer that question,...]]> Fri, 20 Jul 2018 13:18:17 +0200
Flexible labour and self-employment in the Netherlands are on the rise, says an overview report by TNO Innovation for Life and Statistics Netherlands. Workers with a flexible employment contract have risen from 12% in 2001 to 16% in 2012. In 2014, the proportion of Dutch employees with a flexible work relationship increased even further to 22%, according to the report. This makes the Netherlands one of the top three EU15 countries with high rates of labour market flexibility, right behind Portugal and Spain. The group of flexible workers is diverse, and it is comprised of:
• employees with a fixed-term...]]> Thu, 21 Jun 2018 09:10:34 +0200
We have shared a lot with you about our company, our events, the Netherlands as a country and their traditions. We feel like it is high time you got acquainted with some of our colleagues. This ‘recruiter’ blog will give you more insight into the life of a recruiter, the challenges they face, their most memorable moments and their guilty pleasures. This week we will introduce the Utrecht recruiter, Oliver Gell. Enjoy!


1. How did you end up in recruitment?

Recruitment has been something that I have wanted to be a part of for the past 4 years. In 2017...]]> Mon, 28 May 2018 16:15:22 +0200

Adams Multilingual Recruitment has been established for over 20 years and is known in the international market for placing well-qualified, highly-educated, multilingual candidates in junior, mid-level and senior roles with leading companies throughout the Netherlands.
Recently we interviewed two Senior Recruitment Consultants from Adams. We talked with Sylvia Lubak, from the Amsterdam office and Audrey Monje, from the Rotterdam branch. Sylvia joined Adams in 2010. Her area of expertise is placing Finance and IT candidates with international companies. Audrey joined Adams in 2013. She has 2 specialist fields - Supply Chain & Logistics and Multilingual Customer Service roles. 

What is...]]> Tue, 01 May 2018 14:50:37 +0200
SPOUSE | PARTNER CAREER SUPPORT in the Netherlands
Why Partner Employment is a Key Issue for Company's Hiring Expats

Why should partner| Spouse employment be a key issue for international employers looking to hire overseas applicants into their business? Well, according to a unique study by the Permits Foundation, titled the International Survey of Expatriate Spouses and Partners, 60% of the global workforce would be 'unlikely to relocate to a country where it is difficult for their partner or spouse to find work'. This was a very expansive study, which took in the views of 3,300 expatriate spouses and partners...]]> Mon, 30 Apr 2018 15:54:52 +0200 Dear Shimi,

Tell us about your function at Madison Parker job agency?
I am a senior international recruiter, end-to-end responsible for the external global resourcing of candidates for different types of clients who are mostly active in the following industries; supply chain, pharma, engineering, food and agriculture. They're spread across the globe. 

What is the motivational driving force in your job?
Working as a Senior Recruiter at Madison Parker, I am constantly engaged in finding (inter)national talent. In my role, I also act as a business partner and advise my Clients in their staffing needs by building and maintaining a good relationship...]]> Mon, 30 Apr 2018 15:15:02 +0200
How to Be Yourself During Interviews

What does it mean to be yourself? Why is it important in life, in any given situation, or at an interview? If we could go back in time, and see what was happening on a sunny Sunday morning when we were five, we would most likely see a precious child being totally himself or herself, enjoying life as it comes, accepting it with interest and joy. Regretfully, as we grow older, we forget this way of being, and start getting lost in the world of fear and anxiety, which has nothing to do with...]]> Mon, 16 Apr 2018 14:21:23 +0200
Conducting Work from a Distance

There are different scenarios when it comes to working from a distance—traveling from one city to the next, or one country to another, for a few hours, days, or weeks, or even relocating for a period of time. The key to improving your chances of competing for a job in another location, or conducting work from a distance, is to identify locations or job sectors where your line of work is in high demand.

Search for jobs in your expertise to standout and make your skills more valuable to an organization. Indicate in your CV...]]> Mon, 16 Apr 2018 14:17:40 +0200
The Success of Flexible Work Hours

In 2015, the Netherlands introduced the Flexible Working Act, granting workers the privilege to negotiate work hours around their personal schedule and, in some cases, the choice to work from home. Surveys have already shown that flexible hours is the most important employment condition, after salary, that people look for in a job and that it becomes increasingly valuable as workers get older.

The obvious advantage of flexible work hours is that it meets the needs of working parents who face the challenge of balancing their work and family life. Ideally, parents would want...]]> Mon, 16 Apr 2018 14:09:54 +0200
How to Learn from Successful Leaders

“Who is your role model?” is a popular interview question candidates encounter during a job interview. Interviewers can determine a lot though this question by looking at the attributes and characteristics that inspire a candidate in their career; typically, one may describe a mentor, friend or supervisor who has the desirable qualities such as determination, intelligence, good work ethic and kindness. In a lot of cases, these values are taken from successful leaders and can help one to shape themselves in their own path to success. This is true, even for those who do...]]> Mon, 16 Apr 2018 14:05:08 +0200
Smartphone Recruitment and Your CV

Today’s job market is a fast-changing landscape. A recent CareerBuilder survey found that 2 in 5 professionals intend to leave their job at the end of the year, for a variety of reasons which include better salary and work life balance. This means that you should be able to apply for a new job at a moment’s notice. Smartphones make this process possible, so it is good to be aware of the ways in which you can utilise this technology to your advantage.

It’s been about 5 years since mobile phone sales overtook PC sales for...]]> Mon, 16 Apr 2018 13:58:01 +0200
Should We Invest in Bitcoin?

Bitcoin has made the headlines in recent years, and in particular since it hit the historic value of almost $20,000 at the end of 2017, after a remarkable price run that started with the virtual currency being traded at below $1000 at the beginning of that year. This publicity went hand-in-hand with another feature of Bitcoin, which was (and is) the fact that the currency is still relatively badly understood outside of tech circles. So what is Bitcoin, and should you invest in it?

Before answering this question, it is worth reviewing a number of...]]> Mon, 16 Apr 2018 13:48:40 +0200
Adaptability vs Vision in Leaders

Change is an ever present feature of today’s world. This is especially true in the world of business. The complexity of doing business can give rise to a tension between a company’s vision, and the organizational adaptability that the firm needs to adopt in order to maintain that vision. With the pace of change increasing, a variety of leadership skills are urgently needed, as well as a strategy to determine which skill to use for a given challenge.

In 2010, IBM’s CEO study reported that the rising rate of complexity associated with the fast paced...]]> Tue, 03 Apr 2018 10:34:31 +0200 Proven Methods in Diversity Management

In business, diversity management is finding the best practice to create and maintain a diverse and inclusive workplace that, in turn, can benefit from a wide range of experiences and talents. Benefitting from diversity is especially important for corporations that wish to succeed in a global market. As Malcolm Forbes said: “diversity is the art of thinking independently together.”

Diversity is not merely about being inclusive of different races and genders within a business, but about making the most of a team with different cultural backgrounds, beliefs, experiences and business methods. Successful diversity management should...]]> Tue, 03 Apr 2018 10:12:43 +0200 What HR Needs to Know About UI and UX

Digitalization has brought about a drastic change in people's requirements with technology. This is no different at the work environment. Applications that are simple and intuitive are key. The right user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) allows businesses to provide such applications to their employees. UI refers to the visual aesthetics, elements such as icons for smartphones, tablets, web, or even smart watches. UX, on the other hand, has more to do with all the things affecting a user's interaction with the product itself, it is about designing experience for...]]> Tue, 03 Apr 2018 10:08:05 +0200
We can say that a CV is the best possible written representation of who you are in professional terms. A good CV, however, is more than that. It represents your only chance to capture a potential employer’s attention in a few seconds, giving him or her the very first impression of you. And that impression is crucial. It will determine your gateway to an interview and possible further achievement of your desired job; or, on the contrary, your joining the long list of applicants rejected.

A professionally crafted CV has the power to get you noticed by highlighting your talents...]]> Mon, 19 Mar 2018 17:46:51 +0100
Nowadays, having a weak LinkedIn profile, or not having one at all, is not advisable. LinkedIn offers a variety of tools and options to professionals and job seekers. Although the platform imposes specific uses and actions to its users, you can always learn to work with the network smartly. Companies and recruiters usually ask candidates to also provide them with a link to their LinkedIn profile, which is often more elaborate and detailed than the CV. Thus, try to create a strong online image of competence to impress the recruiters, by highlighting your skills and accomplishments, and be smart with...]]> Mon, 19 Mar 2018 17:28:06 +0100

Professional development and technical qualifications are key for the growth of organizations, communities and even nations. Continued education affects the job markets by adding talent, and it improves the quality of life of people as they develop their skills and acquire new ones. Especially in the wake of the economic crisis, education gives people the chance to retrain, stay up-to-date and face new roles and opportunities.

There is a new financial aid in the Netherlands for adults who want to study. The rule is meant for people older than 30 years old to ask for a credit to pay for...]]> Mon, 19 Mar 2018 17:19:16 +0100
An increasing number of Dutch students are expected to take an internship as part of their study program – they are mainly done by students seeking the valuable opportunity to gain further experience in their career, as well as gaining real-world practical knowledge that can further add to their qualifications when searching for jobs in the future. These days, internships are not only restricted to typical office jobs, but can be offered in a wide variety of fields including construction, tourism and healthcare.

In the Netherlands, students can find themselves having to take internships at many stages throughout their lives,...]]> Mon, 19 Mar 2018 16:59:49 +0100
Due to globalization, there are more and more opportunities for any kind of specialist to find a dream job and to pursue the career one finds the most attractive. However, with a rapid growth of globalization and high numbers of migration, there is a new challenge in finding a job – thriving competition. Having to compete with many diverse people might make it substantially harder to find a desirable job and a right employer. One of the key advices to any job seeker is to know what recruiters want to hear from a candidate, and what needs to be said,...]]> Mon, 19 Mar 2018 16:45:15 +0100
Determining how much you are worth in your profession is often a difficult question, especially in industries where there are no fixed salary scales. For such industries, the amount you earn is largely based on negotiations between you and your employer. Here employers often have the advantage of experience, and it can be a daunting task to go up against them as a starter, without the knowledge of how you can get the salary you deserve.

The first thing you should do to determine how much you are worth is to carry out some research. Salary calculators are a dime...]]> Mon, 19 Mar 2018 16:30:03 +0100
Human resource strategy is about the HR department having a proactive role in the organization’s employees, so that the employees have the necessary tools and attitudes to help them align with the organization’s vision.
The modern organization cannot work without HR Management. And good HR Management is always based on the underlying HR Strategy. Generally, HR Strategy is a roadmap of HR, as it allows the HR department to find the right strategies to adopt, and so assures top management that employees are on the right path with the direction they have laid out. Essentially, HR Strategy is groundwork for...]]> Tue, 06 Mar 2018 21:25:44 +0100
Research has shown that more than 50% of mergers and acquisitions fail, yet mergers between two companies happen quite often for various potential advantages in the world of business. In most cases the basic goal is to grow a company’s portfolio, enter a new market or to acquire new talent. However, despite these perks, mergers still fail due to a variety of factors: clashes of personalities and priorities between companies, different company cultures and difficulties within leadership. One of the most troublesome issues with mergers and acquisitions is the failure of management to maintain control of a new and larger...]]> Tue, 06 Mar 2018 21:17:49 +0100
Working in the Netherlands can provide some useful benefits in terms of compensations, thanks to employment laws that enforce positive relations between employees and employers. Knowing these potential benefits is important for both job seekers and employers to better understand what companies are expected to offer in the area of both direct and indirect benefits that make up compensation packages. In the Netherlands, there has been a growing trend of cultivating a work ethos that accommodates the ‘wellness’ of employees, including benefits such as flexible working hours and a higher national minimum wage.

Starting out with the basics, job candidates...]]> Tue, 06 Mar 2018 21:12:54 +0100
There are few things in life more certain than this: Change is inevitable. At some point, we all have to face transformations in our lives, our circumstances, or at work. We can even say, from a bigger perspective, that change is always present. The gentle old man that brings our newspaper does not come anymore, the trees from the street are cut out modifying the landscape, or our aunt unexpectedly dies. In any given situation, change can bring about uncertainty and concern, but can also be an opportunity to grow.

Business organizations experience change all the time, especially during financial...]]> Tue, 06 Mar 2018 21:03:31 +0100
In today’s modern economy, employees are spending much longer at their desks. Certainly longer than the traditional 9-5 work week. But more hours spent at work does not automatically translate into more productivity. The success of a company is directly related to the performance of its employees, and the most successful companies are the ones with the most effective performance management systems. So what strategies can companies adopt to maximise their employee performance?

The Harvard Business Review published an article in March 2017 entitled “Great Companies Obsess Over Productivity, Not Efficiency”. In this article the author wrote that many companies...]]> Tue, 06 Mar 2018 20:59:38 +0100
Group interviews have become popular among employers. Organisations set up group interviews to simultaneously interview candidates for a single position. This technique is best used for positions that require excellent people skills when dealing with customers or clients. Group interviews are used to see how candidates stand out from each other and to observe their behaviours, and to help the employer cut down expenses (instead of interviewing each candidate individually). Group interviews must be well-planned and executed to yield a positive result.

Group interview process and set up

The interviewer should have a clear structure or agenda to ask candidates...]]> Tue, 06 Mar 2018 20:54:38 +0100
We live in a seemingly extroverted world, where strong communicators with charming personalities and defined characters are the image of success. Or, at least, that is the predominant definition sold to us in the media. But half of the world is filled with introverts too—quiet, smart professionals that do not necessarily need to make noise to pull attention upon themselves. They shine because of their inner power, a more truthful source than their peculiar tone of voice. Steve Wozniak, Bill Gates, and Marissa Mayer are examples of the many thoughtful, introvert and yet successful leaders.

In the sphere of business,...]]> Mon, 19 Feb 2018 17:38:43 +0100
The word ‘openness’ often carries with it a strong positive connotation. Being open is seen as a beneficial characteristic, especially in a societal context. Think about how often we encounter phrases such as: “open governments”, “open data”, “open societies”. Nonetheless, what exactly does the word “openness” entail? It can be defined as the attitude necessary to learn new things, to encounter new people, and to embark on new adventures. It is the ultimate attitude that gives all other attitudes a meaning.

Many people are afraid of being open and transparent. I used to be quick to think others will judge...]]> Mon, 19 Feb 2018 17:30:24 +0100
Applying for a job these days usually means doing so via an employment agency (uitzendbureau). But there also exists the option to apply directly to the employer, bypassing the middleman altogether. As an applicant, it is important to be aware of the relative pros and cons of using either method when applying for a new job.

One of the advantages of using an employment/recruitment agency is simply that it gives you more options. One thing to bear in mind is that in the majority of cases, an in-house HR professional or talent acquisition specialist will be looking for a specific...]]> Mon, 19 Feb 2018 17:26:11 +0100
The Netherlands has a reputation for being an open, tolerant society. With a population of about 17 million people, spread out over an area of only 40,000 square kilometers, it is the most densely populated country in Europe, with an average of 394 people per square kilometer. Such a close packing of inhabitants has resulted in the Dutch being extremely organized, in both their private and professional lives. It is therefore understandable that a culture of straight talking is the logical outcome, and this is what you will find in living and working in the Netherlands!

Although a generalization, the...]]> Mon, 19 Feb 2018 17:17:25 +0100
When you have applied for a job or already had an interview, it is important to follow up with the contact person to check the status of your application. Consider the time frame in which you expect to hear from the company and if nothing has been communicated, then take action. Do not wait for the company to contact you at this point, just contact the recruiter instead.

Pursuing the application demonstrates your interest in the position, appreciation for being considered, and enthusiasm to hearing back from the recruiter. Even if you are not hired for that specific job, you...]]> Mon, 19 Feb 2018 17:13:29 +0100
The debate about whether money can buy you happiness is an old one, and the answer (if indeed, there is one) to a large extent depends upon the person asking the question. Most people probably want to be in a job which pays well. But at what point does the size of your paycheck no longer result in a greater feeling of happiness? Recent studies offer some clues.

One of the most widely cited of such studies was done by the Scottish-American Nobel Prize winning economist Angus Deaton, in a 2010 paper (with Daniel Kahneman) which looked at the relationship...]]> Mon, 19 Feb 2018 17:09:05 +0100

Highly skilled professionals are not always easy to find. It is often the case that their level of expertise, knowledge or ability is in great demand in the job market, with a limited number of candidates available. Many of them are passive candidates, currently employed professionals that are not actively searching for jobs. In these cases, it is not enough to trust only traditional job postings to find and attract them. Employers must use the multiple resources available, including online technology, human contact, sourcing through resume databases, and social media, to mention a few.

But how can you, the employer,...]]> Fri, 02 Feb 2018 06:28:47 +0100 With a changing business environment and the fast paced nature of technological change, it is important for companies to maintain or improve the skills of their employees to keep them at a competitive advantage. Demographic upheavals have resulted in over half of the total workforce now being comprised of millennials, and by 2025 this figure is expected to rise to three quarters. They bring with them high expectations of a rich and rewarding working experience, including constant learning and development opportunities. One way in which companies can match these expectations is via home study institutions or platforms, which provide self-serving...]]> Fri, 02 Feb 2018 06:08:45 +0100
The protection of confidential information and company secrets has formed an integral part of working culture in the Netherlands, with increasing number of employment contracts including some form of confidentiality clause. Under these contracts, employees are legally unauthorised from sharing company information, even some time after the termination of their employment. The first obvious penalty for violating one of these contracts is the immediate termination of one’s employment, for the breach of confidentiality as well as one’s employment contract.

What some employees fail to realise is that a non-disclosure agreement is a legally binding contract, and thus any breach is...]]> Fri, 02 Feb 2018 06:01:58 +0100
As consumers become more ethically conscious of the companies they choose to patronise, companies need to maintain a cleaner image and to demonstrate their commitment to ethical business practices. Furthermore, companies currently try to incorporate good citizenship into their business culture through various contributions to society. However, it is natural that consumers may be sceptical of these companies’ motives, since companies in the private sector typically aim to maximise profits and keep investors happy.

Being at the forefront of modern business practices, Google has set their own trend in social responsibility with the introduction of Google Green; a programme that...]]> Fri, 02 Feb 2018 05:58:44 +0100
Leadership is essentially a process by which individuals influence the behaviours, attitudes and thoughts of others. Leaders set the direction by helping others see what lies ahead of them and rising to the challenges. They encourage everyone to fulfil their potential and they inspire them in the process. Leading by example is a trait of true leaders and when lacking, a group can quickly degenerate into conflict because everyone has a different perspective and will naturally lean toward different opinions and solutions.

Leaders are often seen in the face of those who guide nations or businesses. They can use their...]]> Fri, 02 Feb 2018 05:49:27 +0100
Dealing with an over-friendly boss is not easy. As much as we like having friends at work, a manager who wants to be your friend comes across as trying too hard to be liked instead of respected.

The inappropriate buddy is the boss who is too friendly, and not in the team-building sort of way. He is constantly inviting you to hang out outside of work and engages in unnecessary office gossip. He uses his influence to make friends at the expense of his work. He chooses favorites and creates divisions among employees, who become frustrated by the imbalance in...]]> Fri, 12 Jan 2018 22:44:35 +0100
When you have applied for a job or already had an interview, it is important to follow up with the contact person to check the status of your application. Consider the time frame in which you expect to hear from the company and if nothing has been communicated, then take action. Do not wait for the company to contact you at this point, just contact the recruiter instead.

Pursuing the application demonstrates your interest in the position, appreciation for being considered, and enthusiasm to hearing back from the recruiter. Even if you are not hired for that specific job you...]]> Fri, 12 Jan 2018 22:41:30 +0100
Nowadays, temporary employment is booming all over the world from the United States to Japan, despite the differences in economic conditions and development. Many multinational corporations, such as McDonald’s or PepsiCo, saved preposterous sums of money by using temporary workers instead of permanent ones. Therefore, job-hopping is becoming more and more a norm that many millennials are choosing to follow.

The main difference between regular employment and short-term employment is that temporary workers are hired for a certain period of time, as is indicated in their contract. They to do all the tasks that permanent workers are supposed to, and...]]> Fri, 12 Jan 2018 21:54:44 +0100
Not many people know that the Netherlands ranks an impressive sixth place on the list of the best countries to work in the world. This ranking, updated in September 2017 and authored by The Balance, placed Luxembourg as number one, followed by Switzerland, United States, Australia, and Norway before the Netherlands. The fundamental parameters considered in the study about Dutch work are: Average income (€43.107); minimum wage (€8,17 per hour); vacations (at least 20 days); public holidays (at least 10); parental leave (16 paid weeks); healthcare (private insurance shared by employees and employers); average hours worked per week (27,3); unemployment...]]> Fri, 12 Jan 2018 21:43:51 +0100
If you want to succeed, you need to set goals. Goal setting allows you to take control of your direction in life and it provides you with a benchmark for determining whether you are actually succeeding. To accomplish your goals, however, you need to know how to set them in the first place. It is a process that starts with careful consideration of what you want to achieve and ends with a lot of hard work to actually do it. In between, there are some very well-defined steps that transcend the specifics of each goal. Knowing these steps will allow...]]> Fri, 12 Jan 2018 21:37:48 +0100
You are looking forward to start working or you are currently working, but do not feel at ease and want a job change. What should you search for? Generally speaking, motivation to look for a particular kind of job depends on each individual, but we can agree on the fact that a decent salary, the one that supports your personal lifestyle and includes social benefits and holidays, would be the basis to start thinking about a company. However, this is far from being the most important and only issue to consider.

When you are looking for your first job, or...]]> Fri, 12 Jan 2018 21:35:28 +0100
Due to growing competition in the business world, companies are more than ever dependent on the skills and talents of their employees. Therefore, more and more firms are adopting a new HR strategy called “talent acquisition”.

It is common to confuse talent acquisition with recruitment, despite the fact that they have similar procedures and the same end goal—to hire the best people, yet there are some key differences, too.

What is talent acquisition?

While recruitment is a more simplified process,talent acquisition is a quite complicated procedure that consists of a long-term view, and it is not necessarily a linear process....]]> Mon, 01 Jan 2018 12:58:56 +0100
Most employees dread the idea of performance evaluations at work, seeing it as an ultimately pointless, but obligatory process. These days, many companies have introduced the use of self-evaluation with the purpose of better participation and active engagement with employees regarding their work performance; through this method, employees are expected to set personal job goals and career goals based on how they perceive their own work performance, which in turn pushes employees to be more self-aware of their work ethic and how to actively improve themselves.

As with more traditional performance evaluations, the purpose of self-evaluation is to promote more...]]> Mon, 01 Jan 2018 12:42:48 +0100
Favouring an employee above others is a common occurrence in the workplace; it can start out innocently when a boss sees potential in an employee, giving them opportunities to reflect their talent, but this can easily turn into favouritism when that employee is given preferential treatment based on no other criteria. Many companies aim to avoid the controversial issue of favouritism in order to maintain a level merit-based playing field, where all employees are treated fairly and are given access to the same opportunities based on their individual performance.

Playing favourites in the workplace is typically defined as misconduct due...]]> Mon, 01 Jan 2018 12:34:24 +0100
In the world of competitive business, preventing trade secrets and employees from falling into the wrong hands is necessary for a company’s success. Under Dutch law, non-competition clauses provide a contractual obligation to prevent employees from finding employment with a competitor after the termination of their employment, with the main purpose of protecting an employer’s business interests through the protection of valuable company information and the remaining employees. Under normal circumstances, this type of agreement is not permanent and typically lasts for a year, and failure to comply can mean enforcing the clause in a court case, which can allow...]]> Mon, 01 Jan 2018 12:24:49 +0100
The rapid progress in technology has fundamentally influenced the development of the modern workplace. Traditional methods of learning have given way to new modes of communication and collaboration. Companies have started to incorporate these new methods into their learning and training programs, both on-site and at home. Doing so allows them to employ innovative techniques for continual learning for employees outside of the workplace, as well as reduce training costs. The number of technologies utilized is beyond the scope of this article, but the main ones will be considered.

One of the main uses of technology for employee development pertains...]]> Mon, 01 Jan 2018 12:13:08 +0100
Business environment characterizes itself for being a highly complex, ever-changing and competitive space, where companies need to evolve at a high pace if they want to survive. In this context, it is the mindset of great leaders and their crucial set of skills that will determine the necessary innovation and the consequent success of their organizations.

Dutch business culture is no exception to this reality, with the particularity that their structures reflect the egalitarianism and openness that characterises Dutch society in general. Many Dutch companies, thus, show horizontal hierarchies, where a managing director and employees are considered co-workers. In this...]]> Mon, 01 Jan 2018 12:01:15 +0100
Dress to Impress – Dressing for an interview. 

With every interview I arrange, the question I am always asked is “what should I wear for the interview”? While there are no hard and fast rules for this I do feel there are a few simple rules that should be adhered to. You should never be over dressed in a casual environment; whereas even worse is being underdressed in a corporate suit culture.

The first thing you should do regardless of the clothes you intend to wear, is to research the company beforehand. This should be a natural thing to do...]]> Mon, 22 Dec 2014 21:21:43 +0100
The workplace is a difficult place to be in, especially when you have to deal with angry or frustrated co-workers. Dealing with such a colleague requires a sense of tact and sensitivity. It is quite easy to get upset when you are confronted with an angry person, and if you do not know how to respond, you can easily make the situation worse. It is important to know that there are different types of anger. One type is passive-aggressive, which is often exhibited by acting ‘distantly’ or pretending not to hear requests, spreading rumors, and engaging in self-defeating behaviors. The...]]> Sun, 17 Dec 2017 18:39:03 +0100
Based on the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB) the Dutch economy is steadily growing every year, which leads to a decrease in unemployment and an increase of salaries for 2018. However, experts are being careful with speculating this forecast due to instability caused by Brexit and the unstable political situation in the United States.

General information

According to the Central Bank and CPB, contract wages should increase 2% on average in 2018. One of the main reasons of growth is declining unemployment in the country, from 6% in 2016 to 4.9% in 2017 and in 2018 to 4.3% ¬– which...]]> Sun, 17 Dec 2017 18:32:46 +0100
Whether you are focusing on preparing your first job application, or you are already looking for new opportunities in the labour market, your essential presentation card will be your CV. And, of course, the main objective of this CV would be to sell your talents effectively, which means to convince an organization that you have the technical and personal skills they are looking for.

To promote yourself as a talented professional, you will want to create a CV that stands out, so recruiters read it with interest and would want to invite you for an interview. Most recruiters and employers,...]]> Fri, 15 Dec 2017 08:56:50 +0100
When it comes to finding the dream job, it is possible to have all the right qualities, and a great CV, yet still fall short on making headway in your preferred career direction. A competitive job market combined with a range of recruitment platforms can make job hunting a daunting task, especially for beginners embarking on their first professional job search. Such a task can be minimized with a good systematic approach, which involves using your creativity and resources as efficiently as possible. So where to begin?

One of the best approaches to job hunting is to first have a...]]> Fri, 15 Dec 2017 08:47:42 +0100

In spite of the fact that the business climate in our country has improved, the Netherlands has dropped four places in a World Bank ranking on the ease of doing business. The Netherlands now occupies the 32nd spot on the list of the development bank. The score is 0.51 points higher than last year, but other countries scored even better.

Thailand, for example, took the Netherlands spot on the list, and the South Asian country is now on the 26th place. The Netherlands must further endure France and the Czech Republic at positions 30 and 31, respectively. The top three...]]> Fri, 08 Dec 2017 18:17:43 +0100
“What have you learned from your past job?” This is a very common interview question and it is considered important despite its straightforward nature. It lets potential employers tune into how well you learn from your past experiences – mistakes and other situations that arise in your life.

I, for instance, learned a great deal about dealing with people while working on a social project as a research assistant, and how to handle difficult requests from those who might be a bit irritated when approaching me. I learned that staying calm during confrontation is a must, and that arguing back...]]> Fri, 08 Dec 2017 18:13:38 +0100 Have you ever come across a job description that involves the word “talent”? Talent management is used to describe an organization’s commitment to recruit, hire, retain, and develop the best talented employees from the job market. Businesses use this strategy to attract top talent, assuring potential employees of the opportunity to develop professionally.

Finding companies that want to work with talented employees is becoming more common as companies understand how talented people can make a positive impact and a change in their organisation. Candidates who want to work with these companies can showcase their talent during an interview conversation.

The...]]> Fri, 08 Dec 2017 18:08:28 +0100

Although youth unemployment is no longer at the lofty level of the crisis years, many young Europeans continue to face a lack of good jobs, writes the International Labor Organization (ILO) in a report published Tuesday.

The ILO assumes that youth unemployment will also fall next year, thanks to favorable developments mainly in Eastern European and Southern European countries. But compared to older generations, the chances for young people on the job market remain considerably behind.

The UN agency also notes that in Eastern Europe, the disadvantage in the labor market of young women compared to their male peers has...]]> Fri, 08 Dec 2017 18:00:29 +0100
Entrepreneurs in medium-sized enterprises (SME) are more positive about 2018 than owners of smaller and larger companies. They have higher expectations of sales, exports and employee strength, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) this Friday in a report with results from the Netherlands Business Survey on the fourth quarter.

A stable, almost 36% of SMEs expect an increase in turnover in 2018, compared to 25% in small businesses and 32% in large companies. Exporters and SMEs are also more positive about exports and staffing levels than in small and large companies. In the area of investments, especially entrepreneurs...]]> Sun, 03 Dec 2017 08:32:24 +0100
The labor market is getting tighter and as a result, the average salary that employers offer in vacancies increases. Last year in the third quarter there were 2.4 unemployed per vacancy, now that number has dropped significantly to 1.8.

In the third quarter of 2017 there were 221,326 vacancies available in the Netherlands, an increase of 5.2% compared to the third quarter of 2016. The average gross annual salary advertised for vacancies was € 40,189, an increase of 6.9%. This is evident from the latest new figures from vacancy search engine Adzuna.

Less competition between applicants

A sharp drop in...]]> Fri, 01 Dec 2017 09:04:31 +0100
There are many reasons why people become expatriates. For some it is work; others fall in love with a person or even a place; others still seek a different life from that which they have been accustomed to. According to HSBC’s Expat Explorer report, the Netherlands is one of the world’s best countries for expats. Yet, another ranking by Forbes magazine says that the Netherlands is among the most unpleasant countries in the world, while Canada is rated the friendliest country for expats. The truth lies somewhere in the middle.

Most expats live in the country’s larger cities, where most...]]> Fri, 01 Dec 2017 08:51:23 +0100
Having an ‘abusive’ boss can cover a wide area of issues; including verbal abuse, inappropriate remarks or behaviour, or having an overly demanding boss. Employees can easily feel powerless knowing they can either try to face up to their boss or find another job. However, being in charge does not mean that whatever a boss says or does is acceptable, and an employee should know how to take matters into their own hands if they believe their boss has stepped over the line.

Being able to identify a boss’s wrongdoing can put one in a good position from a legal...]]> Fri, 01 Dec 2017 08:39:25 +0100
Many companies – large and small, seem to be driven by the concept “pay for performance”. The popular understanding of its meaning reflects the longstanding belief in the corporate world that financial incentives are the most powerful motivator of executive performance.
Yet the findings of various studies by behavioral psychologists suggest otherwise. These findings have profound implications, for they raise questions about the motivational rationale underlying incentive compensation programs.

A meta-analysis by Jenkins and co. tried to ascertain whether, and how strongly, financial incentives are related to performance quantity and quality. They were aware of the well-established view that financial...]]> Thu, 30 Nov 2017 22:20:12 +0100 Healthcare insurance for expats is a mandatory requirement. Expats are expected to obtain at least basic health insurance within four months of their stay in the Netherlands, and to pay for health insurance once they have obtained a residence permit, or when they start working in the Netherlands. Dutch companies should make sure that their expat employees have the appropriate health insurance as required by law.

Health insurance in the Netherlands is based on Zorgverzekeringswet (ZVW) healthcare insurance law and the AWBZ general law on exceptional medical expenses. ZVW healthcare insurance law is used for short-term medical care relating to...]]> Thu, 30 Nov 2017 22:05:46 +0100
Encouraging and supporting employee development is important not only for the employees themselves, but also for the managers and company as a whole. Many successful companies put employee development at the forefront of their business plans, knowing that the benefits of doing so are immense. Employee development is not simply about increasing productivity (though studies indicate that it does so), but also about keeping employees fulfilled and happy.

Employee development can be supported in a variety of ways. One of these is to provide regular reviews that check whether employees are being challenged, if they have enough work to do,...]]> Thu, 30 Nov 2017 22:01:20 +0100
Letting go of an employee can be one of the hardest things any employer can do, but if the reasons are justifiable, then it is a perfectly legal and acceptable course of action to take. With that in mind, terminating an employee is not a decision to be taken lightly when running a business; making a calculated judgment means taking into account the numerous potential costs that come with letting an employee go, as well as the potential legal ramifications. Businesses today often fear the possibility of a lawsuit when letting a worker go, and they can incur extra costs...]]> Thu, 30 Nov 2017 21:56:56 +0100 Organisational change is a common and, sometimes, necessary step for companies that wish to stay competitive in today’s business environment; factors such as globalisation and advancing technology mean that businesses need to make adaptive changes or risk falling behind. However, as companies continually try to implement organisational changes, they also need to take on the challenge to gain employee support and promote a positive attitude.

Almost every organisation has said ‘communication is key’ when winning over employees during organisational changes; sharing a clear goal for what management wants out of an organisation, and laying out the necessary steps that need...]]> Thu, 30 Nov 2017 21:48:15 +0100

Ask hiring managers about the main challenges facing businesses today, and the chances are they will mention recruitment. Technology has advanced to the point where digital is the transformative domain when it comes to recruiting talent. Automation, and the rise of sites such as LinkedIn and online job boards, has moved from being a supplementary to a traditional form of recruitment (such as newspaper ad space) to almost a total dominance of the recruitment industry. This change has brought with it a plethora of new HR recruitment software, to the point where it may be overwhelming to some businesses. Knowing...]]> Thu, 30 Nov 2017 21:35:29 +0100 The total number of people who are members of a trade union continues declined. According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS) the proportion of women is increasing. In March 2017 the statistics agency totalled 1.7 million union members – 15,000 less than last year. Although the declining trend stagnates, there have been a decreasing number of members since 2012. On the other hand, the proportion of female members increased. In March 2017, over 650,000 women were members, 8,000 more than a year earlier. Growth is mostly achieved in the age range of 45 years and over. The number of male members decreased...]]> Thu, 23 Nov 2017 10:41:07 +0100 Over a quarter (27%) of Dutch employees are actively looking for a new job. That is half less than employers think. Nearly two-thirds of employees think job security no longer exists, but the same part still feels loyal to their employer.

This is evident from the research The Evolution of Work of the ADP Research Institute, a global survey of work trends performed among more than 2,000 employers and employees in 13 countries.

Employer underestimates loyalty of employees

Dutch employers strongly overestimate how many of their employees are actively looking for a job. In reality, only more than a quarter...]]> Thu, 23 Nov 2017 10:31:17 +0100 Due to globalization and rapidly growing competition among companies, temporary work in the last decade became a widely used form of employment. Temporary employees can be hired directly by a firm or through a temporary staffing agency. However, temporary work comes at a hidden cost for some employees – stress. Yet, temporary work is sometimes the only means of earning an income, so we need to find ways to deal with any stress that results from such employment.

Causes of and Solutions to Stress

A side effect of having a temporary job is the lack of fixed security, which can...]]> Thu, 23 Nov 2017 10:10:24 +0100 Competition between co-workers is always going to be a feature of the workplace, particularly in jobs where the stakes are high and the rewards of promotion require standing out from your colleagues. Allowing our emotions to control how we behave in professional life can often be a bad move, and the extent to which we allow this to take place requires considerable constraint. Feelings of jealousy can override our rational faculties, particularly when it comes to talented colleagues who get all the attention. So how should you decide how competitive you should be in the workplace?

Healthy competition can be...]]> Thu, 23 Nov 2017 09:54:30 +0100

In the Netherlands, equality between women and men has decreased. On a ranking of the World Economic Forum, our country has fallen to 32nd place, against 16th in 2016. The gender gap, the difference between the sexes in the disadvantage of women, has grown in terms of economic participation, health and political influence.

In the area of education and learning, the Netherlands is doing very well: women have as many opportunities as men. In 2006 when the first list was released, the Netherlands was still 12th. Since then, it has fallen less in the Netherlands. In 2016 the Netherlands dropped...]]> Fri, 17 Nov 2017 10:46:57 +0100

Employment in the Netherlands grew by 16,800 jobs in October 2017. Growth was mainly in business services, where the number of jobs increased by over 11,000 according to the ADP Netherlands Employment Report. This monthly report is produced by the ADP Research Institute in collaboration with Moody's Analytics.

The report shows the monthly development of total (non-agricultural) employment in the Netherlands, based on real employment figures. Thus, it is not based on data from people seeking a job.

Solid job growth in business services

"The Netherlands saw strong growth in employment in October. Compared to last October, the number of...]]> Fri, 17 Nov 2017 10:33:29 +0100
My first job as a research assistant taught me many things, including that achieving quality time with the boss requires a lot of self-discipline. Self-discipline is a key aspect of effective management. In order to achieve it, I need to be clear about my boss’s priorities, have empathy for their challenges and, above all, know how to make myself easy to manage – this is where the self-discipline comes in.

If I want a happy boss, then I need a high level of self-awareness ¬– knowing my strengths and my potential blind spots. It is also helpful to be mindful...]]> Fri, 17 Nov 2017 10:19:53 +0100

Before commencing or looking for work as an expat in the Netherlands, there are a number of bureaucratic hurdles to leap over. These can seem rather intimidating at first, particularly to those unfamiliar with the Dutch system; the best advice I can give you is to be as organised as possible and to start the process well in advance.

So, without further ado, here are the five most important things to do before working in the Netherlands.

1. Organise a Dutch residence and work permit (if applicable)

If you are from a non-EU country, then you need to apply for...]]> Fri, 17 Nov 2017 10:13:14 +0100
The Netherlands will be among the fastest growing e-commerce markets in Europe in the coming years, according to a report from Worldpay Payment Company. In addition to the Netherlands, the growth of the e-commerce market in Italy is also worth a mention.

The group provides for the Dutch e-commerce market an average annual growth of 14 %. By 2021 this will be worth 36 billion euros. According to Worldpay, the rise is mainly driven by new payment methods. Consumers are especially looking for smartphone-friendly payment methods.

The Netherlands still relies on bank transfers. About 60% of the transactions consist of...]]> Fri, 10 Nov 2017 17:12:51 +0100
Owners of family businesses support innovation policies in their company more than owners of non-family businesses.

Nearly 79% of family businesses are willing to waiver their dividends to stimulate innovation. In non-family companies, that is 60%. Also, more than 65% of family businesses are prepared to accept a year of negative results if that stimulates innovation at the company. With other companies, it is 40%. That was concluded by Professor Roberto Flören, professor of family businesses at Nyenrode Business University, in a survey he conducted in cooperation with ING and NPM Capital.

"The results disproved the myth that family companies...]]> Fri, 10 Nov 2017 11:49:47 +0100

Communication is a vital and inevitable part of human society. It is rampant – we use it in all aspects of our lives – social, work and everyday chores are bounded by the way we communicate with one another. More often than not, however, what has the biggest impact is not the way we communicate, but the way we do not.

At work, communication is important to our leaders, teams and departments. Good communication and interpersonal relationships are imperative to overall business performance and sustainability. Yet its importance tends to be neglected. Peter Drucker, the father of modern management, once...]]> Fri, 10 Nov 2017 11:33:22 +0100

With little or no real job experience, it can be a daunting task for anyone to write their first CV coming straight out of college or university. In an already competitive job market, it can be hard enough to stand out without years of experience under the belt, and with job recruiters spending only an average of six seconds looking at a CV, it is imperative to put in the extra effort to write a polished CV that is sure to show off any relevant qualifications.

Although making oneself stand out is a common tip for CVs, it is also...]]> Fri, 10 Nov 2017 10:35:32 +0100

Have you ever imagined industrial machines talking to one another or “smart” factories taking production and budget decisions without involving any human interaction?

You might still think that computers, the internet, and automation (Industry 3.0) will continue to be the remarkable trends of the future. But, in fact, they no longer resemble a technological breakthrough! Everything has changed since the term “Industry 4.0” was revived in the 2011 Hanover Fair in Germany.

Without human interaction, Industry 4.0 enables machines and cyber-physical systems in factories, for example, to communicate via the Internet of Services and cooperate with each other to make...]]> Thu, 09 Nov 2017 13:55:04 +0100

In order for organizations to stay competitive in a global economy, workers need to be educated, highly skilled and quickly adaptable to innovation trends. Such a workforce will help support current and future business and industry needs, while enhancing employment opportunities and quality of life.

Global researchers are focused on two aspects of optimization of the innovation in the workforce. One is the technical aspect, which refers to the process of innovation itself by developing and implementing the newest technology for strategic business objectives. The other aspect is focused on the optimization in the process of introducing and using this...]]> Thu, 02 Nov 2017 14:18:30 +0100

Branding is essential for every company in order to attract new partners, customers and/or candidates. Branding helps build strong and long-term relationships by increasing the brand awareness within the industry. Nowadays, companies try to recruit talents that they can benefit from, including at reduced cost of hire, and with effective results and positive recognition. In fact, there are specific practices of branding that employers can apply to effectively recruit talent.

According to a 2014 research from HR analyst Aptitude Research Partners, 1 in 4 companies are not confident about their employer branding. Employer branding consists of a combination of functional,...]]> Thu, 02 Nov 2017 14:10:41 +0100

With the rising competition due to globalization and the necessity to cut down costs in order to get a competitive advantage, a key to a successful business is the ability to find a balance between short-term and long-term employees. This might be essential for surviving, and at the same time, for satisfying employees’ needs.

Even though the Dutch economy is very stable and strong compared to other countries, companies have to be aware of possible changes in the market. Businesses have an obligation to their employees to take into consideration what would happen if a situation changes: can the company...]]> Thu, 02 Nov 2017 13:18:11 +0100

Learning and training are both concepts that are inextricably linked with each other, and they are both fundamental pillars of any educational process, whether it is in school or in industry. However, there are differences between the two, and distinguishing between them is not helped by the fact that the terms are often used interchangeably. Delineating what each one means is therefore vital in order to clarify exactly what types of activities and outcomes you want in your organization. What is certain is that, in increasingly complex organizations, every aspect of the educational process is necessary to ensure employees reach...]]> Thu, 02 Nov 2017 13:06:03 +0100

Gender equality continues to be a topic of discussion in organizations, scientific studies, and the media. The main areas of concern, especially in the Netherlands, are the low participation of women in full-time employment and their low presence in top executive positions, as well as the discrimination against ethnic minority women.

According to The Economist, fewer men in the Netherlands had to fight in the World Wars of the 20th century, and so Dutch women did not experience working for pay at the same frequency as women in other countries did. Moreover, Dutch politics back then was dominated by Christian...]]> Thu, 02 Nov 2017 11:53:06 +0100

If the plans of the new cabinet government agreement are implemented, all workers in the Netherlands will advance. Compared to the present, workers’ purchasing power will increase between 4% to 6% in 2021, says Nibud, who has calculated the government agreement on behalf of the Lower House.

The Institute for Budget Information examined the changes that the Cabinet plans to make. People with jobs will have more in their wallet because salaries are rising faster than prices. Workers also benefit from the higher labour shortage and lower tax rates. People with a relatively low income, up to 20,000 euros a...]]> Thu, 02 Nov 2017 11:30:02 +0100

Finding the opportunity for personal development at work can be a challenging but worthwhile pursuit. Companies are typically incentivised to only promote professional growth amongst employees to push them further in their careers and work skills for the benefit of a business, without giving much thought to the personal ambitions and desires of an employee. However, employees want meaningful work that enriches their lives beyond their daily tasks. Most workers would find more satisfaction in their work if they felt their skills were valued, and that they have the chance to further develop their career paths and passions.

Creating any...]]> Thu, 02 Nov 2017 11:23:49 +0100

An interesting and informative CV can make all the difference between landing an interview for your dream job, and being passed over. There are multiple parts in a resume that are equally essential and can serve as a marketing tool to sell yourself to your future employer. One of these is personal development.

Based on the Maslow pyramid, personal development or so-called “self-actualization” is the most important need that each individual has. Due to our differences, people have diverse developmental targets; therefore, it is crucial in your CV to state the most critical ones for the job you are applying...]]> Thu, 02 Nov 2017 11:09:46 +0100

Employees see little use in retraining, job shifting or salary reduction in order to work longer at the end of their career. They prefer to work less, or to stop work earlier, according to research conducted by Wijzer, involving over a thousand working employees between 55 and 67 years.

About 65% of respondents are willing to take a step back to the end of their career when it comes to the nature of the work. But if this is accompanied by a lower salary, only a quarter of the respondents are prepared for this.

In addition, more men than women...]]> Thu, 02 Nov 2017 11:01:39 +0100
Self-employed entrepreneurs are most pleased with their work. 81% are pleased with the current job situation, according to statistics from the Central Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday. Self-employed people are just a little happier with their work than people with a fixed contract. 78% of them are satisfied. Having staff or not is hardly a matter of job satisfaction for an entrepreneur.

For the flexible worker, for example on-call workers, only three quarters are satisfied. However, for temporary workers there is far less satisfaction, only two out of three have no complaints.

Security

One in three employees without permanent employment...]]> Fri, 27 Oct 2017 10:25:30 +0200


'Become a member of the FNV – the largest national trade union,’ the flyer I was holding told me. No, a colleague told me, I should become a member of the CNV, and she handed me another flyer. Both unions promised me a nice discount on my membership during my first year. In the end, I was left with two flyers of two major unions, and none the wiser what they could do for me.

A couple of months later, a friend asked me if a membership for expats might be relevant. Back then I told her I had no...]]> Fri, 27 Oct 2017 10:08:45 +0200

Have you ever visited a company hoping to schedule an appointment for an interview only to find yourself being interviewed on the spot or being offered a position? Here are some helpful tips to keep you prepared for just such a scenario.


Know what you want before searching

Create a personal SWOT analysis (strength, weakness, opportunity, threats). Then create a list of specific and personal objectives. This will help you be aware of where you are now in your career and where you want to be in the future. This can help you to know what direction you want your...]]> Fri, 27 Oct 2017 09:54:32 +0200

The number of jobs for employees and self-employed people grew by 53 thousand in the second quarter compared with the first quarter of 2017. On average, 10.2 million jobs were posted in the second quarter. All jobs are counted, full-time and part-time. That is what the CBS reports.

The fact that there are more jobs is explained by the continued growth of the economy. The average daily production of Dutch industry was almost 4% higher in August 2017 than in August 2016. For almost two years, industry has produced more than in the same period a year earlier.

More open...]]> Fri, 27 Oct 2017 09:32:05 +0200
The platform is a wealth of accessible knowledge for expats living in the Netherlands, or planning to do so. It is not only an online job board, but also a launch pad for...]]> Wed, 26 Oct 2016 09:02:27 +0200

Nobody is perfect; as such, many of us have something that could potentially cast us in a negative light during a job interview. These include a pattern of ‘job-hopping’ (holding six or more jobs in a ten-year period), gaps in employment history, weaknesses and/or character flaws.

However, the beauty of the interview process is that it gives you a chance to explain your situation and spin those potential negatives into positives. Using the three examples given above, I will outline ways in which each can be reframed to cast you in the best light possible.

Job-Hopping

Job-hopping is not as...]]> Fri, 20 Oct 2017 14:16:03 +0200

Personal development is a process that candidates can use to reflect or to evaluate themselves on. They can use it to understand what needs to be improved, and what steps to follow to help them discover their full potential and reach their goals.

Strategies for Personal Development

Create a personal vision or mission statement: Create a personal S.W.O.T. and clear goal you want to specifically focus on. Perhaps you want to apply for a new course, further study, volunteering, internships, or learn a language. Make a list of personal developments that you wish to develop in order to improve on...]]> Fri, 20 Oct 2017 14:04:53 +0200

Employment in the Dutch industry rose in September 2017 for the thirtieth consecutive month. This is the longest uninterrupted period of expansion of labor force among producers since the beginning of the measurement.

The purchasing manager index, NEVI PMI®, rose to 60.0 in September, marking its second largest growth since March of 2000. The index gives an impression of the Dutch industry as well as the whole Dutch economy, which is very healthy.

More demand, higher production

Dutch manufacturing companies run overtime because the demand is high. Growth in production ranges came close to the record level of April 2000....]]> Fri, 20 Oct 2017 09:59:23 +0200

The new cabinet will put an end to the dividend tax. This is especially beneficial for foreign companies, which is the intention. The new cabinet wants to make it more attractive for foreign companies to settle here. For Dutch companies it saves a lot on administration. The elimination of dividend tax costs the government annually 1.4 billion euros and will come into effect in 2019. This amount will be balanced by other measures taken by the government for companies.

What is dividend tax?

Companies pay 15% tax on the dividend they pay to their shareholders. The dividend recipient can then...]]> Fri, 20 Oct 2017 09:06:05 +0200

Dutch employees go with great satisfaction to their work. They can find it goes well with their boss and colleagues. Dutch employees are also more positive than employees from other countries, and they often feel that their expectations are met more, as a research "The Evolution of Work" by the ADP Research Institute® shows, in a global survey of work trends, including more than 2,000 employers and employees in 13 countries.

Dutch employees are the most optimistic

Dutch people, according to the research, are "optimistic thinkers" and form an exception of colleagues from other countries as a whole. Employees and...]]> Fri, 13 Oct 2017 10:34:32 +0200 Unlike many other countries, overtime is not considered as common practice in the Netherlands, but it is useful for workers to familiarise themselves with their rights while they work in the country. Usually, overtime refers to the extra hours outside of the normal 26-40 hour work week. However, Dutch law does not provide a national standard for overtime; it is usually agreed upon by individual employment contracts and collective agreements.

Without a national law, it may appear that the rights regarding overtime can be a bit loose, but this does not mean there are no laws to protect workers in...]]> Fri, 13 Oct 2017 10:24:29 +0200

Tired of constantly being rejected? Getting the feeling that you might be making the same mistakes over and over again? There are many different ways on how to look for a new job and, in general, how to approach it. Below are tips on how to make your life easier when finding a new job.

1. Update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
The reason to focus on LinkedIn is because of its position – it is one of the top networking sites for professionals. Furthermore, there are more than 414 million users among whom there are many recruiters and company...]]> Fri, 13 Oct 2017 09:52:39 +0200

Just as we get used to the Work and Security Act, the new cabinet eases the redundancy rules. In addition, it is possible to offer a fixed employment contract only after three years. This will fix the forthcoming coalition labour legislation, which has just been enforced recently, reports the editorial board of RTL news today, which has had access to the Government Agreement.

Only after three years have a fixed contract

The new coalition finds the differences between fixed and temporary contracts too large. Therefore, the Rutte-III Cabinet wants the labour market to be such that more people who want...]]> Fri, 13 Oct 2017 09:31:00 +0200
Nepotism is a form of favoritism. It derives from the Italian word for nephew “nipote” and thus, nepotism means showing favor to family members. In a work situation, family members may be hired, promoted, or otherwise unfairly favored over other candidates, not because of their abilities and experience, but simply because they are part of the family. Whenever it takes place in the workplace, it usually leads to a number of negative results, such as decreased employee morale, resentment, increased employee turnover, stunted growth and legal issues.

Finding yourself on the non-receiving end can be tough, especially when you think...]]> Fri, 06 Oct 2017 11:36:15 +0200

Organizations continue to struggle worldwide with finding employees with the right knowledge and skills. The shortage of the right professionals for high tech companies remains high in most countries. The shortages of employees in the Netherlands continues to grow. The flow of highly educated migrants may provide a solution, according to the Hays Global Skills Index, published for the sixth consecutive year by Hays and Oxford Economics. The report addresses the challenges in the global labor market and 33 local markets, including the Netherlands.

Situation of the Netherlands unchanged

The pressure in the Dutch labor market is unchanged from the...]]> Fri, 06 Oct 2017 11:23:19 +0200

The European Investment Fund (EIF) and the Ministry of Economic Affairs will make a €100 million fund available for financing scale ups. This includes fast-growing start-ups with more than 10 people in service. Both parties will make available €50 million. "Scale-ups often struggle to get adequate funding from the market," says Minister of Economic Affairs. "This new fund should help promising companies to grow." Business is expected to invest another €100 million in the fund.

Lack of daring

Numerous start-ups who want to expand and grow complain about a lack of resourcefulness or innovation with Dutch investors, whereas with American...]]> Fri, 06 Oct 2017 11:17:52 +0200

If you read any article about creating a successful and happy working life, you will see that good communication is always listed as one of the main keys to achieving this. So, why is good communication so important? The short answer is: because it underpins everything you do, both in your personal and professional life. As such, being able to communicate effectively, as well as appreciating the importance of doing so, is a vital part of any career.

One area of professional communication that may sometimes become difficult is communicating effectively with colleagues. Due to working closely with your colleagues...]]> Fri, 06 Oct 2017 11:12:26 +0200
  Severance packages come in many forms, and are handed out for many different reasons. These can include company-wide layoffs, elimination of a particular job title, retirement, or a mutual arrangement between employee and employer to part ways. In the EU, the regulation of severance pay is left at the discretion of the member states. In the Netherlands, employment law differs greatly from other legal systems, particularly regarding the position of the employee when it comes to dismissal. The result is that Dutch (or expat) employees are better protected in the Netherlands than in many other countries. Whatever the reason for...]]> Mon, 02 Oct 2017 15:14:27 +0200

The confinement of the modern workplace can be a limiting factor for employee fitness and health. Typical working days can trap employees behind a desk for around eight hours, thus leaving little time for daily exercise. Despite this challenge, it is a worthwhile goal for employers to keep their employees fit because of the potential benefits it provides. Japanese working culture has long embraced the value of keeping a fit and healthy workforce, even going as far as introducing compulsory ‘flab checks’ for employees over 40, and fining companies that fail to keep employees in good shape. This is not...]]> Mon, 02 Oct 2017 15:05:40 +0200

Methods that can successfully motivate employees to increase productivity and the quality of work are not always easy to come by. One method used by organisations is bonuses, which are awarded to highly achieving employees in the hopes that they will continue to produce well, or even improve further. Within the last few years, more organisations have begun relying on incentive pay to increase employee performance. What is more, some organisations implement full performance management systems. These systems help to determine just how big a bonus should be for high achieving employees, and they are usually used for continuous bonus...]]> Mon, 02 Oct 2017 12:05:33 +0200
Writing a compelling and informative job advertisement is key, not only for attracting top talent, but also for ensuring that any potential employees will be a good fit at a company. Job seekers can browse a seemingly unlimited list of vacancies, thanks to job search engines and online networking, meaning employers need to put in the extra effort to stand out. Not only is this helpful for potential candidates, it also helps employers to filter out candidates by specifying exactly what they are looking for in an employee.

As with CVs and cover letters, first impressions are crucial when creating...]]> Mon, 02 Oct 2017 11:53:26 +0200
All successful companies require good leaders. They provide the needed innovation and goal-setting mentality that helps companies have the edge in fast changing industries. Highly motivated and effective leaders help to raise productivity, command the respect and attention of their subordinates, and increase a company’s competitive advantage. It is therefore vital that a company hires the right people to fill these roles. Although it can be an arduous task, there are some tips that hiring managers can use to increase the chances of hiring good leaders.

Increasing the talent pool of an organization is a constant source of worry. A...]]> Mon, 02 Oct 2017 11:42:36 +0200

Creativity is often associated with artists, musicians, and scientists. It is rarely recognized as belonging to the sphere of everyday life or with work – like being tied to business and economics. However, when defined as the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, creativity can easily be applied to most aspects of our lives. There are three main reasons why people are motivated to be creative. The first one is the need for novel, varied, and complex stimulation. The second is the need to communicate ideas and values. And the...]]> Mon, 02 Oct 2017 10:40:10 +0200
A new knowledge center will be created next year that will help companies to increase their digital security. In a letter to the House of Representatives, the Minister of Education and the Minister of Economic Affairs wrote that as of the following year, the government would capitalise 2.5 million euros annually in this Digital Trust Centre (DTC). This new center will be required to protect the non-vital part of Dutch business against cyber threats. For instance, anticipation or warning of direct cyber-attacks and advising on internet security. In vital sectors, such as the energy and telecom sector, a knowledge center...]]> Fri, 29 Sep 2017 11:12:55 +0200

We see it across LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter every day: people, trying to grow a strong digital presence and personal brand by constantly posting whatever will represent them in a positive light.

When you are building your personal brand across all your social media channels, it is important to not accidentally detract from your public image due to unintended errors, such as posting a status complaining about the commute to work, or listing a detailed schedule of the day in an effort to look important. Now, if you are sitting there thinking that you are just a regular person who...]]> Thu, 28 Sep 2017 10:16:49 +0200

Successful companies are starting to realise that increasing wages can help to increase profits and growth by boosting productivity; companies such as Costco, a US warehouse company, have seen a rise in profits compared to its competitors, and they owe their success to increased employee morale through better pay. However, as an employee, it can be difficult to persuade employers that you deserve more money when the company grows. Even if your argument is that employees hard work should be rewarded and it would help further boost working incentives.

When a company’s success can be confidently attributed to one’s hard...]]> Thu, 28 Sep 2017 09:49:14 +0200
After years of wage moderation, it must be over, thinks the trade union movement. Companies make healthy profits and benefit from their employees. Prior to Prince’s Day, the unions traditionally establish their wages. By 2018 there must be a minimum of 3.5% higher wages.

The FNV (The Netherlands Trade Union Confederation), the Dutch largest trade union, will set the next decade for a minimum wage of 3.5%. People who earn little can even get up to 5%, because FNV also demands that everybody would get a minimum of 1000 euros a year extra. Trade union CNV (Christian Trade Union Federation)...]]> Thu, 28 Sep 2017 09:39:45 +0200
The Netherlands can play a leading role in the world in the so-called “circular economy”, which recycles raw materials and products as much as possible. ABN Amro bank writes in its report that the Netherlands has many assets to take the lead around the circular economy globally, thanks to the knowledge and expertise present in the country. This knowledge can be exported abroad.

According to ABN Amro, the Netherlands is the leader in waste recycling, where more than 80% of the waste is recycled. The circular economy helps generate new jobs and it improves the image of the Netherlands abroad....]]> Fri, 22 Sep 2017 10:18:57 +0200
Numbers and measures were soaring around Princess's Day. NU.nl explains what the cabinet’s plans for your wallet will mean. Princess's Day this year was different from usual, because the new cabinet has not yet formed. Therefore, no major policy changes have been proposed. The budget for 2018 was presented on Tuesday, while the former parties VVD, CDA, D66 and ChristenUnie still negotiated a government agreement. Therefore, changes can still accrue relatively, but this is what is known so far.

Purchasing Power

The Dutch purchasing power on average will increase next year by 0.6 %. As long as income grows steadier...]]> Thu, 21 Sep 2017 15:44:31 +0200

The feeling of frustration and anger can be overwhelming upon the discovery that a peer has taken the promotion you once thought you deserved. However, rather than letting emotions take hold, it is best to take a step back and try to analyse the situation with a positive and rational attitude. Was he or she better suited for the position? Was he or she more noticeable to your superiors? These are some of the questions one needs to honestly ask to find out why the job went to someone else. The difficult part is to be completely honest with oneself...]]> Thu, 21 Sep 2017 15:22:03 +0200
Being a mind reader would certainly come in handy during a job interview and make the whole getting-a-job process a lot easier, right? It would take away all the pressure of saying the right thing and allow you to fix any verbal blunders. One can only wish...

Since I am not a mind reader and I doubt anyone is, I had to prepare for my first job interview. The job I wanted was in a famous Dutch research-training consultancy, so I made it my goal to predict the unpredictable and to be prepared in the best way possible. I started...]]> Thu, 21 Sep 2017 14:42:04 +0200 Despite the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, London remains the world's most important financial center. The UK capital is at the top of a half-yearly ranking of the financial think tank Z/Yen Group and the China Development Institute.

Compared to half a year ago, London lost only two points in the Global Financial Centers Index. During that period, there were plenty of speculations about financial institutions that will turn back on London after Brexit, but there is hardly any mention in the index, Bloomberg writes on Monday.

However, cities such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Dublin and Paris received points. These cities are often...]]> Wed, 13 Sep 2017 13:21:46 +0200 In the presence of King Willem-Alexander, Minister Ploumen signs the first cooperation agreement with Italy. The Netherlands will also be working with other European countries to get more women in top positions in business.

Topvrouwen.nl is a foundation that aims to get more women at top positions in business. This meeting is scheduled to take place annually. “Italy is doing better than the Netherlands when it comes to female top executives in business,” says the foundation.

On Friday September 1st 2017, it was realised that the number of women in the board of listed companies in the Netherlands decreased during...]]> Wed, 13 Sep 2017 14:09:28 +0200 As an expat living in, or hoping to move to, the Netherlands, it is important to consider whether you should alter your CV to match the Dutch job market. There are no hard and fast rules about this, though it is important to note that there are more advantages than disadvantages to doing so.

Depending on where you are from, the Dutch CV may be slightly different or drastically different to what you are used to. Now, for all of our American readers out there, a CV in the Netherlands is known as a resume in the States. So there...]]> Wed, 13 Sep 2017 14:21:12 +0200
There are many ways in which a migrant jobseeker can employ the services of Together Abroad. For those who may not be aware, Together Abroad is not only a job board, but also offers some really great services that can assist you in both finding and obtaining that perfect position. These include career coaching, CV services and interview training.

In regard to Together Abroad’s career coaching, you can do this either online or face-to-face. These sessions help you to understand the labour market in the Netherlands, develop your CV and personal profile, and identify the positions that best match your...]]> Mon, 11 Sep 2017 09:29:14 +0200 At the end of an employment contract, no holiday days must be left unpaid. But how do you determine the value of a holiday?

The value of a holiday (or non-holiday days) is determined by four things. First of all, you need to look at the fixed salary. In addition, you look at the holiday allowance, the value of structured bonuses and the amount of the employer's pension contribution.

The Facts

If an employee leaves employment or is fired and still has 628.67 unused vacation hours, the employer has to pay it off. The value of the days is determined...]]> Fri, 08 Sep 2017 15:07:27 +0200 Leaving a job for one that is lower paid does not come across as the best option for most people. We are conditioned to follow the money, such that the bigger the pay check the ‘better’ the job. However, this is not always the case, and there are many occasions when accepting a lower paid job makes sense. For instance, perhaps you have reviewed the benefits of your current job and concluded that they are not sufficient for the salary you are receiving. Or maybe you are dissatisfied with your area of work and want to move into another in...]]> Fri, 08 Sep 2017 11:16:03 +0200 The goal of a job interview is to show that you are the interviewer’s best choice. Just repeating what is on your CV will not help the interviewer much. During the meeting, it is your job to show the opposite party how you differ from other candidates. Also, you have to ensure that the interviewer realises they need you for the job.

Last week, I spoke with a client who struggles with job interviews. He was used to showing his resume, have a quick chat about hours and wages etc., and either accept or refuse the offer. Nowadays, he was...]]> Fri, 08 Sep 2017 11:02:44 +0200

A new job is an exciting period in your life when you can create a completely new image of yourself or you can make your mark. However, getting a new job can be overwhelming and hard to handle. This is perfectly normal due to the enormous pressure to perform and fulfil expectations. Here are some steps that can be taken to ensure that you will keep your new job and adapt to the new work place, as well as tips on situations to be avoided.

What Are the Right Moves at the Start?

Instead of big promises, it is best...]]> Fri, 08 Sep 2017 10:57:50 +0200

Starting your own business gives a strong feeling of freedom and independence concerning the decisions you make; however, it may also have risks. It requires a lot of thinking through and it takes a lot of time. Start-up businesses tend to have a disadvantage statistically. According to the Entrepreneur, 55% of start-up businesses “tend to no longer be operational by the 5th year”. It goes to show that creating a business is but the first step, while sustaining and keeping it functional is a different step to overcome.

Businesses are no longer predictable as more of them appear, and as...]]> Thu, 03 Aug 2017 08:45:54 +0200
Happy staff members create happy customers, which lead to successful businesses. As leaders, we all know that. But how can turning management ‘upside down’ lead to positive change in an organisation?

Different Management Models

As organisations adapt to dynamic changes in business, society, and workforces, they are starting to move towards different management models. Where a couple of decades ago, the traditional top-down management style was the norm, future-orientated organisations are starting to look more seriously into a modern ‘upside down’ version of management, namely a bottom-up structure.

Concepts such as flat organisations, participative management, and employee engagement are all...]]> Mon, 04 Sep 2017 10:56:47 +0200

In recent years, the so-called ‘gig economy’ has grown from virtual insignificance into an important labour market. Such a market is largely characterised by the prevalence of short-term contracts, or those involved in freelance work. In London, the gig economy has grown by a staggering 72% in the transport and storage sector since 2010. In an online survey of 2,125 Dutch adults aged between 16-70, 18% said that they have tried to find work managed via ‘sharing economy’ platforms. Well-known examples of companies that hire such freelance workers are Deliveroo, Uber or Blablacar, but there are many other firms jumping...]]> Mon, 04 Sep 2017 11:47:39 +0200
In the current unstable economic climate, company perks and benefits are not as plentiful as they once were. However, one of the benefits that employers seem keen to invest in is that of employee wellness programs. The recent trend has been towards a healthier working environment, with the aim of boosting employee morale, health and overall work performance. Wellness programs provide education and facilities, and offer incentives for employees to adopt a healthier lifestyle. They can also reduce the incidence of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma or heart disease. But do the benefits of providing fitness programs outweigh the...]]> Mon, 04 Sep 2017 12:09:03 +0200

We now face global challenges such as inequality, climate change, increasing reliability on technology, and streams of refugees – to name a few. A look at the people responsible for creating situations leading to these problems shows that there is a lack of transparency and a lack of listening to the needs of others. Their focus is more on what is beneficial for themselves or their groups, rather than what would be beneficial for all or for the environment. Typical characteristics of such leaders can include egocentricity, competitiveness or authoritarianism. With such qualities, they often control everything in the direction...]]> Mon, 04 Sep 2017 12:50:42 +0200 According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), turnover generated by temping agencies, employment agencies and payroll companies grew by 2.0 percent in Q2 2017 relative to Q1 2017. This growth is higher than in the preceding quarter. The total number of temp hours increased by 4.2 percent, the highest increase since Q2 2007.

Increase hours in short-term temp contracts almost 5 percent
The number of hours worked in both short-term and long-term temporary contracts increased. Short-term temporary contracts increased by 4.9 percent, the highest increase in almost 7 years. In long-term temporary employment contracts, e.g. secondment and pay-rolling, the number of hours...]]> Mon, 04 Sep 2017 09:38:42 +0200 The path to getting your ideal job can be difficult and stressful. Many companies are reducing the size of their workforce, meaning that more applicants are competing for fewer positions, so it is important to stand out from the crowd. The ideal job comes in many different forms, depending on the person, but the common thread that links them is that they all require dedication and passion. It is not always about the amount of money you earn. Consider the life of a Chief Executive with that of a former Wall Street derivatives trader who quit his job to open...]]> Thu, 31 Aug 2017 12:20:05 +0200 Dutch businesses increasingly struggle to find a suitable workforce. This has to do with the highly attractive economy in the Netherlands.

This trend is also reflected in entrepreneurial confidence, which is at its highest level since the end of 2008, according to research conducted by Statistics Netherlands, the Chamber of Commerce, the EIB, the MKB-Netherlands and VNO-NCW.

At the beginning of the third quarter, one in six entrepreneurs reported staff shortages as an obstacle in the pursuit of business. And since early 2016, a number of companies have a staff shortage.

The Biggest Shortage – New Opportunities

At the beginning...]]> Thu, 31 Aug 2017 12:41:18 +0200 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are enterprises that employ fewer than two hundred employees. In the past years the number of people employed is growing, and it continues to grow. As reported by LinkedIn, there is an estimated increase of 19% in 2017 over that in 2016. “The popularity of SMEs as an employer continues to grow,” says LinkedIn from their data. LinkedIn analysed over one million Dutch members’ profiles, out of the total 7 million Dutch members on the platform.

Motorized SMEs

"Overall employment increases, with SMEs being motorized," says LinkedIn. As a result the number of people working...]]> Fri, 01 Sep 2017 09:32:07 +0200

First impressions are really important. When I started my first job, I was nervous because I felt that the first impression people would have of me may turn into long-term perceptions and opinions. I wanted them to have the ‘right’ impression.

My first task was to help in recruiting participants for a social research project. I learned how to organize my time in a fast and efficient way, so I could talk to as many people as possible within a short period of time. The experience made me more familiar and confident with learning new skills, being punctual and dressing...]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2017 13:31:57 +0200

From June 8th, it is possible for anyone up to 55 years old to continue to develop with the Levenlanglerenkredit – Lifelong learning credit. As of the academic year 2017 - 2018, anyone up to 55 years old who is not entitled to study funding, can borrow money to pay tuition fees. The condition to favourably qualify for the tuition fees in is that the person pursues a degree at the MBO level (vocational training) or higher (professional training or university).

Right now, with a rapidly changing labour market, there is a need for continuous retraining and re-education. Minister Bussemaker...]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2017 13:19:12 +0200

In the last four years the Dutch economy has been growing steadily, and it continues more strongly in the last few quarters (with a 3.3% growth in the last twelve months). According to the CBS, this has only occurred twice since 2000.

The three most influential industries in the Dutch economy are exports, consumption and investment. These continue to indicate healthy growth based on all the data and developments in recent months. There is an increase in the construction of new buildings, shopping streets are constantly full of shoppers and new businesses, and the housing market is in high demand...]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2017 13:01:15 +0200

You got the job, now how do you keep or further build your personal brand within the company? When it comes to personal branding most people struggle with how to promote themselves within their workplace without being considered as narcissists or aggressive. On that account, there are specific practices you can apply to stand out from your colleagues and capture your boss’s eye.

1. Ask for feedback
The first step that will help you build a successful personal brand within your workplace is to care about your job and always ask your supervisor for feedback on your performance. In this...]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2017 12:53:00 +0200

Unemployment continues to decline. Good news: The lower, the better you would say. But there is also something like insufficient unemployment, economists say.

Ton Wilthagen of Tilburg University and Rob Witjes of the UWV explain how that is and why 0% unemployment is not really 0%.

At the moment, 436,000 people are registered as unemployed. That is 4.8% of the working population, a nice figure.

It has also been different: at the beginning of 2014 unemployment was 7.9%.

What Is the Ideal?

But would it not be the most desired outcome for everyone to have work? No, says Wilthagen. It...]]> Mon, 21 Aug 2017 09:16:36 +0200

A company closes a branch in the Netherlands and opens one in the United Kingdom. Employees are given a dismissal permit. But what happens then regarding the relocation obligation?

A Scenario

A technician works on a temporary contract with a maintenance and repair company for private aircrafts as of February 1, 2016, together with four other colleagues. Prior to that, he worked on a fixed contract at another company. The business outlook for 2016 is good, so he is told. A technician’s contract will be converted into a fixed contract after a year. However, soon after hiring him, in the...]]> Fri, 18 Aug 2017 15:55:22 +0200
Having started out as a career innovation by Leonardo da Vinci in 1482, CVs have continued to evolve over the last 500 years with trends changing as recently as ten years ago. Although they started out as a formality, CVs are now an expected part of any job application and it is up to candidates to continually adapt their CVs to meet the current demands of potential employers. Job candidates today still experience constantly changing expectations from employers in regards to what they want to see in a CV; currently, CVs place more of an emphasis on personal branding instead...]]> Fri, 18 Aug 2017 10:09:54 +0200
It is almost a given that when offered a pay rise, you should accept it. Indeed, it would appear to be madness to reject it. After all, why would anyone refuse to have more money at the end of the month? However, there are some situations where it might be sensible to refuse a wage increase. For instance, there might be a situation in which the amount offered is so low that it is taken as insulting. Another example could involve an offer in which you are made to take on more responsibilities than are worth the increase in pay....]]> Fri, 18 Aug 2017 09:57:01 +0200
A job interview is often a more or less nerve wrecking experience that everyone has to go through. If only we knew what would happen and what kind of questions we can expect from the future employer, it might be easier. And more importantly, what would the best answers to those questions be? There are, however, some common questions that you can expect to be asked during your job interview.

1. What are your strengths? Remember, the employer is interested only in your qualities that are necessary for the job you are applying to. So make it sound realistic and...]]> Mon, 14 Aug 2017 09:11:27 +0200

An employer does not pay a transfer fee if an employee is guilty of a "seriously liable act or omission". But what happens in a case of dismissal?

The transition allowance is known since the introduction of the Work and Security Act. This type of an allowance is payable when an employee is employed for at least 2 years. For the first ten years of employment, the employee is entitled to a third monthly salary per year of employment, from the tenth year of employment, the salary is half a month's salary per employment year.

By 2020 there is a...]]> Thu, 10 Aug 2017 13:03:45 +0200
Professional working relationships, just like all other forms of relationships, are not always perfect. Though most of us try our best to get along with our colleagues, there will sometimes be miscommunications, misunderstandings, and even personality clashes. Depending on the parties involved, this can occasionally lead to a situation in which you discover that one of your colleagues has been bad-mouthing you.

Picture this: You and Jim get along well. Your interactions are always pleasant and there have never been any issues between you. Then one day you are talking to another colleague, Sally, who informs you that Jim has...]]> Thu, 10 Aug 2017 12:54:06 +0200

‘We are going to determine what colours we are’, was the answer given by my colleague, when asked what the teambuilding day was about. To be perfectly honest, I am not thrilled to sit down and watch a pallet of colours pass by, which describe our personality and communication preferences by putting a label on them.

There are different approaches on determining what kind of communication style someone prefers. It can be done by using colours, elements or by describing the main qualities such as analytical, inspirational, or controlling. There are different models that classify a different number of communication...]]> Thu, 10 Aug 2017 12:11:52 +0200

The term organizational change often triggers fear in corporate hierarchies. In addition to dealing with the administrative issues and uncertainties that inevitably arise in corporate change, management also must make sure employees are fully on-board with the change. In many cases change provokes resistance. The reasons for this include a fondness for routine and predictability, and therefore a suspicion of anything that would upset them. Another reason could be job security, in which the uncertainty during a restructuring can have a demoralising effect on employees. So what is the best way to effect a change in employee mind-set?

The economic...]]> Wed, 02 Aug 2017 16:31:52 +0200

‘Words are like eggs dropped from great heights; you can no more call them back than ignore the mess they leave when they fall’. – Jodi Picoult, Salem Falls.

It is said that a leader’s task is to persuade people to perform to the best of their ability so that they can work towards a common goal, be it on their own or as part of a team. And the tool leaders use to motivate their teams? Words.

Like smells, tastes, and music can conjure certain emotions in a heartbeat, words elicit immediate and powerful reactions. Smart leaders understand this...]]> Thu, 03 Aug 2017 09:04:36 +0200

Engaged employees are more likely to help each other, or stay voluntarily longer at work to finish an important project. Nevertheless, only 13% of employees are actively engaged, while the rest are actively disengaged, as a study of the Gallup Group shows.

In emphasizing the advantages of employee engagement, it becomes important to understand when employees are engaged and motivated to do their work. Current results show that employees want to feel appreciated, have transparency about on-going developments within the organisation, and have flexibility in managing their professional and private life. Moreover, they want to contribute to their work, understand...]]> Thu, 03 Aug 2017 09:00:16 +0200
Due to increasing globalisation, customer bases and workplaces are becoming ever more diverse, with the business world recognising the value of these differences. Diversity within a company can bring innumerable benefits when managed successfully, including financial gain, increased innovation and higher employee satisfaction.

Firstly, what does diversity actually mean? For many, the initial words to spring to mind are ethnicity and gender. However, diversity also covers many other aspects of human life, all of which bring a rich tapestry of experience to the workplace. These include (but are not limited to): sexual orientation, mental or physical abilities, parental status, age, educational...]]> Wed, 02 Aug 2017 17:03:41 +0200

Performance reviews form an integral part of working life; they are a traditional form of evaluating employee performance and they incentivise employees to work in accordance with a company’s standards. In theory, this is a very beneficial process to maximise the productivity of workers. However, some businesses are starting to move away performance reviews, regarding them as nothing more than an outdated formality with no real incentive for increased productivity. Typically, performance reviews are done every six months or annually; the problem is that they lack any real engagement with workers as they fail to provide any immediate informative feedback....]]> Wed, 02 Aug 2017 16:42:46 +0200
The Netherlands has a well-deserved reputation as a highly-organized society, embodying the principles of pluralism, social responsibility, and tolerance. It is what is called gedogen in Dutch, an untranslatable word that implies the ability to tolerate even exceptions to the rule. The Dutch society is a consensus-oriented society where everyone has his or her say. And they all know the value of their opinions, which they do not hesitate to give.

As an egalitarian society, the Dutch have a tendency to avoid displays of discernible wealth, whereby houses and clothes often seem ordinary and discreet to foreigners. Every person is...]]> Tue, 01 Aug 2017 12:26:37 +0200
Creating a good and stylish CV is a challenging and recurring job. In past years, there was an imposed tendency from recruiters that every candidate should have a specific structure to their CV, for example based on the European template. Nowadays, however, young candidates try to have more creative and unique CVs that will stand out of the crowd, while still following much of the classic rules in terms of size and content. They tend to create flashier CVs and exploit all the available space, by being simultaneously effective and to the point. So, what should every CV include in...]]> Tue, 01 Aug 2017 12:26:48 +0200  

The workplace culture sets the tone of the environment you will be working in, and it can be either easy or difficult. Coming from the UK, it was no surprise to discover the Dutch working culture functions on egalitarianism. However, in the Dutch workplace the communication style is rather informal. Whilst the job is to be taken seriously, it is the friendly atmosphere and the usually calm environment that enable high productivity. My manager’s enthusiasm was often so high that I became eager to match it. Her natural, friendly nature combined with strong leadership made her a great manager.

We...]]> Tue, 01 Aug 2017 12:27:01 +0200
Showing an employer that you are motivated is absolutely vital in a job interview. Employers are willing to teach you many skills, but being motivated and showing you have initiative is something that you should already possess. If you can get the employer to see this, it can really help to improve your chances of getting the job. So how do you come across to your interviewer as someone who is highly motivated?

One of the best ways to showcase your motivation is to contact your prospective employer and ask them for a meeting to discuss career opportunities in their...]]> Tue, 01 Aug 2017 12:01:30 +0200 Japanese biotech company Human Metabolome Technologies (HMT) opened a European Office in Leiden. The office will be part of the Leiden Bio Science Park. HMT develops metabolomics technologies for drug discovery, diagnosis and food production. The Mayor of Leiden and the Dutch Ambassador of Japan attended the opening ceremony.

HMT chose the Netherlands because of its central European location. The company will be able to receive samples from clients around the world. The Leiden Bio Science Park was also an advantage for the company.

“InnovationQuarter and NFIA have provided excellent support for the setup of our European office in beautiful...]]> Mon, 31 Jul 2017 13:06:47 +0200
Satellite data communications company LeoSat has established its first European office in The Hague with the assistance of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency and the WestHolland Foreign Investment Agency. Headquartered in Washington DC, the young but growing company provides a new connectivity solution for the continuing increase in global data traffic. In 2019, the company aims to launch a low-earth-orbit satellite constellation (hence the name ‘LeoSat’, ed.) to provide the first commercially available enterprise grade global data service worldwide. It is the first time that a company is offering connectivity developed specifically for moving large amounts of data around the...]]> Mon, 31 Jul 2017 13:03:37 +0200
A large and well-established network is often beneficial for your personal and professional development. Networking is a powerful tool and support system throughout your professional career, including those times you are seeking a job. Since networking can be a challenging process, there are some practical methods that can help you expand and maintain your network.

A major benefit of networking is when someone from your network becomes aware of a job opening that fits your profile. You are likely to be the first to come to mind and be informed or recommended for the position. In fact, recommendations are a...]]> Mon, 24 Jul 2017 19:40:50 +0200

Looking for a job can be tricky, particularly when moving to a new location. After all, where is a job seeker to start? While there are many great job boards out there, it can take a bit of trial and error to find the ones that are right for you, which is why a useful tool to use initially is the trusty old search engine.

Though the terms ‘search engine’ and ‘job board’ are often used interchangeably in articles about job hunting, there are marked differences between the two. For example, search engines cast a net over the web and...]]> Mon, 24 Jul 2017 19:26:45 +0200
You have finally done it. After many searches and applications, difficult interviews with questions like: ‘Would you choose this job over your own biological mother?’ you have finally reached the end of your long journey and received a job offer.

However, after straining through all the fine print and the listed salary, you have to wonder to yourself: ‘How much is my job worth?’ The offer has been made, the hiring manager is interested, and now the ball is in your court. What is the next step? Negotiation.

Become Informed

Many online resources have cropped up recently to help gauge...]]> Mon, 24 Jul 2017 17:21:08 +0200
According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), unemployment declined to 4.9 percent of the labour force in June. For the first since the summer of 2011, less than 5 percent of all people in the labour market are looking and immediately available for work.

Between April and June, unemployment declined by an average of 6 thousand per month and stood at 446 thousand in June. The number of people in paid employment grew by an average of 11 thousand per month. At the end of June, the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) paid 372 thousand unemployment (WW) benefits.UWV: number of benefits continues to...]]> Mon, 24 Jul 2017 17:16:56 +0200

One in seven employees in the Netherlands have burned out complaints. How this arises is often unclear. However, new research sheds light on the matter: it is usually a mismatch between the unconscious needs of an employee and the demands of his job.

Take for example an extroverted accountant who is committed to social contact, but during her work, she is mainly working behind a computer. Or think of the manager, leading a large department, but hates having to be the centre of attention. These are people who have extra risks of a burnout, according to a new study from...]]> Mon, 17 Jul 2017 18:51:27 +0200
Personal development is a challenge, a push, a battle. It is a lifelong process of acquiring and improving employment skills, of expanding self-awareness and knowledge, and enhancing personal skills. In his Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle talks about the significance of personal development. He defines it as a category of phronesis or practical wisdom, where the practice of various virtues leads to eudaimonia, which commonly translates to ‘happiness’, but could also be understood as ‘human flourishing’ or ‘living well’. In this sense, personal development is a key to achieving personal growth and acceptance.

But how is personal development related to the workplace?...]]> Mon, 17 Jul 2017 18:49:21 +0200
In recent years, the term ‘personal branding’ has become more popular. The amount of searches hits on Google increases steadily, yet people often do not fully understand what a personal brand entails.

A personal brand is not about changing who you are and creating an image just to meet someone else’s expectations. It is about identifying who you are, and which selling points make you stand out from the crowd. People who market their own brand are more likely to be seen as experts in their field, and therewith receive job offers at higher levels.

How It Works

Before creating...]]> Mon, 17 Jul 2017 18:43:53 +0200

If there is something Dutch people are good at, it is at combining work and free time, and being able to enjoy both. The Dutch work the least hours of any other nation in the European Union. The average number of working hours of other countries in Europe is 37.5 hours a week. In the Netherlands, by comparison, Dutch people work an average of 30.6 hours per week, which results in 364 hours less in a year.

We could go even further and compare those working hours to other countries around the globe. The people in North America work on...]]> Tue, 04 Jul 2017 22:10:12 +0200

Take a moment to think about the times when you have experienced joy, pleasure, or the feeling of being content. In such moments, there are noticeable changes to your physical state. For example, when you smile your tension flows away, or your breathing tones down. Compare such feelings in your body to those you feel when you experience sadness, anger or fright.

For most of us, there is a clear difference in the impact of positive and negative emotions on our perception, behaviour and, ultimately, how we progress in life. Once you understand how emotions impact what you do and...]]> Tue, 04 Jul 2017 15:40:56 +0200
Being ranked 1st in the world for work-life balance by the OECD, the Netherlands has not only earned its reputation as a country with a relaxed work ethic, but also as a happier country overall. This high quality of life is attributed to well-defined working hours that rarely exceed 40 hours a week and strong worker’s rights. Of course, this attitude to work is also inherent of Dutch culture, where workers would typically prefer a balanced work life to spare time for family and personal matters, rather than earning excessive amounts of money; this is further proven by the number...]]> Tue, 04 Jul 2017 15:38:29 +0200
Since July 1, 2015, financial compensation can be received for dismissal, a.k.a. transition allowance (Transitievergoeding). It applies to both permanent and temporary employees, and it is intended to help them find another job. The condition is that the person has been employed for at least two years.

The amount of the transition allowance if one is laid off is determined by two components: the monthly salary and the number of years one has been working at the company. The maximum amount that can be given is either the annual gross salary, or a maximum of €76,000 (if the gross annual...]]> Tue, 04 Jul 2017 15:33:50 +0200

Brutto(gross) salary is best defined as the sum of salary before the deduction of tax and insurance(s). Netto(net) salary is the result of initial pay including tax and other sorts of deductions made. These deductions depend on local/national legislation where employees are required to pay certain amounts of tax to the government.

This could be an example of what the salary slip would look like:

Earnings of January 2022: 2,000EUR
Bonus: + 150EUR
= 2,150EUR
(This would be considered the brutto salary)

Deductions:
Payroll tax with discount: 236,33
Special payroll rate – 5,62
11,11% Pension rate – 158,28
8,99 % Extra pension add on – 0,00
0,414 % Insurance – 11,18
0,285 %...]]> Mon, 04 Jul 2016 09:45:40 +0200
Creating your personal brand entails combining who you are and what you want to promote, in order to attract people’s attention and build your reputation. First of all, whether it is for personal or professional reasons, you have to start thinking of yourself as a brand, by emphasizing your best competencies and core values, and creating a fascinating story about yourself. The stronger the brand you have, the more motivated and disciplined you will appear, while providing a successful mindset.

There are two main levels where you need to create and promote your personal brand effectively: online through social networks,...]]> Sun, 18 Jun 2017 16:07:44 +0200
As of July 1, 2017, a number of legislative changes will enter into force that are of importance to HR professionals. The Arbowet changes. And the bill that changes the minimum wage and minimum holiday allowance will come into effect in part. An overview of the amendments to legislation as of July 1, 2017.

Arbowet

From 1 July 2017, an employee may request a second opinion from another company doctor. In addition, employees are given the legal right to speak to the company doctor during an 'open consultation hour'. Also, the prevention worker gets a firmer position and the works...]]> Thu, 29 Jun 2017 13:03:28 +0200
Jobseeker's Diary serie: Being Brave

Applying for jobs can be tiresome at times. But generally speaking, the hardest part is getting a response. Employers are often unable to respond to each and every application, assuming they have even read your application.

I had tried my luck at applying for a job at a local bar where I usually study. The environment was always lovely, as were the staff, and I could easily see myself working there. A couple of weeks had passed and I began to give up hope. Maybe it was not the job for me. Then a few...]]> Sun, 18 Jun 2017 16:02:42 +0200
According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), unemployment declined by an average of 6 thousand per month over the previous three months and stood at 456 thousand (5.1% of the labour force) in May. The sharpest decline was seen among young people. The number of people in paid employment grew by an average of 14 thousand per month between March and May. At the end of May, the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) paid 386 thousand unemployment benefits.

UWV: Sharp Drop Among Young Claimants

In May 2017, UWV reported a total number of 386 thousand current unemployment (WW) benefits, i.e. a decline by...]]> Thu, 29 Jun 2017 12:09:31 +0200

Uitzendbureaus — a.k.a. temporary employment agencies in Dutch — can be dated back to the 1650s in the United Kingdom. However, they became really popular during World War II due to the need of thousands of low-cost temporary workers, and the employers’ desire to avoid the hassle of having to hire, train, supervise and eventually fire them. This industry only continued to grow, and today there are more than 3 million workers who have been temporarily employed in the U.S. alone.

Nowadays, uitzendbureaus are the short-term solution to obtain a temporary employment. They serve a role as a third party...]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2017 10:10:56 +0200
Being selected for an interview can be a victory in itself as employers have to sieve through countless CVs and cover letters to find potential candidates who make themselves stand out. However, giving off a strong first impression in an interview is an entirely different challenge from writing a compelling cover letter or CV; it gives an employer the chance to get to know a candidate on a more personal level and to better determine whether they are a good fit for a company. A strong candidate should know how to thoroughly research the organisation and position they are applying...]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2017 10:04:48 +0200
According to Jobfeed.nl, the top 5 job sites in NL right now are: Randstad, Young Capital, Tempo-Team, Olympia and Start People. These job boards are ranked by the number of unique job offerings that can be accessed via their sites. The jobs found on these sites are unlikely to be found on any other. With over 12,000 vacancies collectively, these sites have become an increasingly great tool for job searchers throughout the Netherlands. However, I have to also include Together Abroad into this list, as it is a remarkable platform for job seeking expats.

The one thing they all have...]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2017 09:15:26 +0200
Last year, about 1.2 million people experienced workplace harassment, such as bullying, discrimination and (sexual) harassment by colleagues or supervisors.This has to come to an end according to minister of Social Affairs and Employment Lodewijk Asscher.
Employees, who have been victimized, report in sick more often than an average of seven days per year. Besides the personal suffering for those involved, it will cost employers loads of money. TNO research institute calculated that it costs employers about 1.7 billion euros per year.
Therefore, at a conference on this issue in The Hague, Asscher started the campaign "Moet tochkunnen", meaning something...]]> Mon, 20 Jun 2016 11:32:24 +0200
“As Gregor Samsa awoke from unsettling dreams one morning, he found himself transformed in his bed into a monstrous vermin”.. This is an excerpt from The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka and is currently ranked among the greatest opening lines of books, according to The Telegraph. In less than 30 seconds the potential reader is already asking who is Gregor Samsa and what has happened to him. The chances are that whoever read the first line would buy the book and read the story to find out the mystery behind it. But why is this important?

First impressions matter – whether...]]> Mon, 19 Jun 2017 11:03:56 +0200
Negotiations with a boss or supervisor can be a daunting task for employees; nonetheless it is sometimes a necessary means for improvement under unsatisfactory working conditions. The aim of a negotiation can vary from typical requests such as higher wages, more responsibilities and better working hours to improvements in the working environment such as a bigger office, newer equipment or safer working conditions. In any case, negotiating is usually the better option to improve a situation instead of pursuing a better job elsewhere.

In addition to knowing what you wish to get out of a negotiation, making use of suitable...]]> Mon, 19 Jun 2017 11:00:09 +0200

Creating your personal brand entails combining who you are and what you want to promote, in order to attract recruiters’ attention and build your reputation. Whether it is online through social or professional platforms, or in conferences and interviews, you should try to tailor your personal brand depending on the context and the person, by highlighting your strongest skills and characteristics. Let us now see in more details how to build a successful personal brand that recruiters will be unable to resist.

1. CV/Résumé

Your CV/Résumé is usually the first thing that recruiters encounter, which represents your personal brand. Try...]]> Sun, 18 Jun 2017 16:05:47 +0200 A relocation to another country may be daunting, with the Netherlands as no exception. The below tips will give you some guidance and will help you and your possible family members to settle in earlier. However, you will experience the best guidance and achieve the best results in your relocation using a relocation company like Settle Service.

1. Immigration formalities

If you hold an EU nationality, then no immigration formality is needed. You will only need to register at town hall or ExpatCenter.

All citizens holding non EU nationalities will need to undergo an immigration procedure. Mostly used is the...]]> Sun, 18 Jun 2017 15:59:46 +0200

Making a first impression is one of the most important aspects of a job interview. The first few minutes are crucial in deciding the outcome of your application, an observation that often goes unnoticed when preparing for the difficult questions that are expected. Good first impressions can have effects which last long after the interview stage, so it is good to devote some time thinking about how you can make a big impact.

The importance of getting off to a good start should never be underestimated. Research shows that interviewers are influenced by how people dress, act, or even how they...]]> Sun, 18 Jun 2017 15:57:20 +0200
The Netherlands is ranked the 2nd best country for work-life balance according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD). The new “Wet flexibel werken” (Flexible Work Act) that came into effect in 2016 helped to further establish the Netherlands as a country which values worker’s personal lives, by allowing employees to request changes to their working hours and workplace for improved flexibility. However, despite the generous Dutch attitude to work time flexibility, finding a balance between work and family life is a universal challenge for all parents. Modern working life only adds to the stress with the introduction...]]> Thu, 08 Jun 2017 16:06:59 +0200
Nowadays, the proper construction of the online professional persona is significantly crucial for job seekers, as most companies and recruiters use professional platforms, and especially LinkedIn, to find the best candidates. Thus, people who want to find a job online join LinkedIn, try to create effective online profiles, build a circle of business contacts, and market themselves.

If you fit this category, then let us see how to best present your online profile.

1. Picture, Headline and Summary

To begin with, a LinkedIn profile has a specific structure that resembles a traditional resume, starting with a single (formal) photograph of...]]> Thu, 08 Jun 2017 15:57:43 +0200
The age for the adult minimum wage goes down on July 1, 2017 from 23 to 22 years. The minimum weekly wage for 18- to 21-year-olds goes up. These are the minimum wages per 1 July 2017.

The legal minimum wage (WML) for employees aged 22 years and over in full employment will be € 1,565.40 per month, € 361.25 per week and € 72.25 per day per July 1, 2017.

Minimum Youth Wage

The age for the adult minimum wage goes down on July 1, 2017 from 23 to 22 years. The minimum weekly wage for 18- to 21-year-olds...]]> Thu, 08 Jun 2017 15:54:54 +0200
It is a discussion in many living rooms: who is doing less work to take care of the children? This is usually the least-earnest parent. Read: often the woman. But this does not necessarily have to be the most economical, say the organizations Women Inc. and Nibud.

They have an online tool (https://www.womeninc.nl/werkzorgberekenaar) to calculate the financial impact if one or both parents work less. The tool has been developed in the hope that more women continue to work, because in practice the least-earnest partner is often the woman.

Important Tax Benefits

By using tax benefits such as tax rebates...]]> Thu, 08 Jun 2017 15:51:59 +0200
In healthcare, construction and ICT, companies have difficulty finding qualified staff. The shortage can become large enough to stunt the growth of comapnies, warns the UWV.

The large shortage of staff in these sectors is due to the Dutch economy growing and thereby increasing employment demand over the next two years. In total, there are more than 225,000 jobs, according to the UWV labour market forecast.

Jobs in Childcare and Homecare

In almost all sectors, the number of jobs is increasing, but the strongest increase is in health and welfare. After years of shrinkage there will be 30,000 employee jobs...]]> Thu, 08 Jun 2017 15:49:05 +0200 As an internationally recognized hub of trade and high tech industry, the Netherlands attracts numerous multinational companies to its shores. With a vibrant open economy, stable industrial relations, and low inflation and unemployment, the country boasts high wages and excellent working conditions. According to Eurostat, the Dutch earn the third highest full-time wage in the EU, after Denmark and Luxembourg.

Industry in the Netherlands is focused around food processing, chemicals, petroleum refining and other high technology areas, as well as a strong service sector. As such, the highest paid jobs tend to be in these fields. Furthermore, it means that...]]> Mon, 29 May 2017 12:09:39 +0200 As a self-employed or SME, you want your business to grow. But growth costs money because investing is not for free. Fortunately, the tax authorities have different deductions that give you a push.

We list the main deductions:

SME exemption: Every entrepreneur may deduct 14% of his profit, which reduces taxable profit.
Self-deduction: If you worked for more than 1225 hours in one year, you can deduct 7280 euros from your taxable profit. 
Starter deduction: In the first three years, starters can make up a total of 2123 Euro extra deductions, in addition to the self-employed deduction. The exact rules...]]> Mon, 29 May 2017 12:25:03 +0200 HR analytics, also known as predictive retention modelling, is the application of analytics processes to an organisation’s human resources department, for use in performing workforce optimisation. The aim is to use the collected data to provide insights to effectively manage employees, so as to help reach the organisational goals efficiently. Doing this requires identifying the data that should be collected, plus how to use said data in order to replicate and predict employee performance. This way the organisation can determine how to receive a greater return on its investment. HR usually already collects the data used—such things as employee's personal...]]> Mon, 29 May 2017 13:00:11 +0200 In 2010, when I was actively searching for an organisation I could write my Graduation Assignment for, I made around 180 attempts to join a company where I could add value. These were very different forms of reaching out. Out of these, I received around 10 to 15 responses, which were rejections, and two invitations for an interview. For the rest, it was silent.

I am sure a lot of you can relate to this annoying feeling of investing your time in sending your application out and then receiving no response. The more time passes by, the more frustrating it...]]> Mon, 29 May 2017 12:51:54 +0200 Diversity in the workplace is about more than hiring employees based on gender, ethnicity, and cultural background. The significant advantage of a diverse workforce comes from talent diversity, which encompasses the various unique skills, perspectives and ideas each employee can offer to a company; not only does this provide a direct benefit to a company itself in terms of productiveness, but also to fellow employees by creating an environment where employees can develop creatively by bringing out each other’s strengths. In other words, a diverse workforce can positively impact the individual talents of each employee, or as Malcolm Forbes puts...]]> Mon, 29 May 2017 12:38:16 +0200 A good salary can attract employees towards a job and incentivise them to work hard, but there are numerous other factors to take into consideration to keep workers happy and maintain a satisfactory work environment. Employee satisfaction is the emotional fulfilment of one’s personal needs within a job setting and can play an important role for employers to ensure good productivity from workers. The importance of employee satisfaction can arguably vary across different job sectors, where sectors which deal directly with customers, such as tourism, appear to benefit most due to their social nature; a satisfied employee will likely lead...]]> Mon, 29 May 2017 12:32:25 +0200 You probably think of Martkplaats as a location for used cars or furniture, but you may soon find your new job there. The company wants to compete with job sites.

Marktplaats is currently very busy working on this. Over the last ten months, the number of vacancies rose to 44,000 from 2000, which is an increase of 2100%.

The Knife Cuts on Two Sides

The company connects an online recruitment system to its own site and expects that it will be able to offer thousands of new vacancies a month. According to manager Wouter Geerlings of Marktplaats, the knife cuts...]]> Mon, 29 May 2017 12:18:03 +0200 In most cases, employers do not learn from the burnouts of employees. They are interested in what the employee needs during the burnout, but not how to prevent burnouts, according to research by Kantar Public on behalf of insurer Silver Cross.

33% Positive

The survey shows that only 33% of respondents indicate that their employer has learned something about their burnout. The researchers think employers are missing self-reflection.

They see burnouts especially as incidents and not something that can be prevented by working differently.

Something to Do

While that can certainly help, Professor of Occupational and Organisational Psychology Arnold Bakker...]]> Mon, 29 May 2017 11:04:21 +0200 Let me set the scene for you. You have decided that it is about time to start looking for a job, and you have already begun engaging in the well-familiar but tedious process. It has been hours since you entered some words into the search bar and now your browser is plagued by endless of tabs of useless results. You are reading the job descriptions, constantly tailoring your CV to meet the requirements, only to find out that all that hard work is going to leave you disappointed. Nevertheless, there is a smart way to avoid this pesky hassle, focus...]]> Mon, 29 May 2017 10:01:32 +0200 After doing thorough research and rehearsing all possible questions for about ninety minutes with my dad, the day of the interview had finally come. And it went well. Forty minutes into the interview and they had not asked a single question I had not prepared for. And then:

If you could have any job, what kind of job would you like to do?

It threw me off. The question struck me as out of place and disrupting the course the interview had had up to this point. Had I made a huge miscalculation? I was fairly sure I was doing...]]> Wed, 24 May 2017 11:31:01 +0200 Employee shareholder plans, otherwise known as employee stock ownership plans (ESOP), are plans that offer employees part-ownership in the company through the allocation of shares. They are often used as a corporate finance strategy to align the interests of the employer with those of the company, and come in a variety of forms. Participants can buy stock directly, or it can be offered to them as a bonus. Participants usually benefit from a range of tax breaks on their stocks. So why are many companies jumping on the ESOP bandwagon?

From an employer’s perspective, shareholder plans are generally seen as...]]> Wed, 24 May 2017 11:45:43 +0200 The smooth spinning economy and the falling unemployment rate help ensure that most consumers will spend their vacation money rather than deposit it in their savings account or paying off debts.

Of the people who spend their vacation money (which is at least 8% of gross annual salary), more than 60% will spend the money for what it is originally intended—going on a holiday. Four in ten of the Dutch book a few weeks of sun in Southern Europe, or rain in their own country, according to a study by the ING Economic Bureau.

Young People Prefer to Save

Remarkably,...]]> Wed, 24 May 2017 11:26:01 +0200 The labour market is constantly changing. Former professional structures are no longer sufficient. Organizations must open up for that, even for existing functions. Time to keep the job descriptions well against the light.

“In many organizations, functions have the same name, while under the hood there are huge differences in job content”, said job engineer Luc Dorenbosch. “Once, 100 employees were employed, but some have become ICT specialists in the meantime. I was involved in a process where maintenance engineers got more space to shape their function. A traditional planner determined the customers, routes and types of jobs per week....]]> Wed, 24 May 2017 11:20:54 +0200 ‘Unemployment is declining again’, reported CBS this morning. But how are those numbers actually measured?

Unemployment has fallen by an average of 8,000 people per month in the past three months. The number of unemployed in April amounted to 456,000, which is 5.1% of the working population. At the same time, the number of employed people increased by an average of 9000 per month over the past three months, with 1,000 more than the number of unemployed.

How Do Those Numbers Compare

The CBS does not distinguish on two, but three so-called labour positions: the working population, the unemployed and...]]> Tue, 23 May 2017 12:49:27 +0200 We often need to think about where we settle down, it is rarely a random choice like closing your eyes and pointing somewhere on a map and then heading there, as adventurous as it sounds, the majority of us like to make a more informed judgment. Regardless of the reason of moving, whether you have just graduated and are seeking the best spot with your qualification, or coming to the Netherlands from abroad to work, or even something as simple as a fresh start, there are some useful things to bear in mind.

Where Are My Skills Needed

Some of...]]> Mon, 22 May 2017 09:27:00 +0200 One of the most important employment tools for job seekers and companies in the future... employers want to know that you'd fit into the company culture, want to know about you before inviting you for an interview.
Video CVs or VCVs have become an important employment tool for job seekers and employers everywhere. With an incredibly competitive job market, a VCV is just the right tool to make you stand out as a candidate. Personality is often hard to show through traditional paper CV. Before inviting you for an interview, employers want to know that you will fit into their...]]> Fri, 19 May 2017 10:38:10 +0200 Now that the economic crisis is behind us, it seems obvious that many people are thinking about changing jobs. But nothing is less true: three quarters of the employees of SMEs and family businesses would like to work for the same boss at all times.

According to an inquiry by BDO consultancy firm, the employees of the above-mentioned companies prefer better working conditions such as holiday days and a business car rather than a high salary. In the survey, 1400 employees of SME and family companies were questioned and they prefer to be ‘in their comfort zone’, rather than be...]]> Tue, 16 May 2017 22:15:20 +0200 Nowadays, not that many workers are worried about keeping their jobs. Particularly in the construction and care sectors, concern has sharply declined over the past three years.

The proportion of employees that worried about maintaining their jobs has decreased in all industries between 2013 and 2016, as shown by the Central Bureau of Statistics and Research Institute TNO. According to organizations, unemployment is declining, the number of vacancies increasing, and there are fewer reorganizations and reductions.

A Decline in Construction and Care

Three years ago, the concern reached 34%, the highest level since the beginning of the crisis. But last...]]> Tue, 16 May 2017 22:14:18 +0200 Which job makes you happy? It is not only aspects like the salary or the balance between work and free time that are important. The extent to which your work is essential for the company is also necessary.

Whoever does important work within a company is happier than someone who performs less essential activities. Scientists have surveyed hundreds of employees in 5 different investigations and published the outcome on the Harvard Business Review website.

A Happy Programmer

According to the researchers, a lawyer is happier working at a law firm than a corporate lawyer at an advertising agency. A programmer...]]> Mon, 15 May 2017 20:44:40 +0200  Adams Multilingual Recruitment shares insights gleaned from twenty years of helping international job seekers find positions in the Netherlands and abroad.

Founder and Managing Director Maureen Adams remembers: “Dutch agencies back in the mid 90’s had notices on their doors stating that people who didn’t speak Dutch were not welcome. I remember walking into one agency, to be greeted by a young woman who took my CV and as I walked out the door she threw it promptly in the bin. It was difficult to find a good job without speaking Dutch and yet, in the meantime, I could see...]]> Mon, 15 May 2017 11:48:44 +0200 When entering the employment world, credentials in your field are normally essential. A university degree is almost always a prerequisite in getting past the first hurdle in a job or graduate scheme application. However, does that mean that your degree is the most important feature on your CV? There is evidence that this not necessarily the case. Experience can help promote your job profile in competitive fields.

The first thing to note is that the debate between education and experience is largely dependent on what type of job you are applying for. Vocational fields like construction will often value experience...]]> Mon, 15 May 2017 11:43:27 +0200 Highly educated Dutch students prefer the certainty of a permanent job over entrepreneurship and work at a start-up, according to a recent study of the Business Talent Network (BTN) recruiting platform among Dutch HBO and WO students.

Over half of the students (53.7%) hope to find a permanent job after graduation. Four out of ten (38.8%) prefer their career with a traineeship. Only 7.5% opt for entrepreneurship, and this is below the national average: of the current labor force, more than 12% are independent entrepreneurs.

Loyalty

However, the desired security of a permanent job does not translate into loyalty and...]]> Thu, 11 May 2017 11:32:35 +0200 Employees want to know more about a company before applying to it. One in five considers the employer’s brand as an important factor in determining the choice for an employer.

This is evidenced by the Manpower Group report The Rise of the Well-Informed Candidate. Globally, 58% of surveyed employees find the employer brand more important now than they did five years ago. Especially candidates from the ages18 to 35 adhere to this value.

Employee Brand Actively Investigated

The Dutch are by far not the most active candidates when it comes to viewing the employer’s mark. Only 20% of candidates are...]]> Thu, 11 May 2017 11:28:03 +0200 Moving to The Netherlands was a culture shock in itself. However, successfully searching for a job here was an even bigger culture shock. For some time I did not even have to try. Jobs seemed to fall into my lap. I had not even been searching for a week when I was offered a job at Lush Cosmetics in November of last year. Once that contract ended, I was swiftly hired at a call centre in Rotterdam. From my perspective, my interview and trial shift skills were enough to get me a job.

I decided to leave the call centre...]]> Thu, 11 May 2017 11:20:58 +0200 A modern father ensures that he has a papadag at least one day a week — but it turns out that fathers working part-time are unhappy. This is a striking conclusion from the dissertation of Sean de Hoon, sociologist at Erasmus University. Among other things, he investigated the degree of happiness in relation to part-time or full-time work. And it turns out that we are secretly still very traditional.

Man Wants to Earn the Money and Woman Wants to Take Care of Children

Fathers appeared to be happier when they work full-time. And according to De Hoon, they want to...]]> Tue, 09 May 2017 11:22:13 +0200 Working with an employee or employer who asks you to break the rules at work can lead to numerous conflicts and ethical dilemmas in the workplace, but what steps can be taken to deal with such indecent proposals? Proposals can range from keeping quiet about misplaced petty cash to falsifying patient records in a hospital; in either case it is a daunting challenge many employees could face during their career and it is easy to see why anyone could be persuaded to go along with an indecent proposal: “I need to make a first impression on my boss”; “I can’t...]]> Tue, 09 May 2017 11:00:30 +0200 Despite advanced digital home-based capabilities, companies have recently preferred to see their employees appear at the office. The rise of agile works and more physical cooperation in multidisciplinary teams plays a role. Is work from home no longer the highlight?

According to figures from Statistics Netherlands of over 8 million employees, nearly 3 million works from home. 62% say that they work from home on an incidental basis. Since last year there is even a law that gives employees more opportunities to work for their time also from home. For a long time, work from home has been celebrated: less...]]> Thu, 04 May 2017 12:42:23 +0200 Job boards are anything but scarce. There are countless boards available at your fingertips. With this countless amount of job boards in each country, it can often be hard to know which ones to use. Using every single job board will not necessarily increase your chances of getting a job. In actual fact, it will just take up unnecessary amounts of time. Imagine receiving over 1000 emails every day, believe me it is a complete eyesore. This is why I want to share my favourite boards that have actually been listed as some of the best internationally. How many job...]]> Thu, 04 May 2017 12:37:26 +0200 Every month millions of employees quit their jobs. It is an extraordinary amount of people that are so dissatisfied in their current positions they are willing to risk their chances in the job market. Job-hunting is a tiring process and most people do their best to avoid it at all costs. However, an employee can only be pushed so far. If he or she reaches a point of no longer feeling content with their job, then quitting is probably the best thing for them to do. With that said, most employees leave having already accepted another job offer or because...]]> Wed, 03 May 2017 14:10:22 +0200 Forecasting HR requirements is a part of human resource planning, which involves analysing the company’s need to add workers or to reduce them. Forecasting is best completed through strategic planning. Strategic planning helps to fulfil the company’s mission since it relates to the workforce. Developing a strategic HR plan aids an HR team in making successful decisions regarding future HR requirements. A company that exists without using strategic planning may fall short in the areas of staffing and training needs. As part of a strategic plan, strategies are created and implemented to help achieve the set goals whilst meeting the...]]> Wed, 03 May 2017 14:04:11 +0200 When organisations execute changes companies face challenges, as it is not always easy to convince the employees – particularly the elder employees. The easiest way to get rid of these employees is through retirement. Under some conditions this might be a beneficial way for both employer and employee. However, to ensure a sustainable solution, organisations should carefully take into consideration the involved legal, social and economic consequences.

Changes in a corporation – like solving financial issues or entering into a new market – might confront the corporation with its employees, because changes stand for uncertainty and may carry disadvantages for...]]> Wed, 03 May 2017 13:59:26 +0200 In recent years, there has been a lot of discussion in corporate, academic and public arenas about the term ‘corporate sustainability’. The term has often been used as a synonym for ‘sustainable development’ or ‘corporate social responsibility’ (CSR). Essentially it represents a new paradigm that promotes a management model that offers an alternative to the more traditional profit maximization and growth models. This comes about primarily due to increasing popular concern for the social and environmental consequences of corporate actions and unrestricted growth. Hence, principles such as environmental protection and social justice are promoted to a status of concern, which...]]> Wed, 03 May 2017 13:38:13 +0200 It has been nearly three decades since Dutch employers, trade unions and the government decided on a course of action to combat unemployment, which involved increasing labour market flexibility. Since then, total employment rose steadily. However, despite these successes, there are issues that still need to be addressed. Many of these problems are outlined in a recent European Commission Report, and include “rising long-term unemployment and the potential segmentation of the labour market”.

In the 1980s the Dutch government introduced legislation that led to a pivotal reformulation of the economy and the labour market in the Netherlands. This became known...]]> Wed, 03 May 2017 13:27:48 +0200 Employers’ organization VNO-NCW agrees with the plan to return unemployment benefits to the unemployed during three years.

President Hans de Boer has confirmed that on the TV program WNL on Sunday. “We’re going to sign it, I just have to check one more time with my board”, said De Boer, who criticized the unions with his statement.

Suspended Consultation

Since Friday, the unions did not want to discuss with the employers’ organizations because they had not wanted to sign. But according to De Boer, conclusions have been drawn too quickly.

“The letter from the farmers was on my desk on...]]> Mon, 01 May 2017 12:34:40 +0200 Job-hunting via job boards is a task many would describe as arduous. The process often involves scrolling through pages and pages of vacancies for an everlasting amount of time only to find a handful of positions that not only match your qualifications but also truly peak your interest. To make matters worse, for every ten applications you submit you would be lucky to hear back from more than one employer. How demoralising, right? Then there is the added "bonus" of applying to vacancies that have already been filled - a complete waste of time. There in suggesting that not every...]]> Mon, 01 May 2017 11:03:55 +0200 In the Netherlands, 6% of people are unemployed, but the municipality of Rotterdam is quite higher than that. Rotterdam had the highest unemployment rate last year, at 11.3%. Thee figures are based on the CBS reports regarding the latest regional unemployment figures. In the Rijnmond region, where Rotterdam is, unemployment is the highest of 35 regions, with 8.2%.

Regions with highest unemployment:

Rijnmond: 8.2%
The Hague: 7.7%
Flevoland: 7.3%
Groningen: 7.1%

The labour market regions are smaller than the provinces, and are not always at the borders of provinces. In ten regions, unemployment is higher than the national average, and...]]> Mon, 08 May 2017 09:53:00 +0200 A large group of people remain unemployed despite the recovery of the economy and the labour market. Especially the low-skilled, elderly and non-Western migrants, they are not doing well, according to UWV figures.

The unemployment rate at 5.3% is at the lowest point in years. Not bad, but it is still much higher than before the crisis. In 2008, only 3.7% of the working population was unemployed.

Government Must Intervene

“The good news is that the number of vacancies is rising and that the economic recovery is going to increase the number of jobs”, says Tof Thissen, director of UWV...]]> Fri, 28 Apr 2017 12:16:55 +0200 Colleagues’ noise is at the top as a factor that has the most negative impact on productivity. Three-quarters of Dutch employees work in an open office space and 61% experience moderate or too much noise.

A survey of 525 of No Ties commissioned by Plantronics, shows that 40% of workers are having a negative impact on productivity by noise from colleagues. The personnel productivity decreases especially in buildings that are mainly constructed of concrete and glass, and are not provided with good sound insulation.

33% of employees indicate that an office with separate space for different activities would improve performance....]]> Fri, 28 Apr 2017 10:15:40 +0200 New European legislation requires many organizations to use specialists this year. These are rare and the result is shortages, says the recruitment organization Robert Walters. Employers generally have three options to get the necessary specialist knowledge.

All organizations that work with personal data must comply with stricter laws and regulations, especially since European regulations will apply on 25 May 2018. From then on, only one privacy act (the General Data Protection Act) applies throughout the European Union. The outdated National Data Protection Act (WBP) will no longer apply. Organizations need to adjust their policies, otherwise they will be penalized a...]]> Thu, 27 Apr 2017 10:51:46 +0200 We all know how stressful job interviews can be. Nerves are pretty much guaranteed and can sometimes get the better of us, forcing us to draw blanks after key questions, or making us respond before thinking and in the process cutting the interviewer off. Although there is a long list of potential mistakes one might make during an interview, there is usually a way to correct yourself and not blow your chances of getting the job.

One of the most common mistakes is being too quick to answer a question. Whether out of nerves or habit, it can cause immediate...]]> Thu, 27 Apr 2017 09:42:42 +0200 Work experience or a degree, which one do employers more relevant? My clients often ask me this and the answer I give them hardly ever satisfies them: I do not think it is either, or; the best would be both. That said, experience is the more important. However, a degree gives an indication of a certain level on which one ought to be able to work, but only having a degree and no experience will not increase the chance of landing the job.

Having a foreign diploma can complicate the job hunt even further. This also depends on your experience...]]> Thu, 20 Apr 2017 13:50:35 +0200 Salary negotiations remain an issue when you start a new job. After all, what income can you really ask for the job position?

These five Dutch companies do it differently: “All salaries and bonuses are public”.Transparency is the new buzzword. The idea is, an employee who knows where he or she stands, is a happy employee. It works in one of these ways:

1.Basic salary for everyone to be increased by well enough sales:

Law firms are often known for their hierarchical, hard structure. Law firm Bruggink& Van der Velden do it differently, says labour lawyer DaniëlMaats. The lawyers are...]]> Wed, 19 Apr 2017 15:44:10 +0200 Building your online presence is no easy task – first you undertake the soul-searching trip to the best of your skills and characteristics, then you have to carefully synthesize the outcome into a mind-blowing, knocking-all-socks-off pieces of texts, all while cautiously balancing between the creative and the appropriate. And still, if you fail to live what you preach, you will be dismissed as a fraud in a heartbeat. Harmonizing the image you present online with your offline persona is a crucial part of your personal branding – simply because we (still) live most of our lives offline.

Get Going and...]]> Wed, 19 Apr 2017 14:56:14 +0200 A “between jobs” seems to be a solution for employees with a flexible contract that want to have more stability. A four-year contract with asaving pot for training – the supermarket sector is going to try it.

Politicians and economists have been debating for a while: flex to be less flexible and fixed to be less fixed. But attempts to ensure this seem not to succeed (enough).Employers and trade union CNV think they have now found a solution: “the between job” for the supermarket sector, which is popular for side jobs. You get a four-year contract and money for training,...]]> Wed, 19 Apr 2017 08:06:34 +0200 Last year, three people worked in an office in Rijssen (Twente), but now the electronics brand TRNDlabs have workers in Brazil, Ukraine, Serbia, Morocco and Slovenia. Founder Gerard Nieuwenhuis tells us what it is like to work with staff in different time zones.

Nieuwenhuis had difficulty finding suitable staff near the headquarters of his company. “During 2016 we grew a lot and we noticed that it is difficult to find affordable international talent around Twente”. Because the company had 95% of revenue (2 million in 2016) from abroad, it is very much internationally oriented.

Cheaper Candidates

The salary plays a...]]> Wed, 19 Apr 2017 07:47:48 +0200 There is a welcome bonus of 5,000 Euros for new Dutch or English teachers. Schools are increasingly offering high premiums to attract teachers, reports De Telegraaf. A school in Katwijk might even offer 10,000 Euros for a maths teacher.

According to the job site Meesterbaan, maths teachers are most wanted.Head-hunters and agencies dig for CVs of mathematics teachers by sifting through on sites like LinkedIn, and they send unsolicited e-mails in which they offer jobs. The need is very high in some cases.

Mathematics Teacher

Andreas College in Katwijk offers 10,000 Euros to a grade one mathematics teacher, according to...]]> Fri, 14 Apr 2017 12:17:27 +0200 There are not many people who will be able to explain in detail how pensions work. Among many adults it is an abstract concept that is to be tackled a few decades down the road. I have to admit, I am not an exception. Once in a while, the topic resurfaces. Usually it is a letter from my employer informing me about the current affairs. I often start reading it only to lose interest after finishing the third paragraph. With the nearing elections, pensions and the age of retirement (AOW leeftijd), which is 67 years and three months at the...]]> Fri, 14 Apr 2017 12:03:18 +0200 HR professionals are doing well in the market. In 2016 there were 37,763 jobs posted. That is an increase of 24.2% from 2015, as calculated by Jobfeed, based on unduplicated data from 192,562 job placements. The greatest demand in this field is for recruiters at 46% of the number of vacancies, followed by 31.5% in the operational part within this field.

The most HRM jobs are in the Randstad: North and South Holland together account for nearly half of the vacancies. Utrecht and Noord-Brabant are aggregating another 25% of HR vacancies.

Employers are looking for HRMs especially with a bachelor’s...]]> Tue, 11 Apr 2017 22:45:41 +0200 As a business owner you need money – whether to start your own business or to invest in it, for example, in machines or in renovations. But there are several forms of financing. So which of these best fits your situation?

Crowdfunding or Business Loan?

Suppose you want to start a business and you need to have 4,500 euros available.Then crowdfundingmight be a solution – this is when a large group of people insert an amount of money to finance your project or company. It is a good financing option for starters. There are a wide variety of platforms that...]]> Tue, 11 Apr 2017 21:56:28 +0200 All jobs are demanding, and in certain careers overtime is becoming more and more commonplace. It is fair for employers to ask their employees to work hard, but sometimes bosses go too far by placing too much pressure on their employees. The negative effects of overly demanding bosses have been widely researched. For instance, one study found that 77% of employees experienced physical symptoms of stress as a result of poor relationships with their bosses. The wider health effect of consistent overtime, which includes mental health problems, has also been documented.

Getting the work-life balance right is important for many...]]> Mon, 10 Apr 2017 10:42:52 +0200 New entrepreneurs do not like to reject customers. The fear that they will lose money and that something might go wrong is too daunting. However, a clear ‘no’ is often appreciated.

Seger Theuns often has this situation as director of myBrand – an IT company: if he takes over the services from other companies (clients), they always respond with enthusiasm. But if there is something that must be provided,which sometimes goes wrong, then: “A clear ‘no’ would help”.

Theuns is always led by the saying: “Be honest, direct and always think of the long term relationship”. To find out if...]]> Fri, 07 Apr 2017 08:22:48 +0200 There are a few jobs that are truly solitary, while the majority involve teams. Certain professions are more team orientated than other jobs. Teachers usually teach their own classes, but all the teachers form a team together. Although being in a team does not mean it automatically operates as one. After all, a team is formed by individuals who have their own ideas and opinions that maynot always agree with one another. Yet, in order not to derail as a team, it is crucial for the individuals to get along to a certain degree.

There are many ways to improve...]]> Fri, 07 Apr 2017 08:21:34 +0200 The vast majority of the financial industry is trying to attract active women and minority groups, but their strategies are not delivering. Women appear to be the left out of the sector.

Banks, fintech companies and asset management companies often use special recruitment strategies to attract more women and minority groups. More than three-quarters of companies in the financial sector perform a special ‘diversity policy’, whereas only 51% of companies in other industries do this, according to evidencefrom the research by the audit and consulting firm PwC. The research was based on dozens of companies in the sector and nearly...]]> Wed, 05 Apr 2017 09:54:49 +0200 Many mergers & acquisitions ‘how-to’ manuals discourage executives from paying too much attention to people issues, urging them to focus all the energy on getting the greatest possible value out of the deal. That is almost ironic, considering that most failed mergers list inability to successfully blend the cultures of the two companies as the top reason of failure. In those cases, shortly after the integration, morale dropped, synergies failed to substantiate, and key people started heading to the exits. Arguably, if culture can be the biggest issue of mergers, then it could also be the most powerful tool for...]]> Mon, 03 Apr 2017 13:26:20 +0200 Western companies are more often aiming to recruit employees with different ¬nationalities, professional backgrounds, education etc., as well as trying to close the gender gap.Research shows that this is a good strategy, and that customers also prefer to be served by international companies. But is this approach valid for all the companies, and for all the units (teams) in a company?

According to the generally accepted findings on diversity, there are two types diversity:
- Surface level diversity, e.g. race, sex and age.
- Deep level diversity, e.g. personality traits, educational and functional background, values, general mental ability, emotional intelligence...]]> Mon, 03 Apr 2017 13:05:21 +0200 Recruitment agencies used to have a bit of a negative reputation as wolves looking for quick money not really interested in the company nor the candidate. Most agencies were not specialised and worked for any company that they obtained an order from. However, the market has changed and companies demand that the agencies have a profound knowledge of their business; they are not just looking for someone who selects CV’s but for abusiness partner. They are looking for an agency that does not only look at short term success but that provides long term solutions. The same applies for the...]]> Mon, 03 Apr 2017 12:54:05 +0200 Are individual members of your team performing worse than you had hoped? Failure to get to the root of poor performance can have adverse effects on a company's commercial success. Research has shown that on almost all commercial measures, including net income and growth in revenue, the companies that perform the best also have the most effective performance management programs. For example, employees whose managers are adept at people development perform 25% better than managers who are less competent in this area. So what can be done?

The first step is to recognize poor performance and act quickly. Failure to...]]> Mon, 03 Apr 2017 12:40:20 +0200 The boundary between boss/buddy relationships can often be difficult to discern for managers, and failure to have a clear distinction can create unwanted pitfalls. On the one hand, you – as a manager – do not want to appear too aloof or impersonal when dealing with your employees. On the other hand, you also want to maintain a professional separation that allows both you and your employees to work efficiently. Establishing firm rules is essential.

There are many reasons why managers want to be friendlier with their staff. A desire to be liked and to be accommodating to your workmates...]]> Mon, 03 Apr 2017 12:39:11 +0200 Many workers have a savings jar to pay for a training/education. But your boss manages these jars,and that needs to change, says the Social Economic Council (SER). It is not the company but the workers themselves that must determine where they can spend their education money. In this way, if necessary, they can move easily to another position or job.
Money is often readily available for such training/education, but putting this into practice is incredibly complicated. “Different ministries have different budgets and various policies in which to promote lifelong learning, and sometimes they can even working against each other, consciously...]]> Mon, 03 Apr 2017 11:03:25 +0200 Good employers will know when your salary should increase as a reward for great work. Sometimes, however, you might feel you are due a pay rise that has not arrived. Asking for a raise can be a tricky conversation. For example, you do not want to come across as too arrogant or demanding, nor give the impression that you are ungrateful. Sometimes the response to a raise will be a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ regardless of how you present your case. If your boss is open to persuasion, however,good preparation and research can make all the difference.

The first and most...]]> Mon, 03 Apr 2017 10:46:52 +0200 Organisations spend a lot of money to make the workplace as comfortable and ergonomic as possible. But we often forget is our brains. With a few simple modifications, the productivity of employees can increase by at least 25%.

Imagine, in the port of Rotterdam you put two men to work on moving a large pile of coal. Worker A continues to work until the job is done, and worker B takes breaks of five minutes each hour, to take a walk across the harbour or eat an apple. Which mountain coal is moved fastest, despite the considerable amount of extra...]]> Thu, 30 Mar 2017 11:07:23 +0200 In an increasingly competitive job market, it is important to stand out from the crowd and be noticed by recruiters. Famous brands such as Apple, Nike, or Tesla are immediately recognisable, and carry with them a promise of product quality and consumer expectation. The same is true of personal branding. Prospective employees are selling a ‘product’ (themselves) to a ‘consumer’ (the company).

Building a personal brand is often much more difficult than selling a physical product. This is because it can be difficult to quantify features of your personality that will make you look good to an employer. Your personality...]]> Thu, 30 Mar 2017 10:59:46 +0200 Starting your own business is a dream for many people: setting your own agenda and having no boss. However, financial uncertainty and demanding customers can put pressure on the balance between work and private life, explains researcher Anne Annink.

Some business owners are extremely satisfied with their self-appointed work life, while others are regularly close to a burnout. For her dissertation ‘Busyness around the business’,Annink studied European policies on the topic of entrepreneurship, and she spoke with the self-employed in the Netherlands, Sweden and Spain. Her main conclusion: the self-employed are more satisfied with their work-life balance and well being...]]> Tue, 28 Mar 2017 11:22:53 +0200 For the first time in ten years, the average retirement age has not increased. Last year the average age was 64 years and 5 months, just like in 2015.

Earlier this century, the average retirement age was much lower at 61 years. Through several new laws and regulations, the retirement age rose steadily and the most was in 2007. The systematic increase in the retirement age has played a major role, writes CBS. This was introduced from January 1, 2013.

Fisheries and Agriculture Retire as the Last

In 2006 the largest number of employees that retired were 60 years old...]]> Mon, 27 Mar 2017 11:42:29 +0200 For a multitude of reasons, workers may sometimes prefer not to spend their entire workweek at their job. Part-time contracts typically entail a workweek of around 30 hours or less, rather than 40. Some may find this a more efficient way to organize their lives, while others may want to be able to devote more hours to other priorities. Expats moving to the Netherlands may be wondering what their options are regarding part-time work, and filling in their schedule differently. One thing that can certainly be said about part-time work in the Netherlands is that it is popular.

The good...]]> Mon, 27 Mar 2017 10:46:14 +0200 As my MBA program moves into the last few months of classes, I find myself faced with a debate concerning employment. I am required to choose a company to base my thesis upon, and a certain amount of hours spent with that company is required in order to acquire the data needed to write the paper. Should I find an internship for myself? As an MBA student with several years of work experience, am I overqualified for an internship? As an expat with a need for a visa, do I have a right to be picky?

Internships are a little...]]> Thu, 23 Mar 2017 11:00:55 +0100 Unemployment in the Netherlands has again further declined in February. There was a total of 504,000 registered unemployed, 5,000 less than in January reported the CBS last week. These are the hard numbers and they are not adjusted for seasonal effects. According to the accountants, the number of people in paid employment has increased by13 thousand per month on average, in the last three months.

Fewer Allowances
The number of unemployment insurance benefits declined in February. The UWV returned to 416,000 persons last month, a decrease of 0.7% compared to January. This decline was mainly on account of women, with...]]> Thu, 23 Mar 2017 09:39:57 +0100 More than half of the self-employed do not know all the ins and outs of the DBA. One out of three expects that the law will be abolished.

According to research from ZZP Barometer, among 825 freelancers, 58.6% of the respondents think that the self-employed under the Law of DBA must have a minimum of three clients.

Also, nearly half of the self-employed (49.1%) assume that,as freelancers, they might be required to pay employee contributions according to the law. On average 28.4% of freelancers did not give the correct answers about the law DBA in seven propositions.

DBA Has Little...]]> Tue, 21 Mar 2017 17:07:01 +0100 The job market is changing rapidly. Some professions disappear while others rise like a tide, like the Work Happiness Expert. The National Professions Guide listed a number of future jobs in a row. It involves the development of existing professions as well as the creation of new ones.

Personal Leadership

The Work Happiness Expert, according to the National Action Guide, is a consultant, a manager or an officer, who focuses on increasing the perception of happiness in the workplace. He/she does this is by giving workshops and (team) coaching focusing on personal leadership and giving inspiration sessions.

In addition, he/she...]]> Mon, 20 Mar 2017 11:31:27 +0100 One of the biggest challenges job seekers face today is getting a foot in the door of the job market. Navigating a route to securing a good job can often be bewildering. You may be fully competent to fulfil the role described in your CV, but actually landing that first interview is a long and daunting journey, which can be more pronounced for expats. This is where recruiter websites come in. If they are used properly, then can be a valuable ally for any jobseeker.

Online recruitment techniques have become the most widely used techniques used by recruiters. In addition...]]> Mon, 20 Mar 2017 10:12:12 +0100 The startup community in the Netherlands has been growing continuously for the past few years and has become extremely well-known. It has become so prominent that the country is now giving out new visas allowing entrepreneurs to pursue their young companies in an effort to make The Netherlands, Europe’s best startup location. Working for a startup can either be the best opportunity or the worst nightmare for an employee, depending on personality and goals.

There are advantages for seeking out employment with companies like this. While, salary might not look as nice as it does at the larger corporations, perks...]]> Thu, 16 Mar 2017 12:16:36 +0100 Last week, the Orange Fund organized the NLDoet nationwide volunteer action. And this year there is a record number of registered volunteer jobs: 9500. This is good for the organizations that are helped by volunteers, but what do you actually gain as a volunteer?

Last year around three hundred jobs were noted less than this year, and as expected 350000 took some action. But that is just a fraction compared to the number of Dutch people that are doing volunteer work during the rest of the year.

Disinterested?

Almost half of the Dutch are unselfishly dedicated in voluntary work for...]]> Tue, 14 Mar 2017 12:54:03 +0100 Throughout the country are network-cafés for the unemployed. In Amsterdam, there is a group of people over 50 years of age that meet for more than half a year,they are looking for jobs but not for themselves, rather for one another. At least 40% of them have already found work.
This week a second group startsin Zaandam, and two new cities will follow within six months. Erik Lambooy of Netwerkcafé Amsterdam devised the initiative: the Relay Network.

People Have Forgotten How You Enter Somewhere

The idea is that a group of unemployed people over 50 are looking for a job...]]> Tue, 14 Mar 2017 10:32:43 +0100 Labour markets at the border of the Netherlands and Belgium partly overlap, especially in the Dutch region of South Limburg and Zeeland Flanders. This emerged from a study by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) and the Flemish Centre for Work.

Belgians work more often in the Netherlands, and the Dutch work in Belgium. Approximately nine thousand people living in the Netherlands worked in the Belgian border region in 2014. And 31,000 Belgium residents worked in the Netherlands that same year.The structure of the labour on both sides of the border is different. It involves differences such as the type...]]> Mon, 13 Mar 2017 11:20:48 +0100 Using online job agencies is becoming increasingly popular, for both jobseekers and businesses. Companies use job agencies so they do not have to sort through potentially hundreds of job applications for a given position. Outsourcing to an agency saves time for executives as the agency can reduce the initially large number of applications down to a manageable level. For jobseekers, many agencies offer services beyond simply being a platform for job hunting. These services can include help with writing CVs, as well as offering practice interviews to improve your chances of being hired. How useful then are such agencies?

Recruitment...]]> Mon, 13 Mar 2017 10:05:58 +0100 Working outside the usual office hours is increasingly becoming the norm. Figures from the Central Bureau of Statistics from last year show that four in ten workers are working regularly in the evening, or even at night. Also they often work in the weekends.

In the Netherlands there are a lot of people who are working in the evenings, CBS reported on the basis of new figures for 2016. One reason is that the percentage of self-employed in the Netherlands is higher proportionally than in other EU countries.

More than 3.6 million people regularly work in the evening or at...]]> Wed, 08 Mar 2017 20:25:01 +0100 Smaller accounting firms fear a shortage of accountants. The smaller companies cannot often meet the new requests of the students’ educational curriculum, so students will opt for a training place at larger firms, as written by Het FinancieeleDagblad (FD), according to a survey of an umbrella organization SRA.

Smaller accounting firms that control small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may not provide the required number of training hours. The minimum number of hours required was increased from a thousand to fifteen hundred hours as of the start of 2016.

Of the 360 firms that are members of the umbrella organization, 228...]]> Tue, 07 Mar 2017 14:49:22 +0100 Many growing companies find themselves in a situation when there are clearly two (or more) different cultures within one firm, and no one has the slightest idea how it could have happened. Everyone agrees that it has surely to do with communication, or the lack of it, but no one seems to know how to fix it. When crucial information fails to be delivered between different departments, it does take its toll on your productivity and, inevitably, your bottom line and the growth you were so proud of. Here are some simple but efficient ideas on how to avoid a...]]> Mon, 06 Mar 2017 13:09:47 +0100  Making a smart corporate health plan can help employees understand their benefits better and they can be more efficient. This can pay off for both the employees and the company in a variety of ways.

When the employees are satisfied with the benefits offered by the company, including the health plan, the overall work satisfaction is high. In a recent study, 76% of employees who rated their benefits package as excellent or very good also gave high marks to their employer as a place to work. However, only 18% of those who rate their benefits poorly, gave high marks to...]]> Mon, 06 Mar 2017 11:54:12 +0100 The key word to employees working together efficiently is “teamwork.” Often overlooked, teamwork is a highly needed aspect within the workplace. It involves different people with different capabilities working together to reach a common goal they would all share. Having employees supporting each other creates a positive atmosphere within the work place, thus givingless chance of stress amongst employees.

A study done by Kim Cameron at the University of Michigan found that workplaces that were to have “positive and virtuous practices” will provide better results. These “positive and virtuous practices” include providing support for one another, respecting one another, avoiding...]]> Mon, 06 Mar 2017 11:44:15 +0100 Employee training and development programmes have become common across workplaces in various sectors. It is generally accepted, nowadays, that investing in learning opportunities for employees yields positive results. What is increasingly becoming accepted as well is that such training and development opportunities have little value unless organizations follow up on them.

One manner in which education crosses over into the workplace, is in that material taught in a class needs to be revised later. In order for an organization’s investment to pay off, it needs to ensure that it did not put effort into the enforcement of a training and...]]> Mon, 06 Mar 2017 11:19:43 +0100 A profit sharing plan, also known as a deferred profit sharing plan (DPSP), is a plan that gives employees of the company a share in the profits. It is essentially a collection of incentive plans that provide direct or indirect payments to employees on top of their regular salary and bonuses. There are usually restrictions as to how a person can benefit from such a plan, such as withdrawing funds, or the way in which shares are allocated. Payment into the plan is at the company’s discretion. Examples of companies which have such schemes include the financial services company First...]]> Mon, 06 Mar 2017 11:13:02 +0100 Organizational change is part and parcel of any organization. The adoption of new business practices, or promising new technology, represents examples of changes that occur all the time. Those involved in what is known as OD (organizational development) will know how much resistance they can face when they try to get people to adopt promising new technology, or new decision making processes. Models exists that help to clarify the steps that can be taken to minimise the task of change management. Two of the most common include Lewin’s 3-step model, and Kotter’s 8-step model, which will be discussed below. Both...]]> Mon, 06 Mar 2017 10:42:21 +0100 Cool Blue expects to achieve sales of 1.2 billion Euros. This would be a continuation of the strong sales growth in recent years. The web shop will also hire an extra 1500 people this year.

In 2016 Cool Blue’s turnover rose by 55% to 857 million Euros. Last year, the operating result was 19 million Euros. Cool Blue-founder Peter Zwartis especially proud of the steps that the company took with the delivery service launched in 2016. It was especially good for customer satisfaction.

New Store

This year the company will open a new store, in addition to the already existing...]]> Mon, 06 Mar 2017 10:18:23 +0100 So many hours a week are spent at the workplace that it practically becomes a second home. We get close to and gossip with work friends, save personal documents on work computers, and leave personal items lying around on our desks. We become so comfortable with our second home that it sometimes leads to forgetting that some of this information is not appropriate for the work place. Employees have become so lax about personal conversations they had in hallways and cubicles thatabout 53% of support staff workers in the U.S. have reported overhearing confidential conversations.

Sometimes this information is revealed...]]> Mon, 06 Mar 2017 09:55:52 +0100 The next government must quickly get started with the theme: robots. Otherwise, it is disastrous for hundreds of thousands job positions of Dutch people and for the state economy.This was written by a group of twenty scientists in an urgent letter (pdf) owned by RTL News. The call is supported by employers and unions. “We need a political vision so that robotics go in the right direction”, wrote the professors.

No Political Priority

“We are concerned because the political parties seem to give little priority to such a vision”, it says in the letter. “We are not convinced that the...]]> Wed, 01 Mar 2017 11:49:41 +0100 Applying to a new job, polishing your CV, tailoring your cover letter to make the right impression in order to be selected for an interview… landing a new job is not an easy task. And after the first interview, often a second and sometimes a third follows. But during the last interview, the working conditions are usually discussed.

Primary Terms of Employment

The Netherlands distinguishestwo main differentworking conditions: primary and secondary terms of employment primaireensecundairearbeidsvoowaarden. Under primaireare the standard working conditions that apply to all jobs: wages, holidays, holiday pay, and working hours. It is not always possible to negotiate...]]> Wed, 01 Mar 2017 11:39:37 +0100 On the boards of the 26 largest family businesses in the Netherlands, there are remarkably only a few women. Last year 7% of managers and 12% of the Commissioners in these companies have a woman.This was reported from the study by RuigrokNetPanel commissioned by The Headhunter Executive Network (TEN)about the 117 largest companies in the Netherlands.

In family companies there was not a single woman as CEO. In non-family businesses this rate stood at 7%.For all surveyed companies, the average ratio of the boards amounts to 12% women and 88% men. Among commissioners the distribution was 23% women and 77%...]]> Wed, 01 Mar 2017 11:23:23 +0100 Not a job for life, but flexibility and technology that works. Ten thousand Europeans from different branches in eight countries, including the Netherlands, have been questioned about their job prospects, desires and frustrations. These are the main conclusions.

Organizing Own Time

Flexible hours and to organize their own time is the desire of many workers, but of those surveyed 58% still work at a fixed location, and they work 65% fixed hours. Employees are also increasingly in trouble with their time. Although 84% of European workers have a good balance between work and private life, 17% are experiencing high levels...]]> Tue, 28 Feb 2017 15:55:34 +0100 As I come to the end of my Master’s program at the University of Amsterdam, my focus turns to the daunting task of the job search. Job hunting is never easy,but for expats, it becomes even more difficult. Not only do we need to convince a company that they should hire us, but that they should also fund our visa to stay in the country. As expats, what do the chances look like for us to find jobs and continue the stay in the Netherlands?

First, a little good news. By being associated with a local university and living in...]]> Tue, 28 Feb 2017 15:22:51 +0100 It is possible for companies to post jobs on Facebook. Interested parties can apply directly with their Facebook profile, and the job application is delivered via messenger to the company.

The feature is currently only available to US and Canadian Facebook pages, Facebook reported to TechCrunch. Companies with such a page can post a job that is then displayed under the heading ‘jobs’.

If you respond to a job, your full name and profile picture are automatically loaded. The rest you can fill in yourself.

Smaller Companies

Andrew Bosworth, vice president for advertising for Facebook, tells TechCrunch that many small...]]> Mon, 20 Feb 2017 11:21:19 +0100 Last month, we went over the Do’s everyone should know about when going for a job interview. The things that get you noticed, in a good way, from your potential future employer. To round out our interview segment, we will go over the Don’ts of an interview and what to avoid when finding your dream job is on the line.

The first Don’ts to avoid come before the interview even begins. Before you show up the day of the interview, do your research on the company. Make sure you understand the role you are being interviewed for, as well as...]]> Mon, 20 Feb 2017 11:03:45 +0100 Approximately 122,000 self-employed (freelancers) last year felt the negative effects of the new law that was created to prevent pretence.That equates to about a fifth of the self-employed that missed one or more assignments, concluded the Chamber of Commerce (CoC) last Monday after conducting their own research.

On the one hand, clients feel uncertain about hiring freelancers. In addition, companies more often rely on an intermediary such as a broker or a payroll company to minimize the risks. The self-employed losetheir independence and sometimes their tax benefits, emphasized the Chamber of Commerce.

The so-called law DBA (deregulation review labor relations)...]]> Mon, 20 Feb 2017 11:13:32 +0100 Seven fast growing companies initiate a pilot to start to exchange personnel.They hope to solve the specific problems they experience in human resources, reported business organizations SME Netherlands and Port4Growth last Monday. They work together with Brunel and Pink Elephant.

Eventually, the pilot project will become a major digital platform where fast-growing companies in the Netherlands will cooperate in the area of personnel needs.Initially, the seven internationally operating companies exchanged approximately two hundred employees in a variety of functions. They remain with their original employer and take voluntary part in the pilot. For example, people with specific knowledgeare being exchanged,...]]> Mon, 20 Feb 2017 10:21:50 +0100 Times of political and economic uncertainty bring nervous thoughts of the future, employment being part of that. Each year, we wait to hear how the labor market is doing for the next year and cross our fingers that all is well. This is especially so for those looking to graduate soon or those looking to make a change in their employment. What will 2017 be bringing to the current job market situation?

Jobseekers in the Netherlands, rejoice! For those recent graduates or others looking for new opportunities out there, the next few words written will hopefully come as a welcome...]]> Mon, 20 Feb 2017 09:47:35 +0100 As experienced jobseekers will have discovered, the most important step on the road to landing a job is to write that killer CV that gets you noticed in the first place. However, in a competitive industry like software development that prioritises specialised technical knowledge, some of the traditional rules for CVs do not work very well. Here are some tips to help you adjust your CV to the software development market.

Firstly, limit your CV to one page. Due to the competitive nature of the software development industry, a recruiter will review hundreds of candidates for a single position. A...]]> Mon, 13 Feb 2017 10:59:34 +0100 In the last decades Waalwijk had a high level of unemployment, now the labor market will bea bonanza. The webshop bol.com will create hundreds of new job opportunities in the Brabant town.

Bol.com recently built a distribution center with the size of seven football fields, where hundreds of people will work. And that is not all, the center will open in the second half of this year and will probably be already too small.

In Waalwijk, currently 6.4% of the workforce is unemployed, and that is double since the crisis of 2008, when the unemployment rate was only 3.2%. Within...]]> Mon, 13 Feb 2017 11:15:20 +0100 Companies can be much more competitive and responsive to market changes as they abandon their old management, says Jelle Dijkstra, professor of NHL Hogeschool. Organizations have become too complex for one manager to be the decision maker: “It is too risky”.

The Dijkstra's message is simple: the boss should no longer be the boss. Classic management should be changed, and employeesshould work in teams. Experts in particular fields can automatically take the lead on issues where they are most skilled at. “So sometimes you might have two or four managers”, he explains. On this opinion Dijkstra is not alone: he...]]> Mon, 13 Feb 2017 11:46:04 +0100 Answering an urgent call from your boss on weekends or responding to emails from your colleague in the evenings is recognizable to many people, but according to Labour Party (PvdA) that should stop.

The Labour Party leader Lodewijk Asscher wants Dutch employees to have the right not to be accessible to their boss or colleagues after work. In France, this already exists: companies with more than fifty employees have the right to ignore their work email outside working hours.

Quality Time

Asscher wants this to happen after the elections in the Netherlands: “People should have the right to be unreachable...]]> Mon, 13 Feb 2017 11:17:08 +0100 Unless your background is in contract law, looking through an employment contract is a very overwhelming experience, especially if you are coming from a different country. Inundated with legal jargon and seemingly useless details, navigating through contracts can be a daunting task for which you just want to sign and get it over with. But before you sign your life away on a bad deal, it is good to know what to expect and what is up for negotiation in an employment contract in the Netherlands.

Employment contracts typically beginwith the details of the job description as well as working...]]> Mon, 13 Feb 2017 10:27:33 +0100 Toxic individuals come in various shapes and forms: manipulators, drama magnets, notorious liars, gossip-makers and many more. The easiest solution would be to avoid them, but what do you do if you are forced to coexist with them in a workplace? Here are a couple of tips to equip you against all that negativity.

Be Smart

Toxic people tend to provoke all sorts of emotional reactions. They can make you feel belittled, depressed, infuriated and angry to the point where you are willing to throw your career away just to get as far from them as possible. You can bear...]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2017 21:17:20 +0100 Stress can cause difficulties to sleep and lack of sleep causes additional stress in turn ¬–recognizable? It’s not so strange, this is the reciprocal relationship between stress and sleep problems.

Organizational psychologist Michelle van Laethem did research on 44 PhD students who were preparingfor their thesis. The measured stress level of the PhD students increased strongly as their PhD defence approached. Immediately after this, the stress decreased sharply. The quality of sleep did not deteriorate while preparing for the defence, but it greatly improved immediately after the event.

Prolonged Stress

Van Laethem: “What struck me was that stress during the...]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2017 21:02:39 +0100 For many entrepreneurs networking is a great way to win new contracts. But where do you start, how do you behave at a networking event and how do you maintain your network?

In collaboration with business coach Navien Bansi, NU.nl presents some tips. Amongst others, Bansi gives acquisition trainings and helps entrepreneurs to build up a network.

Go with Confidence to a Networking Event

“When attending a networking event, you should be confident, otherwise you mightas well stay at home”,says Bansi. “If you are not happy with yourself, you have to work at that first. Start going to the gym...]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2017 20:57:56 +0100 With an aggressive and fast globalization of the marketplace for services and goods in order to stay competitive, businesses need to understand and embrace diversity in their employment.
Despite different approaches and methods in diversity research, the more generally accepted findings are that diversity can be seen as surface level diversity (e.g. race, sex and age), and as deep level diversity (personality traits, educational and functional background, values, general mental ability, emotional intelligence etc). Important findings by Harisson in the context of teams, is that the influence of the perceived surface level diversities on the team’s performance diminishes within time,...]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2017 22:22:46 +0100 Management needs to convey what is required of employees as clearly as possible. If goals are not communicated well then the goals may not be met, may be passed over, or completed in an insufficient manner. Referring to certain frameworks or generalized approaches can be beneficial. The establishing of SMART goals is an example of one such approach. The ideas behind SMART goals are generally applicable, across industries or departments. They can refer to longer-term goals, short-term goals such as the preparation of a presentation, or regular goals, for instance, the regular publishing of a newsletter. Since SMART is one...]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2017 22:14:58 +0100 There are many ways to fill an open position within your organization. LinkedIn, recruiters, online job searches, or job fairs can all be used as a means to find the perfect candidate for your company. LinkedIn and online searches can be done with minimal effort, but a job fair usually requires much more and may not always be worth it. Is going through the extra mile of effort worth it to find the perfect candidate?

Why You Should

You can meet with non-traditional candidates. The typical LinkedIn search or online job posting may not be the best option for finding...]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2017 21:57:29 +0100 As I exited my undergrad education and before each interview, I ask myself the same question: Do I meet the qualifications for this job in education and experience? Learning on the job is expected so if you are not reaching a bit beyond your current qualifications, maybe you are selling yourself short. However, if the job is above your capabilities, it may end up being a waste of time for you and your employer, a lose/lose for every party involved. How important is education or experience within the job force and how do you circumvent the apparent lack of either...]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2017 20:44:12 +0100  The 250 companies with the most job growth in the last four years have created a total of more than ten thousand jobs.The study was conducted by the Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship (ECE), Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) and Nlgroeit.

Researchers have looked at companies that had at least ten employees at the beginning of the period with a turnover of 5 million Euros, and achieved at least 20% growth in sales and employees.

Greatest growth is in the cosmetics company Rituals, founded by Raymond Cloosterman in 2000. Between 2012 and 2016, the company created 1,097 new jobs....]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2017 09:58:58 +0100 Employer brandingis the process of promoting a company or an organization as the employer of choice to a desired target group, one that a company needs and wants to recruit and retain.It has, however,been long ignored and not considered as an integral part of the recruitment strategy. Ignoring the importance of Employer branding can lead to problems in recruiting the right staff, especially in case the competition has a strong employer brand. A potential employee will choose to work for a company with a strong brand rather than a weak one.

A good example of a company that had to...]]> Sun, 05 Feb 2017 21:55:01 +0100 Gossip in the office is inevitable. In fact asperthe Harvard Business Review, 90% of all conversationperiodsare considered gossip. Most gossip is harmless, and is a means of communication that allows a way for two strangers to feel closer to each other. Some gossip can be harmful though, not only to other people but also to an entire organization.

An organization I previously worked for decided to change the compensation plan for sales reps to increase sales in a specific area of the business. Rumors of this change and what the new structure of compensation would be flew around the office,...]]> Sun, 05 Feb 2017 21:47:36 +0100 In a fast paced and competitive world companies are in constant need of change. Many seek competitive advantage over their rivals and a means of maximising their resources to move ahead in the marketplace. This does not come for free, however. Goals must be outlined and people must be motivated to achieve those goals, using the company’s resources in the most efficient manner. This is where management is required. This part of a company is responsible for setting strategy and coordinating the efforts of its employees to accomplish objectives, through the application of the company’s resources such as financial, technological,...]]> Sun, 05 Feb 2017 21:39:39 +0100 Dutch people searching for a job are not very creative when it comes to completing their LinkedIn account. Strange, because they describe themselves as specialized and focused.And there itimmediately goes wrong: for almost everyone. The site with business profiles published its annual list of most frequently used words with which users define themselves.

According to LinkedIn this shows the difficulty of making a ‘significant profile’. Many people use standard terms, resulting in the following top ten empty phrases: specialized, leadership, focused, strategic, experienced, passionate, expert, creative, innovative, and certified.

‘People find it difficult to distinguish themselves from others’, according to...]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2017 12:40:08 +0100 Working in another country comes with several adjustments, including differences in salaries, currencies, and benefit expectations. An appropriate salary in one country may be drastically below the cost of living in another and weighing that out can be confusing. As an expat, it is important to know what should be expected when working in the Netherlands and what is open to negotiation before signing a contract.

Salary will always be dependent upon age, position, and experience and thus will vary for each person. This is especially true for expats and those hired as highly skilled migrant workers. This usually puts...]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2017 12:27:09 +0100 People who occasionally work from home, often miss family activities more than workers who work from home on a regular basis or fulltime at an office.

In 2015in the Netherlands, nearly 3 million people worked at home, in a total of 8.6 million workers (employed or self-employed). Of that 3 million more than 60% worked on an irregular basis, according to the research by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) and TNO research institute. The remaining 38% worked at home regularly.

Teachers often work occasionally at home, presumably to check papers. Also, managing directors and managers work at home occasionally....]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2017 10:23:28 +0100
The Primary school, the international department of the Prinseschool, follows the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) which provides an excellent foundation for international secondary education.

The Secondary school, the international department of Het Stedelijk Lyceum, follows the International Cambridge Secondary Curriculum.

Since 2013, students have been able to take exams in this curriculum for both the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and A Levels....]]> Mon, 30 Jan 2017 12:29:33 +0100 Construction companies are again looking for permanent staff. Workers are no longer forced to work as freelancers, according to the Economic Institute for the Building Industry (EIB).

In 2017 and 2018, employment in construction might increase in as much as 34,000 years of employment (arbeidsjaren). In the three years after this the EIB expects to recover an additional 23 labour years.Therefore employment in construction will eventually be above the level before the crisis.

Because, of course, not all the work is done by permanent employees, it cannot be clear how many jobs it will be, but construction economists expect much...]]> Mon, 30 Jan 2017 09:54:05 +0100 In an increasingly competitive job market, it is important to stand out from the crowd and be noticed by recruiters. We all know the meaning of the term ‘brand’ and how effective it can be in a company’s reputation. Names such as Apple, Sony or Nike are immediately identifiable and carry with them in some sense a promise of product quality and consumer expectation. The same is true of personal brands. Prospective employees are selling a ‘product’ (themselves) to a ‘consumer’ (the company). Having a good brand gives you the cutting edge in job interviews, and prepares you to answer...]]> Sun, 29 Jan 2017 23:56:27 +0100

QS, the leading global provider of specialist higher education and the publisher of QS World University Rankings, will visit Amsterdam once more with QS TopMBA Connect 1-2-1 event.
The event presents a selection of the world’s leading business schools. On the day prospective MBA candidates have the opportunity to speak directly with the admission directors in personalized 30 minute meetings according to business schools’ entry requirements and candidates’ own study needs.

If you want to level-up your career, but wondering how, don’t miss the chance meeting face to face with the world's most prestigious business schools such as Hult, IE,...]]> Thu, 26 Jan 2017 14:46:44 +0100 Going into an interview is an incredibly nerve-wracking experience. It is the moment when you are asking a complete stranger to judge you, deem you acceptable, and hopefully give you a job to provide your livelihood for the time being. It is important to do what you can to make a good impression, so there are a few “Do’s” to ensure that your good impression is instilled.  The first Do, is to research the company you are interviewing with. This seems to be a no brainer but it cannot be stressed enough. Search through the company’s website, look at their mission...]]> Sun, 22 Jan 2017 21:53:21 +0100 The number of companies that went bankrupt in a year, dropped last year to its lowest level in eight years. At the same time, the number of companies in the Netherlands has reached a record high, according to figures from Statistics Netherlands and Chamber of Commerce.

In 2016, according to the CBS, a small number of companies and institutions went bankrupt, about 4400, almost a fifth less than a year earlier. Purely looking at companies, the decline was even greater: there are 4,000 companies that went bankrupt last year, less than the year before, when there was a big peak...]]> Tue, 24 Jan 2017 20:31:26 +0100 Employers' organizations AWVN, VNO-NCW and MKB-Netherlands want the current rules to be adapted around the severance allowance.The amount that dismissed employees would get should be aimed to be used for their training to overcome their complaints, so that they can get to work as soon as possible. To do so, employers will argue this year in collective bargaining with the unions.

AWVN also advocates an individual facility for both permanent employees and flexible workers. “The working life nowadays is longer. People should not be with the illusion that they can do the same job for the same company for fifty...]]> Tue, 24 Jan 2017 20:24:52 +0100 For scientists who convert their knowledge into products and services for businesses, i.e. industrial doctorates, the government has provided 10 million Euros.That was written last week by Sander Dekker the Secretary of Education in a letter to parliament.

Converting into Knowledge

The 10 million Euros that the State Secretary, together with industry and universities, want to receive is intended for scientists to do research PhD at companies. State Secretary Dekker: "Scientific knowledge can contribute to the major social issues and economic opportunities of the moment". The industrial doctorate is one of the ideas to ensure this.
Besides, the Dutch research...]]> Mon, 23 Jan 2017 09:40:50 +0100 It is inevitable, we all catch a cold once in a while, which sometimes progresses into a flu, restricting the patient to the bed for a couple of days (or weeks). It is inconvenient and it can feel like the end of the wold, but often, after a couple of days, life and work continue as usual.

But what happens when you have the misfortune of falling ill?

Calling in Sick

First, it is important to call in sick. In general, this will be to your direct supervisor. Each company has its own regulations on how to inform the supervisor....]]> Sun, 22 Jan 2017 21:36:15 +0100 It is time for you to look for a job, and the process – hours of searching, reading descriptions, having your hopes up then just not meeting the requirements, tailoring your CV, sending out emails – is daunting. While the prospect of landing your first job, switching to your dream job, or just landing something to pay all those bills may be exciting, for many, the search is tiring and sometimes even disappointing. So what should we do when the odds are stacked against us?

Have a Conversation with Yourself

As strange as it sounds, I find talking to myself...]]> Wed, 18 Jan 2017 18:14:03 +0100 Do you want to have a good balance in the bank? You would be well advised to become a Technical Manager Marketing & Sales. Or take one of these other five top jobs when it comes to a good salary.

Every year recruitment agency Hays draws up a list of emerging well-paying jobs. The salaries for these functions are boosted by a lack of available talent, complexity of work and the emergence of new technologies.

100,000 Euros: Technical Manager Marketing & Sales

According to Hays, marketing and sales manager in the technical and industrial sectors are doing quite well with...]]> Wed, 18 Jan 2017 18:12:22 +0100 Some managers prefer not to share the big picture and the concrete goals of the company with the employees. Sometimes short-termsecrecy may be necessary because Chief bosses must approve a new strategy first, but a structural hidden agenda is kills the motivation and productivity of employees.

A small, recent American survey of BetterWorks showed that 40% of employees do not see the connection between their work and the overall goals of the company. What exactly their own work contributes to the advancement of the company is unclear to them.

With More Transparency, Harder Work

64% of participants feel that the...]]> Tue, 17 Jan 2017 11:25:37 +0100 One out of nine Dutch employees would leave their current job as soon as possible if they could do the same work for another boss. Another half of all employees is less resolute, but is certainly open to it.Only a minority (33%) is so loyal to their employer that they categorically refuse to move, according to an annual survey of 1100 employees by the salary processor Raet.

Substantial Differences from Last Year

Differences with last year are significant. Thus, the number of people that are expected to work elsewhere within two years doubled. It was 7% in 2016, now it...]]> Sun, 15 Jan 2017 21:54:28 +0100 Keywords are a core part of your CV. Without themyou will not have much luck with your job-hunting. A recent study showed that recruiters spent on average about 6.25 seconds looking at a candidate’s CV before deciding if they are right for the job. According to CareerBuilder, hiring managers and human resource staffers spend a little longer reviewing CVs, with 68% looking at application resumes for about 2 minutes before making a decision. Regardless of which is closer to the truth, one thing for certain is that your CV does not receive as much attention as you might expect. Therefore,it...]]> Sun, 15 Jan 2017 21:48:01 +0100 As I start onthe second half of an MBA program in the Netherlands, I cannot help but take a midpoint evaluation of my decision to take a break from the employment world and become a student once again. I started this program, partly because I wanted to experience studying in another country and partly because I wanted to better my chances of securing my dream job. For any expat wanting to further their education, the debate will usually be, will this opportunity help me get the job I want?

In a country like the Netherlands, where a high level of...]]> Sun, 08 Jan 2017 23:06:29 +0100 To save time and avoid potential perceived problems (in other words, problems you kind of think might maybe, potentially, sort-of arise), you might be inclined to build your team solely out of like-minded people that have as many things in common as possible. You can be all in favour of diversity, but think it is too much trouble to build one within your organisation. Well, here is the reason why you should reconsider: diversity in a company encourages a whole variety of perspectives during brainstorming and decision-making, it grants access to a wider audience (think larger client base), and even...]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2017 21:30:44 +0100 The factthat a healthy organisation requires healthy employees has been scientifically proven. What is also a fact is that this is effective for some companies, and not so much so for others. With the fast development and changes in the technology and business spheres, many companies that are willing to maintain a competitive edge in the global market are interested in the wellbeing of their employees.

Theconcept of awellness program isdependent on what the employer makes of it, without any hard or fast rules.However, according to Healthcare.gov, there are some basic parameters. A wellness program is defined as ‘a program...]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2017 20:59:06 +0100 There is much literature about the negative effects of favouritism, from demoralised employees to outright feelings of resentment, and they all blame ‘bad’ managers. But one has to ask, objectively, if there are in fact positive aspects to favouritism in the workplace – what would compel a manger to practise it? And when is it permissible?

The Manager

Favouritism is a three-way relationship, the practitioner: often the manager, the receiver: often an employee, and the victim(s): the other employee(s) that make up the team/department. From the employee perspective, unless it is the employee that is lavished with praise, all other...]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2017 16:13:31 +0100 The success of a company does not only depend on the financial performance alone. As well as management and company culture, ethics play a big factor in success. No matter what and how a business is run, it is always important to not overlook aspects of ethics, as it may determine the long-term impact of a business.

Business ethics itself can be defined as “the application of ethical values to business behaviour” (IBE Institute of Business Ethics); this applies to both behaviour of individuals who work within the company, and to the organization itself as a whole. This means it...]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2017 16:08:00 +0100 There is no shortage of studies that have underlined the benefits of effective training and development programs. Those responsible for the management of employees have likely also noticed the need for the development of an employee’s skills. Ideally, every company would never struggle to accommodate such programs into their usual functioning.

Nevertheless, training and development programs can prove to be too much of a strain on a company budget sometimes. There are, fortunately, steps that can be taken in order to make such programs more cost effective. Small steps can be taken in order to reduce costs. Instructors could be...]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2017 16:00:07 +0100 Often, we think of leaders as the managers in our work environments. While we hope that our managers make good leaders, it isnot always the case that a manager and a leader are the same person. The best leaders are people who just understand what it is that their team needs at that moment, whether that is a hand to hold or a drill sergeant. There are different types of leaders that are needed for different goals or situations, and each has its strengths and pitfalls.

The Pacesetter- This leader, does so by example. They set the threshold and expect...]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2017 15:51:58 +0100 In the realm of big business, mergers and acquisitions (M&As) are commonly used to strengthen a company’s position and viability in the marketplace. M&As represent a profound change for a business and throw up a lot of challenges, which must be tackled before a merger or acquisition can be successful. These include financial, strategic and legal issues, as well as those relating to HR. As with most forms of organizational restructuring, M&As incur a human cost, affecting not only the employees of the companies in question, but also their stakeholders. Failure to address these challenges can lead to serious difficulties...]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2017 15:43:44 +0100 Maintaining a healthy team dynamic is a foremost challenge for many companies. Highly skilled employees are increasingly becoming an asset, and how to motivate them to achieve the goals set by organizations has become central to organizational strategists. The most important outcome of this sort of planning is that the employee works to the best of their ability both in an individual capacity, as well as in a group of his or her peers. The question is then how best to employ and motivate competent individuals to achieve these dual goals within a successful organization. Several competing schools of thought...]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2017 15:27:48 +0100 Hooray, almost everyone will have improved finances. Anyone who works monthly will receive more money, although the rise is extremely small in some wage categories, says salary processor ADP.

The tool is based on the same salary in 2016 as in 2017 and takes into account taxes, and in many cases it also accounts for pension contributions. In addition, retired people can see how much net pension they will receive. It involves standard situations; therefore your personal paycheque can always turn out differently in practice.

Here you can check the tool that calculates how much money you will get in...]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2017 15:09:08 +0100 A year ago the company Bynder offered unlimited vacation days for all employees. After 365 days, the director Chris Hall reflects: “It's going very well”. Bynder provides a cloud service for marketers, a program that is a combination of an online Photoshop program and an image bank. Last summer, the start-up got another 20 million Euros.

The experiment of Hall began last January. One of his goals was to spread the holidays so that the infamous ‘reservoir’ of days off would solve itself,one of the problems that more organizations have to deal with.This has been successful, he says. “In the...]]> Mon, 09 Jan 2017 22:33:30 +0100 Have you thought about where you would like to be in five years’ time? Have you thought about which sort of industry you would like to work in, or even what your daily work schedule should look like? Setting goals helps to frame these questions in such a way that they become manageable. They provide both a focus and a direction, which allows you to take control of the uncertainty and set a benchmark to see if you are accomplishing the things that you want to achieve. This has many benefits in life, not least when it comes to career...]]> Sun, 08 Jan 2017 22:49:50 +0100 Giving compliments is fun and still works really well. But you should not give everyone kudos just like that.If one person in a department receives a compliment, the willingness to work by everyone else becomes a bit higher, according to research from the University of Maastricht.

This also applies if the entire department gets credit. But, if a few employees within a department get a pat on their shoulders, you will see that those are precisely the ones who were not often at work or who did not work hard enough within the team.

Productivity Increases

The point is that...]]> Mon, 09 Jan 2017 00:30:26 +0100 The Kingdom of the Netherlands is a small country with a a population of around 17 million people. They started out as worldwide maritime traders in the 16th century, and today they are still significant players in the global economy.As an open economy, the Netherlands is susceptible to international developments and is based on consensus. It has a long tradition of negotiation, which lives on in the close and regular contacts between trade unions, employers’ organisations and the government.

Dutch people are hard workers and they take pride in doing a good job for their employers while also supporting their...]]> Wed, 04 Jan 2017 23:06:14 +0100 The economy is growing, yet do you notice a difference in your wallet?Are you happier? A group of economists devised a new way to measure what happens with us. The answer: our happiness increases slowly.

Lately, we often hear“the economy has grown”. But that does not mean that most people are better off financially, or are healthier or the environment is improved. And yet, journalists and politicians run behind that one indicator: GDP ¬¬– gross domestic product. The GDP, explains economist Mathijs Bouman in Z Today, is actually a crazy figure. It measures just what we spend to reach a...]]> Tue, 03 Jan 2017 11:34:17 +0100 Top international business schools meet executive talent through One-to-One meetings in Amsterdam on the 26th of January.

The prestigious Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree has been an important contribution to career development over the last century. It has gained a sound reputation beyond the corporate world in almost every professional field and industry, and across every continent.

Today, hundreds of thousands of business professionals actively seek admission to the business schools of their choice. At the same time, top international MBA programmes also invest time in personally communicating with prospective applicants in order to build a diverse MBA class...]]> Tue, 03 Jan 2017 21:19:26 +0100 Women are on average 6% more often sick than men. Except in Zeeland, where women are less often sick, according to research from Acture, a company that helps people on sick leave. The company studied absenteeism in the Netherlands, and the differences between the provinces.

It is notable that women are sick an average of 10.3 days per year, and men 9.7. There are large differences per province: women in Zeeland are less often sick (8.9 days sick), and women in Flevoland more (11.5 days).

Other Complaints

That women are more likely to be sick is because they often suffer...]]> Tue, 03 Jan 2017 11:00:05 +0100 A properly written CV is a must for all kinds of jobs.However, if you apply for a job in Human Resources, then a perfect CV is crucial. After all, once you are hired, you might be the one who has to judge the CVs of potential new employees.

Read the job description thoroughly and carefully, so that you write down in as much detail as possible only the necessary criteria required. Make a complete picture of the hard skills such as education level, work experience, and language skills; and soft criteriasuch as empathy, conflict management or team player that they...]]> Tue, 03 Jan 2017 14:11:26 +0100 In one year, the transport sector attracted nearly a thousand job seekers as well as unqualified drivers that wanted to become truck drivers. But there are still not enough applicants; there is room for another 1,100 people. The economy has improved and in the coming period many drivers will retire, so the demand of drivers in order to replace them is still high.

The transport company Nabuurs From Opzeeland: “We are looking for 75 new drivers”,says HR manager Sandra Biesen. “But it is hard to find qualified people”. The company supplies stores and it is growing with the growth of...]]> Tue, 03 Jan 2017 10:30:12 +0100 The chance of a successful interview is often decided during the first impression and lastsfor about 10 seconds. This also appliesto the CV and the cover letter. The first impression is often all it takes for an employer to continue with or drop a candidate’s application.Basically, a candidate can have three first impressions that can increase or diminish the chances of landing the job.

The CV

The first impression for a CV doesnot always last ten seconds. A CV can already be rejected before the document is fully opened. Yes, this is harsh and may sound even unfair. However, when...]]> Wed, 28 Dec 2016 15:53:34 +0100 The time that you got in May or in December a year-end bonus is over. Nowadays this can be done in other months, for example in the form of days off or trainings.

Many employees at the end of the year get a bonus. You cannot call it “the thirteenth month salary”, explains Adrian van der Velpen from payroll processor Raet.The concept of the thirteenth month might give the impression that this is the same as a monthly salary, while the year-end bonus varies by collective agreement. Some employees receive 2 percent of their salary, but it can go up...]]> Wed, 28 Dec 2016 16:07:55 +0100 For the fourth year in a row, the average Dutch personwill have extra money in their wallet in 2017. This does not apply to everyone. Check on the basis of sample calculations for 18 households how you look at advances next year.

Click here to see the tool
The above tool is based on information from the Ministry of Social Affairs. It is about 18 examples of situations in which it is calculated how many households there are advancing next year. Your personal situation can always deviate from that, for example because you lost your job or got promoted.

Source:...]]> Tue, 27 Dec 2016 22:45:44 +0100 Naturalized Dutch immigrants are increasingly speaking better Dutch and are becoming better educated. But that hardly leads to more job opportunities, according to a report by the Social and Cultural Planning Office (SCP). Although they are better educated, non-Western migrants are three times as likely to be unemployed as those with a Dutch background.

“You would expect that non-Western migrants are better equipped for the labour market, partly due to higher level of education, to have a better position in the labour market”, said spokesman William Huijnk.

Employment Discrimination

Huijnk says, “In times when the economy is bad, the employer...]]> Mon, 26 Dec 2016 23:00:48 +0100 So you have found a job post online that you like and want to apply for. Before you do, though, briefly consider whether you are applying directly on the potential employer’s website, or through a recruiting agency, because based on which of the two it is, the application process and the documents you need for it, may differ.

Applying Directly at a Company

You are applying for a specific position, so your application should be tailored accordingly. Keep in mind that you will have to spend some time on it. Read the ad carefully to get an idea about which...]]> Mon, 26 Dec 2016 22:54:47 +0100 The Twente Branding Foundation is the service portal for the domains innovation and human capital in the fields of branding and corporate communication. Her mission is to brand Twente as an entrepreneurial high-tech region with a focus on High Tech Systems and Materials (HTSM). Twente distinguishes itself in the current economic development of the Netherlands as the entrepreneurial technological knowledge region. This profile will enable her to remain competitive and economically healthy.


1. Tell us a little about yourself and your function at Twente Branding.

My name is Karin Louwers and my function as an account manager is very broad....]]> Wed, 21 Dec 2016 11:28:36 +0100 We all know that it is important to tailor a CV using your attributes and accomplishments to perfectly fit the job you are applying for. The daunting task is converting those multiple, specifically tailored CV’s onto one LinkedIn profile that includes details for any job you might want, but is not so convoluted that it turns people off. It is a fine line to walk. A CV includes the highlights of your schooling and career, and then only the important and relevant information for the job which you are applying to. It is about quality, not quantity, and sometimes less...]]> Wed, 21 Dec 2016 10:48:46 +0100 If you are in permanent employment, you have to make it twice a year: a performance and an assessment meeting. You do not like it? You are not alone: young and old employees are done with it. We prefer to continue giving and receiving feedback, according to the research by Raet.

One in five people would prefer never to have an assessment meeting. Eight out of ten people believe that performance and assessment interviews in their current form are outdated, showed the survey by the HR cloud software provider among 1100 Dutch employees. The results apply to both younger and...]]> Mon, 19 Dec 2016 13:17:33 +0100 Technological developments follow each other in rapid succession. As an organization you want to lead in these developments, and for that you need a talent. Those talents you have to keep engaged and intrested. And that is now more difficult to do. Unlike earlier times where employees stood in queue n front of your doors to be employed,nowadays you mustmake an effort to attract them in and then to keep them.

Three Interests in Balance

How can yourespond as an organization? Director Guido Heezen from Effectory identified three interests that must be well balanced. “In the first place is the...]]> Mon, 19 Dec 2016 13:23:58 +0100 The number of MBO(mid-level) vocational jobs has risen by almost a tenth in the last six months, mainly due to the hospitality, industry and retail sector.

Between March and August of this year, there were about 207,600 vacancies at a medium vocational level. This is up by 9% from last year, according to figures from a report by the Cooperation Organisation for Vocational Education, Training and the Labour Market (SBB) and benefits agency, UWV.

The regions with the largest increases are North-East Brabant (+25%), Friesland (+24%) and Zwolle (+23%). Drenthe and the Gooi-en Vechtstreek registered the largest fall in vacancies....]]> Mon, 19 Dec 2016 13:07:12 +0100  Although nowadays many companies use online tests and other different assessment techniques for personnel selection, the interview is still the most used technique and it has the most influential power in decision making when choosing among the job applicants. However, many scientists disagree with this because research shows that the Mental Ability and some of the personality traits(e.g. conscientiousness) are the best predictors for job performance, and not the score or impression from the interview (Cook, 2009).
The interview can be held individually—one interviewer interviewing one applicant, but also more than one member of the company can asks questions to...]]> Mon, 19 Dec 2016 11:06:00 +0100 So much time is spenttailoring our Facebook and Instagram accounts with the perfect descriptions, favorite quotes, and best filters for our pictures. Yet we rarely put as much emphasis on tailoring our personal brands for employment.Which picture to post on Facebook is seldom thought of twice, but when it comes to representing ourselves in the professional field, most candidates are lost. There are some common mistakes made by candidates when creating or sustaining their personal brand.

Not relaying contact information-You attend a career fair, or meet an important contact in a café, but you gave no way for them to...]]> Mon, 12 Dec 2016 10:31:08 +0100 The number of jobs is on the rise. This is especially good for brand developers and technicians who grumble that they are being ‘stalked’ by recruiters.

Ben Janssen, project manager at Danone, received hundreds of comments on his LinkedIn post about the hunting behaviour of recruiters within a few days. He placed a screenshot of an email he sent to a recruiter, asking: “is this not too short-sighted? If you do not take the trouble to explain why this job could be appropriate with respect to my LinkedIn profile, I do not expect that we can do a lot for...]]> Mon, 12 Dec 2016 12:12:34 +0100 The Prime Minister of New Zealand wants to provide for his family and decides after eight years to resign. Not a bad idea, experts say. This is why more men should do this.

According to Hanna Harthoorn of Emancipator, a foundation dedicated to men's emancipation, it is not just better for men themselves if they work less, but it also has a beneficial effect on families, women and society.

Better for the Man

Men would be happier if they carry less financial responsibility. This is reflected in recent research by the University of Connecticut among more than 3,000 married men...]]> Mon, 12 Dec 2016 11:47:43 +0100 Maybe you were raised in the “follow your dream” philosophy, only to find out that your dream does not quite pay the mortgage. We are often too young when we are choosing our studies, which largely determine our career opportunities.You might feel like if you had to make the call again, it would be a very different one. So you decide to make a horizontal career leap.

Lock the Target

Maybe you figure it out on your own or together with a career coach. In any case, finding a career path that fits your personality, ambitions and is overall a...]]> Mon, 12 Dec 2016 10:01:03 +0100 Good news! The net salary of all income groups, on average, is improved.

The salary processor Raet, which comes up first with the numbers on wages for the next year, has indicated. People with a minimum wage will have the most significant improvement:
• Minimum wage: + 2.2% (net salary in 2017: 1409.93 Euros).
• Moderate: +1.08% increase (net salary in 2017: 2156.08 Euros).
• 1.5 times the average income: +1.20% (net salary in 2017: 2882, - Euro).
• 2 times the average income: + 1.26% (net salary in 2017: 3600.25 Euros).


After Prinsjesdag (Budget day) the Tweedekamer (Second Chamber)...]]> Mon, 12 Dec 2016 11:04:24 +0100
We are taught not to judge the book by its cover, and yet generally we go off and do exactly that. You can look at clothing as aliberating means of self-expression or just another opportunity for socioeconomic stereotyping, but inthe career world, it provides a shortcut for clients, employers and business partners to assessing one’s attitude and professionalism. Like it or not, your appearance contributes to other’s opinion of you, so you might just as well try to make the best of it.

Ground Rules

It does not matter whether you work in an office and are expected to wear...]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2016 12:02:35 +0100 Women are often are standing lower in negotiations over salary, money and hours compared to men –why is that?

In Hollywood, there is a name for it: The Hollywood Pay Gap. Big stars like Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep and Beyoncé fight against their unequal wages. Jennifer Lawrence became very popular in‘The Hunger Games’ and ‘Silver Linings Playbook’,yet in her following role ‘American Hustle’–and the same goes for the co-star Amy Adams – 2% less in salary than their male counterparts – Bradley Cooper and Christian Bale.

“A typical example”, says Belle Derks, professor of social and organizational psychology at the...]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2016 11:50:45 +0100 International students, who continue to work in the Netherlands after graduation earn the country a total of 1,570 million Euros per year. This is according to a calculation by theEducation Centre EP-Nuffic, based on figures from the CBS and CPB.

At the moment, about a quarter of international students remain in the Netherlands after their study -mainly students who have completed a scientific study. Job prospects are greater in the disciplines of Engineering, Health and Nature.

161 Nationalities

The Netherlands is a country popular among foreign students. At this moment, at our universities and colleges there are nearly 75,000 international...]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2016 11:49:27 +0100 No doubt that Skype is another game-changer for the recruiting process. Its ability to provide logistical freedom makes happy recruiters and happy candidates alike. Although just like with any other tool, it serves you best when you know how and when to use it.

Where Do the Candidates Stand?

Candidates generally welcome the video interview. It liberates them from the obligation to travel and provides a pleasant alternative of interviewing from a familiar environment. It is more desirable than a phone call interview, because you can read your interviewer’s facial expressions, which ensures better communication. Compared to a face-to-face talk,...]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2016 13:50:49 +0100 Whistleblowers are often seen as selfless vigilantes, watchmen of public interest and organisational accountability. Or as traitors, defectors and renegade double-crossers. The motivation factors that bring them into action vary from altruistic “wanting to do the right thing” to trivial “someone else was given the position I wanted”. In any case, if you are dealing with a whistleblower, you might be in real trouble and need to address the issue seriously.

What to Do When Your Employee Blows a Whistle

First off, you need to investigatethe nature of the complaint and whether the alleged wrongdoing is true or not. If...]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2016 13:44:36 +0100 When saying traditional family businesses, I mean the family businesses where most of the employees are relatives or are recommended by family members, and there is usually one owner or a limited partnership.Corporations, however,have a particular number of shareholders who have invested in the businesses’ stock, andall management activities are aligned with the corporations’values.

Work Culture

In a family business, the culture is determined by the values, influences, ethics, experiences and education of the family members who own and manage the business. There is a more informal approach; and in general, a patriarchal work culture is often prominent.

A corporation,...]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2016 13:17:17 +0100 In the past decades, the role of Human Resource management has changed drastically. Once it was mainly an administrative task such as the recruiting and selection of employees, and managing the employee benefits. A changing labour market and new business approaches called for a Human Resource strategy that focuses on recruiting and retaining the right people, while also taking ethical and cultural leadership in account. This changing approach of Human Resource management has led to strategic-human-resource-management (further referred to as SHRM.)

SHRM is the proactive management of employees in an organization or company. SHRM includes typical human resource components such...]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2016 13:11:03 +0100 Whether it is a new hire class or a developmental learning program, all employees will need to go through a training period in their work career. Trainers need to find the most efficient and effective way to implement new processes or knowledge in a short amount of time. How do we incorporate these methods into practice?

In-Person/Online Combination

This method is a combination of both a classroom form of training led by an instructor and online resources available for review later. An instructor is helpful to have for any questions or clarifications, but sometimes employees need additional material to look...]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2016 13:03:50 +0100 Each organization has a different structure set up for the company to define roles, lines of communication, and hierarchy. There are several types of organizational structure and these vary depending on industry and company. No structure is perfect, but some may work better for your organization than others.

Functional –This is the most common type of organizational structure.It divides departments by job functions, i.e. Sales, Marketing, IT etc. Functional organizations are so common because they are easy to work within and to apply to any company or industry, and it promotes working closely within your department. A potential downfall, though,...]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2016 12:40:27 +0100 Many commentators and researchers often overlook the function of middle management within an institutional hierarchy. However, middle managers are often vital to the success of a company.Theymake many important decisions, often in a context in which they do not set the overall strategy themselves. Understanding the importance of this intermediary level, and its function in implementing the strategic and organizational goals of a company, is a necessity.

Middle managers are responsible for implementing policies and plans decided by top-level management, as well as the organization’s general strategic objectives, in the most efficient way possible. According to Mary C. Niles, their...]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2016 12:34:48 +0100 The global economic downturn since 2008 has had a significant effect on unemployment in Europe. In the Netherlands, the percentage of unemployed people currently stands at 5.6%. Unemployment throughout the EU remains higher still, at 8.5%. Reducing these numbers is a challenging task for countries already facing falling economic growth, as well as austerity policies designed to reduce national debts, resulting in budget cuts and further job losses. However, tackling unemploymentis essential to reverse this trend. Governments and organizations need to tackle these problems by creating a sustainable climate for employment, with programs in which employers can provide long-term employment...]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2016 12:25:11 +0100 In the third quarter of this year, all provinces in the Netherlands experienced an increase in the number of vacancies. Notable gainers are Zeeland, Drenthe and Flevoland. This also creates tension on the labour market: per job there are fewer people that apply.

The unemployment rate in the Netherlands was on average 5.6% in the third quarter, withGroningen at 7.1% and Zeeland at 3.5%. In Zeeland the number of vacancies in the last three years has increased the most, by 319%, which hasmore than quadrupled. Drenthe and Flevoland tripled the number of vacancies.

In Zeeland, the number of unemployed and...]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2016 10:57:37 +0100 Most of us celebrate when we receive a job promotion offer. And why should we not? Perhaps our boss finally recognizes the hard work we put in, or being the first to come into the office and the last to leave, or landing the company that client or project that was out of our league… Whatever the reason, your boss is saying: “Hey, there is an opening for a better position and we thought of you first”.

But what if you feel apprehension? Or end up having a sleepless night thinking of the promotion rather than a celebratory drink? Well,...]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2016 09:21:30 +0100 The feast of St Nicholas has been celebrated for at least 700 years in the Netherlands. Since 1940 it is the biggest celebration on the 5th of December, which is also known as pakjes avond or ‘presents evening’.

Sinterklaas does not visit only families; the saint is also present at the Dutch workplace. According to research by bol.com, the Sinterklaas tradition in the Netherlands and Flanders is celebrated by almost half of the working Dutch force (45%) at work. In Belgium, Sinterklaas is even more popular at the workplace, where 60% of companies pay attention to the celebration.

Employers enjoy...]]> Thu, 01 Dec 2016 18:18:46 +0100 Creating and Amplifying energy at work is something else than personality, passion, charisma, extroversion, cheerleading, or any of the other characteristics that are mistakenly attributed to it. Energy is related to—but different from—strategic focus, time management, and personal rituals, such as workouts and scheduled downtime. It is less about energetic action and more about authenticity, character, discipline, and communication.
Energy operates as a two-way current that travels throughout an organization, bottom- up and top-down. Leaders can use energy to inspire others with an aim to give meaning, and to encourage the pursuit of goals. However, energy is also an interaction:...]]> Thu, 01 Dec 2016 10:16:52 +0100 Everyone has such a moment: you are in the middle of a job interview that could determine your future, and suddenly you have a blackout; you say accidentally the name of the competitor or you ask what the director of the company “actually does now”. What do you do then?And does it makes sense to ask for a new job interview?

Be honest, accept your mistake and do not knit a whole story about it, is the most important advice. “The person you are talking to would have some understanding, they are just people”, explains recruiter Ellen Leeuw. “Tell them...]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2016 12:40:15 +0100 A teacher who falls in love with his student or a therapist who falls in love with his patient. Some infatuations you best better avoid.

Last week, a court decided to immediately fire a guard of a women;s prison Ter Peel, because he had a relationship with a prisoner. “Power is eroticised”, says psychologist and cognitive behavioural therapist CarinPrins. “There is little to do. An unwanted infatuation can happen to anyone, the only question is: What do you do with it?” The dismissed guardian of the women’s prison kept silent about his relationship, fearing the bad outcome.

Three tips to...]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2016 11:36:57 +0100 If you have obtained your diploma in humanities, but are somewhat disheartened by its value on the current job market, you might eventually arrive to the radical decision of making a horizontal career leap to seek employment in sciences or engineering. While this makes economical sense, you will soon realise that in order to pursue such a career, you must first pursue the education.

When we are talking about a radical career change (like from a language teacher to a software engineer), some short crash course into the field will often not suffice, and you will find yourself browsing bachelor...]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2016 11:07:43 +0100 Whoever gets a salary increase would be well advised not to accept it blindly, because an increase can ensure that your net income is less.

For incomes between 21,000 and 31,000 Euros gross per year, an increase of 1,000 Euros gross can lead to 1000 Euros less in net income. That has to do with fees that will come with higher income, less discounts and tax burden increases.

There are households who earn below an average (36,500 Euros per year) that do not go ahead with a salary increase. And households who will not come quickly over this reasonable limit...]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2016 09:52:46 +0100 The best place would be the website of the company itself, but that makes the search rather complicated. Job boards are a useful medium to simplify a job search. There are, however, countless job boards claiming to have the best vacancies, just for you. Signing up to each single one, is not only a time consuming activity, but will not result in receiving more unique vacancies. You will be swamped in e-mails offering the same jobs and going through them is not only a tedious task, but also a discouraging one.

The most effective way to find suitable vacancies depends...]]> Mon, 21 Nov 2016 11:25:04 +0100 The number of self-employed has not increased further for the first time in years. More and more people stop freelancing: they either leave the job market or they became employees.

Nearly 400,000 were self-employed freelancers with no staff, since the third quarter of 2003, which wasan increase of 63%. But last year the rise stagnated, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). This year, about 50,000 self-employed stopped per quarter.

Getting Started as an Employee

Many freelancers left the labour market. And nearly half work as an employee, usually with a flexible employment relationship. In the third quarter of...]]> Mon, 21 Nov 2016 11:52:59 +0100 People who work in health care have the greatest burden of the workload. More than workers in other sectors, they complain about the amount of work and the work place.

More than half of the staff in hospitals, nursing homes, GP practices and home care says they have to deal with “a lot of work”. 43% said they frequently need to work ‘very fast’, and 35% often have ‘extra hard work’.

Emotionally Demanding
In the health care the emotional burden is also higher than on average, says a report by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) and the research institute...]]> Mon, 21 Nov 2016 11:34:37 +0100 Women are still significantly disadvantaged in the Netherlands — it was revealed last month by the Gender Gap Report. The report received much attention in the media: the pay gap could be as high as 32%.

The Gender Gap Index expresses to what extent there is a difference between men and women in a country. It examines different things, such as how many women work full time and are involved in politics.

To find out if there is a difference in pay between men and women, CEOs referred to the following question: “In your country, for equal work, to what...]]> Mon, 21 Nov 2016 11:05:10 +0100 It is a well-known fact that tailoring your CV to the position you are applying to,as well as the company you are applying to, is extremely important. Those looking for a job in a finance position should not have a similar CV to someone looking for a sales position or an operations management position. With that in mind, what are managers looking for to fill finance positions? How are these different from the sales and operations management positions regarding what is expected on a CV?

Most of the outline will stay the same for any position you are looking to...]]> Mon, 21 Nov 2016 10:01:49 +0100 One of the most nerve-wracking things we must do in the process of finding a job in the Netherlands, or anywhere for that matter, is the dreaded interview process. It is exhausting, anxiety inducing, and requires a great amount of work in preparation. You must always be on your game during these interviews and be the best version of yourself. There are the usual no-no’s to be reminded of before going on an interview: no chewing gum, no answering your phone, be nice to EVERYONE. But during these times, in order to go even further than those and be as...]]> Mon, 14 Nov 2016 11:20:24 +0100 Before you took the job, you had thoroughly prepared yourself, Googled everything about the company, asked good questions during the application process and carefully considered whether the work will fit your needs. And after the first few weeks, you feel that taking the job was a mistake.

And Now?

Laura (not the real name of the source who would speak only on condition of anonymity), asks herself several times a day. After she spent years doing research at a major pharmaceutical company, she decided to change her course.

“I did not want to spend more whole days in a lab...]]> Mon, 14 Nov 2016 12:02:34 +0100 Workaholics and career tigers: watch out! Long days and short nights might feel like nothing now,but there may be consequences later in life, according to research.

In an extensive study of Finnish businessmen, those who worked more than 50 hours and slept less than 47 hours per week during their middle ages were physically less fit and less healthy at an older age, compared to their peers who had normal work hours and sleep habits.

The researchers concluded this from the health data of 3,000 white men, born between 1919 and 1934. About 1,500 of them have, in 1974, when...]]> Mon, 14 Nov 2016 11:30:29 +0100 Do you check the balance on your bank account every week? And do you then check if everything is correct? Do all of this, says the National Institute for Budget Information (Nibud). The institute comes forth for the first time with conduct designed to prevent financial problems. And that does not only apply to people with low incomes.

The institute has devised three rules of thumb to allow people to get a better grip on their financial situation:
1. Check your balance and spending weekly. It is important to have an overview of income and expenditure. Also check if your...]]> Mon, 14 Nov 2016 10:51:59 +0100  Following the historic — and for many — surprising decision by the UK on June 23 to leave the European Union after 43 years of membership, the situation on both sides of the English Channel has been one of supreme uncertainty. The lack of a concrete Brexit plan by the UK government following the referendum result caused initial panic in the markets, with the pound taking a sharp hit against the euro. Market uncertainty today continues to remain high. Theresa May, the new British Prime Minister, has recently hinted at a “hard Brexit”. If implemented, it would mean a complete...]]> Mon, 14 Nov 2016 08:23:23 +0100 For many people an interview can be a nerve-racking experience. After an interview, the majority of people feel relieved; partly that the interview is over and partly because they feel the interview went well, but how can you tell if the company really is interested in you?

The closing remarks of an interview are a good indicator to judge how well an interview went. The interviewer will show his or her level of interestby informing you of the post-interview process and getting in contact with you.

Another sign is the body language. Smiling, leaning forward and eye contact are all...]]> Mon, 07 Nov 2016 13:05:41 +0100 More and more young people that are not continuing education and without basic qualifications, do not have a job. In 2008 more than 70% of these young people had a job, this has declined to less than 60%. Young people with a basic qualification have fewer jobs than before the economic crisis. Butsince 2014 these young people are working again more often, and nearly 90% had a job in the second quarter of 2016, reports CBS.
Young men without basic qualifications were more likely to work in 2015 (63%) than young women in the same situation (56%). Someone has a...]]> Mon, 07 Nov 2016 12:49:17 +0100 Myth #1 –“A Salary Is A Fixed Amount” vs. “You Can Always Negotiate”
The truth is somewhere in the middle and which one applies to your situation depends mainly on the industry you work in. Many employers categorise their employees strictly in grades and tables, so there might be less wiggle room than you think. However, sometimes you can persuade you future employer to rank you a grade or two higher.

Myth #2 - A Beginning Salary Is Just a Start
While that may be true, most raises constitute a percentage of your current salary. So if you accept a...]]> Sun, 06 Nov 2016 22:24:36 +0100 Many people, who want to work at The Hague, are now submitting anonymous job applications. The municipality is so satisfied with this test, that as of next year, this will be the obligatory method of application.

The Hague started the trial early this year. Vikash Jankie applied to the public affairs office, without knowing that it was anonymous. It is unknown if that was an important factor in the decision. But Jankie was employed. He is pleased that applying anonymously is to become the norm. “From my own surroundings, sometimes I hear that people suspect that they are not invited...]]> Mon, 07 Nov 2016 12:51:37 +0100 (From the website if the IND [Immigration and Naturalisation Department] comes this important announcement.) On 29 November 2016, the European Directive (2014/66/EU), will be in force. The Directive concerns the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals in the framework of an intra-corporate transfer. From 29 November, employers should submit a residence permit application for intra-corporate transferees based on this Directive, and not as "Working as an employee" or "Working as a highly-skilled migrant".
There are specific conditions that apply to the new Directive category. For example, the transferee should have been employed within the same group of undertakings...]]> Sun, 06 Nov 2016 22:32:28 +0100 Because markets nowadays are very competitive, branding is at its highest priority for companies of all sizes.
A brand is more than just a logo or name; it is bound with the customers for a lifetime. It is like owning a single idea, concept or feeling in the mind or heart of the customer. Sometimes it is just a thought, an emotion, a phrase, or a word. Whatever it is, you, as a company want to own it in your customers’ minds.  Often people start with great ideas about their brand. They make thorough marketing analysis; they have a great product...]]> Mon, 31 Oct 2016 20:27:42 +0100 Employees combine so many tasks that they too often get into trouble with their time management. This is the case especially for people with children or those who provide care to their parents, according to research by the Social and Economic Council (SER).
The combination of paid work and care for someone or appropriate childcare regularly leads to stress and health problems. School and day-care closing times are still insufficient with working hours, says the ESC. In recent years there has beentoo littledone to rectify the situation.
Elderly People Are Living at Home Longer
Caregivers who also have paid work...]]> Mon, 31 Oct 2016 10:31:28 +0100 Our doctors of tomorrow are very worried. With the abolition of study finance, they lost their only source of income during the three years required internship. And so they ask Minister Bussemakerhuis for help.
All medical students have a sort of internship of three years, for 46 hours per week. A tough job, where they carry a lot of responsibility, but get paid nothing.
A side job is not recommended, says promoter Christiaan Ponsen. “You do not want us in the evening at 8 o'clock working at a restaurant, and the next day we must assist in an operation. That...]]> Mon, 31 Oct 2016 10:18:23 +0100 An interview gives you the opportunity to discuss any ambiguities, such as what exactly your responsibilities were during your previous position, that may not be easily explained on a CV or cover letter.A successful interview is often well prepared for and basic mistakes are always avoided. You can prepare well for pitfalls that may diminish your chances of landing the job, so consider putting in the effort.

Preparation
Not all questions can be prepared for, but there are some that will be asked. Having an answer ready to these questions is important. Questions about yourself and your past, your strengths,...]]> Mon, 31 Oct 2016 14:45:14 +0100 In this post-Enron era, after seeing how not only shareholders, but also employees and customers of this American corporation got conned, the business world is constantly re-evaluating the notion of corporate fiduciary duty and whereabout it may lay. The age-old ideology has it that the board of directors’ primary concern should be the interest of the shareholders, but is that so?

While it may be a common belief, so-called shareholder primacy is not based on any legal norms that would enforce it. Suppose it is not all that strange, since in order to maximize shareholders’ profits, boards would often have...]]> Mon, 31 Oct 2016 13:56:11 +0100 If you are a manager, you probably have a clear picture about what kind of person your employee should be, what qualities and skills they should posses and how they should perform their tasks. In the end, that is what you put in the job ad. Expectations are a two-way street, though, and although rarely advertised, there is such a thing as “qualities your employee seeks in you” or even “things your employee wants from you”. Unfortunately, the first time you are likely to hear about them is when your best talents hand in their notice.

Among many personal skills...]]> Mon, 31 Oct 2016 13:40:50 +0100 You may already have an employee rewards and recognition program in place to provide your employees with a fair return for their efforts and the motivation to maintain and improve their performance – in the long run. Aside from that, gifts given to your employees on occasions such as their birthdays, Christmases, or anniversaries, provide an immediate psychological boost. More than that, they show that you care and that you do not perceive your employees only as workforce, but that you relate to them on a human level.

If you are a very small company, maybe the process of giving...]]> Mon, 31 Oct 2016 13:24:26 +0100 Mergers and acquisitions can be complicated, bitter affairs where pride is often damaged, and reputations are left shattered. Differing views and opinions from the two companies involved can make it difficult to set goals.On the other hand, companies that share similar missions and visions can make collaboration and cooperation an effortless affair. The latter correlates strongly with a healthy business relationship, and favours the possibilities of reaching the objectives set in the boardroom. The combined experience and business knowledge is a stepping-stone for any merger that is chasing new objectives.

Strategic planning for any business incorporates many factors, such as:...]]> Mon, 31 Oct 2016 13:10:46 +0100 Applying critical thinking in a workplace allows employees and managers to digest a situation more carefully, and to weigh in all the different possibilities and solutions, before concluding with a finalized idea. Critical thinking can be a long process at times, and will require all sorts of people from within the organization, depending on what the intentions are.

Critical thinking itself is best defined as a process of actively analysing and evaluating information received from the situation experienced. It is a process which requires much attention, and at the same time patience, as it may take time and energy in...]]> Mon, 31 Oct 2016 12:07:50 +0100 A manager’s job is to ensure that their team is on track to hit their goals and continue progress for the company. The most difficult part, is figuring out how. Every person responds to management differently,and can be motivated or discouraged depending on the style of management used. With that in mind, we ask: how should the success of each employee be measured? And, how do we do so while continuing to motivate and inspire?

First, we should go over the different types of management, and when they are beneficial or ineffective for employees. Research group, Hay-McBer, has identified six...]]> Mon, 31 Oct 2016 11:59:43 +0100 As a manager, how do you recognize when the culture within a team or organization is toxic? There are red flags to look out for when there is a toxic culture within a company, and there are also ways to prevent these from happening, or from turning things around if they have already become toxic.

Communication Issues

One sign indicating a toxic company culture is communication. This can apply to communication within teams as well as across the organization. Having poor communication or lack of any communication at all, is detrimental to getting anything done. If teams cannot communicate with...]]> Mon, 31 Oct 2016 11:23:00 +0100 Popularized by Adam Smith in the Wealth of Nations in 1776, Labour Division is an economic concept that divides the production process into several smaller steps, so thatseparate employees specialiseduring the process to build the end product. As an organisation grows, a form of division of labour becomes inevitable. One person simply cannot do it all. There is a need to think, though, at what point does continuously dividing the labour become a hindrance to the organization rather than a benefit? How many specialists are too many?

For growing organisations, hiring new employees and dividing up the labour are necessary...]]> Mon, 31 Oct 2016 11:10:33 +0100 Employment in Limburg is getting a big boost. VDL car manufacturer NedCar in Born will make the new Mini Countryman, which will create up to 1,200 new jobs.
Currently, some 4,000 people work at VDL Nedcar. At the end of 2012 when VDL took over Nedcar, there were still about 1,500. With an extra 1,200 new jobs there, the number of factory workers will soon be more than tripled.
In Born VDL Nedcar makes the ordinary Minis since 2014, and in late 2015 the Mini Cabrio for the BMW Group. The Countryman is a new addition. The production of the...]]> Mon, 31 Oct 2016 09:59:35 +0100 Two out of three unemployed found a job within a year. With increases in job vacancies the chances on the labour market continue to grow. People who are unemployed and receive social welfare also benefit.
From all the people who became unemployed in 2014, 65% found a job within a year, according to the report by the UWV on Tuesday. In 2012 that was 60%.
For people over 50 years old, the job search remains difficult. More than four in ten of them were back to work within a year. In the age group 35 to 45 years the figure...]]> Mon, 24 Oct 2016 12:04:47 +0200 So you have made it through school. Now the question is, how to turn that diploma into a paycheck? It is a cold and unforgiving world out there for the crisp graduate. Perhaps even more so if you also happen to be an expat. However, with the right attitude and proactive approach, you can find just the thing you are looking for.

First step would be to analyse yourself. Make sure you know what you are good at, what you enjoy doing, what your weak points are, and – of course – what do you want in your (professional) life....]]> Tue, 25 Oct 2016 22:01:09 +0200 It has often been said ‘do not judge a book by its cover’. But your profile picture on LinkedIn can say a lot—about who you are, says former employee Koka Sexton from LinkedIn, who has his own company now: Social Selling Labs.
Sexton recently posted a blog with the eight biggest mistakes that people do with their profile picture on LinkedIn, and he suggests that by avoiding those mistakes, the chances are much bigger for landing your dream job.
“Your LinkedIn profile picture is a decisive factor in creating your online personality and new career opportunities”, wrote Sexton. “Potential employers...]]> Mon, 24 Oct 2016 13:08:42 +0200 The municipality of Amsterdam offers City Pass holders up to 2,000 euros in available grants to organize a private event.
Het Parool reported this on Wednesday. The City Pass holders can submit an application to the municipality, which then provides the money that they can use for a private event.The first initiatives have been received by the municipality of Amsterdam.
Councillor Arjan Vliegenthart of Social Affairs says that the City Pass ensures that a lot of people go out. With the subsidy, the municipality wants to give people the opportunity to organize something for city dwellers themselves.
The City Pass...]]> Mon, 24 Oct 2016 11:31:42 +0200 If you are an expat who has obtained their education abroad, you may know all too well how painfully unimpressed by foreign credentials Dutch employers can be. Your safest bet is to have your foreign diploma recognised by Nuffic and hope for the best. However, if you wish to abandon your expat ways for good and seek employment at a full-blooded Dutch company, you might have to help your luck by getting some sort of qualification here in the Netherlands.

Let us start with the most obvious item – the language. As you have probably found out, there are many...]]> Mon, 24 Oct 2016 10:17:21 +0200 Life without a smartphone is hard to imagine these days, especially when they take over the tasks of a laptop or PC. The ability to access information on the go has become addictive. Statistics show that by 2017 there will be 2.6 billion smartphone users worldwide (Statista, 2016). That is about one-third of the world’s population. Those in search for a job prefer the use of smartphones, as online applications have become a standard. Most recruitment agencies and jobsites have a smartphone friendly website that makes it possible to search for jobs quickly. The problem arises when you have found...]]> Tue, 18 Oct 2016 22:39:55 +0200 The province of Noord-Holland has developed a “Dashboard Prosperity and Welfare”. It shows, among other things, that the North Hollander compared to the average Dutchman is a fraction richer.
It also appears that in Noord-Holland there are less owned homes, but that their average value is higher than in the rest of the Netherlands. The dashboard is designed to monitor certain economic effects on welfare and prosperity in Noord-Holland.
The dashboard Prosperity and Welfare is part of the Economic Implementation Agenda of the province of North Holland. Deputy of the Economy Affairs, Jaap Bond: “Issues such as employment, education and...]]> Tue, 18 Oct 2016 20:50:46 +0200 Employers and employees should make proper arrangements about the measures taken in companies to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Last week, the Centre for Ethics and Health (CEG), offered this identification note “Lifestyle Effects on the Shop Floor” to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Public Health, Welfare and Sport. “Employers now offer a range of health programs”, says a spokesperson for CEG, which is a partnership between the Health Council and the Council for Health and Society (RVS).

Grey Area

“They do that with the best intentions, but there is often a gray area. That someone cannot show up at...]]> Mon, 17 Oct 2016 11:04:53 +0200 Whether you are looking to break into the executive/management world, or are already there, but want to make a horizontal career leap, you will be faced with the question of what to do with your CV. The obvious approach would be to simply update it by adding your recent position and hit the upload button, but that might ultimately undermine your efforts.

Instead of giving your CV just a minor facelift here and there, you should consider a total redo. While some of the old CV-writing truths remain valid (such as tailoring your CV to each vacancy you apply for),...]]> Mon, 17 Oct 2016 09:43:17 +0200 The salaries for young professionals in the Netherlands are lower than in our neighbouring countries. In 2015 the Netherlands took the eighth place in the European rankings, the same position as a year earlier.

With an average salary of 41,300 Euros and 86,085 Euros respectively in 2015, Dutch Young professionals are earning less than in seven other European countries, concludes the latest Global 50 Remuneration Planning Report.

Switzerland Pays Twice as Much

Leader of the list is Switzerland, where young professionals earn on average more than twice as much as their Dutch colleagues. Resource Managers earn nearly half times more....]]> Mon, 17 Oct 2016 11:21:20 +0200  The first step to working in The Netherlands is how to find a job? Of all job vacancies advertised online, 31% come directly from employers. Thus, 69% of all vacancies are offered by temporary employment or recruitment agencies, or by intermediaries (according to the CBS). So, the chances are greater that you would be contacted by a recruitment agency, and hopefully sent toanother interview at the employer.(For some job vacancies, assessment proceduresare included apart from the job interview.)
Now, assuming the interviews go well and you get the job—gefeliciteerd (congratulations)! You still need to have a grasp of the Dutch...]]> Mon, 10 Oct 2016 12:18:15 +0200
Once again the beautiful Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam provided the ideal location for the "i am not a tourist" Job Fair for Internationals. Held alongside the Expat Fair, crowds of people from various parts of the globe were welcomed to a new life and career in the Netherlands.

With the late arrival of Autumn, attendees were keen to seek shelter from the rain at the informative and engaging exhibitor stands and presentations. English and multilingual speakers were welcomed by a wide range...]]> Wed, 12 Oct 2016 12:57:54 +0200        It is quite tricky if you want to find new jobs, but still have a contract with your current boss –more so if you still want to keep your current job in the interim. How do you let other companies know that you are available without your boss and colleagues finding out? LinkedIn offers as a new opportunity.
       To tell the world that you are open to a new challenge is really only an option if you do not have a job or if you lose your job. And searching for a job is not possible for everyone....]]> Mon, 10 Oct 2016 11:25:53 +0200        If you were an M&M, what colour would you prefer? It is becoming more common for applicants to have to answer strange questions during interviews. In this way, candidates are put in an awkward position, while having to respond quickly.
Google and Facebook are known for asking those questions in interviews for a long time. Now the trend seems to have spread to the Netherlands. So, why do companies ask such weird questions?

       Gauge the Reaction
       “I do it mainly to gauge the reaction of people”, says Eric Versteegfrom the recruitment bureau Balance. For example you can...]]> Mon, 10 Oct 2016 11:12:01 +0200        There are less and less job vacancies for those with a university degree, according to a survey by job search engine Adzuna. Academics have the most chances to find a job in the province Utrecht.
From the figures of Adzuna, it looks like Academics have more difficulty finding a job compared to HBO graduates. For this study more than 200,000 jobs were analysed throughout the Netherlands. These were derived from more than 170 different sources.        Best Chances in Utrecht        Utrecht graduates have to compete with ten other applicants for a job at their level. Graduates from...]]> Mon, 10 Oct 2016 10:33:05 +0200

     You badly want the job, yet you do not meet all of the requirements of the job description, and you wonder how some of your skills fit with those requested—does this mean you should not apply? Of course not, if you want the job so much, then there are already reasons why you are asking yourself this question. With the exception of a large gap between the amounts of experience you have and what they ask for, you can almost always demonstrate your usefulness to an organisation.

      Here are some tips that will demonstrate your abilities, which are...]]> Mon, 10 Oct 2016 09:42:27 +0200
Alarm clock gives out, train is delayed, the car breaks down — it happens to the best of us. But there is a difference between occasional logistical malfunction and habitual tardiness.

How Late Is Late?  Some chronic latecomers would argue that showing up anything up to 15 minutes late is okay. Well, time is a surprisingly exact thing and does not leave muchroom for interpretation. If you are expected to start at 9a.m., and if you are not present at 9a.m., then technically you are late. You might think that a couple of minutes simply do not matter, but this opinion...]]> Mon, 10 Oct 2016 09:15:47 +0200
The new generation of job seekers has different needs than the older generations on the labour market. Young people move faster with the times and are more innovative, as can be seen in how they solicit for work.

Online Recruiting Is Increasingly Popular AmongstMillennials
The World of Work survey by Monsterboard showed which millennials mostly search on the Internet for a job. The research was conducted in June this year among 4,114thousand Millennials across Europe. 70% of respondents believe that they know where to look online when they are searching for a job, while a quarter does not. Millennials seek...]]> Mon, 03 Oct 2016 12:22:39 +0200 A line manager is a person who has direct responsibility for a particular employee. One of the main reasons why human resources and line managers work together is to achieve the company’s success through various ways. Upon working together, the management of line managers become more adapt and experienced towards human resource related functions. This means that HR management will have more chances to give more time and thought to strategies in HR related management. During the recruitment process, HR management would advise line managers on how to really identify qualified candidates, and what they can offer to be an...]]> Tue, 04 Oct 2016 00:41:54 +0200 Considering how many companies rely on personality assessment in the hiring process, it might be sensible to stop and think twice about the mechanics behind them and how your employee’s personality really affects your company. For starters, many popular personality tests are based on psychological theories that are almost hundred years old. And while this fact alone does not mean they will not bring any useful information, it might mean they will not bring you the information you were actually looking for.

In the recent years, there have been many researches on the link between personality and work performance. The...]]> Mon, 03 Oct 2016 23:43:58 +0200 1. See Where You Stand

Before you even start assessing your current situation, it is good to remind yourself of your business goals and current or future risks and opportunities. Draft out one of those good old SWOT analyses to help you identify critical activities that need to be carried out in order to achieve growth and/or avoid potential threats. Do not forget to check potential legal mandates, such as health and safety regulations.

Then you can move on to assessing whether or not your team possesses all the competencies needed for meeting your goals. Tools such as feedback from...]]> Mon, 03 Oct 2016 23:28:37 +0200 What Is Stress?

       Whenever there is some kind of demand or threat, our body may respond with stress. Stress is an imprecise term. It is usually defined in terms of the internal and external conditions that create stressful situations, and the symptoms that people experience when they are stressed.
       When we feel threatened, our body tries to adjust to that situation by releasing a flood of stress hormones, like adrenaline and cortisol, which rouse the body for emergency action. Our blood pressure rises, the heart beats faster, our breath quickens, themuscles are tenseand our senses sharpen. All with...]]> Mon, 03 Oct 2016 23:12:02 +0200 Merger and acquisitions are a part of a company’s growth strategy. Merger means that companies will combine to create one new company. It can also be defined as a process where the assets of the companies are given the power of one company. Acquisition refers more to a process in which buying assets of one company from another company. It is the purchase by one company of taking control of the interest in the share capital of a company already existing.

Companies tend to go through these processes for various reasons. Every company has its own specific way of reaching...]]> Mon, 03 Oct 2016 23:03:41 +0200 Payments and compensations can be a difficult topic to bring up amongst employees. The whole idea of putting one’s efforts into a figure of currency can prove to be a struggle for employers. A survey done by the compensation research firm PayScale, found that 73% of company leaders “do not feel very confidence in their managers’ ability to effectively communicate with employees about salary related issues”. As difficult and as much of a struggle as it may be, these conversations tend to be “the most important conversations you have throughout the year” –V. G. Narayanan, professor of business administration at...]]> Mon, 03 Oct 2016 23:01:24 +0200 The Glass Cliff and the Employment Process

The term “glass cliff” refers to an idea that women are more likely to receive top-tier or CEO positions at organizations during times of crisis or (financial) turmoil. It was developed roughly a decade ago, as a result of research carried out by professors Michelle K. Ryan and Alexander Haslam of the University of Exeter. It is a trend that apparently occurs in both business and politics.

A 2015 study published in The Leadership Quarterly studied the appointment of CEOs to Fortune 500 companies. The study found that women are statistically much more...]]> Mon, 03 Oct 2016 22:46:29 +0200 When a company decides to restructure their organization due to change of vision, laws, or budget plan, the HR team is one of the most important sectors to get involved. They can be a crucial asset to refocusing the company and steering it in the right direction. The job is to restructure, reduce, and/or reorganize the makeup of the company—a daunting task. There is a myriad of ways an HR worker can and will get involved in an organization’s restructure or change. Ultimately, the success of the restructure can decide the success of the new business.

Employees are sensitive to...]]> Mon, 03 Oct 2016 22:29:30 +0200 Between work, kids, friends, hobbies and the household,we are barely having a moment of rest. Research shows that two thirds of people would want more peace in their everyday life. And there are more options than you think.
Even if we are not rushing from place to place, there are still distractions from our smartphones, or stress of the things that we still need to do. That many people today suffer from this is also evident in the large study by Dunham University,where they surveyed 18,000 people from 134 different countries about rest and relaxation.
The results were clear: 68%...]]> Mon, 03 Oct 2016 11:02:21 +0200        This benefit has been put in place in order to attract foreigners with specific sets of skills that are not common among applicants on the Dutch job market, and its aim is to compensate some of the expenses related to relocation. Effectively, it makes up to 30% of your taxable salary non-taxable. Plus, you can exchange your foreign driver’s licence for a Dutch one without having to take any additional lessons or exams. In order to benefit from it, you will have to meet certain requirements.
        Who Is it for?          The main condition is that the eligible expat...]]> Mon, 03 Oct 2016 09:30:02 +0200 The number of employees on on-call jobs has increased by more than a third in five years.Between 2010 and 2015, the number of on-call jobs increased by143,000, reported the Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS) on Tuesday. In 2010, this was about 5% of all jobs for workers. Last year the figure was 7%, and that amounts to 545,000 jobs. Young people aged 15 to 25 years fill in the vast majority of these jobs. More than half of the on-call jobs are pupils or students.

Hospitality (Horeca)
Particularly in the hospitality(Horeca) industry there are relatively as many workers on-call. A...]]> Mon, 03 Oct 2016 12:29:23 +0200

Women all over the world work an average of four years longer than men. Here we look at paid and unpaid work, such as housework.
This is according to the development agency ActionAid’s report, which will be presented Thursday at the United Nations General Assembly, reported The Guardian.
The difference at time spent at work between men and women varies by country. So, a woman from the UK works 2.5 years longer than a man, for example. It was also found out that a woman with a life expectancy of 69 years works an average of 23 years of unpaid...]]> Mon, 26 Sep 2016 13:50:15 +0200

Maybe you did not build it consciously, but let me assure you – you do have a personal brand already. Even if you have no Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. account (I hope you do, though). It is the way you communicate with people, the way you talk and walk and dress and express your attitudes to just about everything, that is part of your personal brand.

If you find yourself in a position of a jobseeker, you are suddenly presenting your image to a whole new audience that – unlike your friends and family – does not accept you as...]]> Mon, 26 Sep 2016 13:33:04 +0200 More than half of Dutch consumers feel that the expertise of store staff has not improved.Above all, the professionalism of the staff at hardware stores, electronics stores, and sports shops is lacking, according to research at ABN Amro amongst four thousand consumers.
The Economic Bureau from the bank examined at which point the services at retail stores could be improved according to consumers. The store staff expertise is the main concern. A whopping 53% of respondents believe that staff at stores is insufficient with their expertise. In electronics and sports shops,it is at 41% and 38% respectively.
Also, at shoe...]]> Mon, 26 Sep 2016 12:00:22 +0200 People who speak with a dialect earn considerably less than those who speak standard Dutch, according to research by Professor Jan van Ours at the University of Tilburg, reported the AD.
The income gap is especially significant in the following groups: men, highly educated people and people from the farthest corners of the country. The difference in salary can range from 5% to 15%.Van Ours finds this outcome remarkable. He too grew up with a dialect in Goeree-Overflakkee, along with 40% of the Dutch population.
Research on the economic impact of the dialect has not been done previously, at least...]]> Mon, 26 Sep 2016 13:27:37 +0200 You want to make the best impression at your interview. We all have days when we feel downbeat and others, when anything seems possible. Friends and family advise you to “Just be yourself!” at the interview. The question is: which 'you' do you present to interviewers – the quiet, polite 'you' handing back books at your local library, or the assertive, brash 'you' on the pub quiz team? It is a tricky balancing act: appear too reserved and you risk coming across as aloof, shy and humourless;while over-confidence and boasting about your accomplishments are also interview no-no’s in the Netherlands....]]> Mon, 26 Sep 2016 11:13:03 +0200 The next cabinet must spend an extra €1bn a year on boosting research and development in the Netherlands to avoid damaging the economy, employers and academics, said on Thursday.
The money is needed to solve central problems surrounding healthcare, energy, sustainability, governance and food, and to keep Dutch scientific research up to strength, the alliance of employers, universities, research institutes and teaching hospitals say. ‘We need more money to keep at a level in terms of new technology, new research and fundamental research at universities’, Hans de Boer, chairman of the VNO-NCW employers lobby group told Nu.nl. ‘At the moment,...]]> Mon, 19 Sep 2016 13:05:18 +0200 For expats who plan on staying for longer than a few years, or move to the Netherlands permanently, it might be worth looking into attaining Dutch citizenship. Why get one in the first place? Why not just live as a permanent residence forever? First, you can get a Dutch passport allowing you to travel within the European Union, and you take away the burden of having your employer sponsor you as a highly skilled migrant worker annually.Nor willyou need to renew your permanent residence permit every five years. Second, you can work anywhere in the European Union, allowing you to...]]> Mon, 19 Sep 2016 12:56:14 +0200 One in six workers often struggles with serious sleep problems. Almost two thirds of them sometimes work less welland makemistakes.
According to a survey by TNS Nipo, on behalf of insurer Silver Cross, more than half (59%) of poorly sleeping workers suffer from concentration problems. A quarter make mistakes due to lack of a good night's sleep.
Short Fuse
When not sleeping enough (less than 7 hours), workers cannot function optimally. ‘In particular, the front part of the brain is sensitive to too little sleep’, says sleep consultant Els van der Helm. ‘Organizing ability, problem solving, and creativity—they are targeted...]]> Mon, 19 Sep 2016 13:32:48 +0200

Many local authorities compel people on social assistance to pay compensation in the form of unpaid work. However, this can lead to displacement of paid employees in the labour market according to trade union FNV.
‘Working without pay leads to unfair competition and loss of real jobs’, said the union in the Local Monitor. This Wednesday, published research assesses the federal social policies of Dutch municipalities.
Not even half the municipalitiesexaminedin the research could present whether there is actually unfair competition. Of the 144 municipalities that participated in the survey only 49% showed that they know how to test for...]]> Mon, 19 Sep 2016 13:12:27 +0200 Searching for a suitable new job can be a time consuming activity. Job titles are often nondescript. Luckily, job descriptions give more information about what to expect. There is usually information about the company and information what the employer has to offer to the potential new employee. And there are often overviews or necessary requirements. Sometimes the lists seem never ending; at times the requirements just contradict each other. Other descriptions mention so few skills that almost anyone fits the profile. A vacancy without any requirements is rare and a bit fishy to be honest.

Besides giving an impression of...]]> Mon, 19 Sep 2016 12:39:18 +0200 Colleagues who speak loudly when calling or consulting, the tapping of keyboards, squeaky computers and phones ringing—sometimes you can find rest in the monkey house at a zoo, rather than in an office. A recent British study shows that workers would rather rest than have free food.
Oxford University asked 1,200 managers and employees what they would prefer to see or happen at their work. Nearly three-quarters of them indicated that they would want to work in an office garden and more than half of the total group had one clear intention: silence.
In fact, the workers felt that silence...]]> Mon, 19 Sep 2016 11:56:43 +0200 All corporate bonuses should be capped at 20% of salary, finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem said on Thursday.
As reported in the Volkskrant, the minister criticised a commission that is currently drawing up a new code of conduct for listed companies, which are not doing enough to limit bonuses of senior executives. As bonuses are continuing to rise, the gap between executives and average worker pay is becoming absurd, the minister said. At Ahold, Heineken and Unilever, for example, executives earn over 100 times as much as the average worker, he said.
The financial services sector, Dijsselbloem said, has taken steps...]]> Mon, 19 Sep 2016 10:56:09 +0200

One of the most important rules when updating or writing your C.V. is to tailor it to the job and company that you are applying for, and sales is no different. While it should be structured similarly to any other C.V., there are a few things that you can change to make yours stand out from the crowd. After all, being noticed and called for an interview is the most important outcome.

Personal Details

Having the correct contact information on your C.V. is extremely crucial. I would not expect a company to pursue you much further if they dial a...]]> Mon, 19 Sep 2016 10:52:01 +0200 Approximately two in five workers sometimes do their work from home. On average they do that about eight hours a week- a full working day.
20% of the Dutch work one day a week from home. Ten years earlier this was 15% according to the Social and Cultural Planning Office (SCP).
According to their figures, the growth corresponds to the number of hours that people need to complete their work. One third of the people who work from home do so to finish their work.
22% claim that concentration and efficiency are important reasons to do the work from home....]]> Mon, 19 Sep 2016 10:38:32 +0200

If you are looking for a job in the Dutch market, you will quickly find that recruitment agencies are pretty standard for those looking to fill a position, as well as those looking for a new job. I discovered this after attending a job fair in Amsterdam. I had been to several job fairs in the U.S. especially in college, and was expecting the same overwhelming experience. I was prepared to visit twenty or thirty booths in one day, hand out C.V.s, and possibly do a surprise interview. What I found was the complete opposite of anything I had ever...]]> Mon, 19 Sep 2016 09:49:42 +0200

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that the number of bankruptcies decreased further, by 88 in August 2016 compared to July. Adjusted for court session days, the number of bankruptcies reached the lowest level since August 2008. Again, most bankruptcies were filed in the trade sector.
 - Downward trend
Adjusted for court session days, the number of bankruptcies peaked in May 2013 and then began to fall. In August 2015, the lowest level since October 2008 was reached, subsequently followed by a period of ups and downs.
In August 2016, the number of bankruptcies was lower than in August 2015 and reached...]]> Mon, 12 Sep 2016 11:48:47 +0200

To dislike your job is one thing, but if you feel physically sick just thinking about going to work, your work environment may be outright toxic. Especially if there is hostility between you and another co-worker. There is a proper way of dealing with such a situation. For starters, you should work from the bottom up.

Try to Turn the Situation Around

Address the issue directly with the offender, but be careful about how you approach it. Act professionally and with integrity, stay calm and avoid emulating negative behaviour. Criticise the offender’s actions, not the offender. Steer clear of office...]]> Mon, 12 Sep 2016 11:29:07 +0200
Discussing about salary is a sensitive topic to bring up for most people. A negotiation about salary is a private matter, depending on what job you have. This makes it “easy for people to be underpaid, as nobody will really know what you earn apart from the employer and employee” (Ryan, Forbes). Some jobs might not have enough money to really compensate workers and the work they have done.

While at other times, the company might not realize how much work employees have so as to make a higher deserved pay. Situations like these are often difficult to address to...]]> Mon, 12 Sep 2016 11:24:59 +0200
After ‘explosive growth’ in the first six months of this year, there are now over 4,200 licenced taxis in Amsterdam , the Parool said on Friday.
In the first six months of 2015, 76 people started up as taxi drivers, but in the same period this year there were 382 newcomers to the market, the paper said. Established firms have been calling for a limit on taxi numbers because of the impact on earnings. ‘Drivers are barely making ends meet,’ said Bas Vos, of umbrella group Amsterdams Platform Kwaliteitstaxi . ‘Most are happy if they cover their costs. We are...]]> Mon, 12 Sep 2016 11:19:34 +0200  
It was a busy summer for the ANWB: in total there were 630,000 telephone calls, of which were a portion of travellers who were sick. If you become ill during your vacation, it is a pity, but there is also some good news: the day(s) you can get back from your boss.
Most people on vacation who became ill were suffering from gastrointestinal complaints. And the advice of the FNV to those people is not to eat yoghurt or drink a lot of water, but to report themselves to their boss that they are sick.
Tips
The days that you...]]> Mon, 12 Sep 2016 10:19:41 +0200


Considering the amount of time employees spend at work, it only makes sense that their health is not something that should just be managed at home. Most employers realise that. However, promoting a healthy lifestyle at the workplace is not a common practise, and embedding health permanently into the company’s culture seems to be even more difficult. Perhaps more so because the success stories revolve around big players with sky-high budgets to spend, like Google or Chevron. Be that as it may, health at the workplace is a good example of how a little effort (and budget) goes a long...]]> Tue, 06 Sep 2016 10:44:55 +0200

An extra little something is always welcome among your employees. In most cases they do not have to pay any taxes over the gifts received (so that they really remain gifts). As an employer, however, you might have to pay the so-called eindheffing (deduction at source). This is a tax construction that names you – the employer – responsible for paying taxes over the gift, rather than the person who actually receives the gift. And yet, since January 2015, there is a tax regulation in place that lets you be generous tax-free. Under certain conditions, that is.

Werkkostenregeling (WKR) allows...]]> Tue, 06 Sep 2016 10:29:51 +0200


For businesses, organizations and companies, sustainable economic development involves the setting of goals, which extend beyond their own financial best interests. In other words, it involves developing economically, while maintaining an interest in the wellbeing of others as well. On its website, the European Commission states that sustainable development “offers a vision of progress that integrates immediate and longer-term objectives, local and global action, and regards social, economic and environmental issues”.

Sustainable development is a subject worth caring about for several reasons. On the same webpage, the European Commission states that sustainability is a global concern, and can be used...]]> Tue, 06 Sep 2016 10:13:56 +0200 How to Handle Conflicts of Interest at the Workplace
People often have different opinions. Sometimes, these opinions are in your favour and at other times, they are completely against it. Conflicts of interests may arise at any time and may concern any topic. Before getting involved, it is necessary as an employer to know what is required to settle a conflict. Being an employer means being accounted for, thus proper leadership is needed. With the right attitude and knowledge, a conflict should be addressed and settled in a “healthy and productive fashion. Don’t fear conflict; embrace it – it’s your...]]> Tue, 06 Sep 2016 10:03:53 +0200 The Human Side of Mergers & Acquisitions

Mergers and acquisitions is the area of corporate financial matters—strategies dealing with buying and/or joining with other companies and businesses. When two organizations join together to become a new organization it is called a merger, which often ends up with a new name. “Acquisition” is when one company will stay in business and the acquired company will be united into the acquiring company. The acquired company will no longer exist after the merger. When one company merges or acquires another, this is usually in a company’s financial interest.

A key word in the...]]> Tue, 06 Sep 2016 09:56:28 +0200

Many modern managers want their team to communicate openly for its beneficial effects on learning and performance. Their ambition is supported by findings in business and science. For example, a large study at Google on the effectiveness of their work teams pointed to one critical factor explaining the performance of teams: psychological safety. In high performing teams, the participants equally contributed in conversations and were able to intuit what others were thinking and feeling from non-verbal cues.

So, open communication where people share valid verbal and non-verbal information seems a good idea. Why then, do we often experience situations where...]]> Tue, 06 Sep 2016 09:48:15 +0200 Remember the last time you returned from a trip from another country? Or even better, from a trip where you visited a few countries? What did you feel you gained during or after this trip?
When I come back even from a single trip from one country, I am positively overwhelmed with how much I have learned. Picking up words in a foreign language, getting out of my comfort zone to reproduce these words, experiencing different energy, getting to know new ways of doing things, etc. This is very enriching.

Similar emotions and impressions I experience when being a part...]]> Tue, 06 Sep 2016 09:39:24 +0200 Many of us may have experienced praise after a job well done. Can you remember how you felt afterwards? Were the words more meaningful to you than completing the job? Maybe you were motivated to put in effort for even more success?

It is common knowledge that being praised often makes people feel good. Satisfaction, pleasure, pride and increased feelings of self-esteem are all common reactions to being paid a compliment or receiving positive feedback. This is because these reactions trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps control the reward and pleasure centres of the brain. As well...]]> Tue, 06 Sep 2016 09:30:50 +0200 How realistic are the recruiters’ demands for job candidates? In other words, how difficult is it to get a job in the Netherlands at the moment? Well, for an expat, everything is hard, it is part of what we signed on for when moving to another country. Between work visas, residency registrations, and 30% tax rulings; finding employment, especially when you did not come over here on a migrant worker’s visa, is just another difficulty to live with. Dealing with recruiters and their expectations is just an inevitability.

It is important to first look at the job market in the...]]> Sat, 27 Aug 2016 19:25:40 +0200 Where is it best to study in Europe to earn a good salary? Research bureau Emoluments observed the incomes of European graduates within a few years of work experience. Good news¬– for a nice pay check, you do not have to leave the country...
Emolument analysed the incomes from over 5,000 European graduates. Looking at the salaries of those with five to ten years experience they provide an interesting top 30.
More precisely: studying in Switzerland would provide the highest salary. The four institutions that can reward thisare all within Swiss borders. Not coincidentally, since the cost to live there...]]> Sat, 27 Aug 2016 21:45:49 +0200

For people with a talent for programming, NASA is offering one million dollars. The money is intended for the winner of the Space Robotic Challenge, a competition thatthe US space agency has launched in its efforts to land people on Mars.
NASA provides $ 1 million for the best programmers who can program their new space robot. The competition serves as a preparation for a future space trip to the ‘red planet’, where a space robot, as a quartermaster, shall prepare for a later visit by human astronauts.

Shape of a Human

The space agency is working on the space...]]> Sat, 27 Aug 2016 20:03:50 +0200

Eindhoven industrial group VDL Groupsearnings in the first half of 2016 increased by almost one fifth and reached to about 1.6 billion Euros, while the number of employees continues to rise.
The automobile daughter company VDL NedCar, which was commissioned by BMW Minis, did significantly better business. The assembly division of VDL NedCar achieved in the first half revenues of 673 million Euros. That is almost half more than a year earlier. For the second half of the year, it is expected grow further.
The prospects for the rest of the year, according to the company, are also optimistic, with...]]> Sat, 27 Aug 2016 22:08:32 +0200

The question of what employers look for in graduates is difficult to answer. After all, requirements vary from industry to industry, and two organizations can hold different views on what sort of applicants are suitable for a certain position.

For graduates, it may be particularly challenging to enter the job market. Applying for jobs as a graduate may seem even more daunting, since it means having to compete against other applicants with more extensive work experience. There are, however, certain traits that can help a recent graduate find employment.

Work Experience

Employers will naturally be more interested in graduates that...]]> Sat, 27 Aug 2016 19:10:22 +0200 “Trust” is a keyword when it comes to finding the right person for a job. In a world where the internet plays a significant role in finding that “go to person”, it is very important to establish a strong image for others to see so that they could really trust somebody. Not only does it help others in giving them reasons to hire or work with you, but it also gives you authority and a better view of offers in the particular field. Getting the attention of potential clients is one thing, but making sure they stay interested is another....]]> Mon, 22 Aug 2016 10:29:06 +0200 The tourism sector is becoming increasingly important for the Dutch economy. For the second consecutive year, tourist spending in 2015 grew by about 5% from the previous year. The value of this tourist spending now reaches 72.7 billion EUR, reported CBS.
Last year, foreign tourists spent nearly 20 billion in the Netherlands, which is over 13% more than in the previous year. One of the reasons is that 8% more tourists came here. In addition, more foreign tourists’ accommodation and (airline) tickets were booked by or through a Dutch company. A large proportion of these tourists did not travel effectively...]]> Mon, 22 Aug 2016 12:55:41 +0200

Unemployment among 25 to 30 year olds has dropped considerably since 2014. Last quarter therewere only 5% of young men at home.
That group has long been difficult in the labour market. Including the financial crisesthere was even 7.7% of pre-30s with no work. Before the economic downturn, the unemployment rate in this group was extremely low, at 2.6%, according to figures published by Statistics Netherlands.
The troubles with 25- to 30-year olds today are that they often have to start their career only when few employers haveopened new job positions.

Flexibility
Relatively speaking, young people have more work than...]]> Mon, 22 Aug 2016 12:54:35 +0200

Once employed in the Netherlands, you may find something called a non-solicitation clause included in your contract. This is separate from the commonly seen, non-compete clause. While a non-compete clause prohibits an employee from entering into a new employment agreement with a competitor, a non-solicitation clause prohibits an employee from entering into an employment agreement with a customer or business relation of the former employer. It is important to think about how this could possibly affect your later career before signing it, as this can be legally enforced and a fine may be in store for any who break the...]]> Mon, 22 Aug 2016 09:51:26 +0200

Work less, do more things for fun and sport more—many people come back after the summer break with a long list of good intentions. How do you ensure that you are actually going to do that?
Tanned and full of new energy, we just came back from vacation. Some of us go “whistling” to work again, but others have to truly drag themselves to the office. It is not surprising that many people at this time are trying to find a new job. At Monsterboard, they see that there is 24% increase injob searching after the summer holidays, and 25%...]]> Mon, 22 Aug 2016 11:31:16 +0200
You may have been in Customer Relations for a while and are looking for a new work environment and/or bigger pay, or maybe you are just looking to enter the industry. Whichever the case, you will need an impeccable CV to outrun the competition and make a hit. So how do you know what is relevant and how to put it down?

Take the time to research what skills are recruiters looking for on your customer relations CV. This is usually a mix of directly relevant and transferable skills. Ideally, here is where you show off your previous experience in...]]> Mon, 15 Aug 2016 11:49:00 +0200
The total number of employed persons increased by 38 thousand in the second quarter of 2016. The number of jobs for temporary workers increased sharply. The number of self-employed rose just slightly. In addition, the number of vacancies increased by 5 thousand, and the number of unemployed decreased by 16 thousand. Unemployment fell from 6.5 to 6.3 percent—reported CBS.
In the second quarter of 2016 there were on average 9,976 thousand jobs. It has now been nine consecutive quarters of job growth there. From the first quarter of 2014 it added a total of nearly 230 thousand jobs.
During the...]]> Mon, 15 Aug 2016 12:06:04 +0200

Research by the University of Melbourne shows that a 40-hour week is not really good. We are much more productive, and we recover much faster if we do not work more than 25 hours. Especially for people over 40, wherethe difference is significant.
In their Applied Economic and Social Research study of 6500 Australians aged 40 and over, they looked at the optimal number of hours a week an employee should work. Their findings were surprising, to say the least. Research showed that for every hour you work up to 25 hours a week, your cognitive function steadily increases. Any...]]> Mon, 15 Aug 2016 12:05:15 +0200
PERIOD 6, 2016: HOURS +7%, TURNOVER +8%
In period 6 (week 21 – 24) the total amount of hours increased 7% and turnover grew 8%, in comparison to the same period last year. This period had one workable day more compared to the same period last year, so a correction was applied.
• The administrative sector increased 13% in hours and turnover grew 11% in comparison to the same period in 2015.
• Hours in the industrial sector increased 5% and turnover increased 6% compared to the same period last year.
• Furthermore, the amount of worked hours in the...]]> Mon, 15 Aug 2016 11:03:13 +0200
The easiest answer would be: ‘Sure, you never know when you might luck out’. But in the real world, where you need to spend hours tailoring your CV and motivation letter to each end every ad separately, this kind of approach will get you nowhere. Not all job posts were created equal, so how do you know which ones are worth your time?

Assess your level of Dutch. If you can read and understand the ad, that is probably a good sign. If you need to run it through a translator first, that is probably a bad sign. If you...]]> Mon, 15 Aug 2016 10:19:12 +0200

A personal statement is usually the first thing on your CV, meant to highlight your best qualities and achievements, and – ultimately – get your CV onto the “yes” pile. It is important that you tailor the personal statement for each different job position you apply for. One CV does not fit all. Therefore, when crafting it, pay close attention to what the recruiter is looking for. Read the advertisement closely so that you can highlight the appropriate traits. However, be careful not to resign to mindlessly copying the requirements listed in the ad.

Avoid clichés and vague terms. While...]]> Mon, 08 Aug 2016 12:37:28 +0200

The financial situation of future pensioners is uncertain according to the National Institute for Budget Information (Nibud).
The combination of the rising cost of living and the current group of freelancers and entrepreneurs building less pension, leads the institute to expect that the current under-65-year-olds will soon have a quarter too little pension, ANP reports.
There are a number of factors contributing to current workers not always building up enough pensions. The ever-increasing number of freelancers and flexible employment plays a big role, as does the increase in divorce.
According to Nibud, it is a common misconception that people spend...]]> Mon, 08 Aug 2016 12:31:25 +0200 Ethnic minority students with an MBO college diploma or HBOcollege degree find it much harder to get a job than native Dutch graduates, according to new reserach by Maastricht University.
70,000 graduates were part of the research. The research team looked at their success rate and found second generation minority students were three times as likely to be jobless than their Dutch peers. Even with identical qualifications, minority youths found it much harder to get a job, Niewsuur reported.
Earlier research had indicated that ethnic minority youths tend to opt for studies that donot directly lead to a job, but...]]> Mon, 08 Aug 2016 11:58:54 +0200
The number of “rapid growth” companies in the Netherlands is back on the rise, after five years on the decline. This year there is a 10% increase compared to the previous year, when there were 7,460 rapid growth companies in the Netherlands, reported Statistics Netherlands.
With last year’s increase, the number of rapid growth companies is now back on the level it was in 2011. A rapid growth company is a business that for three years in a row shows a minimum of 10 percent growth in terms of employees.
Employment agencies and restaurants count as the most rapid growth...]]> Mon, 08 Aug 2016 11:48:07 +0200

I arrived in Amsterdam in April of this year with the naive assumption that other than my lack of Dutch language knowledge, I was ready to jump in and find a job right away. I had done research on the U.S. resume vs. the European C.V., had my recommendations ready to go, and thought myself well prepared to enter the Dutch job market. To say that I misjudged my knowledge of the job market in the Netherlands would be an understatement, and it was because of my begrudging attendance to a job fair that I was able to find that...]]> Mon, 08 Aug 2016 11:12:47 +0200
You have searched, sent CV’s, and been interviewed until your brain hurts, and now you have finally secured the perfect job. Congratulations! After the excitement wears off, it is time to start going over the contracts and salary, which can be a bit overwhelming. Along with the payment you will receive, comes several benefits that the Dutch Labour Laws provide. These are agreed upon through Collective Bargaining Agreement (CAO) between employers and various trade unions. It is important to go over your contract before signing to ensure everything iscorrect, and to consult legal counsel if anything stands out as a...]]> Mon, 01 Aug 2016 11:56:26 +0200  

In the Netherlands in 2015, almost 3.8 million people aged 15 to 75 years were inactive on the job market.
This means that they do not have paid work, but also that they are not looking for work and/or they are not able to start immediately. Old age, illness or disability, or undergoing training are the most common reasons for not participating.
Thus, per quarter there was an average of nearly 10% from the non-working population. Yet a quarter later they could find a job or were looking for a work. The flow among the sick and disabled was relatively...]]> Mon, 01 Aug 2016 12:27:41 +0200

Employee development is valuable for both the employee and the organisation. In order to remain competitive, companies need to evaluate whether a development program is necessary and for what purpose.

Firstly, the company needs to decide on the purpose of the training. Several reasons can make training necessary. New conditions that require adjusted qualifications, new technologies, different company strategies, lack of motivation or productivity, high stress levels or conflicts within the teams are just few examples of situations asking for employee development. Hand in hand with the reason for the training comes the decision, whether an individual, a team, a...]]> Mon, 01 Aug 2016 15:51:16 +0200

Imagine warm sunny days in the Netherlands and plenty of work on your plate. Imagine again, more and more of these warm sunny days in the Netherlands and a heavy workload. What would you do? Would you think of going to the beach, gather with your friends, do some outdoor sport activity; or stay at your desk working with full concentration?

Even if there are not that many desirable sunny days in the Netherlands, there are many ways, people, opportunities, events, places, activities etc. that can bring you joy other than chasing deadlines, working extra hard, money earning satisfaction or...]]> Mon, 04 Jul 2016 15:46:59 +0200 When it comes to learning, children and teenagers often have a clear path cut out for them by an education system. For adults, determining in which way to learn new information and develop new skills can be less straightforward. This means that for companies and organizations, too, employee training and development can form a challenge. Educational opportunities for adults can have benefits for employees;it allows them to adjust their skills of development in their sector as they occur. This, in turn, allows individuals to give more positive contributions to the organizations that employ them.

In 2011, the European Centre for...]]> Mon, 04 Jul 2016 15:07:12 +0200

Dutch courage and their international focus led the Netherlands to produce some truly world-class start-ups.While the vast majority of start-ups are ending in failure, Dutch start-ups have both versatility and perseverance, which are vital qualities for the denizens of any start-up hub to possess.
“The Netherlands is famous for its tulips but it has some of the worst circumstances in the world for growing them”, says Boris Veldhuijzen van Zanten, co-founder and CEO of The Next Web, the international tech publication and organiser of TNW Europe, the Amsterdam-based tech conference. “The soil’s too sandy; there’s too much rain, wind and...]]> Mon, 01 Aug 2016 12:29:05 +0200

Articles often describe the employment process in a very general manner. They present general guidelines on what to include in a motivation letter, or the appropriate attire of job interviews. Nevertheless, the employment process can be experienced differently by certain groups of people. It can often be trying for female and male applicants in different ways, and there may be challenges that are faced by one, and not necessarily by the other. The obstacles which female job applicants may become faced with throughout their careers can also vary greatly across different countries. For this article, however, the differences between male...]]> Mon, 01 Aug 2016 14:23:43 +0200

MBA candidates bring a myriad of good things to a company looking to hire. Amongst them, is that it shows a company’s commitment to have quality personnel. Not only does it look good for other businesses and customers you are working with, but also to future employees. MBA graduates learn a great deal in school that can be beneficial for a company. They are able to provide teams with crucial business skills such as leadership, critical thinking and contacts.

While anyone can be a boss or a manager, not everyone can be a leader. It requires an understanding of team...]]> Mon, 01 Aug 2016 13:45:30 +0200

A typo or sending an e-mail to the wrong person are the little mistakes that can occasionally happen to all of us. Although typos can be excruciating, the consequences are often limited (this of course depends on the line of business one operates in). However, hitting the forward button instead of the reply one, after venting your dismay about your boss’ e-mail, can have more dire consequences. The satisfying fulfilment of getting it off your chest is short-lived, once the realisation kicks in and replaces the gleeful feeling with regret, anxiety and embarrassment. The question is how to act accordingly?...]]> Mon, 01 Aug 2016 10:15:01 +0200
Delft University of Technology has signed up its one millionth student for its online lectures or Massive Open Online Course programme. In September 2013 were launched the first courses, on solar energy and water treatment.Starting as a small project, and no The Technical University nowoffers 36 different MOOCs, ranging from ‘leadership for engineers’ to aerospace.
There is even a programming class, in Dutch, geared towards children ages 8 and up.
Students can select which courses to take via edX, a non-profit platform for online education that is also used by MIT, Harvard and other universities to make their courses available...]]> Mon, 01 Aug 2016 09:52:45 +0200

Relocation to another country may be daunting, and the Netherlands is no exception. The tips below will offer you some guidance and help you (and family members if any) to settle in more smoothly. However, you will experience the best guidance and achieve the best results in your relocation using a relocation company like Settle Service.

1. Immigration Formalities

If you hold an EU nationality, then no immigration formality is needed. You will only need to register at a town hall or Expat Centre.

All citizens holding non-EU nationalities will need to undergo an immigration procedure. Mostly used is the...]]> Mon, 25 Jul 2016 12:30:02 +0200

Is your close colleague friendlier with others than with you? Do not worry too much: We are more comfortable in helping someone whose job is just a bit further away from ours, according to research from The Ohio State University.
We can help those nice colleagues, according to the research, but not always wholeheartedly. The reason: we could be surpassed. Therefore,when helping someone in a slightly higher or lower position we have less risk.
Incidentally, this does not mean that most people would like to work with the new intern. If you are helping people with much higher or lower...]]> Mon, 25 Jul 2016 12:54:23 +0200
As of January 1, 2017 a work permit is required for Japanese workers who want to work in the Netherlands. What exactly is a work permit and when do you need it?

When is a work permit required?
A work permit is a permit that the employer is allowed to take a foreign employee for a specified period of service. A work permit must be requested by the employer of foreign nationals who do not have free access to the Dutch labour market. That means that no work permit is needed in the Netherlands for workers from countries in the...]]> Mon, 25 Jul 2016 12:52:09 +0200

More than 40% of Dutch people are not satisfied with the whole picture of their work. At least, when speaking about their salaries.
The terms of a contract provide discontent among 54% of respondents. Also, four out of ten workers are dissatisfied with their manager, according to the survey of Wage Indicator Foundation and Monsterboard regarding satisfaction in the workplace.
Colleagues seem to make work more attractive, whereby 77% of respondents said they are satisfied with their immediate colleagues.
Also, job security is a key part of satisfaction, since 75% said they are currently happy with it.
53% of respondents...]]> Mon, 25 Jul 2016 11:41:06 +0200

Congratulations: you are through to the second stage. Clearly you are doing something right. But what will employers be looking for in the second interview? And how do you make sure that you are the person who lands the job?

It is likely you will be meeting senior management, so you want to maximise your chances of appearing professional, presentable and confident during this second interview. First impressions count, so make sure that youare clean and tidy with ironed clothes and polished shoes. You had to work out the dress code for the first interview, so you will already know...]]> Mon, 25 Jul 2016 10:01:25 +0200

The “Randstad” is a megalopolis located in the central-western part of the Netherlands, which consists of the four largest cities and certain areas located near them. These cities are Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag and Utrecht.

With an average population of 7.1 million (2008 study), the Randstad area is considered to be the ideal area for opportunities in the working field. The Randstad region is filled with both local and international companies, and also has a wide variety of different recruitment agencies (uitzendbureaus).

On finding a job in the Randstad area, getting help from these recruitment agencies would be a strong...]]> Mon, 18 Jul 2016 12:52:50 +0200

Demand for staff has increased by 18% in the second quarter of this year compared to the previous quarter. Especially the vacancies in the field of transport have risen sharply. And computer programming is still the most sought after profession.This was reported by Matchcare in its Labour Report 2016 Quartile2.
Five notable facts from the report:
1. All provinces in the last quarter showed an increase, the most in the Drenthe province (+28%). Demand in Zeeland (+10%) and Utrecht (+12%) are growing moderately. For the first time Noord Holland has the most jobs (instead of Zuid-Holland).
2. Of all job...]]> Mon, 18 Jul 2016 12:31:32 +0200
The number of vacancies in the second quarter of 2016 shows an increase of 23.8% compared to the same quarter in 2015. According to figures from Jobfeed, Big Data tool for vacancies Textkernel, which are presented in this report.

Jobfeed discovered in the second quarter of 2016 more than 2.5 million online job postings, analyzed and categorized. For this report, the vacancies for internships, student jobs, volunteering, freelance and franchises omitted. After deduplication remained 466 102 unique jobs on which the analyzes are carried out.

Highlights from the second quarter of 2016:
• Software Engineer not in top five occupations...]]> Tue, 19 Jul 2016 16:48:09 +0200

Employee Insurance Agency in the Netherlands (UWV) will bring to the attention of job seekers in the Netherlands employment positions that are available in Belgium and Germany.
That possibility has existed on paper since 2013, but was made so complicated that hardly any job offer came from abroad.
The Belgian and German job offers are still mostly shown at the Dutch border region. “Jobs in Hamburg, for example, will not be posted on Werk.nl”, said a spokesman for the UWV.
After complaints from Belgian entrepreneurs to make access of the website werk.nl easier, the UWV has taken some action. “Previously...]]> Mon, 18 Jul 2016 12:11:01 +0200    

  According to Thomas Escritt and as reported by Reuters, Amsterdam offers a very attractive business climate after Brexit.
Before the 2008 financial crisis, a number of global banks were situated in Amsterdam's elegant canalside offices. Nowadays after the Brexit, city officials see a chance to lure back some of that business.
Rival cities such as Paris and Berlin have been “shouting out loudly” to host finance and technology businesses fleeing London, but Amsterdam, less than an hour's flight away, has adopted a lower-key approach.
“I don't think any company is going to decide based on this marketing campaign”, Amsterdam's...]]> Mon, 18 Jul 2016 11:04:23 +0200 There are countless examples on the web on how to make a good CV, giving tips on what information should be provided and the layout differs immensely, depending on the industry. When it comes to stylistics and content there are not many set rules. Certain information like social security numbers and bank accounts are best left out, other information like nationality and gender can be left out too.

There is no right or wrong CV, but adaptions can increase or even decrease ones chances. A classic layout can be considered boring and plain when applying for a designer’s position; a...]]> Mon, 18 Jul 2016 11:27:01 +0200 Unemployment in the Netherlands!
I’ve been wondering lately if it’s possible or, let’s be more accurate, if it’s responsible to be dreaming about having holidays when you are unemployed?

As I had already mentioned in one of my previous posts, the fact that I don’t have a full time contracted job, doesn’t mean that I don’t keep myself busy (and I’m not saying busy like watching tv or painting my nails). My attempt to be proactive and keep myself engaged in different activities makes my head be spread all over, and sometimes trying to keep focused in various non-related projects each...]]> Tue, 17 Jul 2012 12:30:20 +0200

Personal Branding is a subject mentioned in interviews and career fairs, but why is it important? And how can you create or improve yours? Enter your name into a Google search—what comes up? Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blog posts, etc. This is what an employer, customer, or friend sees when they want to find out more about you, and using social media is the easiest way. Improving your personal brand involves building out of all these social media profiles to make you stand out.

Where to Start?

1. Decide how you want to be represented. What are your passions? What industry...]]> Mon, 11 Jul 2016 12:02:17 +0200 Within companies, more effort must be made to address excessive workload, found out the Inspection of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW), formerly known as the Labour Inspectorate. They also state that employers and employees should be wise enough to enable the assistance of experts.
The agency looked at more than eighty organizations within the period 2015 (end) and 2016 (beginning), and at whether they had taken sufficient measures to prevent excessive workload. By the vast majority, their approach was not in order. The inspectorate observed dozens of violations.
According to the inspection, the pressure is too high when the demands...]]> Mon, 11 Jul 2016 12:54:25 +0200

Many financial and administrative employees in trade, industry and the financial sector have lost their jobs through digitization, based on an analysis presented by the Social Security Agency(The UWV) last Thursday.
It is expected that the shrinkage of these occupational groups will continue in the coming years, because many companies continue to digitize their financial records.The UWV is providing about 16,000 current unemployment benefits to job seekers with a financial and administrative background. In 2010, this was about 8,600.
According to the agency, job opportunities for these unemployed workers are mainly outside the administrative field; for example, they could work...]]> Mon, 11 Jul 2016 11:09:43 +0200

Female managers are more likely to have burnout complaints than male managers,reports the Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS) in the Netherlands.
Last year, 14% of women in management positions had these complaints, according to the CBS. They felt themselves completely exhausted to do their work, or that it demanded a lot from them throughout the day to work with people. With men, it was about 10%.
Of the 6.9 million employees, there are nearly 350,000 professional managers. From all male employees, over 7% have a managerial position, and of all female employees this is at 3%.This difference is because many...]]> Mon, 11 Jul 2016 10:30:50 +0200 The idea of maintaining a professional code of conduct is relevant to many individuals throughout their professional lives. You may have come across the term before. You may also have wondered what makes it so important. One importance is that a professional code of conduct allows people to represent their organizations in a suitable manner. Another reason is that work environments become more pleasant to work in when more workers are aware of how they should behave themselves. As an employee, adhering to the right code of conduct will likely make it easier to work efficiently and well with your...]]> Mon, 11 Jul 2016 11:27:15 +0200

The holiday season is near and people are beginning the countdown to their well-deserved break. In certain branches, this transition is noticeable: team meetings are not as regular, major projects and changes are on hold until August/September, and the office is quieter as some colleagues are already enjoying their holidays.

In general, it is up to the employee to decide when he wants to takeleave. Depending on the branch, most companies ask their personnel sometime after Christmas to inform the administration about their summer leaves to prevent understaffing.
Taking some time off, however, entails more than just sending an email...]]> Mon, 04 Jul 2016 11:12:25 +0200

All the people who work should have the same basic security to education, disability and retirement, no matter if they have a permanent contract or not. This was proposed by five labour organizations (Cedris, de Nederlandse Raadvoor Training en Opleiding (NRTO), OVAL en Summum.nu), including staffing association ABU, in a report published on Wednesday.
The Dutch labour market would benefit if the social security system were transformed into a system in which social security and contract form are decoupled.
Now the market functioning is still insufficient and there are 1.5 million people on the side-lines, according tothe organizations. The policy...]]> Mon, 04 Jul 2016 11:56:13 +0200
Subcontracting work is something that we often associate with large companies, maybe because they were the ones who popularized the concept throughout the 1990’s. However, business has changed since then, and technology has made outsourcing an accessible tool for small businesses and entrepreneurs. For some small firms it meant a steady boost for their productivity, growth and bottom lines.

Why Outsource?

You may have all the needed competencies in the house, or maybe you even have the talent to do it all by yourself. However, if you are forced to divide your attention among too many tasks, you might find...]]> Mon, 04 Jul 2016 15:49:00 +0200
How often did you start a work or project with a goal setting exercise? And how often did that result in fluent cooperation between team members towards a common and relevant goal?
In modern business work or projects, teams are created as a way to achieve a specific goal. HR managers and specialists have a central role in these teams, either as leaders, participants or facilitators. This article is about how we can increase the chance that teams will form that can work together and achieve their goals.

A Different Perspective

When work teams are formed, two things are surely...]]> Mon, 04 Jul 2016 15:33:21 +0200  

In the current job market, candidates do not have to run after every job opportunity anymore. Strong candidates usually have several options to choose from, and they can go for the easiest approach and accept the most appealing job on offer. It is more important than ever at times like these to engage with candidates and to keep them interested throughout the whole recruitment process, in order not to lose them to competitors.
But the first step is to attract their attention.Already a job description or the first line of approach on, for example, LinkedIn may be crucial to your...]]> Mon, 04 Jul 2016 15:10:49 +0200
Remember the care free days of childhood when the most stressful part of vacation was just the wait to get there? Thoughts of homework not finished or upset teachers never crossed your mind. Fast forward to present day where the days leading up to vacation have you feeling stressed and guilty. There is work left undone, someone else is taking over your responsibilities and there is no way they will do the same level of work as you. Taking vacation can almost be taboo at some companies, as if putting in 100-hourworkweeks makes for a better employee. Not the case!...]]> Mon, 04 Jul 2016 14:42:50 +0200             Since the third quarter of 2014 the production in the Dutch construction sector is growing faster than the average in the European Union, reports CBS, partly on the basis of Eurostat numbers.
In the first quarter of 2016, construction output in the Netherlands rose by 17%. That is considerably more than the average construction output in the EU, which increased in this period 7% above the lowest point of early 2013. Between early 2013 and mid-2014, the growth of the Dutch construction output remained below the European average.
In the EU the construction field is now 5.4% of the...]]> Mon, 04 Jul 2016 11:30:00 +0200
Positive reinforcement is"any pleasant or desirable consequences that follows a response and increases the possibility that the response will be repeated" (Wood& Boyd, 2005). This technique is used to stimulate and to strengthen new behaviors by offering rewards and incentives, as opposed to eliminating them.

Positive reinforcement thereby uses the reward system, which is a collection of brain structures attempting to monitor and control behavior by bringing about pleasurable effects. Rewards can be most useful in the workplace through monetary bonuses, promotions, praise, paid holiday leave, and simple attention. Giving rewards, by themselves, to employees may not result in the...]]> Mon, 04 Jul 2016 14:17:38 +0200

According to the research by labour market lawyers, the new legislation on redundancy and flexible employment has failed to boost job security for temps, as it was supposed to do.
Lodewijk Asscher introduced the new laws in 2015 and their aim was to encourage companies to put more staff on permanent contracts. However, the rules are so rigid that companies are actually being discouraged from taking on staff, according to the research, which involved over 1,000 lawyers and other specialists.
The new rules reduce the legal differences between traditional and temporary staff, and give temps more rights to severance pay...]]> Mon, 04 Jul 2016 10:01:36 +0200

The best of us are overwhelmed with fear at the thought of updating our Curriculum Vitae, commonly known as CV. The first step to combat CV phobia is to understand there is no such thing as a perfect CV. How is that supposed to make you feel better? Each appealing position requires an equally attractive candidate CV that stands out from all the rest. Making your CV standout can simply entail avoiding common mistakes. This does not mean you must write a new CV from scratch for every position, but rather make your CV relevant to the position you are...]]> Mon, 27 Jun 2016 11:45:58 +0200 The volume of investments in tangible fixed assets grew by 8.4% in April 2016, relative to the same month last year, reports Statistics Netherlands CBS. The increase is more substantial than in the preceding month mostly in residential property.
Investment data are not adjusted for calendar effects. The number of working days was the same in April 2016 as in April 2015. According to Statistics Netherland's Investment Radar, the investment climate in the Netherlands is more favourable in June than in April and May.
Residential property investments rose further in April. Investments in infrastructural projects, aircraft, trucks and trailers also...]]> Mon, 27 Jun 2016 12:01:25 +0200 As of 2016 onwards, employers and Labour Offices should include the taxes on special allowances such as holiday pay, bonus or the 13th month in a different way. This makes the net wage different from what people were accustomed to.
Employers and Labour Offices are taking the tax on the wages of their employees or beneficiaries, and then paying it to the tax authorities: the payroll tax. Withholding income tax is done according to certain tables.
As holiday pay or other special remuneration is paid at once, the employer or benefits agency will withhold deductions, same as of the monthly...]]> Mon, 27 Jun 2016 12:52:46 +0200
It does not matter whether you are “just” a regular jobseeker or an ambitious startup,you have probably heard about personal branding, and if you dismissed it thinking it is just a shameless self-promotion, maybe that is the reason why you are not quite where you intend to be.

The beauty of personal branding is in the fact that it is not something you have to create from scratch; it is something you already do. The things you are good at, the things you have done, and the reason why you do what you do. When reviewing your personal brand, start...]]> Mon, 27 Jun 2016 13:35:50 +0200   Europe is in panic since the British majority voted for leaving the European Union. What does this means for the Netherlands and the Dutch economy?
According to new figures from the national statistics office CBS, the Netherlands earned €20.5bn last year exporting goods and services to Britain, the equivalent of 3% of GDP. This makes the UK the Netherlands’ second most important export market after Germany. Belgium is in third place, followed by the US and France, the CBS said.

A British withdrawal from the EU will cost the Dutch economy €10bn in lost income by 2030, according to calculations...]]> Mon, 27 Jun 2016 13:04:24 +0200

After sitting through the process of answering questions confidently, sharing a few laughs with the interviewer, listening attentively and asking your very own questions, the time has come to weigh out the interview to see the signs of leaving a good impression. According to CareerBuilder, job seekers tend to focus on what they did wrong,rather than what they did right.

Not all interviews end with a “when can you start?” And although there are never really any solid proofs, there are however, indicators. These indicators quite often play a role in the outcome of an interview. Here are some of...]]> Mon, 20 Jun 2016 11:04:16 +0200 After the adoption of the Work and Security Act (WWZ), a new classification method on the basis of income adjustment was introduced in July 2015, which structurally increased the number of current unemployment benefits; firstly, because people who start working may still be entitled to income supplement under the Unemployment Act (WW) and secondly, their entitlement to a benefit is only terminated after a check has been performed to verify whether their self-reported income matches the income as stated by their employer. These data are available in the Policy administration.

UWV: Fewer new claimants

Compared to the same period last...]]> Mon, 20 Jun 2016 11:43:51 +0200 The number of people that find a job after graduation has increased since 2013. The period between graduation and the first job is on average three months, and 40% even directly find work, says the latest labour market report from the Association of Universities VSNU.
“The statistics indicate that graduate university education (WO) still provides an excellent starting position in the labour market and also gives a high job security”, concludes the VSNU.
Of the 93% who found a job within one and a half years after graduation, 69% could get a job with an academic level of thinking, 21%...]]> Mon, 20 Jun 2016 13:59:26 +0200
  The life on an expat in the Netherlands is not always bakfiets and stroopwafels. Unfortunately, learning to navigate the Dutch tax system is a necessary requirement we all must face. Below are some tax credits you may be able to receive to offset those large upfront taxes.

All residents and employees of The Netherlands are entitled to a General Tax Credit (also known as algemeneheffingskorting). The amount varies for each individual less than 65 years of age depending on income, but becomes less when the salary reaches above € 19.822.

Rent Benefit may be available to some residents renting a...]]> Mon, 20 Jun 2016 10:40:25 +0200
In an experiment in Sweden, a workday of six hours led to bigger gains and to happier employees. The New York Times writes about the interim results of a long story.
Almost all the interviewed workers are enthusiastic in the article. They have much more time to devote to the education of their children, are less tired in the evening, can exercise more, etc.
Arturo Perez for example, was exhausted in the evening when he came home from the nursing home where he works. After one week working six hours a day he was full of energy and the residents...]]> Fri, 17 Jun 2016 10:32:56 +0200
The fee for the examination taken by migrants travelling to the Netherlands to marry or be reunited with family is being reduced from €350 to €150. From now on the self-study package for this examination will also be made available free of charge online and greater account will be taken of exceptional individual circumstances that prevent migrants from passing the exam. Minister of Social Affairs and Employment Lodewijk Asscher announced this today in a letter to the House of Representatives.

Migrants who wish to come to the Netherlands to marry or be reunited with family first need to take a...]]> Mon, 13 Jun 2016 11:39:10 +0200
Salary Upgrade Over Non-financial Benefits

In your professional life, you will on occasion find yourself in a position to negotiate the rewards you will receive in return for your work. Generally speaking these rewards, or better said—incentives—come in either financial or non-financial form, and deciding which one to reach out for can be a bit more complex than it seems.

In terms of financial appreciation, we can talk about bonuses, retirement benefits, allowance, or – the most common one – a salary raise. While many would argue in favor of the straightforward logic that more money = good, others would...]]> Mon, 13 Jun 2016 10:56:23 +0200
There are many things to take into account when job hunting, one of which is the commute between home and the job location. Generally, it is advisable to increase the search parameter when looking for work, instead of keeping it restricted to the city that one lives in; but how far from home does one consider acceptable? There is no single or right answer to this.

A longer commute can be a disadvantage when applying for jobs, not only for the employer but also for yourself. Although the Netherlands is not a particularly big country, a distance of less than...]]> Mon, 13 Jun 2016 11:11:44 +0200
Declining number of hours worked in temp jobs 

According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), the total number of hours worked in temp jobs decreased by 1.5 percent in the first quarter of 2016 on the fourth quarter of 2015. This is the first decrease in almost three years. The decrease is due to a drop in the number of hours worked in long-term temporary contracts. The number of hours worked in short- term contracts has increased, however.

Declining number of hours worked in long term-contracts
The number of hours worked under long-term temporary contracts, e.g. secondment and pay-rolling, decreased by 3.0...]]> Fri, 10 Jun 2016 17:03:24 +0200
What Is a Good Salary in The Netherlands Compared to Other EU States and Standards of Living?

The Netherlands has a unique wage structure that is applied in very few countries, where from the age of 15 until 23, minimum wage steadily increases with age (see below). The Dutch system also boasts the third highest minimum wage in the EU as of 1st January 2016, bettered only by Luxembourg, Ireland and the UK. Austria, Cyprus Finland, Denmark, Italy and Sweden do not have a statutory minimum wage, which has recently sparked a movement for EU-wide minimum wage regulations.


The average...]]> Fri, 10 Jun 2016 08:52:56 +0200
Starting a Business in The Netherlands – How Do You Employ

Starting your own business gives a strong feeling of freedom and independence concerning the decisions you make; however, it may also have risks. It requires a lot of thinking through and it takes a lot of time. Start-up businesses tend to have a disadvantage statistically. According to the Entrepreneur, 55% of start-up businesses “tend to no longer be operational by the 5th year”. It goes to show that creating a business is but the first step, while sustaining and keeping it functional is a different step to overcome.

Businesses are no...]]> Fri, 10 Jun 2016 08:38:21 +0200 Businesses are no longer predictable as more of them appear, and...]]> Thu, 09 Jun 2016 12:55:38 +0200
In2motivation’s mission is to inspire people to live in a better world for themselves and others. We do this through a series of services that help develop people personally and professionally.

What service do you provide?

In2Motivation facilitates personal development, specialising in motivation, coaching and training to enable changes in behaviour and communication. Our training is for individuals and companies. In2Motivation works with international trainers and its home base is in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. We provide training in Holland and abroad, to bring the best out of you and your company!

You have a...]]> Tue, 07 Jun 2016 12:18:44 +0200 In human psychology it is well researched that people have an increased work ethic when a reward is on the line. With increased work ethic comes increased competition and motivation for the rest of the workforce. Companies can offer an array of compensations to lure people onto the payroll and to achieve higher margins; a common compensation is the sales bonus.

A sales bonus acts as an incentive for employees to meet goals. Bonuses can be either fixed or on commission, these in turn van have advantages and disadvantages to both employers and employees. For example, fixed bonuses can show...]]> Tue, 07 Jun 2016 12:16:30 +0200
The importance of the work–life balance is strong nowadays, so is our interest in it. The concept of this phenomenon has gone through major changes. The first understanding of it was the time balance between “work” and “play”, however things are much more complex. The work–life balance is the theory of appropriately prioritizing work style with lifestyle, including family, leisure time, personal development, etc. This balance is different for everybody, depending on the needs of every person. Some put great importance on their work ambitions, others emphasize on family development, or hobbies and personal time. Thus the work–life balance exists...]]> Tue, 07 Jun 2016 12:12:53 +0200

“We all need people who will give us feedback. That’s how we improve.”—Bill Gates.
Receiving feedback is highly beneficial, and no matter how well you do something, it will always be important to receive some. Feedback gives you a chance to improve and build on certain aspects your peer saw you could work on, it also gives you an impression as to how people view what you have created, which can spur changes or improvements. Having a positive attitude in receiving feedback will also show a more approachable impression to working together with your colleagues.

Asking for feedback provides you...]]> Tue, 07 Jun 2016 12:10:00 +0200

There may come a point during your professional career at which you find yourself having to let one of your employees go. It is an unpleasant undertaking, but might be in the best interest of your overall organization. If an employee is underperforming to an extensive degree, does not cooperate well with other workers, or encourages an unpleasant working environment, you will probably consider doing so. If firing someone is not one of your regular work related responsibilities, you may have several questions regarding how to handle such a task. What you need to consider is how you prepare to...]]> Tue, 07 Jun 2016 12:06:26 +0200
We are faced with many problems in our life and work, and very often we take some “advice” from a friend, a family member, a coworker, or we can read some tips in a book or online about problem-solving methods or techniques. But sometimes problems keep piling up so fast that, instead of solving the core of each of them, we take shortcuts and continuously get trapped in a never-ending cycle, where it seems very difficult to find the real resolutions.

In the work environment, problem-solving and engaging employees in it, is one of the essences of what leaders exist...]]> Tue, 07 Jun 2016 12:01:43 +0200 In his book Work Rules! Laszlo Bock writes: “People with tight social networks, like those in a business unit or team, often have similar ideas and ways of looking at problems. Over time, creativity dies. But the handful of people who operate in the overlapping space between groups tend to come up with better ideas. And often, they are not even original. They are an application of an idea from one group to a new group.”

So how can you apply this to your HR strategy development process?

In November last year we developed with our HiiL team the organisation’s...]]> Tue, 07 Jun 2016 11:49:46 +0200 Wasting time is usually a habit—something you unwittingly partake in, because you are used to allowing yourself to do so. You might have become accustomed to spending too long or too many moments on social media, or other such actions, and you might have grown tired of feeling guilty for it. Routines are a way of encouraging the developing of other, more productive habits.

There are several things you should keep in mind when you are aiming to develop a good work routine, in order to stop wasting time.

Keep the Enemy Close

Do not ignore the distractions or activities...]]> Mon, 06 Jun 2016 12:15:14 +0200

More than half of the starters in the Netherlands would like to begin as part-timers because they would like to maintain some form of financial security offered by a fixed job. This was reported in the research conducted by the Chamber of Commerce (KvK) in collaboration with the Free University.
29% of starters have hope to work full time as an entrepreneur at a later stage. According to the researchers the choice of entrepreneurship is often a choice for a new lifestyle. Four in ten aspiring entrepreneurs have already had their own business. Under latent entrepreneurs, those who dream about...]]> Wed, 01 Jun 2016 11:06:19 +0200 he Second Chamber suggested that the tax benefit for the expats in the Netherlands has to be reviewed, reported www.nu.nl. According to the legislation, expats with an annual salary just under EUR 37000 are not required to pay taxes on the first 30% of the gross salary. This should attract employees with specific knowledge that are needed in the Netherlands, and to improve the business climate, but it also cost the national budget EUR 700 million in 2014.

A majority of the Second Chamber agreed to this on Tuesday based on the motions put forward by the SP and GroenLinks...]]> Wed, 01 Jun 2016 10:48:55 +0200 More and more people are staring up their own business. ING Bank reported around 39000 start-ups in the first quarter this year, an increase of 8%. The growth in the number of start-ups was particularly high in the transport sector. The number of registered taxi drivers increased almost fivefold. According to the bank this increase is in accordance with the simplification of the Taxi Act since January 1, and with the increasing popularity of the digital taxi company Uber, which works with independent retailers.

On average North Holland have the highest number of entrepreneurs. For each 10000 inhabitants, the province...]]> Mon, 30 May 2016 11:16:08 +0200
Prince Constantijn— who is the new appointed special ambassador for startups—opened the Startup Fest on the 24th of May in Amsterdam. He said that he does not know whether startups will become the driving force behind the economy, “but they are important to renew the economy”, according to RTL Nieuws’ live blog on the event.
Within this five-day event, various startup giants are giving keynote speeches including Tim Cook of Apple, Eric Schmidt of Alphabet, Nathan Blecharczyk of Airbnb and Travis Kalanick of Uber.

Former Transit minister Neelie Kroes, already gave her speech and according to her, the belief that...]]> Mon, 30 May 2016 11:11:44 +0200 There are many people who would like to be rangers, as is evident from the massive interest in this job position in Terschelling. The Stare Forestry Commission received many letters of applicants, and the position was massively shared on Facebook.
According to area manager Tamara Bok, the applicants come from different professions from the labor market. “There are people who work at the Public Prosecution office, the police, the Royal Netherlands Army and lecturers, but also a highly motivated cafe owner and someone with a massage parlor.” The salary is between 2200 and 2800 euros a month for a working...]]> Mon, 30 May 2016 11:10:29 +0200 2015 will be remembered as the year in which the Netherlands was able to attract a record number of 219 foreign investment projects, according to research by accountants group EY. The projects ranged from logistics operations to sales and marketing and to head offices. Most foreign firms came from the US, but there was a sharp rise in Chinese involvement.
However, there is a cause for concern, according to the latest figures, because the confidence of foreign investors is declining in the Dutch business climate. This negative sentiment can translate into a lower level of total investment, giving rise to...]]> Mon, 30 May 2016 11:07:45 +0200
Interviews can be a nerve-racking phase for most job seekers. Just the thought of the whole question and answer period makes you wonder about being mentally as well as physically prepared, since it is a pivotal point in landing an opportunity in the workplace. Mass interviews are different from the regular, personal, one-on-one interview process, in that you, along with the other job seekers, are given different questions and a chance to answer in a group or individually. Most of the time, the interviewers set up hypothetical questions or problems, which allows the group to work together and show potential...]]> Mon, 30 May 2016 11:05:29 +0200

The “blue envelope” received by post, in the first year I came to live in the Netherlands was my first meeting with the Tax Administration. It is an invitation from the Tax authorities to declare your income and assets (shares, savings, and properties). If you did not receive this notification, you do not have to complete one unless you know that you have to, or want to file a tax return. Based on your Income Tax Declaration, the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration will decide whether or not you are entitled to a rebate (refund of excess paid in tax)...]]> Mon, 23 May 2016 10:06:04 +0200
Dutch ships and yachts builders are considered amongst the world’s best. The competitive advantage can only be preserved thanks to the (technological) innovation and craftsmanship. Relevant experts and managers play a crucial role. The STC-Group has developed a new part-time HBO in Maritime Engineering / Shipbuilding, helping professionals to further develop their knowledge in the field of Maritime Engineering. The new program will start in September 2016 in Rotterdam.
The degree program takes four years, and students attend classes one day a week. Also, they can use a variety of e-learning facilities. This makes it easier to combine the study...]]> Fri, 20 May 2016 12:33:22 +0200

The marine-technology industry in the Netherlands had a good year in 2015, despite the difficult conditions in the industry.
The sales turnover went up by 9.4 percent from €7,5 billion in 2014, to €8,2 billion in 2015, reported the Industry Association Netherlands Maritime Technology.
Employment remained stable, with 31,000 full-time employees. Earlier in the last year, 63 seafaring vessels were delivered and the order intake reached 64 vessels. Furthermore, 111 other vessels were delivered, including for inland shipping and fishery, with an additional 23 super yachts.
Also, other companies in the Marine sector, approximately 670 Dutch maritime suppliers, had increased...]]> Fri, 20 May 2016 12:29:55 +0200


A number of careers and job positions require experience, and internships serve as a platform to equip people with this necessary experience. Internships can also be a great way to test the waters of a career choice; however, if there is any uncertainty about pursuing that path, it can sometimes be difficult to find the ideal internship.

Before starting the search, there are several questions that need to be answered: what professional field do you want to enter? What exactly do you want to achieve in this field? How can the internship bring you closer to this goal? What can...]]> Fri, 20 May 2016 10:04:50 +0200 There is a huge shortage of good chefs in the Netherlands and this problem will only increase in the coming years, warns hospitality educator SVH (Competence Foundation for Hospitality). The reason is that the Dutch people are eating out more often nowadays.
Annually, the Chef training courses receive enough applicants, however, many students do not complete the training. “It seems a romantic job. But it is brutally hard work with irregular hours”, said SVH Master Chef Theo van Rensch.

UWV (Public Employment Service) noticed that in different parts of the country, there is a great demand for self-employed cooks. However,...]]> Thu, 19 May 2016 12:39:41 +0200
If you are thinking about starting a company in the Netherlands, one of the first steps is checking that the proposed name or logo is unique, and can be protected from copycats. Your company brand will be distinguished by a word called a trademark (e.g. “Unilever” or “Heineken” – two world renowned Dutch trademarks). Even certain colours or shapes you create can become your trademarks (like the yellow and red shell from Shell Gasoline), but these will only be protected if they are registered.

After your trademark is registered, no one else can use it without your prior consent. Nor...]]> Thu, 19 May 2016 12:33:19 +0200 Around 5000 New Jobs Are Planned with the Expansion of the Canadian Hudson Bayanadian retail group Hudson Bay Company is planning to open 20 new stores in the Netherlands over the next 24 months. The company has said that the first stores are expected to launch in summer 2017, and operate under the Hudson’s Bay.

HBC first announced plans to come to the Netherlands following the bankruptcy of the V&D department store group. By now, it is unclear if the company is taking over any of V&D’s 63 locations nationwide. According to the HBC chairman Richard Baker; the expansion into the...]]> Thu, 19 May 2016 12:22:02 +0200

Writing a technical CV can be a tricky task. The difference in comparison to a regular CV is that it must be tailored to apply for a specific position, usually a technical one like engineering or IT. There are a number of things that a good technical CV should include to make it look presentable and professional. It is essentially the primary stage of a screening process, so think of it as a blind interview.

The first thing at the top of any CV should be personal details and contact details, and these should be clear and legible. Make sure...]]> Thu, 19 May 2016 12:17:51 +0200 In the Netherlands, the holiday bonus is paid back for most workers in May or June. It was first introduced at the beginning of the last century. After World War II, the holiday bonus was introduced in addition to wages, so that the workers had money to travel. This fee is similar to the holiday allowance as we know it. It is usually at least 8% of gross salary. That is almost an entire extra month's salary. Not only workers, but also recipients of state pension, unemployment benefit or, for example, social assistance benefits, are receiving holiday allowance. It is...]]> Tue, 17 May 2016 11:31:09 +0200 In a continuing series concerning how to acquire a work permit in the Netherlands, we now look at more detail at the single permit. What it is, how to apply for it, and what to expect.

The Single Permit is a combined residence permit and work permit that entitles foreign employees to stay and work in the Netherlands . An additional document states for which employer the foreign national is permitted to work and under which conditions. Applicants now need only apply to the IND. Either the employer or the foreign employee will have to apply for the permit, where...]]> Thu, 12 May 2016 16:18:58 +0200
In total, 355 businesses went bust last month, fifteen fewer than March according to preliminary data published by the national statistics office CBS. 73 companies were from the retail industry, while 60 were financial institutions.
More bankruptcies were declared in the province of Zuid-Holland than in any other region. The number of bankruptcies peaked at 816 in May 2013, and has followed a broadly downward but fluctuating trend since then.

Source: CBS
...]]> Thu, 19 May 2016 12:41:46 +0200 Since the Law Deregulation Review Labour Relations replaced the Law Declaration of Labour Relations on May 1st, large companies no longer want to hire freelancers, reports BNR. The big issue is how the Tax Authorities will assess whether paper agreements and actual activities correspond with each other. Large companies find this too uncertain, fearing that afterwards they will have to pay social security contributions and payroll tax for freelancers.

According to BNR, recruitment agencies also notice much uncertainty among both clients and freelancers. D66 expressed great concern about these reports, and the parliamentarian Steven van Weyenberg suggested to monitor how...]]> Mon, 09 May 2016 22:22:10 +0200 For both employers and employees, maintaining a good relationship with each other is important. Consistent positive interactions reduce the likelihood of conflict between the two. For employers, maintaining a good relationship can form a way to encourage employee loyalty to a company or organization. Also, if employers and employees get along, then there is a far more pleasant working environment, which in turn increases overall productivity.

There are simple logical steps that each party can take to encourage such a positive relationship. For instance, neither should display hostility towards the other, both should treat each other with basic respect and...]]> Mon, 09 May 2016 22:12:05 +0200
If you want to volunteer while maintaining WW (Unemployment benefit), you must meet the conditions from UWV (Uitvoeringsorgaan Werknemers Verzekeringen aka in English: Public Employment Service).
On uwv.nl, you can quickly see how likely it is that your volunteering meets certain conditions, and also how to apply for permission to volunteering.
By answering a few questions in the section “Stappenplan” (steps plan) you can find out whether volunteering may satisfy the conditions, so that you can retain your unemployment benefit.
On the UWV website there are two videos with information about the rules regarding volunteering: "How UWV decides on volunteering?"...]]> Mon, 09 May 2016 22:06:35 +0200 Personal branding is the whole sequence of showing what you want to accomplish, how you want to market yourself to other people, and the overall impression of who you are as an individual. Networking is considered to be one of the most essential yet usually underestimated concept when it comes to personal branding. According to BH Careers International, 80% of available jobs are never really advertised, and over half of all the employees receive jobs through networking. Networking is a strategy which not only creates a chance of lasting relationships with people, but it also opens doors to different opportunities...]]> Mon, 09 May 2016 10:32:10 +0200
According to BBC news, the growth in the economy of the 19 nation bloc has doubled from the 0,3% rate recorded in the previous quarter, and was above analysts’ expectations of 0,4%. With this growth, the data from Eurostat showed that the unemployment rate of 10,2% is at its lowest in the last four-and-a-half years, and the economy is bigger than it was before the financial crisis, eight years ago.
Howard Archer, economist at IHS Global Insight, said that Eurozone should be able to sustain growth of about 0,4% quarter-to-quarter, but he warned that several factors can influence it like...]]> Mon, 02 May 2016 21:29:13 +0200 “Take away the frustration of having to constantly apply to no avail, only to be given the option: no longer available”, said labour sociologist Jan Cremers.

Unemployed older people have difficulty getting a job, partly because they are more expensive for employers than younger people. Arrangements for employers to make hiring the elderly more attractive do not seem to work.

Crisis

Cremers found that elderly people who were out of work during the crises and in the IOW, were in a scheme for unemployed people over sixty who were no longer entitled to unemployment benefits. Then they received 70% of...]]> Sun, 01 May 2016 19:56:18 +0200


Recently, a Hague employment agency has been fined €229,850 for non-compliance with the Minimum Wage and Minimum Holiday Allowance. Additionally, two executives of the agency were fined €108,000 and €44,050 respectively. Also, the agency has to still pay affected workers that have not received their wages and holiday pay. Inspectorate SZW (Social Affairs Inspectorate) has finalized the long-term investigation successfully.

Control

In June 2012 the SZW did an audit of a Hague employment agency. It was expected that the owners of the office had implemented the laws and regulations loosely. From that moment inspectors began an extensive administrative investigation into...]]> Sun, 01 May 2016 20:02:01 +0200

That is the same as the principle of gap analysis for businesses. Gap analysis is not strictly business-related though; it is rather a universally applicable technique typically used to evaluate, develop and improve any form of output. For example, a company may be looking to sell 10% more units than they did in the previous year, or a service company may use gap analysis to compare the standard of service they provide, to the standard of service they expected to provide customers with.

It is a tool that many people use subconsciously when faced with a problem that needs to...]]> Sun, 01 May 2016 20:08:11 +0200 Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility

Employee activity can generally be monitored in two ways: directly—meaning in the office, or online—by means of their social media or Internet activity. Monitoring an employee in person should be done with the aim of determining whether that employee is using their time efficiently, often absent at their desk, or distracted by other online activities. An employer or organization can also monitor whether employees are using social media prudently, and not sharing information about the company that they should not be sharing.

Every organization carries the responsibility to determine how important they find it to be...]]> Sun, 01 May 2016 16:08:43 +0200
Employee activity can generally be monitored in two ways: directly—meaning in the office, or online—by means of their social media or Internet activity. Monitoring an employee in person should be done with the aim of determining whether that employee is using their time efficiently, often absent at their desk, or distracted by other online activities. An employer or organization can also monitor whether employees are using social media prudently, and not sharing information about the company that they should not be sharing.

Every organization carries the responsibility to determine how important they find it to...]]> Sun, 01 May 2016 16:05:31 +0200
Generation Y, also known as Echo Boomers or Millenniums, are the second biggest population in the labour market at this moment. Most commonly defined as: the group born between the 1980s to the early 1990s that follow generation X, which is currently the biggest population in the labour market. Each year more Millenniums are entering the labour market, and even more of them have already been gaining valuable work experience, all of which undeniably establishes the big issue of trying to get to know them, and see what Generation Y brings to the business table.

The incentives and motives that...]]> Sun, 01 May 2016 15:59:41 +0200
What makes a good interviewer? Are you one of them? By regular reflection of one’s own behavior, it is possible to constantly improve oneself. Some insights into what in general is considered to make recruiters successful at interviewing might help to give some food for thought.
It might seem easy to interview someone for a job—asking a few questions, listening, taking notes, etc. But good recruiters will know that interviewing is, in fact, much more complex than this.

Asking Questions
Obviously, asking questions is crucial for interviews. However, they fall under a wide range, from poor questions to extremely valuable...]]> Sun, 01 May 2016 15:46:19 +0200
Campbell’s Soup CEO—Doug Conant—said that in order to “win in the marketplace, you must first win in the workplace”. As a manager or supervisor, you not only have the responsibility of making sure the customers are satisfied, but you also have the responsibility of making sure your very own employees are as well. This means that you, as a manager, should know the how’s and why’s in connecting with the two different groups of people. Understanding the different things your employees go through can be a beneficial step in creating a stronger, inner business relationship between people.

The first thing...]]> Sun, 01 May 2016 15:40:20 +0200
When a friend asks you what you think about his new tie, you might compliment him because it really is a fancy looking tie. Other times, you may complement him even though you know that the tie is not that great. The constant dilemma of “should I say it?” tends to appear quite so often in situations like these. Dutch management consultant, organizational theorist and author Fons Trompenaars said: “I try to avoid asking a Dutch audience for criticism after my workshops; the experience is much the same as being machine-gunned.”

It is a known fact that most Dutch people...]]> Sun, 01 May 2016 15:30:49 +0200
Interviews can be nerve wrecking for some people; and even the most hardy of us can get a little jittery to the build up of that dreaded moment, not to mention during the interview itself. Many reasons can contribute to preventing us from staying calm: we want the job so badly: “it is my dream job”; or we have to market ourselves: “I am an introvert, I hate talking about myself”; or we have to discuss weakness or negative experiences: “it is not my fault I got fired!”

The best way to have a successful interview is to prepare for...]]> Sun, 01 May 2016 14:22:45 +0200

In a study by the Dutch Central Bank (DNB), wage increases were found to be lower than was economically justified last year (2015). According to the Telegraaf, workers’ purchasing power was put under pressure, which is damaging to the Dutch economy.
The labour income ratio, i.e. the share that workers receive as wages from the total earnings in the Netherlands, is very low in relation to business profits. 73.5% of the total earnings consist of wages. Previous calculations for last year came out higher at 78%, and for the previous years between 80% and 90%. The reason is because of systematic...]]> Sun, 01 May 2016 14:13:44 +0200 More and more young talents from abroad achieve their Masters degrees in the Netherlands, and then they leave, taking with them their knowledge and ambition. In order to retain them in the Dutch economy, Detachieringsbureau Time Flex Academy matches international talents to Dutch companies with international ambitions. Their general manager Lyndsey explains: "Imagine that you have business growth ambitions in, Germany, Spain, Italy or Poland, for example, Time Flex Academy can help you find an appropriate high potential candidate that speaks the language perfectly and fits the culture naturally. And moreover, the candidate is skilled in the English language and...]]> Sat, 23 Apr 2016 10:56:23 +0200 Shell Offers Well-Paid Office Staff Redundancy, Hundreds of Jobs to Go   According to the DutchNews.nl, Shell cuts operating costs by offering office personnel earning more than €75,000 a voluntary package to leave the company. The company made an offer to staff at Shell’s training and R&D centres in Rijswijk and Amsterdam, as well as at the Shell HQ in The Hague and at NAM, Shell’s natural gas joint venture with ExxonMobil. Because of shortage of skilled staff, the staff at the Pernis petrochemicals plant is not included. The workforce in Shell in the Netherlands is approximately 10,000 and between 15-20% is expected...]]> Fri, 22 Apr 2016 08:38:12 +0200 According to the entrepreneur, investor, online marketing guru and startup enthusiast John Rampton, who was recently named #3 on Top 50 Online Influencers in the World by Entrepreneur Magazine and has been one of the Top 10 Most Influential PPC Experts in the World for the past three years, it is possible to become less stressed if you are following these eight things:

1. Do one thing at a time.
This statement was backed up by relevant research at the Stanford University. The researchers found that “multitaskers were terrible in all three experiments, worst of all the researchers found that...]]> Thu, 21 Apr 2016 21:51:03 +0200 Depending on the nationality you hold—or in the case of several nationalities—the one you intend to travel with, you may need a visa to visit the Netherlands (Schengen visa). However, there are many nationalities that are exempt from a visa for a short stay of maximum 90 days in any 180-days period.

Of course, all EU/EAA citizens are exempt from visa requirements to visit the Netherlands. The other nationalities that are exempt can be found on the IND website (Immigration and Naturalisation Department) with this link: no Schengen visa necessary.

If you are not on any of these lists, then...]]> Thu, 21 Apr 2016 21:43:10 +0200 Interacting with Your Surroundings
]]> Mon, 18 Apr 2016 10:43:37 +0200 In a short series of articles, we will be exploring how to get work permits in the Netherlands, the types of permits available and the obstacles in acquiring them. In this first article, we give an overview of these permits. Subsequent articles will explore each type in more depth.


The Dutch love rules, and one of the perks is that rules are often pretty straightforward. Citizens of the EU, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland do not need a work permit. (The exception is for Croatian citizens, who still require an employment permit.) Citizens from these countries may move freely in...]]> Mon, 18 Apr 2016 10:35:37 +0200


The City of Amsterdam wants to cooperate with LinkedIn, in the hopes of better identifying local talent and improving the labour market.

Amsterdam has prompted LinkedIn to research which talents have a chance to work in Amsterdam. The networking website, where more than some 414 million people have created a profile, has a lot of current data on local labour markets and can properly map the workforce skills.

Based on this information, Amsterdam will develop plans to attract targeted talent. In addition, the city will be able to connect students and graduates to start-ups. With the help of LinkedIn’s data,...]]> Mon, 18 Apr 2016 09:58:57 +0200

The Netherlands is among the five most popular countries in Europe with people who are looking for a job across the border.

According to the study 'Europe in Movement' by Indeed, most job seekers who come to the Netherlands are the Belgians, followed by the Americans and the British, and then by the Germans and the French.

Unique Position

“The Netherlands has a unique position when it comes to attracting job seekers among others due to the fact that flexible working is allowed here,” says Sander Poos, Managing Director Benelux at Indeed. “Moreover, Amsterdam is globally known as a very...]]> Mon, 11 Apr 2016 14:04:33 +0200

Starting from April 1st 2016, new rules apply to maternity leave regarding twins and multiple births cases.

Women who are pregnant with twins or multiple babies, and whose due date falls on or after May 26th 2016, may start their maternity leave earlier.

According to the new rules, the pregnancy leave may begin between ten to eight weeks prior to the due date. Nowadays a woman can determine herself the first day of her leave. If she prefers to follow the ‘usual’ pregnancy leave, which starts six to four weeks before the due date, she can chose for this option...]]> Mon, 11 Apr 2016 14:00:40 +0200

In the first quarter of 2016 CAO (collective labor agreement) wages rose by 1.8 percent. That is a significant rise compared to 2015, when wages increased by 1.4 percent. It is the strongest growth since 2012.

The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) announced on Thursday that employees in the public sector have received higher salaries in the first months of this year.

Wages in the public sector rose by 3.1 percent, against 1.6 percent in the private sector and 1.3 percent in the subsidized sector (health, social security).

According to the CBS, the average wage increase since the second half...]]> Mon, 11 Apr 2016 13:53:25 +0200 Job seekers find it very difficult to decide on the basis of a job description if the position is a good match with the skills, experience and wishes. According to research by Unique. Working conditions within the company is what attracts the potential and makes a job seeker what to apply.

However the Job texts are not always very clear. 53% of the job-seeker respondents report having difficulties knowing after having reviewed the job description if this job offer is a match to him or her. When referring to give social media (70%) of Jjbseekers give preference to Linked. In...]]> Tue, 05 Apr 2016 16:15:24 +0200 It may surprise many to know that racism does not only involve individual acts of meanness, but it can exist as an in invisible system that grants dominance to a specific racial group. In traditional Western societies many are taught about racism as something that puts others at a disadvantage, but one of its outcomes actually puts some at an advantage, called white privilege. Here are just a few example of how those with white privilege can identify their condition of empowerment:

• If you wish, you could arrange to be in the company of people of your own race...]]> Tue, 05 Apr 2016 15:36:59 +0200

As much as incentive and payment schemes can improve the productivity of your workforce, so can a well-developed workspace. Inspire the workforce by offering your employees the right workspace. Simple things like desks with rounded edges, communal discussion areas, and comfortable chairs can make all the difference to your workforce, both for their productivity, and their happiness.

Here are some tips to help you create a more dynamic workspace for your employees to keep yourself and them inspired, creative, and prolific.

Design Tips

The first thing to look at it is whether your space is designed to be worker friendly....]]> Tue, 05 Apr 2016 12:19:47 +0200

The first step in screening applicants is a CV. The second step is having your qualified candidates fill out an application form when they come in for an interview. It is important to have the form ready before you begin the interview process. Make sure you know the guidelines regarding questions you can and cannot ask.

When screening CVs, it helps to have the job description and specifications in front of you so you can keep the qualities and skills being looked for clearly in mind. Evaluating CVs is a subjective process, because there is no standard CV. However, there...]]> Tue, 05 Apr 2016 12:15:17 +0200 It is beneficial to continuously develop and strengthen the skills of your employees. Those with an interest in learning can help improve the functioning of your organization. The best way to ensure your employees continuously undertake steps to become more familiarized with their work, and carry it out more efficiently, is by establishing a strong learning environment—this involves the implementing of concrete standard practices across the whole organization.

Encourage Participation

Don’t adopt a culture in your workspace that encourages competition among workers. Rather, encourage employees to help each other and share relevant knowledge with one another. A good starting point...]]> Tue, 05 Apr 2016 12:12:49 +0200 What is the purpose of Swordfish & Friend?

Swordfish & Friend is the official distributor of Crosley products in Europe. We are building a sustainable network by the sale of beautifully designed turntables. This network consists of lifestyle retailers, independent record stores and other related stores. We also run a record store/lifestyle concept in the city centre of Utrecht.

What do you provide?

The candidate will be responsible for developing and executing the brand strategy in Germany. The job is very versatile, because it has parts of account management, sales and marketing. It is a nice challenge to work on...]]> Tue, 05 Apr 2016 12:06:05 +0200 What does “fair” at the workspace mean? What is the message that hides behind expressions such as: “That is not fair!” or “Fair enough”? And who decides all of this? Fairness is one of those words like freedom, equality, happiness that are not attached to any one singular idea, and not necessarily understood in the same way by every individual. So, how do we say what is fair and what is not?

The best way to understand and find solutions to complex issues is to break them down into smaller pieces, and start working your way up from there. It...]]> Tue, 05 Apr 2016 12:01:05 +0200 Minister wants more MBO internship with freelancers. Minister Jet Bussemaker (Education) aims to make it easier for MBO students to follow an internship by the self-employed ( freelancers ). At this moment the students don’t chose the self-employed for their internships because there’s too much uncertainty around the subject, according to a letter from Bussemaker to parliament sent this Friday . The self-employed should comply with quality requirements and be recognized as a training company .

According to Bussemaker thease are mainly very specialist and creative professions such as for example gold- and silversmiths. They often work independently.
Parliament had asked...]]> Mon, 04 Apr 2016 10:09:06 +0200

Sending out job applications can be hard work. Occasionally, sending in an application actually leads to a job interview, in which case, you become faced with a whole new set of challenges—such as gathering the right information and preparing the right answers. Beyond that, an aspect of job interviews you should not overlook is presenting yourself in the right way.

Clothing

Dressing the part is crucial for making a good impression during a job interview. Wearing something that is overly casual can make you appear less professional or unprepared for the interview. Putting some effort into your outfit can demonstrate...]]> Mon, 04 Apr 2016 09:53:36 +0200

In the past few years, the term “personal branding” has become much more popular. Google searches of the term have steadily increased, even though people do not often fully understand what a personal brand entails.

Important to note is that the personal brand is not about changing who you are or creating an image to meet someone else's expectations. It is about identifying who you are and which selling points make you stand out from the crowd. People who market their own brand are more likely to be seen as experts in their field, thus receiving job offers at higher...]]> Mon, 04 Apr 2016 09:44:58 +0200
Nyenrode takes organizations to the next stage of organization development during Summer Journey.

Nyenrode takes organizations to the next stage of organization development during Summer Journey. The next generation of organizations or teal organizations releases entrepreneurship forces to realise a given purpose. It is based on new form of leadership based on the stage of human consciousness. This program is therefore a good match with Nyenrode as Nyenrode’s values are Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Stewardship.

In July, Nyenrode is organizing a week long summer journey to investigate how pioneer organizations are paving the way for the next generation of organization development, and...]]> Wed, 23 Mar 2016 15:19:04 +0100 The American Starwood Hotels & Resorts Monday agreed an increased takeover bid from rival Mariott International. Marriott declared earlier in the day a total of $ 13.6 billion (12.1 billion euros) to put on the table for Starwood. This brings the famous hotel chain Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton and Le Meridien under one roof. The companies reached in November already agreed on a merger. Marriott would initially pay $ 12.2 billion for the ownership of Hotel Des Indes in The Hague and the Sheraton at Schiphol.

Last week, a group of investors led by the Chinese insurer Anbang raised the stakes with a counter...]]> Tue, 22 Mar 2016 09:29:44 +0100 Some parts of business are optional, some are unnecessary and bureaucratic. Others aren’t – they’re mandatory. Maintaining adequate certification in health and safety training could make or break your company. Yes, maybe getting lax sometimes with employees won’t hurt, but if the employee does manage to suffer and injury or accident while on the job, and you don’t have modern documented proof that they were aware of the safety risks? You could be facing a lawsuit on your hands.

The statistics

In the UK alone, 200 people die on the job, 1 million get injured on the job and 2...]]> Mon, 21 Mar 2016 10:49:02 +0100


The last six months I have been working in the Netherlands as an Intern. Prior to settling down in Holland I expected it to frankly be a major culture difference from being raised in England.

I genuinely believed language and cultural differences would be a major set up socially. As I started meeting new people I was actually quite surprised that every person I met spoke very good English and could hold a conversation, at first I expected a lot of people to speak English as it is an International language but I honestly did not expect it to this kind...]]> Mon, 21 Mar 2016 10:39:55 +0100 Investments in the Netherlands increased in January, but at a weaker pace than in previous months, reports CBS.

Capital expenditure in the first month of this year went up by 4.2 percent in January 2015. This followed a double-digit growth in the last two months of last year.
The strong growth was primarily caused by the surge in car sales by companies in anticipation of new tax rules applicable since 1st January.
The investments which grew this year include residential, freight, infrastructure, and equipment investments. According to CBS, the conditions for investment in March are now less favourable than in...]]> Mon, 21 Mar 2016 09:10:40 +0100 The FNV wants to see money from former directors and supervisors of Meavita. The union is preparing a claim for over 700,000 euros.
“The health care workers, despite the financial chaos always worked as normal at Meavita. Thanks to them, there was good care. Now it's time to settle. It is important that the damage they caused due to their bankruptcy being fixed in 2009, '' said FNV director Gijs van Dijk.

Meavita fell prey to mismanagement of the summit and the supervisory board. This makes it clear that once and for controlling and monitoring are not just part-time jobs,...]]> Thu, 17 Mar 2016 10:29:33 +0100 Employment figures for the EU began to see growth in the last quarter of 2015. The number of persons in employment increased by 0.3 percent compared to the previous quarter.
This was made apparent this Tuesday from Eurostat. The growth rate is the same as in the third quarter of 2015.

On an annual basis, employment increased by 1.2 percent in the euro area. Late last year, 151.9 million people had jobs in the eurozone.

Across the European Union, employment increased by 0.1 percent on a quarterly basis. Compared with a year earlier increased the number of jobs by 1...]]> Wed, 16 Mar 2016 10:15:31 +0100 Supermarket chain Plus is making financial progress this year. Over the previous year, the grocer took more sales, seeingrising profits and also an increase to its market share.
''It's been an exceptionally good year,” concluded CEO Jan Brouwer Tuesday at the announcement of the annual results.

Plus saw its consumer sales grow by just 9 percent to 2.2 billion euros last year. Excluding 53rd week, sales growth was 6.5 percent. Towards the end of 2015, Plus had 262 stores. That's seven more than a year earlier.

The result of this expansion in market share meant it saw its operating profits...]]> Tue, 15 Mar 2016 10:05:54 +0100

How immune to change are you?


Probably you think you’re really good in changing, aren’t you? I mean, after all you effortlessly navigate in a complex international environment day in, day out. Still it can be a huge challenge to create the real change for you!

Why blogging on this topic? Because I have been around here long enough to know I'm not the only one struggling with this so called 'immunity to change'.


Let’s imagine the following situation:

"Every day this guy goes to this bar after work hours and orders three glasses of malt whiskey. And he sits...]]> Tue, 15 Mar 2016 08:58:25 +0100 Personal branding is becoming more and more important to make yourself stand out from the crowd during the recruitment process. It's important to realise that whether you have worked on your brand is irrelevant: \a brand is just the impressions you make combined with the reputation you've set for yourself. As such, It's important to make that brand work for you. If you're new to designing a personal brand, here are three tips to help you on your way.

Authenticity

People want to know that you are real: so avoid trying to fool others into seeing you in a different...]]> Mon, 14 Mar 2016 09:47:35 +0100 All employees like to know what is expected of them and how they will be evaluated. Job descriptions can also be a great value to employers. Creating a job description often results in a thought process that helps determine how critical the job is, how this particular job relates to others and identify the characteristics needed by a new employee filling the role.

A job description typically outlines the necessary skills, training and education needed by a potential employee. It will spell out duties and responsibilities of the job. Once a job description is prepared, it can serve a basis...]]> Mon, 14 Mar 2016 09:44:38 +0100 The European Commission wants to change the Posting of Workers Directive in order to ensure that workers receive equal pay for equal work. Asscher, Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, hopes to make the movement of workers in Europe fairer and to further ensure workers and businesses can operate more easily across borders.

At present, foreigners (with lots of work experience) are awarded a beginner's salary in the Netherlands, but that should change according to the European Commission. Asscher has previously sent a proposal to the European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs Marianne Thyssen on June 2015. The proposal...]]> Fri, 11 Mar 2016 00:27:26 +0100 Workers now have less energy than two years ago. This has been caused by increased pressure, feeling the need to work harder, and the performance bar being raised.

There's a growing group of employees that are increasingly under pressure. These people, some 40 percent of the workers, are mainly engaged in meeting short-term goals and solving immediate problems. Self-interest goes beyond cooperation and tensions and frustrations regularly flare up. The number of employees that feel 'laid back' in their work, has now declined, probably due tov the increasing pressure from an improving economy and the threat of mass layoffs.

Productivity...]]> Wed, 09 Mar 2016 13:30:33 +0100 More women start their own business, according to new figures from the Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS). While the number of women in senior positions remaining in business with the efforts of the government, the number of female entrepreneurs is clearly on the rise, according to the statistics bureau.

In 2014, 37 percent of all entrepreneurs were female, and it was 31 percent in 2007. Women tend to start businesses in retail, as outsourced management or organisers, or in the hairdressing and beauty sector.

Also, many women are self-employed in the care or home care sector. In all companies, entrepreneurial...]]> Tue, 08 Mar 2016 13:33:32 +0100 You have a nice job, great colleagues and also a good salary. Yet there is something gnawing at you. You really want something else. Are you looking for more responsibility? A new working environment? New challenges? You want something different. You want something new. You want to find a new job. But how do you do this? What should come with a new job? What do you actually realy want?

About eight out of ten people I speak with have questions like this. Often these candidates know exactly what they can. Often everyone knows exactly what they don't like. However,...]]> Mon, 07 Mar 2016 12:25:02 +0100 According to FNV chairmain Ton Heerts, the Prime Minister Mark Rutte needs to address the abuse of EU rules on migrant workers during the Dutch presidency of the European Union. In particular Heerts referred to a case in dutch shipbuilding, where Romanian welders worked for below minimum wage.

Workers from an EU country who work in another Member State are subject to contribute to the rules of the country where they work. But there is an exception to the workers by the company from their own country to another EU country are posted.

However, legally this can be exploited and...]]> Mon, 07 Mar 2016 08:45:48 +0100 Highly educated, but unemployed people of indigenous descent will find a new job more quickly than immigrants with a non-western background and the same level of education.
Figures from the Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS) show that there is significant differences between population groups.

“Around 20.2 percent of all people who were low-skilled, and from a non-Western origin were unemployed last year, compared with 9.2 percent of the natives of this level,” concludes the statistics office.

Among highly educated people, unemployment figures are much lower. About 3.4 percent of the indigenous population with a high education level went without work...]]> Fri, 04 Mar 2016 09:45:08 +0100

In2Motivation facilitates personal development, specialising in motivation, coaching and training to enable changes in behaviour and communication. Our training is for individuals and companies. In2Motivation works with international trainers and its home base is in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. We provide training in Holland and abroad, to bring the best out of you and your company!

For Companies and Individuals

We provide personal development for companies and for individuals. Training courses such as teambuilding and leadership training as well as executive coaching are usually conducted in-company and customised. Please refer to our Company Training courses page...]]> Thu, 03 Mar 2016 16:27:00 +0100 The First Chamber has adopted the 'House for Whistleblowers Bill.' This will probably become effective on July 1, 2016. The law should make it easier to expose wrongdoing, but lawyers are not yet convinced that this is going to work.

The establishment of the House for Whistleblowers is one of the elements of the law. The objective is that the House will operate as an independent administrative institute which aims to provide advice to whistleblowers and protect their claim, and investigate potential business misconduct.

This should make it easier to bring abuses out into the public, but not everyone is...]]> Thu, 03 Mar 2016 10:41:55 +0100 The Dutch population bought a total of 449 thousand new cars last year, 16 percent more than in 2014. Vehicle sales grew faster than the average in the European Union.
Across the EU 9 percent more cars were sold. According to CBS, Dutch sales growth figures for vehicles are one of the highest in Europe.

In Ireland car sales rose most, by nearly 30 percent. In Cyprus and Portugal, sales were a quarter ahead. The Dutch percentage grew faster than Germany, Britain, and France. Estonia and Luxembourg are the only countries where sales shrank.

The increase in the Netherlands is...]]> Wed, 02 Mar 2016 09:32:07 +0100 The world of Mergers and Acquisitions is an extremely complex one, with many facets to it. The terms themselves are somewhat misleading. Though ‘merger’ and ‘acquisition’ are often used synonymously, they are two very different processes. A merger involves two companies joining together to become one company, whilst an acquisition generally involves one company buying out or taking over another company. The company which has been ‘acquired’ then ceases to exist.

There are many strategic reasons for companies to consider making an acquisition. A successful takeover can help companies achieve their strategic objectives, while also increase cost effectiveness within the...]]> Tue, 01 Mar 2016 13:56:58 +0100
You may believe that training and learning are very much the same. However, there are some stark differences between the two. The difference lies in where you expect development to come from. In a business culture focused on training, the responsibility for employee learning lies with trainers, who provide motivation for learning through workshops, courses, elearning, and conferences. However, in a learning business culture, the responsibility of learning isn't on specialists, but on each employee. In a learning culture, employees are expected to find out what they need to know, and seek out the knowledge and skills, and know where...]]> Tue, 01 Mar 2016 12:53:53 +0100 The growing amount of cargo traffic to the Port of Rotterdam helped bring more sales throughout last year. Despite this, the amount of profit was somewhat lower than a year earlier. This is due to the redemption of a long-term loan that was contracted for the construction of the Second Maasvlakte.

CFO Paul Smits spoke of favourable developments this Tuesday. A positive cash flow was achieved for the second year in a row, which made it possible to continue investing in the port while also reducing the amount of debt.

Sales increased by 2.6 percent to 677 million euros, mainly...]]> Tue, 01 Mar 2016 12:38:49 +0100
Learning a language is never easy, and it can certainly take a lot of time, effort, and energy to master a second or third language. However, a second language is a skill that can seriously help when searching for a job, moving up through the ranks at work, and especially in day to day activities. We talked with Albert Both, who created Talencoach. Dedicated to teaching motivated and inspired students Dutch, Albert showed us a real desire and passion for language that I, personally, have never seen before.

What kind of struggle is experienced by your students when learning Dutch?...]]> Tue, 01 Mar 2016 12:18:54 +0100 Keeping a worker on call instead of present workplace, is a common practice particular-ly in large offices, where workers can replace one another with relative ease.

This practice isn’t, however, a positive experience without fail. It certainly comes with its challenges, and, as many things do, has both its positive and negative aspects. Being aware of what those are can allow an employer to decide whether it would be a benefi-cial practice to engage in.

The Good

Replacing a worker's desk with a phone can have a lot of benefits for employers in par-ticular. One of these benefits is that...]]> Tue, 01 Mar 2016 12:03:00 +0100
With Spring, we begin to see the tell-tale signs of job fairs sprouting up all around the country. Despite the rise in popularity of online recruitment, career fairs are far from dead. It can be difficult for small, unknown companies to attract applications from qualified candidates when only using online recruitment. Job fairs offer a fantastic recruitment channel that present several potential benefits to the companies that attend them. Here are a number of reasons why job fairs are still relevant in the labour market, and why you should consider bringing your company forward.

Increasing Access to Qualified Candidates
A...]]> Tue, 01 Mar 2016 11:50:46 +0100 As a company or a business grows larger and expands, it becomes increasingly necessary and essential to define an organizational structure that establishes the rules in terms of authority, policy making, responsibility and general communication throughout the organization. Put simply, these rules determine who’s in charge of whom, who take leadership and how do they interact with the rest of the company. Most commonly an organization takes up either a hierarchical (pyramid) structure or a non-hierarchical (flat) structure. Let’s explore the reasons why.

Non-hierarchical
A ‘flat’ organization means that the organizational structure contains few or no levels of management between...]]> Tue, 01 Mar 2016 11:46:02 +0100
A group interview is a special interviewing situation where several candidates are interviewed at the same time. While the least common of interview types, the group interview is a creative way to help employers quickly get through multiple candidates. When done correctly, and usually as a first-round interview, the group setting carries great advantages over scheduling individual first-round interviews with each candidate. However, this type of initial screening process is not without flaw. Here are some benefits and drawbacks presented with group interviews.

The Benefits
Group interviews are exceptionally handy if you find you have many candidates all vying for...]]> Tue, 01 Mar 2016 11:32:55 +0100 Expats – the new species of employees that evolved from the informational era and times of globalization. Expatriates, the people who have decided or have been assigned to live and eventually work in a country different from their own, being a magnificent predator in the modern work environment. But what is the value and, of course, what are the possible risks coming from hiring an expat or expats?

What makes expatriates such an important part of the modern business is the cultural diversity in knowledge and information they can offer. Different organizations might have different needs for expats: some send...]]> Tue, 01 Mar 2016 11:26:32 +0100 To check out all the reviews submittted by previous customers that have visited HanTing please click the following link: CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...]]> Mon, 29 Feb 2016 12:11:34 +0100 "There has been a lot of talk about Mazie, which creates high expectations. Luckily there expectations are not just met, they are exceeded. A friendly waiting staff, a talented kitchen team; Mazie is a true discovery. Sit down and enjoy a wonderful lunch or dinner in a laid-back atmosphere."CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...]]> Mon, 29 Feb 2016 11:59:16 +0100 Asscher, the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, wants to replaced the current training and development funds with individual training rights and duties for all. This would be for freelancers, fixed, and flexible workers, and should make it easier for them to engage in retraining or further training.

It is important for employers to focus on additional training, because there are many changes happening in the labour market through digitisation. It is often the case that training fundsn are only used within their own sector. According to Asscher, this approach is too old-fashioned. “Take the dramatic resignation of 8 thousand...]]> Mon, 29 Feb 2016 09:42:13 +0100 Home Care Organisation Buurtzorg have taken in at least 3,350 employees from the bankrupt TSN ThuisZorg.
The (Association of Dutch Municipalities, VNG) made this known this Thursday. The number is based on "current information from municipalities." The trustees expect responses from other municipalities.

The VNG says that, “the continuity of the relationship between therapist and client remains” and that home carers should maintain their employment.

Administrators Daniels and Van der Hel were satisfied with this preliminary result. “It's nice that this is achieved through a constructive attitude of many parties.”

Bankruptcy
The bankruptcy that TSN ThuisZorg faced was caused by...]]> Fri, 26 Feb 2016 09:03:16 +0100 When finally you get through the gruelling first step of the recruitment process you may find yourselves confronted with an ominous email from the company stating interest and asking for an interview with you. But you’re not out of the water yet, you may have gotten past the ATS and human resources screening, now you’ve got to impress the person directly responsible for your employment: the hiring the manager. The question remains, what’s the most optimal way to get in contact?
In-Person

Oft-times, people apply for work close to their immediate location. It’s a practical method, as many employers want...]]> Thu, 25 Feb 2016 09:33:55 +0100 According to the participation Act, 125 thousand jobs must be created for people from the labour market, of which 25 thousand must come from government agencies. In business it seems to be working well, but the government is still running well behind.

Where you would expect that the government would set an example for business, that is not quite the case. The expectation is now that the intermediate targets of 3 thousand additional jobs by 2016 will not be met. The reason? Some government agencies have the issue low on their priority list.


Cuts and reorganisations

A study was conducted...]]> Thu, 25 Feb 2016 09:16:42 +0100 We all know that working online is not completely safe, yet companies often dig their heads in the sand. Employee phones represent a weak link in data protection, but these are not always acted against, even though being hacked can often cost a business thousands of euros per case.
Mobile devices of employees constitute a threat to the security of corporate data.

The workers' mobile phones have become a source of many data leaks. Yet businesses often lag behind in securing mobile phones. Only 36 percent of respondents in the survey resaearching the 'Economic Risk of Confidential Data on Mobile...]]> Wed, 24 Feb 2016 09:22:19 +0100 Less and less people want to work for very large companies. Their popularity has been greatly reduced, according to research by Intelligence Group, who undertook a study among 14,000 persons from the Dutch workforce.

Intelligence Group regularly examines what employers are the favourites in The Netherlands. This year, it appears that there is still a top 10 to be made, but they all lost popularity. Geert-Jan Waasdorp, Director of Intelligence Group, states that this trend has already been recognizable for na while, “but it has never been more evident. As many as eight of the ten best slipped in popularity....]]> Tue, 23 Feb 2016 09:40:24 +0100 Moving to a foreign country can raise numerous questions about where to register for what and how to set up a functioning life. Finding a job in your new home plays a significant role. Here is what you need to prepare, before you can start working in the Netherlands.

BSN number
Before starting a job in the Netherlands, you will need a BSN number (NL: burgerservicenummer). This number is a personal identification number and is needed for all communication with authorities (e.g. setting up a bank account, organizing social security, health care or tax deduction).
If you arrive with, for...]]> Mon, 22 Feb 2016 09:38:48 +0100 Many Dutch people hold education and training alongside their work, a total of 1.6 million people aged 25 to 65 years, according to figures from CBS.

In addition to this, around 40 percent of professionals are currently busy with training.

These are mainly people from around thirty years old who attend courses. That's because they often need to be incorporated for a first job. People with higher education often learn more at a higher speed than people with less education. This varies from workshops, to learning Spanish or art history to a complete course in higher education.

Within the European...]]> Mon, 22 Feb 2016 09:27:48 +0100 The practice of not inviting foreigners for an interview because they have a different origin or last name should end. Political parties PvdA, SP, CDA, and D66 have started raising the alarm after a series of alarming reports about discrimination in the labour market.

The Lower House debated last Thursday with Minister Lodewijk Asscher based on research of the Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau (Institute for Social Research, SCP) in June 2015 in order to combat discrimination against ethnic minorities. It shows that natives with the same qualifications are more likely to have found a successful job than Dutch with a...]]> Sat, 20 Feb 2016 10:29:47 +0100 Almost every winter, there is a flu epidemic in the Netherlands. As an employer, how do you prevent a spreading epidemic in the workplace? Here are six tips for a flu-free workplace!

The Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (National institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM) gave a warning that there is a flu epidemic in the Netherlands in the first week of February. There were 120 people in every people with flu-like symptoms reported by GPs. After more than 51 people show symptoms of an illness, it is officially labeled as an epidemic.

Obviously, employers want to ensure...]]> Fri, 19 Feb 2016 12:32:05 +0100 The Tweede Kamer (House of Representitives) has called for more verifification on whether package deliverers are self employed. The Kamer is concerned about the self-employed labourers who act as if theyhave been employed normally because they have to comply with many rules and PostNL obligations. Ultimately, the Kamer did not agree.

VVD MP Bas van 't Wout indicated this position, which caused frowns in Parliament. Coalition partner PvdA wondered if this kind of work has to be done by the self-employed. Parliamentarian Mei Li Vos fears “cut-throat competition on working conditions.”

Minister Asscher pointed out the limited role of labour...]]> Thu, 18 Feb 2016 09:33:53 +0100 Multinational company Unilever intends to move much of its IT moved abroad. Because of this, two hundred redundancies will be made in the Netherlands, as declared by the laundry and food manufacturer, last Wednesday. In addition, about forty temporary workers will also lose their jobs.

The FNV trade union spoke of a “massive migration of positions at Unilever to low-wage countries.” The functions will not expire, but will be transferred to locations such as Mexico, Bangalore, Manila, and Katowice.

Unilever said their commitment is still focused on guiding the supernumeraries for new work. This move is designed to further centralise...]]> Wed, 17 Feb 2016 09:59:06 +0100
Looking for a job? Waiting for the perfect time to move? Are you passively searching and quietly looking around yourself? In this case, you have probably updated your resume. This can be quite difficult. What can you put in there? What shouldn't be in there? How would you describe your business mentality? What exactly are the recruiters looking for? Here are my tips and tricks, as a recruiter, on how to help you further!

Before you next update your resume, it's best to forget everything you've done as quickly as possible. The power of a good resume begins by writing...]]> Tue, 16 Feb 2016 11:10:32 +0100 Invoices from Dutch companies were quickly met in 2015. A bill was paid after an average of 42.3 days. That is about 4 percent faster than the previous year.
“In the last quarter of 2015, we even hit a record of 40.9 days, down nearly 7 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2014,” said Graydon research agency. “Invoices have never before been so quickly fulfilled.”

This improvement is evident in all sectors, but the business services sector runs with an average of 36.8 days in the last quarter of 2015.
“Thanks to better payment behaviour, entrepreneurs have more space...]]> Tue, 16 Feb 2016 10:24:06 +0100 As you all know, global talent mobility is on the increase; its an exciting time for globally mobile professionals. The global jobs market is booming and candidates no longer have to confine their careers to their home country, they can take the next step of their career in any part of the world, and of course The Netherlands and Northern Europe are prosperous economic regions and so are prime locations to take up an international role.

Another crucial aspect of international working is that by widening your career search internationally you can gain access to more higher grade roles (which...]]> Wed, 07 Nov 2012 15:53:27 +0100 A first impression can only be made once. A first impression is very important, because the first impression someone can't forget once its made. Now, I must admit that I am not a star at making a great first impression. When I had my first interview at Yacht (with Martin Ward Anderson), I had to call and cancel because I accidentally put petrol in my diesel car. When I met my husband for the first time, I sent him elsewhere. When I had a first meeting with a prospective client, I slipped and I fell hard right over. Later on,...]]> Mon, 15 Feb 2016 18:49:08 +0100
Helping people! Helping people make great careers. Helping people find a place where they can be happy to work matters. People help determine direction in their careers, coaching people to set targets and achieve. And, of course, a nice conversation. You have to make work fun.

It's simple for me to appoint my job as a recruiter as the best job in the world. Nothing is better than to make someone happy. Nothing is better than making the perfect match and to make sure that someone has, not only a short-term but also a long-term view on their dream career....]]> Mon, 15 Feb 2016 11:56:24 +0100 After firing CEO Dov Charney, American Apparel decided to update its company code of ethics with stricter guidelines regarding interoffice relationships. According to the new policy, “No management-level employee may make sexual advances, welcome or unwelcome, toward any subordinate.”
Despite their efforts, there's a crutch to the matter: Whether or not there are policies forbidding them, office relationships happen.
A recent survey by CareerBuilder found that nearly 40 percent of employees admitted to having a romantic relationship with a co-worker. And a whopping 31 percent of office relationships result in marriage. If so many people get involved in an office romance,...]]> Mon, 15 Feb 2016 11:15:18 +0100 A CV needs to be neat and clear. It needs to appear professional, because not only is it important to present the right information in your cv, this information also needs to be presented within the right layout. This means that CV’s are often written in a simple black font with an uncomplicated layout.

However, a cv does not always need to be unoriginal in order to be clear. There are certain layout changes that can have a positive impact on getting your CV noticed.

Highlight Your Name

Instead of listing your name in your contact information, along with your...]]> Mon, 15 Feb 2016 10:33:09 +0100 The counting of calories and steps is already quite a common pactice, and helps to improve personal health. However, this is not a generally accepted rule of thumb in business. Often, this is in reference to privacy breaches and unauthorised interference by the employer. In business, we are still lagging behind.

Michael Schrage argues for precisely measuring the activities of employees, so that they can improve. This isn't a question of post-industrial intrusiveness, but a necessity for professional self-preservation and improvement, says Schrage. It's not a matter of 'Big Brother', but coaching based on data.

Competing with computers
Knowledge workers...]]> Mon, 15 Feb 2016 10:14:36 +0100 The American manufacturer of electric vehicles, Tesla Motors, has put a loss on the books for the eleventh quarter in a row. Although there was an increase in the number of Teslas' Model S sold, this was not sufficient to compensate for rising costs.

Tesla realised a loss of $114 million (100.77 million euros) in the fourth quarter. That was a year before a negative result of 16.2 million dollars. Tesla had a total revenue of $ 1.8 billion, almost 60 percent more than a year earlier.

The company of Elon Musk thinks that it must sell at least 90...]]> Sat, 13 Feb 2016 09:45:29 +0100 After nine months of negotiations, workers in the large metal industry have a new collective agreement.

Thursday morning, it was announced that an agreement has been reached on a salary increase of 5.9 percent over the coming years. This year, employees will receive a pay increase of 2.1 percent. In 2017 and 2018 new wage increases will follow, as well as a lump sum is part of the new collective agreement. The unions have responded positively to the agreement. The union members must still approve the agreement in principle.

Metal workers will also gain more control and autonomy over their...]]> Fri, 12 Feb 2016 09:46:44 +0100 The first thing to realise about your personal brand is that you already have one. Google yourself now. The results that show up? That is your personal brand. All those social media accounts and online activities that have your name attached to them create an impression of who you are, whether you want them to or not. Therefore, it is more useful to think in terms of managing your image rather than creating one. This article will cover the initial steps you need to take in order to start managing your brand.

1. Make your personal brand personal.
This might...]]> Thu, 11 Feb 2016 10:01:01 +0100 State Secretary of finance Eric Wiebes admits that there are mistakes in the model contracts for freelancers who have also checked the tax authorities.

Wiebes gave permission to concerned trade associations to publish model contracts that have been officially assessed for tax-relevant provisions. However, Wiebes now regrets this earlier commitment. In certain provisions, indemnities for clients have been included which do not comply with their legal liability.

indemnities

Belangenorganisatie ZZP Nederland (Advocates for Dutch Freelancers) found such disclaimers in contracts for tennis teachers and music teachers among others. The contract states that contractors must give their clients a safeguard if...]]> Thu, 11 Feb 2016 09:50:13 +0100 Japanese brewer Asahi has reportedly reached an agreement with company SABMiller over the acquisition of Grolsch and the italian Peroni. The merger alledgely amounted to 400 billion yen (3.1 billion euros), though Asahi would not confirm the report made by the Nikkei this Wednesday.

Asahi is Japan's largest brewer with a market share of 38 percent. The company would like to have more activities outside Japan as beer sales remain in the Asian country. The population is aging and wine is slowly becoming a more popular option.

Even larger acquisitions afoot
The reasoning for Asahi not confirming the mergers is...]]> Wed, 10 Feb 2016 09:54:08 +0100

More than 300 foreign companies like Yara and easyJet jointly invested € 1.87 billion in the Netherlands last year. Together these companies created an additional 9,300 jobs. The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) and its regional partners, like the WestHolland Foreign Investment Agency (WFIA), assisted in the attraction of these investment projects. In the past year they joined forces under the Invest in Holland label.

WestHolland
The WFIA helped a record number of 44 foreign companies last year to establish new offices or relocate within the region. These companies account for a total of 350 new jobs. In addition to...]]> Tue, 09 Feb 2016 11:09:51 +0100 Despite the importance of education in remaining employable in the rapidly changing labour market, the vast majority of workers have not been given training by their employer, over the past three year. This is not only concern for employability but also for the growing mismatch in the labour market.

Recent research by Intelligence Group shows that only one in five workers has been trained the past three years and obtained a certificate. The group that chooses to train, choose for programs that make them more valuable for their present work. Programs that focus on knowledge and skills that improve job...]]> Tue, 09 Feb 2016 09:37:43 +0100 In 2014, one third of employees in the public service sector had to deal with violence and aggression. The government will continue efforts to reduce aggression and violence against public servants, as Minister Plasterk of the Interior stated.

While working in public tasks, suffering from aggression and violence is not just annoying for these employees. “It provides a significant cost for society,” says Plasterk.

Victims of aggression and violence are more prone to health problems, fail more often, and are less satisfied with their work and working conditions.

healthcare
The healthcare sector is where most employees have to deal with...]]> Wed, 03 Feb 2016 17:44:38 +0100 In the Netherlands, more than 700 thousand workers have a delay in their language use, which creates adverse effects in the workplace. Minister Asscher signed a Language Agreement with 35 employers from this data, last December. Recently, Randstad, Adecco, MatchHQ, SWA In-Person, and Driessen HRM also joined the agreement.

Around 700 thousand employees in The Netherlands have difficulty with reading, writing, and communicating in Dutch. The effects are clearly visible in the workplace. The reading of care records or safety instructions could, for example, leads to difficulties. The Language Agreement should have an effect on employers, making them give a...]]> Wed, 03 Feb 2016 17:39:00 +0100 The authority on welfare distribution UWV expects that 102 thousand workers will find employment in The Netherlands during 2016. This presents an increase of 1.3 percent, though if you included the number of independent jobs, we'd be seeing 129 thousand vacancies filled this year.

Minister Asscher is pleased with the numbers. “We'll see that, in time, employment follows in line with the growth of the economy. This is now confirmed,” he said. "That means there are more opportunities for anyone looking for a job.”

The improving economy also ensures that more jobs will be created. There are probably 859 thousand created this...]]> Wed, 03 Feb 2016 17:34:30 +0100 In 2014, of all the accidents that happened in the workplace that led to an absence of four days or more, falling over was the most common. As well as this, other leading causes of injury (threatening, biting, kicking) were often neglected by workplace management.

This emerges from a survey conducted by CBS, which shows 3.4 percent of employees having had one or more accidents in 2014. That amounts to about 240 thousand workers. Almost 88 thousand of these accidents followed an absence of at least four days.

Failure by injury
The injuries were, in most cases, physical. In nearly 30 percent of...]]> Wed, 03 Feb 2016 17:27:25 +0100 When I see a French CV my very first thought is, “why so little?” I am sure the candidate has a lot more relevant experience, but how come I don’t see it on their CV at all? Let’s start from the beginning, and see what differences can be found between Dutch Cvs and French Cvs.

1. Personal details
In a typical French resume, about ¼ of the page is taken by personal details and their picture. by personal details, I am referring to name, date of birth, and contact details. However, French candidates have the tendency to TOO much information...]]> Thu, 04 Feb 2016 14:55:38 +0100 Within the coming half-year, companies will be looking for finance staff to fill new and vacant positions en masse. Most employers, however, will find difficulty in their search for suitable candidates. This is according to research commissioned by Robert Half, among 200 Dutch CFOs and finance directors.

Accounting and finance candidates
More than nine in ten (92 percent) CFOs and finance directors indicate that next six months of recruitment will be focused on finding new accounting and finance candidates. This is done to fill vacant positions (48 percent) and new functions (44 percent). These new functions are caused by the...]]> Wed, 03 Feb 2016 17:16:02 +0100 Employers have little regard for complaints of menopausal women. The European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) has therefore made recommendations on how companies can deal with it.

As more women participate in the workforce and also work longer, symptoms of menopause at work are coming up more often. Employers should take this into account in determining their working conditions so that they avoid worsening symptoms.

Menopause

Women go through menopause usually when they are between 45 and 55 years when they stop menstruating. This can cause symptoms such as insomnia and mood swings, though not every woman in menopause are...]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2016 17:36:17 +0100 As of July1, 2015, the law and procedure with regard to bringing a claim for unfair dismissal has been substantially altered. Prior to this change, as an employee you could challenge a dismissal as unjustified or unfair via a written communication addressed to the employer within six months of the dismissal. The summons often included a demand for continued payment of wages and possible re-employment or continuation of employment for this time period, taking account of labour market conditions. However, as of July 1, 2015, a legally unauthorized or unfair dismissal is deemed insufficient and the employee have less time...]]> Tue, 02 Feb 2016 14:15:45 +0100

You are an entrepreneur and have set up a beautiful business. Your company has a loyal and committed staff, willing to invest in new clients. Your business is growing and is ready for the next step. But what themes can be used to stimulate growth? Moreover, what could hurt that corresponding growth? What does this mean for your own role in the company?

A development in the growth of organisations is described by the American organisation expert Larry E. Greiner In 1972, he developed the 'Greiner Growth Model'  which describes the phases a business goes through as it grows. He...]]> Tue, 02 Feb 2016 12:57:29 +0100 The so-called Declaration of independent employment relationship (Verklaring Arbeidsrelatie, VAR) seems to have had its day. The Senate drew a majority which supports a repeal of the VAR on 1 May, 2016.

The VAR is intended to clarify whether companies must embody freelancers and pay payroll tax on their income. Secretary of State Eric Wiebes (Finance) wanted some time off from the VAR, but he ran into opposition in the Senate. He made a series of commitments. There will be a long transition period of one year.

The intension is that the VAR will be replaced by standard contracts. Those...]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:05:09 +0100 Recently, a bill to the Lower House has been discussed in order to strengthen the position of prevention officers. These employees hold the legal right to consult with occupational health services and the company.

The bill also changes the role of the employer in respect of absence. Often the employer leaves the absenteeism of the company to prevention officers, where as this is actually the role of the employer. The occupational health services holds only an advisory role from here on. In addition, employees are given the opportunity to approach the company themselves, so that the issues of absenteeism could be...]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:08:51 +0100 In the modern age of 21st century, an employer is required to adapt themselves to workplace changes and trends if they hope to remain competitive in today’s market. To minimise today’s heightened risk, businesses must reduce their investment into fixed costs and maximise the use of variable costs, and considering that employee compensation is usually a company’s single biggest expense, a company should strive to optimise the balance between fixed and variable pay.
Two leading economic ideologues in the discussion of worker compensation are the concepts of ‘variable pay’ or ‘pay-at-risk’, and ‘objectives-based-incentive-pay’ or simply ‘objective based risk’.

‘Pay at...]]> Tue, 02 Feb 2016 10:22:50 +0100 Being able to model your human resources can become an incredibly useful tool for planning and organising your employees. HR planning models help provide a clear goal for your HR department, with the use of in depth analysis into the jobs that your company needs, and where employees should be directed. This involves human resources workers, managers and even employees detailing the duties, responsibilities, and functions of different positions within the company. This is done in three major ways: predicting the kind of skills you need from your employees, analysing whether the supply of potential employees meets your demand, and...]]> Tue, 02 Feb 2016 10:18:49 +0100
Assign a Supervisor

When integrating an intern into your organisational structure, make sure that you can locate a clear place for him or her. Do this not just by placing them within a certain branch, but also by assigning the intern a specific employee as their supervisor.

This...]]> Tue, 02 Feb 2016 10:17:03 +0100 Getting into a career in another country can be difficult at the best of times. Sometimes, all that is needed is some guidance and counseling. We were able to speak with Sacha Tanis-Hopkins, founder and career coach for Expart. Expart specialise in career coaching for expats, with the focus highlighted on helping expats find the career opportunities that best suit them. I asked Sacha a series of questions, with the aim to learn more about how expats can be helped and what what her clients look for with the Expart service.
Your company mainly focuses towards expatriates. Have you seen...]]> Tue, 02 Feb 2016 10:14:47 +0100 Virtual office work is the new black this season, turning the local cafés, libraries and the comfort of your couch into the new working spaces. If you are a small or medium business or a start-up without good financial stability, this method is probably the best way to get your business going without the heavy costs. However, if you have decided to turn to the more traditional way of face-to-face work or you are already using this method and trying to modernize and enter the virtual world it is important to know how to make the best out of such...]]> Tue, 02 Feb 2016 10:03:45 +0100 Consumers increasingly don't accept unethical business practices or organisations who act irresponsibly. Advances in social media, which has given many a voice, means that negative or destructive practices quickly fuel conversations online. This fuel only adds to the fire of irreputable business practices, making organisations more accountable for their actions like never before.
As such, Corporate Social Responsibility shouldn't be viewed as a drain on resources. Carefully implemented CSR policies can help your organisation in a variety of ways. For example, it can win you new business opportunities, increases your consumer retention, helps develop and enhance your consumer relationships, as...]]> Tue, 02 Feb 2016 10:00:54 +0100 Not long ago, the world of recruitment looked completely different. Jobs were published and jobs were found via newspapers, applications were sent in paper, or received in person. Today, most recruiters don't even touch paper CVs any more and job descriptions reach candidates all over the world through online job boards. Often recruiters and candidates don't even meet in person, using online communication to bridge the gap. There's no need to mention that this has been quite a shake up in the scheme of things.
The internet is opening so many doors and finding candidates is becoming an easier and...]]> Tue, 02 Feb 2016 09:57:01 +0100 How much time and money do you invest in external training on an annual base? How regularly do you do the follow-ups and measure the real change it brought in terms of effectiveness and a higher level organisational performance? How heavy is the burden of external instruction to your budget?

Let’s reflect on the training your team participated in over the last few years. Were these exercises really necessary? Could the same results that were achieved through external training have been achieved by the means of internal guidance? Could your own people provide each other with coaching that could lead...]]> Tue, 02 Feb 2016 09:53:01 +0100 When co-workers mix business with pleasure, it's important for employers to take note. Whether it's a drop in workplace morale or a sexual harassment lawsuit, office romances have the potential to cause big trouble for businesses of all sizes. This is because of the effect on employee morale and ultimately because of the potential legal issues.

Office relationships are something a large number of employers are faced with. Research from the Society for Human Resource Management's HR Knowledge Center, revealed that 43 percent of HR professionals reported romances in their workplaces. While all office romances have the potential to cause...]]> Tue, 02 Feb 2016 09:48:05 +0100 Individuals can find it as hard to move from a low paying job to a sustainable and better paid job, as to move from welfare into work. For many, being stuck in a job with little prospect of progression can be very difficult to find ways to move on and move up. We agree that giving people the opportunity to use their potential in employment is important. However, this is often linked with greater duties and responsibilities for employees when looking for a new job that can secure a higher salary.

The issue is simple and clear; this can have...]]> Mon, 01 Feb 2016 15:42:30 +0100 It was announced that a total of over 1.35 million people are working as freelancers in The Netherlands. This is a significant increase when compared to 2014, where 324 thousand worked as freelancers out of more than 6.1 million employees. Under this arrangement, they earned an average of nearly 4,500 euros.
For over 553 thousand people in The Netherland, the income they gain from freelancing is taking more of a sideline when looking at the total distribution of their income. Most self-employed personnel find the bulk of their income consists of wages, pension or allowance. 


Slightly more than 137 thousand of the nearly three million retirees in The Netherlands punctuated...]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:00:05 +0100 PostNL has signed a definitive agreement on the working conditions of postal workers.
The members of the relevant trade unions have agreed on the principle agreement reached in December, the postal company announced Wednesday.

In the collective agreement, there are agreements on a wage increase. The deliverers will, as of 1 January, earn 0.9 percent more and as of July 1, they will receive a further 0.5 percent. In January and July 2017 there will be two salary increases also with 0.9 and 0.5 percent respectively.

Mail deliverers will henceforth receive an expense allowance ranging from 70 to 105 euros...]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2016 17:56:47 +0100 One in ten Dutch companies with ten or more employees is a 'fast grower'. At these companies, the number of workers have increase by an average annual rate of 21 percent between 2011 and 2014. In total, almost six thousand companies in this category, reports the Central Bureau of Statistics (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek, CBS).

The number of fast-growing companies has decreased compared to 2010 by about 8 percent, although the proportion in relation to the number of surviving firms remained the same. The number of employees at fast growing companies increased by more than 286 thousand, between 2011...]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2016 17:48:54 +0100 Energy Companies in The Netherlands are not generating nearly enough green power to meet the demands from their own country. Unless consumers specifically ask for Dutch green power, they often get their green electricity generated from the power outlet from abroad.

This is according to figures from Certiq, the subsidiary electricity transmission operator which issues certificates for energy generated from solar, wind, water and biomass.

Green energy is managed by Certificates of Origin (Certificaten van Oorsprong, CVOs) issued by energy companies, which show where it is generated. More and more people want to know where their green power comes from....]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2016 17:44:37 +0100 You’ve finally done it. After thousands of applications and a dozen probing, difficult interviews with questions like, “would you choose this job over your own biological mother?”, you’ve finally reached the end of your long journey: a job offer!
However, after straining through all the fine print and the listed salary, you have to wonder to yourself: “how much is my job worth?” The offer has been made, the hiring manager is interested, and now the ball is in your court. The next step? Negotiation.

Get informed
Many online resources have cropped up recently to help gauge your price on...]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:13:15 +0100 Smart HBO students are back in demand on the Dutch labour market. This means that graduates will be able to more easily start a career and will increase the demand for HR professionals. This is evident from the annual Global Salary Survey conducted by the recruitment consultancy Robert Walters.

Graduates are looking towards other opportunities, among which are jobs in logistics and IT, marketing, finance, sales and marketing. The main reason for the shift is the space on the labour market. The number of jobs has increased by 13 percent and there is more confidence among employees in their own...]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2016 17:40:53 +0100 Employees and employers have a different view about development of self-direction within the workspace. Employees say they are ready for greater self-direction, while employers argue that employees are not. This appears from the annual HR Benchmark survey of Raet, which includes the results of over 1700 respondents (employees, HR managers and directors) from various sectors.

Own direction

The Dutch employee wants more and more control over their own development. A whopping 75 percent consider it important to have self-direction on a personal development program. But only half (45 percent) experienced enough space and freedom to take this direction in practice....]]> Sun, 24 Jan 2016 18:41:54 +0100 In this particular case, the employee wanted to terminate their employment contract while being granted a transitional allowance and an additional fair compensation because of seriously culpable conduct by the employer.

The case

The 63-year-old worker has been a notarial assistant employed by a notary office since 1993. From the moment the worker was affected by a partial disability, meaning they had to work fewer hours, the employer began to act inappropriatly and in an unacceptable manner towards her. This behaviour consisted of unacceptable language, swearing, cursing, ranting, and statements such as 'I'll harass you out of this job,' 'Hey,...]]> Sun, 24 Jan 2016 18:36:56 +0100 Annually, LinkedIn determines what the top 25 most requested skills are on their database of vacancies. Which candidates, and what skills are most recruiters looking for?  This study has been limited to only The Netherlands. From their available statistics, the overall top 25 skills can be found.
The top three most requested skills in The Netherlands look like this:

Statistical analysis and data mining,
Search engine marketing (SEO and SEA),
Data engineering and data warehousing.

HR and recruitment

For HR professionals, there is good news. Last year the skill of recruitment was in the fifth position This year was only...]]> Sun, 24 Jan 2016 17:16:47 +0100 Take a moment to think about the times where you’ve experienced joy, pleasure, or the feeling of being content. If you truely take a second to reflect, you may notice changes in your physical body state. Moreover, if you smiled you may have noticed your body tension relax, or your breathing is even toned-down. Compare these feelings in your body to those you feel when you reflect on an experience when you were sad, mad, or fearful.

For most of us, there is a clear difference in the impact of positive and negative emotions on our perception, behaviour, and ultimately...]]> Sun, 24 Jan 2016 16:29:53 +0100 If the termination of an employment contract is the result of serious culpable act or omission of the employer, then the employee should be compensated for this, even when employers act against the employee. In that case, the district court may award to the employee fair compensation. In addition, the law dictates that the employee has the right to transition allowance.

Height equitable compensation

It is for the court to determine the amount of equitable remuneration. The amount of the state - by its nature - in relation to the serious culpable acts or omissions by the employer. Judges have...]]> Sun, 24 Jan 2016 07:30:15 +0100 Many applicants get rejected from potential jobs because they are overqualified. It is assumed that candidates with more knowledge and experience than other candidates will be less involved and less productive, and that they are only using the position as a stepping stone, waiting for the moment that a better job comes along.

However, according to a new study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, the stereotype of over-qualified employees are not true. In the study, dozens of qualified employees from eleven companies were tracked and compared to their peers. Researcher Jasmine Hu: “We found that employees whose qualifications outperformed...]]> Sat, 23 Jan 2016 10:06:50 +0100 Organisations are not always supportive of the use of analytics. Some managers think very highly of their knowledge, and believe that experience cannot be learnt from analytics. Others simply do not accept what young analysts tell them, and avoid supporting their decisions by data.

Dealing with political sensitivity

Politics plays a big role in many organisations. Analytics cannot be used as a basis for decision-making without the political sensitivities around it being brought under control, says consultant David Creelman.

4 ways to make managers accept evidence-based HR

Involvement
Managers want to be in control of their surroundings, and do not appriciate...]]> Fri, 22 Jan 2016 09:27:19 +0100 A crucial aspect of applying to a job is having the right motivation letter. It provides a perfect opportunity to convey details and information that you couldn’t include on your cv, and is often the only way you have to make a great first impression on a potential employer.

Typically, a motivation letter should not span for more than one page. It is not a general overview of your professional background; that is what your cv is for. That means you have to know how to be concise, and how to share only the necessary information. In other words, your...]]> Wed, 20 Jan 2016 14:29:16 +0100 With the envisaged Wet Deregulering Arbeidsrelaties (Deregulation of Labour Relations Act, DBA), acting as the replacement of the Verklaring arbeidsrelatie (Declaration of Independent Contractor Status, VAR), many companies are now afraid that the freelancers they hired can hold greater sway in their dismissal, rather than based upon the limits of their contract. Businesses are working hard to shift the risks.

If the Senate agrees with the DBA, it will come into force by April 1, 2016. The Minister of Finance Weibe first wanted the law to take effect on January 1, 2016, but delayed it after objections from the Senate....]]> Wed, 20 Jan 2016 15:04:02 +0100 Every organisation has to deal with it: absenteeism. It's a costly problem is fixed. But how do you get more insight into the core reasons of absence? Failure Experts Merel van Etten and Martijn ten Bokum of HR company Arbobutler had this to say on the psychology behind absenteeism.

What is the role of an absenteeism coordinator?

Merel: “We call it an 'active power specialist'. We are not so much focused on absenteeism, but more towards the working ability of employees. We are a partner for both employers and employees when it comes to usability issues.”
Martijn: “Suppose an employee...]]> Wed, 20 Jan 2016 07:10:46 +0100 It is often thought that checking or updating social media, and browsing the Internet are the main distractions in a workspace. However, it appears that the more traditional activities of fetching a glass of water, going to the toilet, or chatting with a colleague cost of the most for employees trying to skiving off work.

Research

The HR service Bamboo has undertaken a research study looking at more than a thousand Americans, examining what activities are the most time consuming and distracting for employees. As it turns out, the most distracting activities are not necessarily all the various digital activities....]]> Tue, 19 Jan 2016 08:41:03 +0100 There has never been a single best way to recruit new members into a company or organisation. Most companies follow the same basic set of rules. However, one start-up has decided to try a different method. This company is Automattic, ran by Matt Mullenweg, the creator of WordPress. Automattic employs around 4 hundred people. While they do have a headquarters, almost all of their employees work from home. When they get accepted for their position within the company, they're given 2.5 thousand dollars to buy themselves the much needed technology to develop for their business. If this is not enough of...]]> Thu, 14 Jan 2016 14:10:30 +0100 Only until ten years ago the legal understanding of age work discrimination in the Netherlands was taking discriminating actions against people of the age of thirty-five and above. The specificity in the selection of the range of people that fall under the category, however, has been reconsidered. Nowadays, all age groups are legally protected against age discrimination and given the rights of equal treatment. A very smart move, since discriminating which age groups to be protected from age discrimination is by itself an age discrimination.
What exactly does this mean? In general conditions, without including exceptional work environment, it is...]]> Mon, 18 Jan 2016 09:31:17 +0100 In this day and age, we communicate very differently. There is, in fact, a very stark difference between the generations, which is often seen on text chat. However, to what extent are communications, such as emoticons, emojis and GIF's used in the workplace? Is that reserved for hip startups?

According to Dr. Sian Towson, it really depends on who you ask. Employees who are older than 35 years show the need for the use of emoticons, such as the simple smiley face, but not emojis, which consist of several characters. Millennials, however, show their emotions and tend to express themselves...]]> Fri, 08 Jan 2016 13:32:47 +0100 Something as simple as getting a bag of sweets is already sufficient to stimulate the memory. Indeed, anything which tickles your funny bone also ensures an improvement on memory and makes decision-making smoother.

One study has demonstrated this effect on older adults for the first time. Professor Ellen Peters, who co-conducted the study on this: “There have been many studies showing that young adults are more creative and have greater cognitive flexibility if they are in a good mood. However, the cognitive decline as a result of ageing meant that scientists were not sure whether this effect also applies to...]]> Fri, 08 Jan 2016 13:14:18 +0100 Due to a higher than expected number of passengers between 2014 and 2015, as well as the results of an effective cost cutting program, Schiphol airport are now in a position to decrease their airport fees substantially for the second consecutive year, in 2016.

As per April 1, 2015, the airport already announced an average decrease of their fees by 6.8 percent. After consultations with the airlines, today Schiphol announces an average decrease of 11.6 percent. By doing this, Schiphol will be able to maintain a strong international competitive position. The lower fees will be in effect as of April 1, 2016.

The substantial growth in...]]> Fri, 08 Jan 2016 14:23:26 +0100 "The Railway Museum in Utrecht, Het Spoorwegmuseum, established in 1927 is dedicated to preserving historical equipment from the Dutch national railway. In 1954 the museum was permanently housed in the Maliebaan Station in Utrecht. A major renovation occurred in the late 1900’s, with the addition of new and modernized facilities. In 2002 the building was completely remodeled with a more public friendly appeal featuring interactive exhibits, drawing hundreds of thousands of delighted visitors"by www.holland.com CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...]]> Wed, 13 Jan 2016 15:44:11 +0100 "PIP is a cultural stage located on the BINK36 premises in The Hague. It is an accessible place where everyone, young and old are welcome. PIP has evolved in the past six years to the only medium stage in The Hague where both local and national emerging talent can express themselves. The organization conducts a broad program including art, electronic music, rock, dance, theater and discussion evenings. In addition to the PIP Club is located on the grounds of the barracks the screen print the Kijm & Sons, a wood shop, a skate ramp and a rehearsal room where bands...]]> Wed, 13 Jan 2016 15:02:13 +0100
This was reported by the Education Inspectorate, who came to this conclusion, published last Friday.

The university suffered losses in recent years, but over all, the losses sustained were less than expected. Between 2015 and 2018, the institution will probably be short 15 million euros, while at first it had expected a loss of 85 million.

The UvA has spent a much of its budget on new buildings in recent years. This includes a total of...]]> Fri, 08 Jan 2016 14:07:54 +0100 "The art of Escher instills a sense of bewilderment and wonder, and fascinates young and old alike with his magical world. The exhibition includes famous ‘impossible’ prints such as “Day and Night”, where the Dutch landscape appears to morph into a flock of birds, and “Climbing and Descending” which depicts rows of people perpetually ascending and descending a flight of stairs. His fantastical structures, which couldn’t possibly exist in the real world, are optical illusions that play with perspective.As well as showcasing his famous prints, The Palace also houses a collection of Escher’s early works, such as the beautiful Italian...]]> Tue, 12 Jan 2016 13:10:56 +0100 "The museum possesses a large collection embracing the fields of modern art, fashion, the decorative arts and musical instruments. The Collections Sector is responsible for the conservation and management of the collection and the cataloguing and documentation of the objects." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...]]> Tue, 12 Jan 2016 13:08:40 +0100 "The Mauritshuis is home to the very best of Dutch Golden Age painting. The compact, yet world-renowned collection, is situated in the heart of The Hague, right next to the government centre. Masterpieces such as Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp by Rembrandt, The Goldfinch by Fabritius and The Bull by Potter are on permanent display in the intimate rooms of this seventeenth-century monument. More than two hundred top works from Dutch and Flemish masters are on display in the historic yet intimate interior, with its silken wall covering, sparkling chandeliers and monumental...]]> Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:50:37 +0100 "Lexa.nl offers a new way to meet singles who live in the vicinity of Rotterdam. Do you enjoy cozy get-togethers, cooking workshops, museums, sports or other activities? Then you're at Lexa.nl good, because there's something for everyone. The events are organized in nice locations in your area. Shorts: The Lexa togethers are organized in the center of Rotterdam in cozy venues like 1NUL8 and friends live. It's a fun and casual way to make contact with other singles who live near you. And if you do not want to go alone you can even bring friends! Workshops: Cooking, shake cocktails,...]]> Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:29:54 +0100 The engagement of employees in their work appears to be receding, according to research made by Gallup. In 2013, 30% of employees involved themselves to a high degree in their worklife. Despite several efforts to increase involvement, the percentage of employees involved remain virtually unchanged.

Why is this the case? Dr. Jim Harter, a specialist in the field of engagement, has tried to provide answers.

Why is involvement important?

A company having more engaged employees holds several advantages, says Harter. “From lower absenteeism and better development, to increased productivity and improved service delivery. It directly affects the output of an...]]> Fri, 08 Jan 2016 13:06:17 +0100 International MBA event to be held in Amsterdam

The Access MBA Tour, worldwide leader in One-to-One business education events, will return to Amsterdam on February 6th at Hilton Amsterdam, the organiser Advent Group announced today.

“Access MBA is designed to bridge the distance between business executives and elite MBA programmes from around the world through personalised One-to-One meetings between candidates and school representatives” – Christophe Coutat, Advent Group’s Managing Director, said.

The One-to-One meetings enable business professionals to find a top MBA programme that corresponds to their background and expectations. Each MBA candidate undergoes a selection and matching process by business...]]> Mon, 11 Jan 2016 21:29:16 +0100 When job searching, particularly online, you often have so much choice for vacancies, that it becomes hard to distinguish between them all. Often, the vacancies you see are for large, well-known companies, those with high reputation.

However, many don't realise that reputation rarely counts for all that much; employment counts for much more! You may be searching for your dream job at the largest companies, but their influx of applicants is so high, that their rejection rate is also high. When searching for employment, particularly first time employment, it's often best to look for small, new companies.

There are several...]]> Mon, 11 Jan 2016 11:19:13 +0100 Most Dutch workers will be able to spend a little more this year. This is thanks to the cuts in taation made by the Government. This means almost all Dutch employees will see an improvement in the condition of their wages. In addition, employers' costs are also falling this year higher.

Minimum wage earners receive will recieve a net increase of 76 euros per month. Those who earn the dutch average income, 2816 euros per month will benefit by an extra 69 euros per month. However, those who earn around one and a half times the average income will miss...]]> Fri, 08 Jan 2016 13:05:06 +0100 Since the financial crisis of 2008, labour productivity per employee has increased, while wages have not risen. According to the CBS, the reason for this would be that there are higher numbers of unemployed personel after 2008, and that there are more and more flexible workers.

CBS has done research on labour productivity per employee after the outbreak of the crisis and compared it to the salary that an employee receives since 2008. Until 2008, there is a strong growth in labour productivity. When the crisis erupted in 2008, this productivity was reduced due to insufficient demand for new staff....]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2016 16:15:19 +0100 People on welfare who get help, with job application training for example, are more likely to find work, according to research by the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (central bureau for statistics, CBS).

Of aid recipients that could make use of the so-called reintegration facility last year, more than 22 percent are employed. Of beneficiaries who received no such assistance, only 8 percent are now back to work.

Municipalities decide whether someone gets the chance to use the rehabilitation facility. The criteria vary throughout The Netherlands. It is not just about job training, but also schemes where the track is...]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2016 16:06:17 +0100 "The Fiddler iphoneboxs The Hague’s largest international pub. The pub is based on an English theme, giving it a unique style. The Fiddler is specialised in beer, lots of different beer. We have an extensive beer list with more than 200 different bottled beers. We also have our own Micro Brewery where we make a fine selection of traditional English ales. For more information please take a look at our brewery page, or visit www.animalarmybrewery.nl." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...]]> Fri, 08 Jan 2016 14:13:39 +0100 "Experience the Caribbean in the heart of The Hague. We introduce Havana, a real dancafé in Cuban style. At Havana you can have lunch, dinner, dancing and attend fun workshops. Each week Havana organizes a fun party and you can also salsa lessons or attend cocktail workshops. Remove the feet of the floor and learn the dance steps of Salsa. Accompanied by lively music, you can learn the beginning steps of Salsa. And if you always wanted a Mojito or have to make a Caipirinha than Havana is the right place!"...]]> Fri, 08 Jan 2016 13:30:12 +0100 "    "The British Club of The Hague (BCH) has been active since 1928 and provides a friendly and supportive community for Brits and Anglophiles, both expats and longer-term residents, living in the Hague area and beyond. The BCH is a non-political and secular club and membership is open to anyone with an affinity for British culture. We meet every Friday from 10:00 to 14:00 at the Pastoral Centre of the International Roman Catholic Parish in the heart of the city where members can enjoy each other's company and take part in the various regular and seasonal activities on offer. Coffee...]]> Fri, 08 Jan 2016 11:52:44 +0100 "It is now time to turn towards Schiedam. Along the way you can see the new harbours and Mammoet shipyards. Continue on past the harbours of the Nieuwe Waterweg, leaving the cityscape to enjoy the beautiful rural surroundings of Delfland. Past Maasluis you will follow the Nieuwe Waterweg to Hoek van Holland (Hook of Holland). One highlight along the route will be the Maeslandkering, one of the great storm surge barriers that protect the Dutch from the water."...]]> Fri, 08 Jan 2016 11:49:06 +0100 " Take walks, cycle or canoe in De Biesbosch National Park. See uncommon birds such as sea eagles and kingfishers, and maybe even discover a beaver dam. Take a trip on a silent electric boat and learn all there is to know about this nature reserve from the guides.De Biesbosch National Park offers excellent opportunities for wonderful walks through polders with historic names like 'Doolhof' (Maze) and 'Pannekoek' (Pancake). Around the edges of this reserve, you can cycle across old dykes, past rivers and villages. You can do so on your own initiative, or sign up for excursions organised throughout the...]]> Fri, 08 Jan 2016 10:45:49 +0100 "Splashtours offers a city tour of Rotterdam unlike any other. A tour in the unique amphibian bus is an unforgettable experience for young and old alike! The Splashtours tour of the city will take you to the most exceptional and beautiful places in Rotterdam, followed by the “splash”: a spectacular dive into the Maas River. Suddenly the bus turns into a seaworthy vessel, sailing down the river with spectacular views of the city skyline! The Splashtours Rotterdam city tour lasts about 60 minutes."CLICK HERE TO READ MORE "  ...]]> Fri, 08 Jan 2016 10:41:42 +0100 Dutch people aged over sixteen years are most fortunate in the European Union (EU). More than 80 percent report that they always or almost always felt happy over the last four weeks.
This comes from a study published Monday by the CBS and the European statistics agency Eurostat.

The Dutch are the most satisfied with their personal relationships, their homes, the environment and how their time is spent. However, they have the least satisfaction about their financial situation. The Finns and the Irish also scored highly in the survey. On average, one in six people in the EU are almost...]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2016 15:48:57 +0100 "In the Maritime Museum Rotterdam discover the enormous influence of the maritime world in our daily lives. Go on a journey through our maritime past and present in contemporary exhibitions for large and small adventurers. Listen to stories, admire masterpieces from our premier collection or join one of the many activities. The museum is in the oldest and largest museum port in the Netherlands where you're at historic ships and cranes will experience how the international port of Rotterdam began at this spot."CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...]]> Thu, 07 Jan 2016 14:44:31 +0100 "The Netherlands Photo Museum is a museum in the Netherlands primarily focused on photography. The museum collection consists of many historical, social and cultural images from the 20th and 21st century, from the Netherlands and elsewhere" CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...]]> Thu, 07 Jan 2016 14:40:00 +0100 "Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen is one of the oldest museums in the Netherlands. In 1849 the lawyer Boijmans left his art collection to the city of Rotterdam. With the acquisition of the Van Beuningen collection in 1958 the museum got the second part of its name. The museum houses a unique collection of paintings, sculptures and everyday objects. The collection of prints and drawings is one of the best in the world. The museum also organises a diverse programme of spectacular temporary exhibitions throughout the year."...]]> Thu, 07 Jan 2016 14:37:16 +0100
"Traditional Japanese cuisine is all about preparation. It is time-consuming and has to be perfect. We kindly ask our dear guests to make a reservation at least 24 hours prior. Our concept is to introduce 'pure & authentic' high quality Japanese cuisine. We change our menu for the fresh and seasonal ingredients."...]]> Thu, 07 Jan 2016 13:50:51 +0100 "The name Deli Deli Square Delistraat refers to a former sultanate in northern Sumatra in Indonesia. But that's history, colonial history. Deli is now faced with delicacies or delicieus, because it is not the sultan that reigns, but the chef, the cook in his kitchen. In Kwiezien that Remco Ramp. Among the growing number of cafes and restaurants on the Cape, he is a pioneer. He took the first step on his own and started a new sultanate.
Well, Remco Disaster Kwiezien did so together with Karin Muires when they opened this small but fine restaurant in 2008. This was...]]> Thu, 07 Jan 2016 13:29:08 +0100 With every job, there comes a certain level of responsibility. These responsibilities dictate what you have to do during your working hours, and what your main duties are. However, you have finished your basic tasks. You're still in office hours, though you have already finished your workload. What now? Do you continue working?

This will present two scenarios to you, showing the potential benefits of working above and beyond the minimum of what is reaquired of you.

The first scenario is finishing your work before it is done, and you're still within work hours. This presents a perfect opportunity to...]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2016 13:58:56 +0100 "Sea salt seafood restaurant - housed in the Shipping Quarter in Rotterdam - exists 16 years. Patron Cuisinier Patrick 't Hart after his start at Restaurant Angel Herman den Blijker and the famous performance to achieve grown a Michelin star within it four years in the former Angel Group to set Restaurant Sea Salt (July 8, 1998) . Later he was as 'Patron' continued this restaurant. He understands the art in a very careful and honest way to deal with ingredients and cook with their own style to make it spoiled the customers there for a decent price .." CLICK...]]> Thu, 07 Jan 2016 13:09:44 +0100 "Club Vibes with most Rotterdam known as a dance floor where you can shake your booty with fine maarrr since 2013 for live performances you can also contact Vibes.
A huge variety of programming as the Rotterdam based band! Keep checking the site or Facebook regularly for programming and come mainly just look and listen."CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE...]]> Thu, 07 Jan 2016 11:43:38 +0100 "The place to meet for drinks and a bite to eat. All day every day! HUGH is a cocktail club situated in the Hilton Hotel in Rotterdam's city-center, and is the perfect place to meet, eat, drink and socialize. The standout characteristics of our interior design are a reflection of the city and its port. It will grab you from the moment you enter. Exclusively on Fridays and Saturdays we present you HotelClub HUGH, international clubbing like you only can in other big cities like New York, Paris, London and Berlin!" CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE...]]> Thu, 07 Jan 2016 11:31:53 +0100 "Club Vie is currently the hotspot of the Netherlands. In recent years, Club Vie has become a trendsetter in the field of ultimate club nights. The unique location is filled inside with a stylish and intimate interior. A matchless sound system ensures that our national and international acts can Performen optimally. In February of 2013, when the club was more than 6.5 years (opening September 2006) completely renovated. Club Vie has two halls. In the main room is run mainly house or eclectic. And in the lower hall will hop & R & B predominate". CLICK HERE TO READ MORE 
...]]> Thu, 07 Jan 2016 11:23:07 +0100 The term 'groupthink' tends to have a negative connotation. Team Thinking, however, is something positive. Leadership Expert Kevin Eikenberry explains the difference between group thinking and team thinking and shows how to avoid groupthink.

Groupthink

The concept of groupthink was introduced in the 70s in a book by Yale professor Irving Janis. Wikipedia gives the following definition: "Groupthink is a psychosocial phenomenon, in which a group of very skilled people so influenced by group, the quality diminishes group acts It occurs when group members pay attention primarily on maintaining consensus and unanimity when. decision-making process instead of a critical consideration...]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2016 15:44:17 +0100 The government does not intend to restrict the encryption of data, for example by requiring backdoors in software.
This comes from a statement from Minister Van der Steur (Justice and Security) to parliament.

The Minister pointed out that data encryption is important for the protection of personal data and confidential information. At the same time, encryption complicates the work of the intelligence services, because it also offers criminals the ability to encrypt their communications and their data.

However, according to the minister, there are no possibilities to limit the encryption of data without thereby compromised the security of digital systems....]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2016 15:42:09 +0100 Research and consultancy firm Universum took part in a worldwide research drive to examine the involvement and work happiness of staff. This has been an ongoing effort since 2012 to attempt to measure the precise happiness of employees in major countries. The survey covered more than 250 thousand employees in 55 different countries. These results are then used to calculated the Universal Global Workforce Happiness Index.

This index is based on:

Employee in the current job,
Likelihood that the current employer is recommended to others, and
How loyal employees feel about their current job / employer.

From here, an average...]]> Tue, 05 Jan 2016 11:34:32 +0100 Today, most of industrialized countries connect their hopes for a long-term sustainable economic growth with the transition to an innovative path of development. A great choice of different practices and instruments are offered to companies that can manage the innovation processes. However, we should not forget that so many external and internal factors are defining and shaping the same practices. Therefore, an important task of innovation management is placed in the hands of leaders where they have to select the best ways to use new technologies most efficiently in accordance with specific economic conditions and company resources. Currently, an increasing...]]> Tue, 05 Jan 2016 11:13:31 +0100 As everything, technology has its two sides of good and bad. Without a doubt, the technological revolution and development has boosted the work efficiency and productivity on a great scale. We already found water on Mars, while two decades ago the computer was still a new-born invention.
However, that rapid development had also lead to a great number of problems, coming mainly from the way we cope with this fast changing environment. One of the effects of the negative influence of technology in modern times is the increase of work related stress levels, directly impacting the work-life balance. Statistics show...]]> Tue, 05 Jan 2016 10:59:38 +0100
There is many ways which an employer can entice their employees. In modern day employment employers usually offer:
• Cash bonuses.
• Gift cards.
• Pay schemes.
• Pay rises.
• Promotion.
• Recognizing achievement.

When taking into consideration the types of rewards in regards to boosting employee morale, it would come down to internal and external factors to entice employees.

Bonuses/Pay rise – Most employees tend to appreciate bonuses or pay rise in regards to their performances. As an outcome it genuinely proves that employees continue with their hard work and dedication to show appreciation for their bonus and...]]> Tue, 05 Jan 2016 10:53:20 +0100 The sale of used cars grew by 2 percent in The Netherlands, last year.
Especially car companies sold more used cars, sales between consumers decreased, reports voertuiginformatie en -documentatie (Vehicle information and documentation, VWE).

Dealerships sold nearly 1.1 million used cars to consumers in 2015. There were 5 percent more than the year before. Sales from consumers increased by 2 percent, to 667 104.

All the major brands were more popular than in 2014. Skoda recorded an increase in revenue of 19.5 percent, the strongest growth.

Volkswagen remained the most popular brand in the used car market, with 114 468...]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2016 15:34:29 +0100 Getting the best performance out of your employees is an ever important step in maintaining your business and your workplace. Managing the performance of your workforce is a way to do this. By observing how your workforce has performed over the year, you can give advice to your employees on how to not only improve their efficiency, but also to give your employees a better idea of the organisational goals you have set for your company.

Ultimately, analysing performance allows you to show how they have worked towards achieving these goals, and what they can do to improve their output...]]> Tue, 05 Jan 2016 10:36:14 +0100 Mergers and Acquisitions are a financial reality in the corporate world. However, it is an often quoted statistic that roughly half of all M&A ventures fail. Given that risk, why do so many mergers happen?

Ultimately, there are two major reasons which act as primary motivators for companies to make an acquisitions. The first is to fulfill a strategic gap in the company. This gap is often found in the company product or its human resources. M&A tend to happen between companies which have a natural synergy between eachother. In combining their complementary strengths and weaknesses, they can lower costs...]]> Tue, 05 Jan 2016 10:23:32 +0100 An interview with Corien Taatgen, Senior Consultant at Randstad Multilingual Recruitment

As we recover from the holidays and settle back down into our routines, whether it be sitting at the office or searching for a job from the comfort of our own homes, we might begin to wonder what the new year has in store for us. A new job? Developmental opportunities in our current position? Corien Taatgen, Senior Consultant at Randstad Multilingual Recruitment, offers some interesting insights into the current and future state of recruitment in the Netherlands. Based on these insights, we’ve compiled a list of four trends...]]> Tue, 05 Jan 2016 10:17:33 +0100 "EXPERIENCE A BRILLIANT EVENING ON THE CANALS. During the WATER COLORS CRUISE you'll set sail for a front-row view of the beautifully illuminated city in one of our glass-topped barges. During this cruise you can admire spectacular views on the lighted city and pieces of light art which are made by international artists. The Water Colors Cruise sails along the Amstel River and the canals where public and cultural institutions are lighted in a special or artistic way. You'll be warmly welcomed on our mooring where there’s a bar that serves steaming Glühwein (mulled wine) and Hot Chocolate." Click here...]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2016 14:16:36 +0100 "Established in 1989 in Amstelveen, the Japan Women’s Club (JWC) is a non-profit organisation whose founding members were women of the Japanese business community in the Netherlands. Their intention was to create a club that would help to introduce its members to the culture of their new surroundings and, with various activities, help to establish contact with the local people. The club’s activities include various charity activities, a craft club and Japanese conversation meetings, which are open to Dutch Japanese students and others wanting to improve their Japanese." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2016 13:54:06 +0100 Warning: the advice you will find here are based on real people and personal experiences. They will share with you small wisdoms and lessons they’ve learned that changed their view and perspectives on how one should build their career. The aim is to tell you a personal story from which everybody can draw conclusions for himself. You won’t find a step-by-step tutorial on how to build a perfect career, but you can find hopefully some very welcomed inspirations.

“After doing a study in a specific field you naturally start looking for a job that is the mostly expected from somebody...]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2016 13:56:06 +0100 Imagine this scenario: you've been working in a company for two years. You've managed to keep yourself afloat, while also helping the company out. You see yourself going above and beyond the boundaries of your responsibilities. Perhaps it's time that your good behaviour is rewarded, or so you think.

Perhaps there are other incentives for wanting a raise as well: your situation at home has changed, you're looking to earn greater savings. Regardless of this, the strategy is still the same. You'll need to ask for a raise.

However, you can't expect management to notice your hard work, and expct...]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2016 13:47:09 +0100 "This social organisation puts on various events to encourage friendships and social events for Singaporeans in the Netherlands and aims to serve as a main contact point for all Singaporeans living in the Netherlands as well as those interested in learning more about Singapore and its culture"Click here to read more...]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2016 13:41:19 +0100   Are you South African? Interested in the South African culture? Or want do you want to learn more about South Africa? This club is purely based on the South African culture, organising social events for its members, South African Club braais cheese & wine evenings, pub nights, events surrounding the Rugby World Cups, events surrounding visiting SA cricket teams, boat trips and camping weekends. FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE...]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2016 13:01:11 +0100   "MEETin is a global social club for mainly twenty- and thirtysomethings with the aim to provide a relaxed social environment. They offer a range of activities, from after-work drinks through hiking and cycling trips to opera outings." CLICK TO READ MORE...]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2016 12:41:09 +0100 "A social club for Amsterdam expats, hosting regular social events such as dinners, drinks and karaoke nights with a goal of meeting people and making friends. While the group is primarily focused on expats, native Dutch are also encouraged to join." CLICK HERE TO READ ...]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2016 12:38:03 +0100 "Founded in 1927, the AWCA has a long history of helping American women and other international women with close ties to the US to embrace life in the Netherlands. It does so by creating opportunities for community involvement and philanthropy, offering cultural, educational and family activities as well as networking opportunities with other professionals. In doing so, they help to build lifelong friendships." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE "On a more practical side, you’ll be provided with useful information and resources to help you acclimate to life in Amsterdam. We hold area walkabouts, introducing you to a particular part of the...]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2016 11:23:36 +0100 Supplying demand for top notch beats. In Spring 2016, DGTL Festival will return to Amsterdam's Wharf to bring the capital one of the best electronica music for underground festival. The performers will include, the likes of Four Tet, Jamie Jones, Dixon, Âme, Mano le Tough, Ten Walls, Kölsch, David August, Pantha Du Prince, Boddika, DJ Koze and John Talabot & Job Jobse. Click here to see more...]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2016 11:06:39 +0100 From the initial 10 days off that was aspired by Belgium, Amsterdam 's 5 days off is a music festival which consists of electronic music, art and media art. "The 5 Days Off festival storms into Amsterdam to present an entrancing cross section of the latest in electronic music, art and film every March at the best live music venues in town." Click here to read more ...]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2016 10:56:27 +0100 Dirty Dutch Amsterdam "In 2015, local and international names joined Dutch house legend Chuckie on stage as he took on a mammoth 9-hour stint behind the decks. Expect a host of big names to join the electronic chaos in 2016." Click here for futher information  ...]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2016 10:47:43 +0100 Confidence in the Dutch pension and health care system has been badly dented by seniors. This came from a statement made by the elderly union ANBO, after a survey among 1,200 elderly.
Over 70 percent of respondents advised young people to save for their own healthcare services. Similarly, more than 40 percent agreed that young people need to build up their own retirement fund rather than through an employer or the pension fund.

“The respondents are aware of the fact that they have to regulate themselves more and more. They seem to want to advise young people thus: “take matters...]]> Fri, 01 Jan 2016 17:28:44 +0100 Unethical behaviour in the workplace costs millions every year. Theft, fraud, and corruption are the main sources of unethical workplace behaviour, and therefore it is logical to want to avoid it happening as much as possible. How do you ensure that your employees do not run off with the organisation of the money?

If they are visible, people behave better

When employees behave immorally, it not only costs money. If fraud or embezzlement commonly occur, it can lead to a lack of confidence and negative social norms within the company. This can create a snowball effect whereby unethical behaviour worsens....]]> Sat, 26 Dec 2015 17:57:39 +0100 The boundaries of what the European Central Bank (ECB) can achieve with its loose monetary policy, could well be in sight.
Previously chief economist Willem Buiter of US bank Citigroup warned of this eventuality.

The ECB tries, with extremely low interest rates and with tens of billions of debt each month, to boost the eurozone by indicating slow economic growth and low inflation. The sharp fall in prices of oil and other commodity price levels, however, remain under pressure.

ECB President Mario Draghi said earlier last month that the central bank would take further measures to increase inflation to the...]]> Fri, 01 Jan 2016 17:28:01 +0100 Through the Ondernemingsraad (work councils, OR) employees have more influence on their pension scheme. The OR management will be entitled to disagree or agree with a change of a pension plan.

As it stands now, the OR of a company pension fund can only consent if the employer intends to establish a pension plan or withdraw, but not if the employer wishes to change the pension scheme. Secretary Klijnsma has sent a bill to the House of Representatives on this subject.

Secretary Klijnsma: 'Employers and employees are jointly responsible for the content of the conditions of employment retirement. It is,...]]> Sat, 26 Dec 2015 18:49:51 +0100 A number of new laws will come into effect on January 1, 2016. The following laws are those which will be relevant for human resources.

Wet flexibel werken (Flexible work law, WFW)

This new law will replace the Wet aanpassing arbeidsduur (Working Hours Amendment Act, WAA). The law should give employees more flexible working opportunities for teleworking and to work at more favourable times. Employees can submit a request to adjust their working hours to suit their work, such as working at home. In addition, employees can request to modify their contractual working hours.

Wet aanpak schijnconstructies (Law on approaching...]]> Sat, 26 Dec 2015 18:37:34 +0100 The average purchasing power is expected to increase by 1.8 percent in 2016. That's 0.4 percent more than the predicted amount by the Budget Memorandum. Next year, more than 90 percent will be better off financially.

The average purchasing power is increasing in 2016 by 1.8 percent. That's 0.4 percent more than was predicted on Budget Day. Next year most people, more than 90 percent, are financially better off.

This means that next year, a househol will have 8 hundred euros more, on average. Employees receive an average of almost 1,200 euros more next year. Their purchasing power rose by...]]> Sat, 26 Dec 2015 18:17:26 +0100 The next generation that will enter the labour market is ready. This is the so-called 'Generation Z'. This group includes those aged between 0 and 20 years. In The Netherlands, this includes more than 3.8 million people. Of these, more than 800 thousand by October 2015 between 16 and 20 years old have begun within the market.

Generation Features

This is the first generation that has immediately faced from birth to the Internet, wifi and smartphones. The first generation that is always online and regulates everything online. These are digital natives. What continues to make this generation stand out is...]]> Sat, 26 Dec 2015 17:52:44 +0100 Asylum seekers with a residence permit are facing difficulty in finding employment.
That is one of the main conclusions appeared in a recent publication of the Sociaal Cultureel Planbureau (Social and Cultural Planning Office, SCP) and the Wetenschappelijke Raad voor het Regeringsbeleid (Scientific Council for Government Policy, WRR).

Only a quarter of the immigrants with a residence permit in paid employment for more than eight hours per week after spending two years in The Netherlands. This reduces to about half, after five years.

Many permit holders have an unfavourable labour market position and they run behind other groups in society very...]]> Sat, 26 Dec 2015 17:46:11 +0100 Lately, many have come to the assumption that their has been a decrease in the number of jobs available due to increased automation and robotics. According to McKinsey, however, these jobs do not disappear. Rather, functions and tasks of jobs are now functioning differently.

The McKinsey consultants Michael Chui, James Manyika, and Mehdi Miremadi have argued that robotics and artificial intelligence are omnipresent. For example, if you take a plane from an airport, the commercial pilot flies an average of seven minutes. The rest of the time the aircraft is managed by the autopilot.

Will robotics lead to an increase...]]> Sun, 20 Dec 2015 18:18:46 +0100 The Dutch economy grew by 0.1 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) in the third quarter of 2015.
This was reported by the Central Bureau of Statistics after checking its own findings with a second calculation last Friday.

The growth rate has not changed compared to the previous estimate. The picture of the economy remains the same. Exports, investment, and consumption are still expected to make a positive contribution.

Growth

It is the sixth consecutive quarter that the economy grows. In previous quarters, growth seemed to be growing slightly. However, over the last two quarters, the growth rate has...]]> Sat, 26 Dec 2015 17:33:03 +0100 HRM must, once again, start seeing human needs as a starting point for developing their strategies. It is essential to create a culture of respect and trust, says Professor Dirk van Dierendonck of Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University.

"By creating such a culture, people are less afraid and take away feelings of stress within an organisation. Workers are willing to take more risks, be innovative, to share information and feel recognised. Then people start to come into their own," says the professor. He explains that organisations can generate trust and respect in many different ways. "Some organisations, for example, change...]]> Sun, 20 Dec 2015 18:01:52 +0100 Do you want employees that are more motivated and more involved? A simple way to do this is to give them more autonomy.

This means that your employees will be given more space to make their own decisions, to think for themselves about the design of their own function. Employees must think and act as independenst, says consultant David Lee. He cites a study made by Daniel Pink in his book 'Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Really Motivates Us'.

More autonomy = Faster growth + Higher retention

In this study, conducted by Cornell University, half of the 320 companies...]]> Wed, 23 Dec 2015 22:17:55 +0100 Slowly but surely, The Netherlands is experiencing a shift in the right direction, when low income earners are involved. Their number is no longer increasing and it appears that their may even be a small decline.
This was predict by the Centraal Planbureau (Central Planning Bureau, CPB) using statistics from the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (Central Bureau for Statistics, CBS).

How low income is defined, depends on the circumstances. For a single person, this is an income to 1,020 euros net per month. For a couple with three children, the maximum 2,100 euros net. They have, according to the...]]> Sun, 20 Dec 2015 17:20:10 +0100 New research from Bain & Company, in cooperation with the Economist Intelligence Unit, highlighted the importance of inspiration for employees. Inspired employees are more than two times as productive as just satisfied employees.

The needs of employees can be displayed according to Maslow's pyramid. First, certain basic needs such as safe working conditions and the availability of the appropriate tools, need to be fulfilled. This produces satisfied employees. Then comes the need for autonomy and taking part of a fun and effective team. This provides a situation to involve your employees to a higher degree.

Employees who, thorugh this, can...]]> Sun, 20 Dec 2015 18:12:23 +0100 "Restaurant ADAM in Amsterdam guarantees a unique experience. You can enjoy the traditional menu with three courses, but this can be expanded to a whopping six courses!
A visit to ADAM is always a surprise, because the menu changes every three weeks. The serving staff of Adam gives you without doubt an unforgettable culinary experience. Huge asset to the neighborhood. Very refreshing, cosy and personal small French restaurant. Attentive service, knowledgeable. Sympathetic expert chefs. Delicious eaten! Come back."See More  ...]]> Mon, 21 Dec 2015 11:44:15 +0100   "Omelegg's main focus is eggs, specifically omelets. This charming restaurant with a countryside vibe creates a variety of delicious, sometimes creative omelet combinations, everything from slightly sweet to hearty. Do not forget to complement your choice with a warm cup of Catunambu coffee or fresh juice. Stop by with friends and family for brunch, or relax at the large reading table in the back with a good book. Perhaps you want to catch up on emails while you eat; the restaurant also offers free Wi-Fi. Surrounded by green plants and natural wood elements, you will feel right at home. While...]]> Mon, 21 Dec 2015 11:38:20 +0100 Vinkeles in Amsterdam is a upscale modern French cuisine which was once a bakery in the 1700s. Awarded a One Michelin star, 17.5 Gault Milau points, 38 coverts, french style menu with comtemporary twist and many other excluse features. The restaurant has an authentic 18th century bakery setting, exclusive chef's table available. Courses are mainly expensive because of the quality and brand from Vinkeles, per person a 5- meal course would genuinly start from around 90 EUROS. Restaurant Vinkeles is a destination unto itself. Awarded a Michelin star in November 2009, the delicate French cuisine offers an excellent mixture between...]]> Mon, 21 Dec 2015 11:23:29 +0100 Secretary Klijnsma wants to apply the rules surrounding the supplementary duty of employers in the transfer of pensions. They announced a broad review of the system of the individual value assignment.

People who change jobs after January 1, 2015 or change their employment after that, can have the pension they have accumulated transfer from their old pension administrator towards the pension administrator of the new boss. They can also increase the value of their pension transfer that is made up by other employers.

This value transfers can now lead to substantial co-payments required by employers. This is due to the...]]> Sun, 20 Dec 2015 16:35:16 +0100 Retailers expect record salesthis Christmas period. Detailhandel Nederland (Retail Netherlands) has estimated that consumers have spent 815 million euros on Christmas shopping.
Last year, the Christmas trade went from an additional revenue of 800 million euros. It came to a sum comparable to the previous year.

The recovery of the economy continues and that is also noticeable in the shopping, retailers say. The consumer has voted on average more positively about retail and industry, and also show an increased willingness to buy.

This includes money spent on gifts, the Christmas dinner, and new outfits that are purchased specially for Christmas....]]> Sun, 20 Dec 2015 05:18:50 +0100 Retailers are very optimistic about 2016, according to research by the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (Central Bureau of Statistics, CBS). Especially supermarket and department store operators expect their sales to be increasing over the next year: more than 60 percent foresee an increase in sales. Consumers believe that more than 40 percent of the retailers it will increase the number of sales made.

Retailers are a thing of the most optimistic entrepreneurs, says the CBS. On average, about 37 percent of retailers believe there will be higher sales next year.

Lately things are picking up within the retail industry....]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:45:18 +0100 It's that time of the year again, when the HR departments across The Netherlands are setting up some of their biggest corporate events of the year. Though a lot of time and budget is invested in them, why should you bother? What is their importance?

Corporate events generally revolve around holidays in the country. Often December is a busy time for this, considering Christmas, Sinterklaas, and New years are all celebrated this month. In essence, the goal of the corporate events is very much in the spirit of the Holidays; bringing all the members of the various departments together and...]]> Fri, 18 Dec 2015 16:08:13 +0100 In November, more businesses have started compared to over a year earlier, mainly in business services. More entrepreneurs have also stopped, while the total number of bankruptcies have declined.

This comes from figures published by the Chamber of Commerce.

Last month, more than fourteen thousand start-ups were begun, 4 percent more than in October last year. In 60 percent of cases, they were self-employed, while Small-to-medium entreprenuers grew to nearly sixteen establishments.

However, this was not the case for places such as Groningen and Overijssel, at odds with the national trend. These two places saw a decrease in the number of...]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:40:17 +0100

New income requirements for residence as a highly skilled migrant

The new income requirements for highly skilled migrants and holders of a European Blue Card have been announced. As of 1 January 2016, the following amounts apply for these purposes of stay.


Type of highly skilled migrant and Amount per month, excl. holiday allowance as of 1-1-2016

Highly skilled migrant older than 30 years:€ 4.240

Highly skilled migrant younger than 30 years :€3.108

Highly skilled migrant subsequent to graduation or after job-seeking year for graduates/highly educated persons: €2.228

Holder European Blue Card: €4.968


Income requirements for other purposes of stay
The income requirements for admission...]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2015 16:36:44 +0100 BlinQ is well located in Amsterdam’s vibrant area of Leidseplein, being a restaurant during the day and incredibly transforming into a night club after 11pm. Have a delicious meal before 11pm then after 11pm you can hit the dance floor, DJ’s playing the latest hits.Click Here To See More On BlinQ ...]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2015 13:15:52 +0100 Chicago Social Club – Chicago Social Club is located in the centre
of Amsterdam. With music playing most of the night and drinks being
served till 4am. Most of the music played is eclectic and appealing to
most of their visitors. Click Here To Find Out More About Chicago Social Club.
...]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2015 12:34:45 +0100 Rijksmuseum is The Netherlands most visited museum attracting an amazing 2.2 million visitors every year. Located in the Museum square in the borough Amsterdam South. Founded in The Hague in the year 1800 it was then later moved to the nation’s capital, Amsterdam in 1808. In April 2013 the museum went through a makeover with cost a total of €345 million which was later reopened by Queen Beatrix.
The Museum has a collection of 8,000 objects on display, having a total collection of 1 million objects from 1200 to 2000. Click Here To See More Of Rijksmuseum
...]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2015 12:01:57 +0100 Van Gogh Museum contains the collection of the world famous artist Vincent Van Gogh, this includes his famous paintings and drawings. The Museum has more than 500 drawings, 200 canvases and 750 written documents. The museum has been in existence since 1973, located at the Museum Square in the borough Amsterdam South. The Museum attracts an average of 1.4 million visitors every single year making it the 35th most visited art museum in the world.  Read more on The Gogh Museum...]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2015 11:27:05 +0100   “A horror attraction about the dark side of the Amsterdam history shown through the scenes on different subjects with live acting, costumes and light effects. This attraction has something of the classic Disney’s pirate ride, but it located in a former church, built on the spot ofthe famous Amsterdam Miracle in 1345”. Amsterdam Info (2015)
See more...]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2015 10:55:52 +0100 The government wants to the NGO Sociaal Economische Raad (Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands, SER) to include advice on the flexible deployment of people within organisations this coming year. In addition, it is important for the government to know what gives this flexibility and the consequences this may carry with them.

The government not only wants to submit a request for advice on flexibility but also on practical learning in secondary vocational education, social enterprises, and people from the labour market, in terms of the effects of regulations on the scale and growth of businesses.

The Cabinet has...]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:28:51 +0100 The US rating agency S&P holds a positive outlook on the prospects of a number of Dutch banks. The outlook for ABN Amro and Rabobank were increased from negative to stable. The outlook for the rating of SNS was raised from negative to positive.

The ratings have not been changed by S&P. ABN Amro still holds A, A + rating, while Rabobank and SNS Bank hold a BBB rating.

Both the outlook and ratings of ING and Kas Bank have not been adjusted.

Across Europe, S&P have kept a close eye on 45 banks in thirteen countries. Two ratings were...]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:35:07 +0100 About 66 thousand youths are not in employment, while also not in education. These young people are not even on the radar of the municipalities and the UWV for counseling. The government wants these invisible youths to either continue education, or to enter employment. Municipalities must therefore work alongside the young people, schools, UWV and employers to work around this problem.

This notes Asscher, Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, on the behalf of Bussemakerhuis, the Minister of Education, Culture and Science in a letter to parliament.
Asscher: "We must ensure that these young people remain involved in our society,...]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 15:41:20 +0100 Here are a couple of strategies you could employ while doing job searches which increasing the possibilities that you get hired ahead of any other applicant. Networking
Stay tuned in the companies you are interested in and be the one who would be invited for unposted activities. Networking is a added value of your quality that increase your chance of being hired and also bring more potential values from aspects you may not expected. Therefore, there needs to be a habit of networking. Join a “meet-up” (app) team would be a good start for developing more employment opportunities. Sometimes you...]]> Mon, 14 Dec 2015 16:38:02 +0100 Giving teachers in the Randstad the opportunity to earn more salary during leave has not helped reduced the number of teachers leaving the education sector. It was thought that a pay rise was needed to prevent teachers from leaving education. However, it has not changed in the numbers of teachers who have left, the Centraal Planbureau (Central Planning Bureau, CPB) concludes in a report. Each year, seven percent of teachers take jobs outside of the education sector. In metropolitan areas the percentage is as high as elsewhere. That was also the case for the adjustment of salaries.

The only change is that teachers from...]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:18:41 +0100 Refugees with a residence permit should join our society as soon as possible. Learning the Dutch language and values, and finding employment are crucial. Therefore, refugees may stay here earlier and receive more language courses. They are also screened directly to get a picture of their qualifications, work experience and language skills. A participation certificate is a compulsory part of the integration. Minister Asscher of Social Affairs and Employment writes in a letter to the Lower House on the integration and participation of refugees. The letter is an elaboration of the administrative agreement that the government signed with the municipalities...]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:06:55 +0100 The Dutch economy is becoming greener. Businesses have more opportunities to make money with sustainability. Moreover, the employment in the environment sector is rising faster than the overall economy. Within Europe, it remains true that The Netherlands is in the lower half of the rankings. This is because the other European countries are also advancing.

Compared to other countries we emit much nitrogen. This is mainly because of the intensive agricultural industry. Moreover, most energy still comes from fossil fuels: oil, coal and gas, reported the Central Bureau of Statistics.

In other areas, it goes well. The Dutch produce the...]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 15:28:26 +0100 Since the economic crisis, companies are paying less tax and individual taxpayers are footing the rest of the bill. This was reported by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) based on its own research.

According to the think tank, the average tax payments made by companies have decreased between 2007 and 2014 from 3.6 percent to 2.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). On the other hand, the proceeds from income taxes from citizens have increased from 8.8 to 8.9 percent, and VAT revenues increased from 6.5 to 6.8 percent.

''Companies continue to find ways to pay less, while...]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 15:57:58 +0100 The Internet plays an increasingly important role in finding a job. According to research by 'Intelligence Group', 53 percent of job seekers orient through job boards (where LinkedIn is also grouped) and social media as being a major source for job searching orientation. In the United States, this is no different. According to recent research by the Pew Research Center, 54 percent of job seekers use the Internet in finding a job. Almost half (45 percent) also applied online. Youngsters massively use their mobile phones to orient themselves in the labour market and to apply.

Smartphones

Of all Americans who...]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 15:51:33 +0100 The House has rejected the European deposit guarantee scheme as presented down by the European Commission. A proposal by the VVD and SP calls for the Dutch government to speak out in Brussels against the proposal was supported by the CDA, PVV, Christian Union, and SGP, the PvdD, and 50Plus. The parties envision a European deposit guarantee scheme as the cornerstone of the banking union. Until all its parts are completely finished, they reject the Commission proposal.

Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem (Minstry of Finance) said earlier this week in the House that such a guarantee scheme are, to him, handy if...]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 15:48:26 +0100 Unemployment in France has risen further. The third quarter saw an average 10.6 percent of the French workforce without a job, compared with 10.4 percent in the previous three months. This is evident from figures published december 3, by the statistics office Insee.

Unemployment increased in all age groups, but most strongly among young people. Within the agerange of 15-24 year-olds, almost a quarter are unemployed at home. There are a quarter more people who work fewer hours than they would like. That was true for 6.7 percent of the workforce.

There has not been such a big part of...]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 15:35:47 +0100 With the winter holidays right around the corner, the staff planning for Small-to-medium entrepreneurs is quite stretched. This is particularly true in the hospitality and retail businesses, where extra hands could be used because of the season. However, they are not always aware of the risks that hiring extra personnel can entail.

Unexpected risks of hiring additional staff are:

Employees make too many hours: Working regulations dictate the maximum working hours and minimum rest periods for employees. For example, an employee may only work forty Sundays per year, unless more Sundays are laid down in a collective scheme and at...]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:22:46 +0100 In our busy world, it is sometimes challenging to combine work with private and social life, while not getting stressed. The trick is in knowing and following a time balance. Here are some time-management tips which will hopefully help you to not lose your nerves and to stay efficient and happy within and outside your work.  Do a time audit of your regular week
Spend one week looking where and how you spend your time. Using these results, consider how you may redistribute your time to have enough for the activities you really value. Also notice what you are wasting your...]]> Mon, 07 Dec 2015 10:04:08 +0100 Minister Lodewijk Asscher (Social Affairs and Employment) aims to work with employers and employees to agree on more concrete measures to tackle the issue of long-term unemployment in older people, to increase the chance that they can get to work.

Although unemployment has decreased, Asscher believes the the age bracket around the fifties are well behind the national average. He believes that there is a necessity to include a larger number of networking events, job training, and training vouchers.

Asscher believes it is also crucial to change what is thought about older people in the labour market. He wants it...]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 12:49:31 +0100 The implementation of the participation Act has been adjusted in certain parts. State Secretary Jetta Klijnsma of Social Affairs and Employment reached an agreement with the Association of Dutch Municipalities, social partners, and the UWV.

Former students who come from secondary special education without review by the UWV are to be admitted directly to the target group for new jobs that will become available for people with an occupational disability. There will also be a simpler design of salary valuation in the workplace, especially where employers and municipalities have urged. These measures make it easier for people who do not...]]> Fri, 04 Dec 2015 19:54:07 +0100 Flexible working hours are the main benefit for Dutch employees, according to the research firm Intelligence Group. The 6800 respondents were divided into five categories: male, female, employed, student and unemployed. Those in the categories women and students found that flexible working hours were a key precondition of employment, while men were more interested in pension schemes, and the unemployed more interested in travel allowances.

"Men go for money, women for flexible working hours and reconciling work and private life," the researchers said. The over all results show a marked drop in the importance of travel allowances and pension scheme...]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2015 20:44:43 +0100 As an MBA graduate, you would be highly valued by the job market worldwide. But have you checked all the details on your CV? The followings are the common mistakes that applicants may have.

Achievement driven CV
MBA students try so hard to stand out that their CV turns into the Superhero’s biography. A good recruiter will be able to acknowledge your outstanding performance if you are clear in the description of your previous responsibilities. You don’t need to highlight in every sentence how excellent, outstanding and superb you were, while performing them and that you were a winner of...]]> Thu, 03 Dec 2015 12:18:21 +0100 People like to think that they have a good intuition. However, when it comes to selecting employees, they do no better than a computer. Often, recruiters will select worse candidates than the predictions of algorithms, as a new study by the US National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) shows.

Primary and secondary graduates

The NBER relies on 300 thousand candidates adopted by fifteen companies. These candidates all work as lower and middle-skilled workers, such as being employed in data entry or call center work. NBER-investigators compared the time someone remained in service after this was adopted by a human being...]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2015 20:35:34 +0100 What legislative changes need to be considered in 2016? Here is an overview of a number of changes in employment in the pipeline for 2016.

Maximum duration of unemployment shortened

The maximum duration of entitlement to unemployment benefit is determined by the accumulated work history. Under the WWZ, the maximum duration of unemployment as of January 1, 2016 will gradually reduce from 38 to 24 months. During the first ten years of the current structure, the distribution will be maintained. This translates to one month of unemployment benefits per year of employment history. For subsequent years, every year under employment...]]> Wed, 02 Dec 2015 14:21:59 +0100 Around April 2016, it is expected that the Whistleblowers Act will come into force. All employers who have at least fifty persons, will be legally obliged to have an internal reporting scheme for whistleblowers.

In recent years, there have been many cases where whistleblowing leads to a great deal of publicity of the workers faced through the work of doing wrong in the eyes of the public interest. Often they were in trouble because they brought out the abuse made by companies. This prompted the House of Representatives to come to an agreement on a new act for whistleblowers, which...]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2015 20:30:03 +0100 The majority of employers and employees, around 60 percent, are not aware of the rules surrounding employment medical examinations. This is a medical examination which takes place at the end of a job application. This inspection is in fact granted only in exceptional cases.

Such an exceptional case, if the test is permitted, for example, occurs when a function has certain risks to the health or safety of employees and the environment. This is established in the Wet op de medische keuringen (Law on Medical Examinations, WMK)

Research undertaken by the Commissie Klachtenbehandeling Aanstellingskeuringen (Complaints Committee Appointment Examinations, CKA) has...]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2015 20:26:29 +0100 The performance evaluation system at HiiL Innovating Justice, the organisation I am a part of, has really grown up and developed from a child into a teenager, and at this moment it is turning into a conscious and smart adult. Initially, our performance evaluation system consisted of just a few questions to be asked and was more of a free style talk. The goal was to provide an opportunity to reflect on the demonstrated performance as well as evaluating achievements and identifying points of improvement and areas to keep on strengthening. All the employees were asked the same questions. However,...]]> Mon, 30 Nov 2015 11:04:44 +0100
For more information on the state of the Dutch job market, we asked Nick var der Dussen, commercial manager for Undutchables, who...]]> Tue, 01 Dec 2015 09:54:08 +0100 Reading the statistics on people with disabilities on the workplace will tell you, for example, that according to the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek there are 1.7 million disabled people working in the Netherlands for 2010, which is equivalent of 15 percent of the population, between the ages of 15 and 64, with numbers continuously growing. Furthermore, half of the people with disabilities are mainly engaged in part-time jobs and four out of ten work less than twelve hours a week and so on. Using such statistics may look normal for high institutions when creating and executing labor policies and...]]> Mon, 30 Nov 2015 11:19:35 +0100
You're probably doing an okay job, finding good candidates here and there, having nice interviews, filling some vacancies. But I know that in many cases and like in every other job, recruiters can make mistakes - often the following three. Mismanagement of time
I'm not only saying that, because I'm German. Time matters!
Not only recruiters experience it as unprofessional, when a candidate is late for a job interview. This also works the other way round. Respect your candidates - don't let them wait and stick to the agreed times. I know about a company, who lost great candidates because...]]> Mon, 30 Nov 2015 12:38:13 +0100 Why is it important that your employees are able to shape their own job? To answer this question let’s look at what does usually a good leader want from his or her employees.

If you are a good leader, first of all you want to have happy employees in your company who come to the job with a big smile on their faces and a lot of new ideas. You also want them to be responsible, passionate, well-performing, and critical-thinking. I am sure that there are 1 hundred more skills and abilities you would like your employees to have. However,...]]> Mon, 30 Nov 2015 12:20:36 +0100 In this day and age, businesses have to deal with an increasing amount of internal and external factors that evoke the need to continuously adapt to an ever-changing environment. There are new technologies being developed almost every day, and people are not restricted anymore to stay at one place for their whole life but can travel all over the world which gives new opportunities as well as challenges to businesses regarding their recruitment practices. Customer expectations are different now than they were some years ago, and fast growing start-ups face various problems in order to keep up with their competitors....]]> Mon, 30 Nov 2015 12:46:35 +0100 Being on probation means your supervisor or other company manager can easily evaluate your progress closely, while making sure you are using your skills as a newly hired worker efficiently. As well as this, probation periods are also used to determine appropriate assignments for new workers, and to monitor other aspects of the employee such as their honesty, reliability, and how they interact with both their peers and customers.

However, probabtion is not only for newly employed personnel. Some employers can place permanent employees on probation, particularly if their performance is seen as being below the company standards, or if...]]> Mon, 30 Nov 2015 12:41:55 +0100 A new report from ADP showed that job-hopping pays off, at least in the United States,. ADP has done research among US workers in relation to wage developments for the third quarter of 2015. For employees in the same job, working for the same employer as last year, wages rose 3.5 percent. For Employees who switched employers, their pay rise increased by 6.5 percent.

However, this largely depends on the sector in which employees work. In the education and health care sectors, employees changing jobs only saw a 0.4 percent increase in their salary. In construction, job hoppers went ahead...]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2015 19:59:58 +0100 Firstly, let’s understand what a motivation letter is!
A motivation letter is an important support to your CV which reflects your interests, motivation, self-confidence and awareness of the position which you are applying for. The main purpose of the motivation letter is to tell the employer why you are applying for this position, why you are the best candidate for the position, and to convince him/her to conduct an interview with you.
Thus, the professionally written motivation letter which is emphasising your advantages and hiding your disadvantages can be truly seen as the first important step in getting the job...]]> Sun, 29 Nov 2015 11:21:33 +0100 Professionals with a flexible form of employment are more positive about their work than colleagues employed on a strict work schedule. This has been suggested by Yacht, who researched this topic. Professionals who work on a flexible basis have the feeling that they are being challenged, and are positive about their networking opportunities. They also find that they can add more value to their field:

Among permanent staff, fifty eight percent think that it is sufficiently challenged in his work, among persioners this applies to sixty four percent. When asked if someone feels they can add value to their field,...]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2015 19:52:59 +0100 The World Economic Forum (WEF) publishes the Global Gender Gap Index. The Global Gender Gap Index provides insight into the disparity between men and women for more than ninety percent of the world population. The Netherlands rises this year from fourteenth to thirteenth place.

The inequality between men and women over the past ten years decreased by 4 percent. Women now earn about what men earned in 2006. If we continue at this slow pace the WEF is expecting the gap to close entirely in about 118 years. This means that by the year 2133, the disparity between men and...]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2015 19:48:56 +0100 The trade union Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging (Dutch Federation of Trade Unions, FNV) wants to experiment with anonymous job applications to combat discrimination in the labour market. This comes from a statement made by FNV director Gijs van Dijk.

He wants to not only to combat age discrimination, but also hopes to put an end to the problems that are common in Dutch recruitment with different background experience when applying.

"With anonymous job applications, everyone can be given a fair and equal chance in the labour market," said Van Dijk.

The FNV spoke last Thursday along with other social partners, experts...]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2015 11:38:38 +0100 Despite the growing economy, continued investment in technological innovation in The Netherlands has decreased. The positive of this is that companies have begun to pay more attention to social innovation. This enables a better return on investment. The success rate of technological innovation is largely determined by 'soft' social innovation.

This is evident from the research presented on Thursday by the Erasmus Competition and Innovation Monitor 2014-2015, which annually assesses the state of Dutch innovation. The amount of new products and services has surged by 3.5 percent and the amount of improved products and services increased by 5.2 percent. However,...]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2015 11:15:16 +0100 Nearly 150 thousand people have already benefited from special assistance programs from the government, employers, and employee organisations.

Approximately 19 thousand people have been helped to find work, including 17 thousand apprenticeships. This shows a balance between the so-called sector plans, which aim to improve the labour market. Minister Lodewijk Asscher (Social Affairs and Employment) announced these results last Tuesday.

Around 86 thousand employees have been converted or retrained to continue work since mid last year. 12 thousand employees received support in finding another job.

More than 27 thousand employees are helping to create more healthy work environments. They work in sectors...]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2015 10:38:06 +0100 6 Advantages of Working in Holland

Research from the Global Talent Barometer tells us that more than 2 thirds of people are currently willing to work abroad, which is a 7% increase in global mobility from 2006. We know therefore that there is a huge demand amongst global job seekers to find a job in a new country, however, with so much choice, it is not easy to decide which destination will be right for you. However, one location which we think serves as an excellent destination for international workers looking to relocate to Holland .Yes, we believe there are many...]]> Mon, 23 Nov 2015 13:24:12 +0100 There are various different ways that a job seeker can search for their ideal job. Searches include visiting job boards, LinkedIn, recruitment agencies, search engines, job fairs and etc.

The most popular and effective method of job searching would be by registering on jobsites, job boards and receiving daily mails from them informing you about the latest jobs in your preferred sector. Another obvious reason would be that jobsites such as Indeed, Monster and many others produce a huge amount of new jobs on a daily basis.

On the other hand job fairs is another really good approach as it...]]> Mon, 23 Nov 2015 11:49:48 +0100
Unemployment rate up in The Netherlands

Over the past three months, more people in the Netherlands who were not actively looking on the labour market have begun seeking employment, but often without success. The number of people engaged in employment remained practically the same. Consequently, an additional average of 4,000 people were unemployed in the past three months. In October, 6.9 percent of the labour force were unemployed. This number, equivalent to 616 thousand people, is still below that of last January when decline in unemployment set in, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS).

UWV: More unemployment benefits
In October 2015, the number...]]> Mon, 23 Nov 2015 10:38:48 +0100 Those who are looking for a job in the HR sector probably will find more options, more easily. In the third quarter of 2015, the demand for employees in the HR field rose again. Compared to the third quarter of 2014, the number of vacancies increased by 33 percent, according to research undertaken by Yacht.

The increase in vacancies in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014 is the highest for the recruitment sector, with a 68 percent increase. According to the research, large companies need more personnel, which means more recruiters are needed.

Ellen...]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2015 10:33:05 +0100 The statutory minimum wage will be increased by 1.11% on January 1, 2016. This will occur in accordance with the Wet Aanpak Schijnconstructies (Legal approach to Apparent Constructions, or WAS), which will apply new rules for the minimum wage.

The gross amounts of the Minimum Wage Act (WML) and the minimum holiday allowance per January 1, 2016 will be as follows:

€ 1,524.60 per month (previously € 1507.80 on July 1, 2015)
€ 351.85 per week
€ 70.37 per day

Minimum wage
Employees younger than 23 years old will be entitled to a fixed percentage of the gross minimum wage....]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2015 11:24:50 +0100
6 Ways To Make An Instant Impact In Your New Job In Holland

As you all know, global talent mobility is on the increase; its an exciting time for globally mobile professionals. The global jobs market is booming and candidates no longer have to confine their careers to their home country, they can take the next step of their career in any part of the world, and of course Holland and Northern Europe are prosperous economic regions and so are prime locations to take up an international role.

Another crucial aspect of international working is that by widening your career search internationally...]]> Mon, 23 Nov 2015 10:23:11 +0100
Your resume is your primary marketing tool and is often the first impression an employer will have of you.
It highlights your skills and work experience and will communicate to the hiring manager the values and competencies that you can bring to their organization thus determining whether or not you will progress to the next stage of the recruitment process.

The aim of your resume therefore, should be to persuade recruiters and hiring managers to see you as valuable and to invite you for the job interview.
Each country is unique in its requirements as far as resume writing goes and if you...]]> Mon, 23 Nov 2015 10:05:46 +0100 Labour Lawyer Maarten van Gelderen has watched the first fifty dismissal rulings by the Wet werk en zekerheid (work and security act, WWZ). His observations have confirmed that ithas now become more difficult to fire an employee after July 1.

About 40 percent of all dismissal requests are rejected by the court. That means that the majority are allocated and go through unhindered. However, before 1 July the acceptance rate was still between 70 and 90 percent. This highlights an essential difference in the ruling and its effect on the legal proceedings. Judges have become more critical, where they require...]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2015 10:49:24 +0100 More business last year spent the night in a hotel for their work. The number of overnight stays rose by 3.1 percent, leading figures to rise to over 16 million.
This appears evident from the Trend Report on tourism, recreation and leisure in 2015 undertaken by the Centraal Bureau voor de statistiek (Central Bureau of Statistics, CBS) and the tourism office.

The first half of 2015 saw a continuation in this growth, with the number of commercial overnight stays increasing by 2.8 percent. Business tourists are responsible for two of the five nights in Dutch hotels. Most foreign business travelers who stayed in...]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2015 11:08:56 +0100 The unions continued their planned demonstration at the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht on Monday. More than two thousand metal workers marched around noon for a better collective agreement. As everywhere else in the country, was there at 12.00 hours one minute silence was observed for the victims of the attacks in Paris.

There have already been strikes in the metal sector in the previous months. ''We have come here to make it clear to large employers that an agreement needs to be quickly reach,'' said FNV chairman Ton Heerts. "They are mistaken if they think that we give up this fight....]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2015 10:22:44 +0100 About 14 percent of Dutch employees had symptoms relating to burn out in 2014. According to figures from the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (Central Bureau for statistics, CBS) examples of these complaints can range from being exhausted at the end of the workday to being emotionally exhausted.

The study shows that the education sector has had the most complaints of employees suffering from burn out. In this sector, many employees have given complaints of burn out due to the high workload and the high degree of emotional involvement in their work. In second and third place are the information...]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2015 10:16:24 +0100 Living a healthier life is still the best way to reduce your stress levels, say Ernst Lutgert and Serge van Amstel, occupational and health psychologist at Arbo Unie. "When people move towards a healthy life, their capacity and resilience are directly affected. Also, the productivity of workers go up by an average of 10 to 15 percent."

Good food and drink, plenty of exercise and sleep, alternating tension and relaxation are the best remedy for stress. How simple can it be? It is always advisable to allow employees the opportunities and support for a healthier work and life style. At...]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2015 10:11:51 +0100 In The Netherlands, often the average hours worked per week is higher than the global average. Most Dutch workaholics work eight to twelve hours a week extra. This equates to an additional workday per week, according to research undertaken by Regus.

The average number of hours worked overtime is at seven hours per week globally, in which the most overtime in on Monday. In the Netherlands, 26 percent of employees work overtime on Tuesday or Thursday. On Friday, the least extra hours are made.

In The Netherlands we're used to working over these limits. Only 13 percent of respondents work...]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2015 13:17:00 +0100 The number of jobs which are for on-call workers have increased by one third to 537 thousand between 2010 and 2014.

This was reported by the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (Central Bureau for Statistics, CBS) this Thursday. Employees who work on-call jobs have no fixed working hours, and have to agree with the employer as to how often they work.

The number of jobs through employment agencies increased during this period, but the increase was 6 percent lower. The total number of jobs declined in the same period by 2 percent. This is due mainly to the fact that a...]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2015 13:30:17 +0100 According to research, the vitality of Dutch employees is low, 29 percent scored even low to very low. Only 12 percent of the respondents scored highly, according to research by Schouten & Nelissen. In total, 57 percent of employees experience lower vitality due to an excessive workload. This group is also 3.5 times as likely to get sick.

Having a higher vitality in your life makes you feel more energetic, and also means you're having fun by taking part in your work. If you are feeling particularly vital, you perform better, and also make a better impression. And this does not only happen at the time, but for a longer period of time.

Jessica van Wingerden,...]]> Wed, 11 Nov 2015 14:15:48 +0100 Work stress is a major problem in the Netherlands. One in seven people suffer from it in The Netherlands, alone, which equates to more than one million people. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour has organised a week in order to combat work stress together with TNO and Focal Point Week. This will be taking place from 16 to 19 November.

Each company can contribute its own way towards the Week of Work stress. More than one hundred companies have organised different activities to help against stress to raise awareness. For example, there are discussion seminars, various interviews, but also yoga workshops, stress test and lunch time exercise....]]> Wed, 11 Nov 2015 14:06:06 +0100 The private equity firms Apax and CVC are interested in an acquisition of T-Mobile Netherlands, a subsidiary of Deutsche Telecom. This was reported by Reuters based on insider information.

According to the sources, both venture capitalists are busy putting the last finishing touches on their rival bids for T-Mobile Netherlands. The value of the Dutch subsidiary of Deutsche Telecom could reach up to 3 billion euros.

Credit Suisse has reportedly been hired to guide the sale. According to insider information, the preliminary bids must be received by November 16.

Other private equity firms, such as Bain Capital and Providence, could...]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2015 13:25:27 +0100 Employers see the number of jobs over the next two years barely grow, despite the recovery of the economy. The shift from fixed to flexible personnel has made this possible, as companies can continually shift their staff. This was concluded by the employers association Algemene Werkgeversvereniging Nederland (Union of Dutch Employers, AWVN), which was based on its own survey taken by a variety of Dutch companies.

The survey revealed that 28 percent of companies expect a decline in the number of permanent employees, while 21 percent predicted a rise in the number of employees with a permanent contract. When asked...]]> Tue, 10 Nov 2015 14:56:08 +0100 The Dutch Senate has not gained a majority agreement for the tax plan for next year. The Opposition parties CDA, SGP, CU and SP have submitted a proposal to Secretary of State Eric Wiebes, that single earners must be given a higher tax benefit. The minister does not agree with this however, as he fears that the plans will cost too many jobs. Employment growth remains a constraint, Wiebe said earlier during the debate.

The government wants to ensure 5 billion euro is used to implement tax cuts, while also being accompanied by 35 thousand extra jobs for next year. In the search...]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2015 13:13:55 +0100 Not all employees are honest with their boss when it comes to applying for a new job with another employer. The vast majority, 70 percent, who hold a job prefer to keep it a secret from his or her current employer. In addition, 56 percent of respondents also respond to a job when they are not immediately looking for another job.

The research was conducted by PanelWizard on behalf of Monsterboard, and looked at more than 500 working employees. It showed that 55 percent of respondents pick any day for an interview to take place. However, only 7 percent used...]]> Tue, 10 Nov 2015 14:51:08 +0100 No one wants to be under appreciated or neglected in something that you have invested in your time, effort, mind and hopes. And if in any other aspects of your lives it might be easier to recognize such situation and how to deal with it, when it comes to work, things get a bit trickier. Identifying when your boss doesn’t notice your hard work can be difficult, especially for younger employees, who don’t have previous experience with such circumstances or a lot of work experience in general and are still not used to what to expect in a work environment....]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2015 13:10:16 +0100 As the new Participatiewet (Participation Act) has come into effect, it must also be applied to the governement, said State Secretary Jetta Kleinsma. Therefore, the government must have created 25 thousand workplaces within the next ten years. If this fails, then there would be no choice but to fine the government, according to Kleinsma.

The Participatiewet came into effect on January 1, 2015. The aim of the law is to help people with or without disabilities who are searching for a job find employment. While there are many different ways this can be achieved, the primary course of action is...]]> Tue, 10 Nov 2015 14:43:07 +0100 In order to prevent discrimination in the recruitment of personnel, it has long been a consideration to remove birth dates and names from CVs in The Netherlands. Although this has not yet happened within The Netherlands, this is already something more concrete in England, as more and more companies hide the names of candidates in order to avoid discrimination and to build a more diverse workforce.

The British Prime Minister David Cameron recently announced that universities should remove the names of students on registration forms to avoid unconscious discrimination against minorities from 2017. He also called on employers to follow this...]]> Wed, 11 Nov 2015 13:50:48 +0100 Making a good introduction is very important for new employees, as we now know. It's also important for an employer to make a good introduction. However, properly analysing how to improve the productivity of new employees as an employer is difficult to measure. Google has done this well and other organisations can learn from this.

The analytics team at Google has set up several experiments to measure the factors that contribute to the productivity of new employees. What they have found is that it making a productive new employee comes from both sides, the employer and the employee.

Sending an...]]> Tue, 10 Nov 2015 14:33:56 +0100 Not all employers are providing the necessary maintenance for the knowledge bases of their employees. Only 31 percent of Dutch employees on permanent contracts have been offered the opportunity to take paid training by their employer. For temporary workers, this is 26 percent.

Employers should not only look at the permanent staff, but also towards their temporary staff. This would save additional reaction time and coordination costs between regular and temporary workers. In addition to this, these employees provide fresh ideas to the company, allowing it to conceptually expand. For temporary workers there are advantages as well. When faced with...]]> Tue, 10 Nov 2015 14:21:57 +0100

The national government is continuing to take action to keep the Algemeen Ouderdomswet (state pension, AOW) affordable. This has implications for older workers and state pension claimants.

From 2016 onwards, the state pension age will increase in increments of three months and up in increments of four months from 2019. From 2022 the state pension age will be linked to life expectancy. You will receive your state pension on the first day you reach the state pension age.

Final retirement age

From 2022, the state pension age depends on the average life expectancy that is calculated by the Het Centraal...]]> Mon, 09 Nov 2015 13:07:20 +0100

The average daily output of the Dutch manufacturing industry was 0.7 percent higher than a year earlier in September. This was especially prevalent in the pharmaceutical and electrical apparatus industries.

This was reported by the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistics (Central Bureau of Statistics, CBS) on Monday.

The production of the pharmaceutical industry was more than 9 percent higher than it was in September of last year. The electrical-equipment industry produced more than 4 percent. In addition to this, the production of transport equipment, metal products, and food products was also higher than the previous year.

In contrast, the chemical...]]> Mon, 09 Nov 2015 12:57:14 +0100 Salary is always a large factor in whether you will take a job, or not. Often, you'll find yourself questioning whether the position you're applying for is worth it. This is where salary negotiations come in. How do you make sure your job is worth the effort and time you put into it? By preparing yourself with the situation, and having some knowledge on the matter.

With proper preparation you'll find that the negotiation can be quite easy. This has the benefit of making you feel a lot more confident in yourself. Without further ado, here are some top tips...]]> Mon, 09 Nov 2015 12:38:31 +0100 From June 18 2016 onwards, The Netherlands will be allowed more room to enforce the 'Posted Worker Directive,' by introducing a duty to report on foreign workers. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment will be able to check if employees from EU member states are getting the pay they are entitled to.

For example, if a Belgian engineering company wants to build a bridge in The Netherlands, they will need to report which workers are coming to work on the bridge, as well as how long they are working. The cabinet agreed to follow the proposal from Minister Asscher...]]> Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:20:46 +0200 Unemployment in the Euro-zone has fallen to its lowest level since January 2012.
This was made clear from a statement from the European statistics agency 'Eurostat' last Friday.

Unemployment in the European Union fell last month to 10.8 percent of the workforce, compared with 10.9 percent in August. In September 2014 the unemployment rate was 11.5 percent over the entire Euro-zone.

The lowest unemployment rate was measured in Germany, where only 4.5 percent of the workforce is unemployed. The Netherlands currently has an unemployment rate of 6.8 percent.

In Greece and Spain, the situation on the labour market is still...]]> Wed, 04 Nov 2015 09:45:09 +0100 Changes to the rules on annual accounting and book keeping have taken place on November 1, 2015. The Minister of Security and Justice, Gerard Adriaan van der Steur has set Dutch accounting rules for small and medium businesses to fit along the lines of the European norm.

The main change is how small and medium businesses are defined by size. Until now, small businesses must have a maximum balance sheet total to, but not exceeding €4.4 million and a maximum net turnover of €8.8 million. Fitting into this category allows the business to qualify for exemption from audit. With this...]]> Wed, 04 Nov 2015 09:15:14 +0100 Why are you not chosen? Three reasons why applicants are not choosing your business

This is a common occurence: you are in the final phase of the recruitment procedure, and all that stands between employment and the perfect candidate is a choice of two. You assume that this is it, and after a long search for a brilliant candidate for your vacancy you're finally working on the conditions for employment and it happens: The opt-out. The employee says no to your proposal, while you were under the impression that everything was done and dusted.

So why did this happen? Employment...]]> Tue, 03 Nov 2015 10:33:19 +0100 Unless you work or manage a team where everybody fits the same list of criteria, it is inevitable that you'll encounter various situations of diversity. This will often involve working with mature workers. Most people will begin to interact by communicating with certain expectations and a specific mindset. However, these stereotypes can often be damaging.

The Netherlands, like many other countries in Europe, is faced with the challenge of an ageing population. This has a direct impact on the labour market. According to The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the number of people aged over 65, measured in...]]> Tue, 03 Nov 2015 10:19:31 +0100 The year 2015 has brought a new zeal to talent acquisition worldwide as companies are recruiting more now than they have in the last four years. According to LinkedIn’s Global Recruiting Trends 2015, this increase in volume is also met with an overall decrease in HR budgets, leading efficient recruiters to do more with less. To make matters more difficult, competition and compensation continue to be obstacles for landing top talent. Advancements in social media, digital marketing and big data analytics, however, are enabling recruiters to arm themselves with information and craft targeted messages that reach a range of online...]]> Tue, 03 Nov 2015 10:13:30 +0100 Think for a minute. I am sure you can come up with many ways a person can harm a team. There are plenty of examples showing how toxic behaviour can harm our work environments. I still remember, how one group I worked with totally failed because of a lack of cooperation. Another situation from the past was when one team member 'magically' disappeared when our tasks were being divided.

Science calls this counter-productive or antisocial behaviour, which can be seen as parasitism, interpersonal aggression, boastfulness, or the misuse of resources. In more serious cases, you would find cases of stealing...]]> Tue, 03 Nov 2015 10:04:51 +0100 There is an often quoted statistic which says that fifty percent of all mergers will fail. There are many reasons for this, ranging from bad management, to weak leadership. You can point your fingers at any number of reasons for a merger to fail and say 'this is it,' but the truth of the matter is that there is not one reason why mergers fail.

However, when asking employees of companies who faced mergers, a different story can be seen. An AonHewitt study showed that thirty three percent of participants blamed “cultural integration issues” as the core reason their merger...]]> Tue, 03 Nov 2015 09:48:32 +0100 “Alone we can do a little; together we can do so much,” is a famous quote by Helen Keller. Indeed, teamwork is a very important cog in the clockwork of business which helps to accomplish so many objectives that would never have come true by working individually. The main goals of team building are exactly what the word says – to build a great team of employees that can effectively and productively work with each other. Therefore, team building can be seen as an important part of the employee learning and employee development. So, let’s look more closely at why...]]> Tue, 03 Nov 2015 09:36:20 +0100 Titus Flapper on Leadership:  An HR Director’s Perspective on How to Be a Good Team Leader

Meet Titus Flapper
Titus Flapper has worked for many years as HR manager and director in various organisations including Festo and OctoPlus. He is currently the director of his own consultancy firm called TF Business Support. However, he hasn’t always been in this line of work.
“I studied mathematics once,” Titus recalls. “I was a teacher for many years, and then I changed to HR, and now for the last 13 years, I work for myself.” He says that the career switch was “more...]]> Tue, 03 Nov 2015 09:23:19 +0100 When succeeding in a new job it is really important to follow certain steps to ensure continues improvement and also showing your capabilities to the new employer. Listen exactly to the supervisor/manager on what he/she explains about the job and how to perform on a daily bases. Set realistic goals for yourself that can be achieved in your task to eliminate disappointment yourself and other team members. Plan and continue evaluating yourself as progressing throughout the job. “Behave as if you’re still being interviewed. Once you’re hired it’s natural to feel a sense of accomplishment. It’s easy to assume you belong....]]> Mon, 02 Nov 2015 12:35:23 +0100 As the economy is starting to pick up again, new staff must be recruited for jobs in the Netherlands. Companies would pay all sorts of extras get good staff, and to keep them interested in their company during the recruitment process. Think along the lines of an unlimited number of vacation days or a reduced fee for transporting your children to school.

"Dutch companies look to successful foreign companies such as Google when it comes to ways to recruit and retain good staff," says Noor Hendrikx in Metro. She is the Human Resources Manager at Tentoo, a business that handles the...]]> Thu, 29 Oct 2015 13:04:06 +0100 The Netherlands has about 50,000 less public employees compared to a decade ago. It does not appear that the government will take as many people again.

This is expected, says the Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen (Institute for Employee Insurance, UWV). The number of jobs will probably increase slightly over the coming years, but remain far from the level before the financial crisis.

The UWV expects that public employment will continue to shrink until 2017, where it will begin to stabilise. According to the social security agency, there is still little room for new employment in the sector.

Compact civil service

The government...]]> Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:45:31 +0100 A quarter of employers feel that their employees do not have the right qualities for the jobs they are employed for. However, a few employers know to go with the times and keep up with their employees. This makes it difficult to attract the right talent. This comes from a study done by Tempo Team in relation to recruitment strategies.

About fifty percent of dutch employers believe that new knowledge within the organisation is not developed or shared well enough. This affects the quality of the workers, they found. Namely, twenty five percent of employers believe that the skill set...]]> Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:14:30 +0100 On Saturday 10 October, thousands of youths protested against the minimum youth wage in Amsterdam.

The Parool writes based on an interview with the organiser of the demonstration, Young & United. In Europe, The Netherlands is one of the few countries with a separate wage for young people. Workers who are eighteen years old or younger sometimes earn as much as 45.5 percent less than the normal minimum wage in The Netherlands. According to Paul Haars from Young & United, the atmosphere during the demonstration was described as “very energetic.”

The House of Representatives

A majority of the House supported...]]> Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:22:22 +0200 Complaints sent to the foundation Burn-Out show that company physicians are increasingly being put under pressure by employers. Through diagnosis fraud, employers are trying to get sick workers out of their businesses.

Burn-out discovered that fourteen percent of Dutch employees face burn-out, or extreme work stress often related to exhaustion. An employee with burn-out is considered sick. Therefore the employer is obliged to continue to employ these workers. Since an employer does not benefit from sick employees because of the right to salary through periods of illness, the employee is often regarded as a high risk.

Stress in the workplace...]]> Thu, 29 Oct 2015 10:09:15 +0100
From next year onwards, employers have to pay fewer premiums on unemployment funds in their sector. According to the Uitvoeringsinstituut werknemersverzekeringen (Institute for Employee Insurance, UWV) this will amount to 700 million Euros. The largest decline in premiums were in the construction sector.

The reason that there is no need for employers to pay higher premiums it is because there are fewer unemployed personnel. This allows employers to pay fewer premiums toward the sector fund, a fund designed to help unemployed members of their sector. Employers still contribute towards premium payments for the general fund. The government will decide whether...]]> Wed, 28 Oct 2015 11:10:52 +0100

On the former ship of Veronica radio, asylum seekers met employers at a job fair last Saturday in Amsterdam. There were about five hundred people on the ship, of which sixty percent were asylum seekers.
“It's gone very well, and the employers were very satisfied with the education and skills of many asylum seekers,” said Sandra Rake.

The job is part of the initiative “Ontmoet een vluchteling” (Meet a Refugee) from Rake and Nimet Akdemir, director of the Veronica Ship. Various companies came to the network day, among them were employers Randstad and Vacaturebank Amsterdam Jobs. In the past three...]]> Wed, 28 Oct 2015 10:55:42 +0100 Research done by Utrecht University  shows that The Netherlands does not have a sustainable labour market. The study showed that this is caused by both the over- and under-utilisation of talent. In addition to this, working staff in The Netherlands have relatively few work hours compared to the expected productivity of their labour.

The study has shown that this stems from the preferential treatment of 'insiders' against 'outsiders' in the labour market. This is then expressed as under- and over-utilisation of talent.

The under-utilisation of talent comes from many women who are still being placed in lower positions than men relative...]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2015 11:47:29 +0100
In the last few weeks, companies in Sweden and the U.S. have been making considerations towards lowering the standard working day from eight hours to six. The idea is that this will increase the efficiency of production compared to an eight-hour day. Moreover, there will be more satisfied employees and higher profits.

In some companies, even a five-hour workday has been introduced. These companies argue that the eight-hour working day no longer fits the current times and trends.

Companies that have shorter working days for their employees still pay the same amount. This is because the productivity of the employees...]]> Thu, 22 Oct 2015 12:06:14 +0200 “Oh my God, I got invited to my dream-job interview, but how can I prepare for it?” - this question is being asked by almost everyone and goes in the same package with the panic and stress. However, I hope you agree, the last two are not best and right ways to prepare for the interview. Therefore, let’s see how your interview preparation can be the most productive, so your interview becomes a successful step into the company of your dreams. INTERVIEW TIP 1 – READY TO GET IN
Did you know that the opinion of an unknown person is...]]> Tue, 20 Oct 2015 14:50:11 +0200 The VAR statement for freelancers and the self-employed will not be going into effect until January 1, 2016, announced Eric Wiebes, State Secretary of Finance this Monday. The new scheme where the VAR (Declaration of the Employment Relationship) is replaced by model agreements in each sector will be postponed.

'The preparation goes on, but we are not there yet,' wrote Wiebes to the Senate. The Senate would be discussing the implementation of the plan by late October, but now it's off. Wiebes is now aiming to replace the VAR by April 1, 2016.
Freelancers have to work with a VAR,...]]> Tue, 20 Oct 2015 13:20:48 +0200

According to the Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging (Dutch Federation of Trade Unions, FNV), the number of people with 'stapelbanen' has increased. .

A Stapelbaan is described as being employed by one or more employers' for several smaller functions, such as stacking. For example, a cleaner employed by a company may work ten hours on cleaning, and do other functions for another ten hours on a twenty hour contract.

The Federation says this development is a sign of looming poverty.
"You always hear that it goes well with the economy, but for many people it is not. Poverty is closer than you...]]> Mon, 19 Oct 2015 14:47:06 +0200

The Netherlands saw an average 3.5 percent increase in home prices compared to a year earlier. In September, the home prices went up at its strongest pace since April 2008. This was made known by Kadaster (The Land Registry) and the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (Statistics Netherlands, CBS).

The home price peaked in June 2013, but we're now climbing back through the trough. Owner-occupied homes have also improved, with an average 6.6 percent increase compared to June 2013.

However, houses are still on average 16 percent cheaper than in August 2008, when the Dutch housing market had reached its...]]> Mon, 19 Oct 2015 12:55:22 +0200 A technical change to the regulation of wages and working hours came into effect on October 13 2015. New rules have been proposed for the calculation of transition fees and the fee that an employer has to pay if they ignore the notice period for contracts.

The Staatscourant notes that this change will affect the average working hours that are calculated for employees who have not worked due to leave, strike, or illness. Currently, if an employee has not worked for a total of thirty days due to these reasons, the average working hours calculated are extended by another calendar...]]> Mon, 19 Oct 2015 10:08:51 +0200 When comparing a Dutch CV to an American resume, one can seem almost naked compared to the other, depending on how you evaluate the two. Thee major differences between CVs and resumes are their purpose, length, and layout.

A Dutch CV (Curriculum Vitæ, which means course of life in Latin), mirrors the culture: it’s direct and to the point. In the Dutch work environment, direct and straightforward communication seems to work best and this spills over to the CV. A typical CV can be up two pages, as it includes a great deal more than just your career biography; it...]]> Fri, 16 Oct 2015 13:06:55 +0200 Applying for your first real job can be a tough challenge, especially if you don’t have the required experience. Finding yourself stuck in a Catch 22, where you need to find a job to gain some experience, but before that you need some experience to land that dream job can be quite frustrating. However, there is no need to get desperate, just stay positive and persistent in your job search and follow some useful tips on how to write your CV under such circumstances. Layout of your CV
The standard layout of a CV has a chronological order where the...]]> Fri, 16 Oct 2015 12:54:08 +0200 On July 1 2015, the new 'Work and Security Act' (WWZ) came into effect, which aims to improve employments laws in The Netherlands. It focuses on changing the rights of flexible workers and to make it possible to achieve fairer dismissals. This created a situation that is both complex and cumbersome, but offers HR managers a chance to take proactive measures on securing a leading role.

With the WWZ, minister Asscher added a number of new rules on those working within The Netherlands. According to Kennedy Van der Laan, it comes down to this:
• The trial period is now...]]> Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:37:30 +0200 Offices, homes, and hanging gardens. By the Zuidas, a rapidly developing business district in Amsterdam, plans have been made to erect a huge complex opposite the ABN Amro headquarters. The designs for this complex have come from the architect bureau MVRDV.

The project, developed by property developers Rotterdam OVG, has won the prize for the so-called Ravel P-15 plot on Beethovenstraat.

The basis of the complex is fairly traditional – overlooking office space on top of a selection of apartments. “The properties have large windows, with beautiful views and large balconies with lots of vegetation,” says architect Winy Maas from...]]> Mon, 12 Oct 2015 11:00:36 +0200 Issues in House of Representatives on sick pay

There are some doubts about the implementation of the continued payment of wages for employees on sick leave in the House of Representatives. Minister Asscher admitted in a parliamentary debate that they are busy with this plan, but now it seems it has not yet been confirmed.

The plan of action states that small business up to ten employees would only need to pay the wages of sick employees for a mandatory two year period. This could now be shortened to one year.

In his statement to the parliament Minister Asscher from...]]> Sat, 10 Oct 2015 18:37:19 +0200 Can you fire an employee because they did not gain the required certificate? The court ruled in favour of yes. The employee in question had not gained the required safety certificate, and according to the court, may be fired. He was given a severance package.

The Situation

This began with a company in the construction industry working with heavy equipment and specialised machinery. In the past, there had been incidents in the workplace where workers have been injured. An inspector from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment had already given the company a fine in relation to safety regulations....]]> Thu, 08 Oct 2015 12:18:44 +0200 In a study undertaken, it appears that the number of freelancers has grown tremendously in the last year. More than one million labourers in The Netherlands are freelancers, a number which has doubled in the last fifteen years. According to the Partij van de Arbeid (Labour party, PvdA) a tax credit for salaried employees is a possible solution to this growth.

The tax and premium revenues have declined in relation to the increase in the number of freelancers. As a consequence of this, the state social insurance contributions are not generating the expected revenue, which leads to less budgetary funding...]]> Thu, 08 Oct 2015 12:15:02 +0200 Negotiating your salary package in the Netherlands involves more than determining the amount of your salary. Bonuses, holidays, and other benefits are offered as a package with your salary but to negotiate a fair deal, you should be prepared; knowing what benefits to expect and how much extras you should ask for.
What you should ask for and expect, however, depends on your qualifications and work experience. For example, an entry-level position with a Master's degree typically offers a monthly base salary between €2,300 – €2,500 gross. Bonuses are given every May equivalent to 8% of your annual earnings, which...]]> Thu, 08 Oct 2015 11:20:47 +0200 According to the UNESCO discrimination or harassment is defined as either intentional or unintentional behavior without reasonable justification, which consists of an unfavorable treatment of an individual or a group. We can distinguish many types of discrimination or harassment as well as several places at which they can occur. Harassment at work can have many faces; discrimination can happen on the basis of gender, cultural background, religion, or age. Recognising how discrimination is presented is vital for being able to create an equal and equitable workplace.

Gender discrimination in the workplace is still a part of our reality. It is...]]> Wed, 07 Oct 2015 10:31:44 +0200 Entrepreneurs with small companies will only have to pay sick employees up to one annual wage instead of two years. This only applies to businesses with up to ten employees.

Last Friday, the Cabinet ruled on this wage/salary change, after which Minister of Finance Asscher made the change publicly known. 'Sick Pay is a huge problem, particularly for small businesses,' says Asscher. The former rulings on sick pay may deter employers to recruit staff.

The wage/salary would have to be paid for from the collective employer contributions as well as from Government contributions, which would amount to 20 million euros...]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2015 16:20:21 +0200 Are you currently claiming a WW-uitkering (unemployment benefits) while looking for a job? If yes, then the chances are high that when you find a job, your salary will decrease. This comes from a study by the volkskrant in connection with the Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen (Institute for Employee Insurance, or UWV).

The volkskrant together with the UWV held a study monitoring the salaries of ten thousand unemployed labourers. There are unemployed people who are claiming unemployment benefits, but had found a job. The study looked at the wage gap before they claimed unemployment benefits, and when they had found work again...]]> Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:23:19 +0200
Research undertaken by the Ministry of Interior and Royal Relations has found that there has been a continual drop on civil servants. This has been focused particularly on public administration and by security, as these sectors have shrunk. There are also more women in government, as more elders. Those under twenty five have not been inclined to join the civil service, as they rarely have the experience or meet the job requirements.

Elders
There have been an increase in sixty plus labourers, according to this study. This comes from the various measures taken by the state to promote longer working...]]> Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:20:31 +0200 The European Court of Justice has made a decision that the travel from home to customers should contribute to working hours. How this travel time is paid is a question of national right.

The Situation

A spanish company with installs security systems in a divers enumber of provinces closed a number of regional offices in 2011. The employee, wih a company car, travels from home directly to the client, and after the last client of the day then travels home. Before the closure, the employees would first go to the office to pick up the company car, then drive to...]]> Mon, 05 Oct 2015 11:24:33 +0200 A A Curriculum Vitae is a long-established and important part of the job seeking process. Without a CV, an employer will never know what you have accomplished, or what you are capable of doing. Likewise, without a letter attached, nothing makes your application stand out from the crowd. A CV and its accompanying letter can often make or break your application, and can ultimately decide whether or not you get the position you are applying for. Here are a few quick tips to help you write an outstanding CV letter.

Before we go on, it’s important to determine if you...]]> Mon, 05 Oct 2015 11:14:01 +0200 Everyone of us have experiences this feeling when you have too much work and not enough time to do it all. In reality we all have more work than we can handle. Add to this you daily activities such as regular exercise, family duties, cooking and social life, and the situation looks disastrous.
While are not always able to control the causes of the overwhelming situation, you can control how to deal with it. Further the most popular and successful strategies and suggesting on how to deal with too big workload and how to manage you time effectively are described....]]> Mon, 05 Oct 2015 10:58:30 +0200 The Netherlands has risen through the ranks of Global Competitiveness to place fifth, regaining the position it lost in 2013. This is a significant boost from last year, where the Netherlands placed eighth, proving it to be the fastest grower in terms of global competitiveness out of the top ten economies. This statement has been decided from the latest edition from the World Economic Forums (WEF) Global Competitiveness Report.

The report, presented on 30 September, ranks a total of 140 countries on a wide range of criteria, which include but is not limited to research and development, the financial state,...]]> Thu, 01 Oct 2015 15:50:17 +0200 In all cases a good management is an important key for success. In some cases, a good working team can also perform great with not so strong management influence. However, the phenomenon of a diverse workforce with its complexity and ambiguity requires, at almost all times, proper management skills for successful performance outcomes.

The first step for attempting such an endeavor is getting to know the situation, by focusing on understanding diversity, the various forms of its existence, processes of acknowledging them and understanding the importance of it. Good management practice cannot start without fully understanding the issue at hand....]]> Thu, 01 Oct 2015 11:05:06 +0200 During one of the team lunches, when we were talking about experiences, one of my colleagues mentioned: “You should not save money on experiences.” The most obvious translation of this is that experiences are more important/valuable/beneficial/etc. than money. Why is that and how to measure to which extend are experiences more important than money? If you were about to get a reward and were faced with a choice between money and experiences (not limited to a specific type of experience), what would you choose and more importantly, why?

You might also ask me why you have to make a choice...]]> Thu, 01 Oct 2015 10:52:29 +0200 During one of the team lunches, when we were talking about experiences, one of my colleagues mentioned: “You should not save money on experiences.” The most obvious translation of this is that experiences are more important/valuable/beneficial/etc. than money. Why is that and how to measure to which extend are experiences more important than money? If you were about to get a reward and were faced with a choice between money and experiences (not limited to a specific type of experience), what would you choose and more importantly, why?

You might also ask me why you have to make a choice on...]]> Thu, 01 Oct 2015 10:39:19 +0200 In all cases a good management is an important key for success. In some cases, a good working team can also perform great with not so strong management influence. However, the phenomenon of a diverse workforce with its complexity and ambiguity requires, at almost all times, proper management skills for successful performance outcomes.

The first step for attempting such an endeavor is getting to know the situation, by focusing on understanding diversity, the various forms of its existence, processes of acknowledging them and understanding the importance of it. Good management practice cannot start without fully understanding the issue at hand....]]> Thu, 01 Oct 2015 10:34:18 +0200 With the arrival of September comes the budget memorandum, being announced on the third Tuesday of September. This year, on 15th September, Financial Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem announced his proposed plans to change various factors of the Dutch economy. The majority of this year’s memorandum has been dedicated to cutting back labour taxation by €5 billion. Following this will be some of the points which are most relevant to employment and employees.

As stated above, taxation on labour will see a cut of €5 billion. By doing this the ‘wedge’ average will fall by almost 2 percentage points. The Wedge is...]]> Thu, 01 Oct 2015 09:54:51 +0200 From next year onwards, it'll become easier for pensioners, those who are applicable to the Algemene Ouderdomswet (Old Age Pensions Act, or AOW), to continue working through contracts, as self-employed or through other employers. At this moment, pensioners who wish to continue working are often doing so through agencies or as freelancers. The Senate (eerste kamer) has approved a bill from Minister Asscher from Social Affairs and Emplyoment on behalf of Minister Van der Steur from security and Justice and Minister Plasterk from the Interior and Royal Relations.

According to the Rijksoverheid, The bill is made to make it more...]]> Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:03:08 +0200 Many refugees are escaping to Europe. Some parties believe that these people should find work quicker than they are. The Vereniging VluchtelingenWerk helps refugees find their place in the Dutch labour market. P&Oactueel speaks with Henk Nijhuis, executive employer for VluchtelingenWerk.
‘As more people are allowed into the Netherland, moved from the refugee shelter to a town, they are put through an introduction programme. They go through a citizenship’s course, where they learn Dutch, as well as having their qualifications and work experience checked,’ Nijhuis states.
Refugees can play an important role in taking jobs which are difficult to be...]]> Tue, 29 Sep 2015 14:31:44 +0200 According to the CBS, people with higher education have higher scores on the scale of prosperity and well-being than people with low or middle education: they often feel healthy, are more satisfied and deserve better. This emerges from a new study by Statistics Netherlands.

Higher education as a basis

A diploma in higher education is a good entrance to the labor market. People with higher education are less likely to be unemployed, more likely to have a high income, more often live in a quality (purchased) house, often feel healthy and are generally more satisfied with life. On the contrast,...]]> Thu, 24 Sep 2015 10:17:06 +0200 Financial Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem proposed to the Second Chamber the Budget Memorandum on Tuesday 15th September.
This is an overview of the measures related to employment:

Charges on Labour

Taxation on Labour will see a cut of five billion euros. By doing this the ‘wedge’ average will fall by almost 2%. The ‘wedge’ is defined as the difference between labour costs on employers and the net pay to employees. The burden will then be placed mostly on low to middle income earners. Ideally, this will act as motivation for people on benefits to return to work.
The incentive, therefore, to work (more)...]]> Mon, 28 Sep 2015 11:51:24 +0200 Different Organisations use different interview methods to find qualified candidates. This article provides a brief overview of the Gallup Interview method.
The Gallup model of interviewing is unique in the sense that it is geared towards predicting future job success by seeking out and assessing innate talent as predictors of job success. This is a major differentiator from conventional hiring processes which rely mainly on broad assessments of the candidate's knowledge, competencies and previous work experience.

What is the Gallup Interview?

The Gallup interview process looks at what success in a particular role looks like and seeks to match candidates with roles...]]> Mon, 28 Sep 2015 10:55:58 +0200

– From the perspective of an attendee-

As a participant at the 4th International Job Fair that took place in Amsterdam in the end of May 2015 I can say that I was pleasantly surprise by what the organizers had to offer.

Firstly, the fair was packed with recruiters or recruiting agencies that were willing to help you in your search of finding your dream job. Having to go door to door to all recruitment agencies when searching for jobs is exhausting and almost impossible to reach them all, but with this fair was amazing, there were all in one...]]> Thu, 24 Sep 2015 10:53:09 +0200 Economic growth 0.2 percent in second quarter of 2015

According to the second estimate of economic growth conducted by Statistics Netherlands (CBS), the Dutch economy grew 0.2 percent in Q2 2015 relative to Q1 2015. The first estimate, published on 14 August, anticipated a growth rate of 0.1 percent. The overall picture of the economy has not changed. Growth is widely supported: investments, consumption and exports all contributed to economic growth.
Investment in fixed capital formation was revised upwards. New supplementary data regarding the construction sector suggest that investments in non-residential property are higher than initially estimated. The same applies...]]> Thu, 24 Sep 2015 10:29:50 +0200 The Dutch economy has seen an increase in the growth rate in its second quarter of 2015 by 0.2% in comparison to the first quarter of this year. This comes from the second calculation of economic growth from the CBS, the Central Bureau of Statistics. The first calculation showed a growth of 0.1%, published by the CBS on 14th August. These statistics seem to indicate that the state of the economy has not changed much. Taken on a wide scale, both investments, consumption, and exports show a positive contribution.
In relation to the first calculation, fixed investments were adjusted. Through...]]> Wed, 23 Sep 2015 15:13:43 +0200 While the size of the working population is growing in the Netherlands, the number of managers decreases. In one year this number has decreased by 8% (from 531 to 490 thousand). This is mainly because there are less male managers.

The position of women has improved

Even thought women still form the minority, their share in the management layers of enterprises and organizations in the past year increased slightly (from 24% to 26%). In total, eight out of hundred working men are manager. For women this number is three out of hundred. In the second quarter of 2014 400 thousand men worked as manager,...]]> Tue, 22 Sep 2015 09:58:37 +0200 There are various options available when looking for a job in the Netherlands for a newly (and not so newly) arrived expats in the Netherlands. Job search engines is one of the best options to choose, because of  a great amount of job advertisements, as well as fast and efficient results. Job boards are designed for employers to post and distribute job advertisements widely. Candidates are able to fill out a job application or submit their resumes for the advertised position easily. Most important thing that any job seekers can do to improve their chances of being employed, is using multiple resources in...]]> Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:27:02 +0200 Residents of The Hague who are looking for work can now search for a job using the 070werkt app on their mobile phone. The app, what was launched on 3 September by Deputy Mayor Rabin Baldewsingh, collects available job vacancies and information on the rights and duties of people entitled to welfare benefits.

In addition to informing job-seekers with welfare benefits about new job announcements, the app lets them know about training courses and government-subsidised training posts. Besides, users can see when their benefits will be transferred to their bank account or when a job market is being organised in...]]> Thu, 17 Sep 2015 10:38:15 +0200 One in six freelancers (169 thousand people) wants to work more hours than at present. This is especially true for self-employed who work 12 to 20 hours per week. CBS reported that only 8% of more than one million freelancers want to work less, while three quarters do not want to change their working hours.

The working hours of non self-employed workers are often fixed in employment contracts, the self-employed must provide their own work and hours to the client to be billed. During the economic crisis freelancers had less income, less work and they more often reported that they wanted...]]> Wed, 16 Sep 2015 10:58:38 +0200 The volume of exports of goods in July was 5.4% higher than in July 2014. CBS reports, that the increase is larger than in the previous five months. In July grew mainly exports of transport equipment machinery and equipment. Besides, the exports of Dutch products and re-exports increased further. The volume of imports in July was 0.5% higher than a year earlier.

In July 2015 Dutch firms especially exported more transport. There were carried out, in particular, more vessels. Also the export of machinery and equipment grew significantly. All these goods were mainly of Dutch origin.

Conditions for export in...]]> Tue, 15 Sep 2015 09:50:09 +0200 Recent survey by Jobvite shows that on average 536 people apply for one vacancy online. Small size companies usually speak to many candidates, however rarely make an offer. Most vacancies are filled through referrals.

Recruitment Technology provider Jobvite analyzed 10 million applications from 50 million job seekers. The main conclusion was, that 11% of the visitors of company career site fill in online application. In 2014 there were an average 59 applicants per vacancy.

Out of 59 applicants on average seven (12%) are invited for an interview. On average 1.2 applicants get an offer. 88% of the candidates respond positively to...]]> Mon, 14 Sep 2015 12:30:15 +0200 Before going into salary negotiations it’s best to ask yourself what you think a fair salary is. Although maybe unclear at first, determining a fair salary can give you a better perspective on where salary negotiations will go. A good starting point is to recall your past salaries, unless this is your first job in the Netherlands or you’re entering a new field. Helpful resources on what kinds of salaries to expect are:

• Loonwijzer.nl (Netherlands)
• Intermediair.nl (Netherlands)
• Glassdoor.com (International)

It’s also useful to ask around among friends and colleagues to see what’s reasonable. Once you’ve reached an...]]> Mon, 14 Sep 2015 12:05:50 +0200 Downward trend

The number of businesses declared bankrupt in a particular month is closely related to the number of days courts are in session. This may vary considerably from one month to the next, so the best way to show development is by a series adjusted for the number of days courts are in session. This method provides a more reliable indicator. August had just as many court session days as July (4).

In August 2015, the number of bankruptcies adjusted for court session days reached the lowest level since October 2008. It peaked in May 2013, followed by a...]]> Thu, 10 Sep 2015 09:41:11 +0200 The Chinese pharmaceutical company Tong Ren Tang, global leader in traditional Chinese medicine, opened its European headquarters in The Hague on 27 August. Later this year Tong Ren Tang (TRT) will also open a flagship store in The Hague where customers will be introduced to treatments such as acupuncture, massages and traditional Chinese medicine according to the company’s ancient principles dating back 2,000 years.

The Chinese company decided in favour of The Hague after contact with the WestHolland Foreign Investment Agency (WFIA) and the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA). The intention to invest in The Hague was confirmed in a...]]> Tue, 08 Sep 2015 09:26:48 +0200 The application package of a job seeker usually consists of a good CV and a motivational letter. And even though the motivational letter might not always be required from the employer, knowing how to write one is a big plus. Recently recruiters offer different perspectives on how to write a good motivational letter. Some take an alternative approach that it should be different, standing out from the pile. Others strictly stick to the traditional construct. However, there are a few things recruiters unite on that should not be said in a motivational letter.

1. It should not be a copy...]]> Mon, 07 Sep 2015 10:45:07 +0200 LABOUR MARKET DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NETHERLANDS PERIOD 8
In period 8 (week 29 – 32) the total amount of hours increased 9% and turnover grew 10%, in comparison to the same period last year. This period had an equal amount of workable days compared to the same period last year, so no correction was applied.

The administrative sector increased 10% in hours and also turnover grew 10% in comparison to the same period in 2014.
Hours in the industrial sector increased 5% and turnover increased 6% compared to the same period last year.
Furthermore, the amount of worked hours in...]]> Wed, 02 Sep 2015 15:02:04 +0200 Starting from 2017 brand new fathers can enjoy a few days longer paid leave after the birth of their child. The leave is extended from two days to five. Minister Asscher believes that an extension of the birth leave for fathers would be 'very good'.

The minister does not confirm yet that these plans would be announced during the budget plans for Prinsjesdag, but he would appreciate it. "Because we know that it is good for the child and for the parents if the father is involved in the first days of the child. Then agreements about care in the...]]> Tue, 01 Sep 2015 12:06:11 +0200 According to CBS, the total number of hours worked in temp jobs increased by 3.2% in the second quarter on the first quarter of 2015, which makes it the most substantial increase in almost five years. Besides, hours worked under both long-term and short-term employment contracts increased at a higher rate than in the previous quarter.

In the second quarter the number of long-term temporary contracts, e.g. secondment and pay-rolling, increased by 3.9%. Employers want to be more flexible in recruiting and dismissing personnel, therefore they increasingly prefer long-term temporary contracts over permanent ones.

The number of hours worked under...]]> Mon, 31 Aug 2015 20:05:55 +0200 The importance of work – life balance is growing strong nowadays, so is our interest in it. The concept of this phenomenon has gone through major changes. The first understanding of it was the time balance between “work” and “play”, however things are much more complex. The work – life balance is the theory of prioritizing appropriately workstyle with lifestyle, including family, leisure time, personal development, etc. This balance is different for everybody, depending on the needs of every person. Some put great importance on their work ambitions, others emphasize on family development or hobbies and personal time. Thus work-life...]]> Mon, 31 Aug 2015 19:32:30 +0200 Remember the last recruitment process you participated in? What were you offered in terms of compensation (by “compensation“ I refer to “something /the reward/ one gets because of delivering a service” (I combined a few definitions provided by different internet sources)? Which employment offer did you accept and based on what?

The employment offers I have received mostly outlined monetary compensation or compensation related to savings on my potential expenses (gym subscription, relocation allowance, transportation coverage, food vouchers, etc.), which is great and important (at the end of the day, each of us has to cover the bills). However, just...]]> Mon, 31 Aug 2015 13:36:12 +0200 A few years ago I met with an acquaintance of mine for a drink. He moved to the Netherlands a month ago after he has accepted an employment offer from one of small local companies. During our meeting I got to know that he was fired. The reason for that is that he sent from his work email to his private email a work-related file. On my question whether he knew that he was not allowed to use any work related materials/information outside of the office, his answer was negative. Since he could not access his work related materials from...]]> Mon, 31 Aug 2015 13:23:31 +0200 The importance of work – life balance is growing strong nowadays, so is our interest in it. The concept of this phenomenon has gone through major changes. The first understanding of it was the time balance between “work” and “play”, however things are much more complex. The work – life balance is the theory of prioritizing appropriately workstyle with lifestyle, including family, leisure time, personal development, etc. This balance is different for everybody, depending on the needs of every person. Some put great importance on their work ambitions, others emphasize on family development or hobbies and personal time. Thus work-life...]]> Mon, 31 Aug 2015 13:16:57 +0200 Why is employer branding important?

Implementing an effective employer branding strategy is increasingly important for today’s businesses to stay competitive. Not only are the number of skilled workers decreasing, but the expectations of the rising working class are much different from those of their predecessors, making today’s top talent all the more difficult to attract.

By 2021, almost one in five workers (employed or available for employment) will be nearing retirement, compared to only about one in seven in 2005. As these baby boomers age and retire, there are fewer graduates entering the workforce with the proper skills to replace...]]> Mon, 31 Aug 2015 13:11:56 +0200 Albert Einstein once said „If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough”. I believe that an elevator pitch shows just that. How good you know yourself/ your business and what you want. Simple. To the point. No one wants to hire or do business with someone who can’t explain themselves simply. Better said, no one wants to hire or do business with someone who doesn’t know what they are all about or what they want. No one wants someone who has a poor elevator pitch.

An elevator pitch is a short introduction of yourself or your...]]> Mon, 31 Aug 2015 10:29:52 +0200 While five years ago men had a greater chance to lose their jobs than women, today this possibility is equal for both women and men. It was reported my CBS on Wednesday, 26th August.
In 2013, 5.8 % of men were on benefits or assistance, compared with 5.7 % of the working women. In 2009, this division was still significantly skewed, as 4.8% of working men relied on benefits, comparing with 4% of working women. According to CBS, The proportion of women who claim benefits is growing in recent years, because many jobs have disappeared in the caretaking and education sectors. Relatively...]]> Wed, 26 Aug 2015 17:07:15 +0200 Two types of gossip pass through most work places: negative gossip and positive gossip. Both can be a welcomed distraction, but only negative gossip stands to mislead workers off their track to success. Typically defaming and slandering, negative gossip can be anything from instigating an alleged office affair to passing along rumors of a new employee’s inferior skills.

Negative gossip between colleagues acts like a virus: it infects the working relationships between co-workers as well as between boss and employee, and if not properly addressed, can lead to employment terminations and ruined reputations. A breakdown in this social fabric causes...]]> Mon, 24 Aug 2015 14:08:19 +0200 Short-term unemployment further down

According to the CBS the second quarter (Q2), 322 thousand people were out of work for less than one year, i.e. 81 thousand fewer than in the same quarter in 2014. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that the number of long-term unemployed has increased by 21 thousand compared to one year ago.
Long-term unemployment remains high
Year-on-year short-term unemployment has fallen for the fourth quarter in a row. Long-term unemployment is still higher than in the same period one year previously. In Q2 of this year, 44 percent of all unemployed were out of work for at...]]> Fri, 21 Aug 2015 10:10:02 +0200 In period 7 (week 25 – 28) the total amount of hours increased by 11% and turnover grew by 14%, in comparison to the same period last year. This period had an equal amount of workable days compared to the same period last year, so no correction was applied.

The administrative sector increased by 13% in hours and turnover grew by16% in comparison to the same period of 2014.

Hours in the industrial sector increased by 7% and turnover increased by 8% compared to the same period last year.

Furthermore, the amount of worked hours in the technical sector increased...]]> Wed, 19 Aug 2015 11:14:27 +0200 CBS reported, that the number of jobs in the tourism sector has increased by 15 thousand in 2014, reaching 606 thousand in total. The number of full-time jobs increased approximately by eight thousand, while the increase in the volume of jobs was more than 2%. The percentage of jobs in the Dutch economy in total slightly fell, thus the share of the tourism sector increased.

Last year the employment in the tourism sector was equal to 366 thousand full-time jobs, which was equal to 46% of the hospitality sector (including hotels, restaurants, campsites, holiday parks). The number of tourist hospitality...]]> Tue, 18 Aug 2015 11:26:21 +0200 GIA Jiahe Shengde – Are you in the automotive industry? Are you doing the trading business on auto parts or truck parts in the automotive aftermarket in Europe? Are you interested in doing business with Chinese companies? Please visit our 1st China Auto Parts and After-sales (The Netherlands) Exhibition in September in The Hague. There will be lots of manufacturers of auto parts and truck parts during the Exhibition. In addition, we prepare some seminars and networking opportunities for different entrepreneurs.

GIA

Time: 14 – 16 September 2015

Venue: De Werf 11, 2544 EH, The Hague

Opening Hours: 9 am...]]> Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:05:29 +0200 Amsterdam office officially opened Aug. 1, 2015, joining overseas Heritage expansion in Hong Kong heritage auctions

DALLAS — Heritage Auctions has announced that it has joined forces with the Dutch auction house MPO Auctions to form Heritage Auctions Europe, based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, officially operating and offering full service in numismatics and across all 40 Heritage auction categories as of Aug. 1, 2015. The Amsterdam expansion joins Heritage’s recently announced Hong Kong expansion.

“Heritage is a growing global brand,” said Cristiano Bierrenbach, Vice President of Heritage Auctions. “We’re all excited by the opportunities this office represents. Based just outside of...]]> Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:01:57 +0200 Growing demand in Europe prompted the software firm’s first international office
Indiana-based Blue Horseshoe, a global software firm specializing in supply chain and logistics solutions, will open an office in Amsterdam this month. The office will be Blue Horseshoe’s first international location, allowing the firm to serve and support partners and customers on a global scale.

“We are growing very quickly on an international level, currently supporting customers in more than 15 different countries,” said Chris Cason, President of Blue Horseshoe.

Blue Horseshoe’s expansion to Amsterdam was prompted by growing demand in Europe for software solutions and expertise in logistics...]]> Mon, 17 Aug 2015 10:57:20 +0200 If you ever had a job interview and have been preparing for it before hand by searching information or just been curious enough to see what questions are out there then you must have come across some stranger interview questions. Glassdoor published a list with the most unusual interview questions where questions such as: "Who would win in a fight between Spiderman and Batman?”, "Describe the color yellow to somebody who's blind," or "If you were asked to unload a 747 full of jellybeans, what would you do?" were asked during job interviews by well-known companies. These questions are difficult...]]> Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:05:19 +0200 CBS reported that the number of working women has increased more over the past decade than the number of employed men.
In the second quarter of 2015 the population of active women was 3.8 million comparing to 3.4 million in 2005. There were 4.5 million men to work against 4.4 million ten years ago.

Last year the number of working women fell to under 3.8 million. Especially the number of women employed in health and welfare fell. In the previous year the increase among women was relatively strong, so the number of working women again rose above 3.8 million. However, three quarters...]]> Mon, 17 Aug 2015 10:47:53 +0200 According to the CBS, the number of bankruptcies, was approximately the same in July 2015 as in June. Besides, in the last two months, the number of bankruptcies has been at the lowest level since January 2009 and the downward trend continues.

In July 2015, 412 businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses) were declared bankrupt. While the total number of bankruptcies over the first 7 months of this year was 3,325, which is 19% less than during the same period of 2014.

With a total of 97, most bankruptcies of July were in the trade sector; 69 financial institutions were...]]> Wed, 12 Aug 2015 15:18:47 +0200 The motivation letter in the Netherlands is not necessarily an essential part of your job application. You can use the ‘Personal profile’ in your CV/ Resume to reflect your experience and objectives. If the companies require a cover/ motivation letter it should refer to your present and future plans, showing your prospective employers what you want to do now and what you will do for them in the future.

The goal of motivation letter is to introduce the CV/ Resume, to bring to attention aspects of your activity that can help your application and are not listed or not presented...]]> Wed, 12 Aug 2015 10:52:27 +0200 Landing a job in a foreign country can be tough, especially if the application doesn't comply with the general requirements of the labor market in the respective country. Every year thousands of German expats face the question of how to adapt their CV and motivation letter to the Dutch standards.

Isn't everything the same over there?

Fortunately for the Germans, the Dutch CV indeed doesn't differ too much from the German one. Likewise to the German CV the Dutch contains personal details, education and work experience as well as language and computer skills. Personal interests or hobbies are considered as...]]> Mon, 10 Aug 2015 12:09:28 +0200 Employers in the Netherlands have found a new way to get around paying the new transition fee which took effect July 1.  As it stands now, if an employer wishes to terminate an employment agreement that’s two or more years old, a mandatory transition allowance must be paid to the employee regardless of the reason for termination.  This also includes employees who’ve been sick long-term, and it’s upsetting many employers.  In retaliation, they’re keeping sick employees on board with the company in an unpaid status.

"Employers see it as highly unfair that they should give sick employees a severance payment...]]> Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:23:59 +0200

Frans Timmermans calls for better employment for women - (Picture: ANP  ReutersBenefit working women)


Brussels wants to improve the position of mothers in the workplace and increase the participation of women. Concrete proposals have come in 2016, but can take paternity leave, improving flexible work arrangements for both women and men, and childcare adjusted.

This made Frans Timmermans, Vice-President of the European Commission, known via social media. Brussels in the coming months working on the plan, and shall also look at the situation around maternity leave. Previous proposals from Brussels for a longer minimum number of weeks of maternity leave in...]]> Thu, 06 Aug 2015 09:44:26 +0200 As European cities continue to internationalize their economies, creative and knowledge-intensive regions throughout Holland are becoming more important to both its national and regional economies. As recently as 2012, TIME Magazine stated that the international orientation of European economies has helped them stay important in the expanded worldview taken by most international businesses, workers, and investors.

It’s estimated that The Netherlands will need over 600,000 international workers by 2050 to survive in a more globalized economy. As a result, large cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag, Utrecht and Eindhoven will need to strengthen their links to creative-knowledge talent around the...]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2015 12:17:48 +0200 As European cities continue to internationalize their economies, creative and knowledge-intensive regions throughout Holland are becoming more important to both its national and regional economies. As recently as 2012, TIME Magazine stated that the international orientation of European economies has helped them stay important in the expanded worldview taken by most international businesses, workers, and investors.

It’s estimated that The Netherlands will need over 600,000 international workers by 2050 to survive in a more globalized economy. As a result, large cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag, Utrecht and Eindhoven will need to strengthen their links to creative-knowledge talent around the...]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2015 12:11:11 +0200 The phenomenon of men and women’s work and career choices and experience often stands out with its complexity and ambiguity. Given the fact that men and women differ in their interests, it may be that there is a difference in the way they approach the job search process. For example, based on the stereotypical understanding of women being more family and less status and prestige orientated than men, one can always assume that women will have different attitude towards their career paths than men.

Those gender difference presumptions have been explained with the social role theory that presents the idea...]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2015 11:47:38 +0200 Chinese investment overseas set to climb to record level

The growth of outbound direct investment from China is remaining steady this year, leaving the world’s second-largest economy on track to exceed last year’s record figure, officials said on Thursday.

Investment in the nonfinancial sector rose to $56 billion in the first half, an increase of 29.2 percent compared with the same period last year, thanks in part to the development of new trade routes and free trade zones.

The country became a net capital exporter last year as the ODI figure of $116 billion exceeded capital inflows for the first...]]> Tue, 04 Aug 2015 16:20:29 +0200 According to CBS (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek), foreign multinationals occupy 20% of jobs in Dutch industry, while the Dutch multinationals account for 23%. The foreign multinationals are mainly employed in the Randstad and in the south, while jobs locations of Dutch multinationals are more evenly distributed across the Netherlands.
The report released on 4 August 2015 highlights that the foreign multinationals are especially active around Amsterdam. The concentration of foreign multinationals’ jobs (foreign companies with subsidiaries in the Netherlands) is also highest in the Randstad and in the south of the country. The largest proportion of jobs of foreign...]]> Tue, 04 Aug 2015 12:08:21 +0200 Multinational companies play prominent part in Dutch economy

Multinational companies account for 40 percent of jobs in the Dutch private sector ,for two-thirds of total private sector turnover and for over 80 percent of international goods trade, as Statistics Netherlands (CBS) announced today in the Internationalisation Monitor.On the basis of these facts, the small league of internationally operating companies is of vital importance for the Dutch economy.
Importance foreign and Dutch multinationals in the Netherlands, 2013Dutch multinationalsForeign multinationalsNon-multinationalsValue exported goodsValue imported goodsTurnoverJobsNumber of companies%

Multinationals provide nearly 2 million jobs
Multinational companies are important for the Dutch labour market. In...]]> Mon, 03 Aug 2015 12:40:01 +0200 A traditional summary articulates your strengths and accomplishments. However, this approach does not illustrate how you go about certain issues. In order to get to know your behavioural skills in a job interview, the recruiter will ask about your involvement in a situation with interview questions, such as “How do you persuade people to accept your point of you?” or “Give an example when you managed a project”. In this sense, the STAR interview method is a structured tool to draw on past experiences and elaborate and highlight your skills.

The STAR Method stands for:
S = Situation: Begin with...]]> Mon, 03 Aug 2015 12:13:59 +0200 According to CBS, multinational companies account for 40% of jobs in the Dutch private sector. The report released on 23 July 2015 highlights that multinational companies provide nearly 2 million jobs in the Dutch labour market.

Multinationals also make an important contribution to the total turnover generated by the Dutch private sector. In this sense, foreign multinationals generate 40%, Dutch multinationals 25%. In 2013, foreign multinationals accounted for approximately half of Dutch imports and exports of goods. As opposed, Dutch multinationals made for one-third of exports and 30% of imports.

By: C. Maiko Schnelle
...]]> Thu, 30 Jul 2015 13:10:58 +0200 A workplace conflict is traditionally described as opposing interests involving scarce resources, diverging goals and frustration.

However, this description is too narrow and not covering the problem completely. Work disputes are thought to arise in a situation of mix-motived relationships of competition or cooperation. Thus, the traditional understanding of conflict can explain the competitive conflict environment but doesn’t really focus on disputes occurring in a cooperative one, where people with the same goal can still come to a disagreement. Defining well the problem at hand is not only a technical matter but an essential task for a proper management. Conflict...]]> Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:47:14 +0200 Out of the seven biggest students cities in the Netherlands, Nijmegen is considered the safest, whereas Amsterdam is voted the least safe.

This was reported by studentenwegwijzer.nl, who conducted an online survey involving 1,016 students between the ages of 18 – 23. The seven biggest student cities are Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Delft, Leiden, Groningen, Rotterdam and Utrecht.

60% of students in Nijmegen regard their city as (very) safe, followed by Delft (53%), Leiden (52%), Groningen (41%), Utrecht (35%), Rotterdam (22%). Only 14% of Amsterdam-based students feel safe in their city. By: C. Maiko Schnelle
...]]> Thu, 23 Jul 2015 11:47:29 +0200 Nyenrode Business Universiteit has redesigned its full-time International MBA program around a set of six essential business practices in an effort to move away from the traditional set up of MBA programs which provide isolated courses.

According to Christo Nel, Program Director of the International MBA,

“Business isn’t run as separate courses but as a set of integrated real-life practices. It is our commitment to run a degree program which prepares people for business. To do so, the content needs to be as close to this reality as possible. The restructure of our program reflects what students and employers want...]]> Wed, 22 Jul 2015 15:55:53 +0200 The Dutch government is looking for ways to stimulate further development in “sharing economy” businesses like Airbnb and Uber within the legislation.

The Financieele Dagblad reports that according to a letter that Minister Henk Kamp of Economic Affairs sent to the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) on Monday 20 July 2015. Companies such as Uber and Airbnb have encountered opposition from higher-cost competitors, which complain about their unfair competition.

Kamp sees dated regulations as a hurdle for innovative companies to grow. “If we in the Netherlands want to profit first from the advantages of innovation, then we need to make...]]> Wed, 22 Jul 2015 11:09:40 +0200 The number of people in paid employment increased by 109,000 over the past 12 months. On average, 8,000 people were employed just last quarter.

CBS highlights on 16 July 2015 that particularly women account for the increase. Compared to June 2014, the number of employed women climbed by 85,000 to more than 3, 8 million. Business economics, administrative occupations and education are the sectors with the most remarkable rise in employed women.

Moreover, there were 289,000 new unemployment benefits paid in the first six months, which is nearly 15,000 fewer than in last year’s same period. Here, men nearly entirely...]]> Tue, 21 Jul 2015 10:54:49 +0200 Workplace bullying, shortly defined as “the repeated unethical and unfavourable treatment of one person by another in the workplace” (Constance Dierickx, Ph.D), is quite common nowadays. However, not every employee knows how to properly deal with it.

Even though bullying is an important social issue today, employees often do not recognise that they are being bullied. It has been proven that bullying is harmful for both the company, as it causes demotivation, destroys team work and even leads to staff turnovers, as well as causes serious damage to employee’s health, both morally and physically.

Here are some hidden forms of...]]> Mon, 20 Jul 2015 12:38:16 +0200 The European Social Fund makes around €20 million available to make employees’ skills and know-how to keep up with the job requirements.

According to Het Parool, the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment Lodewijk Asscher wrote to the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) on 15 July 2015 that the money could be used to retrain workers in a timely manner. Recently, research has shown that Dutch employees claim to lack new skills and know-how to perform their jobs well and show a tendency in suffering more often from burnout symptoms. Thus, it is important to keep these skills on a...]]> Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:28:07 +0200 PostNL is offering all its freelance parcel staff to become company employees. Alternatively, if they choose to remain independent, they will receive a salary increase of about 10%.

“By making this offer, PostNL is taking an important step towards a social and competitive delivery model. The offer is also groundbreaking in the parcels market. And it creates clarity for all our parcel deliverers,” said Yme Pasma, the company’s director for packages, in their official press statement released on Monday 13 July 2015. This offer, agreed with the FNV union, was voted by the freelance parcel staff in favour of the...]]> Wed, 15 Jul 2015 11:54:05 +0200 The Amsterdam-based menswear retail chain Suitsupply opened its first store in Shanghai, China on Saturday, marking the start of its expansion in China.

“Menswear is important in China’s big cities.” CEO Fokke de Jong told NU.nl on Saturday. “There, men want to look good. But there is a big gap between big and smaller cities.” He plans to open 10 to 14 stores in the near future.

Suitsupply opened locations in the US and South Africa in recent years, and may continue growing in South Korea and Australia. De Jong yet remarks that the international expansion needs to be manageable....]]> Tue, 14 Jul 2015 11:04:11 +0200 For the Dutch labour market, it is suggested to include a short introduction about yourself in your CV. However, often people find it quite difficult to decide what to write about in this short text, especially when they are applying for a job in the Netherlands for the first time. Here's how you can start:

The passage should be located right below your personal details. Give your text a short head line. For example, it could be called "Personal Profile", "CV Summary" or "Resume Introduction". This head line depends on the design of your CV and if it’s even needed...]]> Mon, 13 Jul 2015 12:21:17 +0200 The Flemish cinema chain Kinepolis Group has reached an agreement in principle to takeover Utopolis Group (Utopia SA), including five in the Netherlands.

According to Euroinvestor’s report on Friday 10 July, Utopolis has 13 cinema complexes in four countries, i.e. Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium and France. It welcomed 3, 4 million visitors and achieved a turnover of €41 million.

The takeover is part of Kinepolis expansion strategy as it reinforces its position in the Netherlands and France and adds a new market with Luxembourg. Relevant stakeholders will continue their efforts to comply with the associated conditions in the near term....]]> Mon, 13 Jul 2015 10:32:31 +0200 A large part of the money saved by passing the new student finance bill will be used to engage extra teachers at HBO colleges and universities.

De Volkskrant reports that Education Minister Jet Bussemaker is going to declare this move in the strategic agenda for higher education on Tuesday 14 July 2015.

The changed student loan system will save around 620 millions euros in the long run. More than half of it is supposed to pay for more than 4,000 new teachers. The four political parties (PvdA, D66, VVD, Groenlinks) have advocated the change including the abolition of the basic...]]> Thu, 09 Jul 2015 16:25:45 +0200 In the first half of 2015, the number of temporary workers increased by 11% on an annual basis. Temporary employment agencies’ turnover grew by 12% compared to the same period last year.

The Federation of Private Employment Agencies (Algemene Bond Uitzendondernemingen, ABU) revealed these figures on Tuesday 08 July 2015. The sectors with the biggest growth in temporary workers from 2014 to 2015 are the technical sector (+23% in hours, +20% in turnover), followed by the administrative sector (+10% and 11%, respectively) and industry (+6% and 7%).

The rise in temporary workers comes along with more opportunities for those who...]]> Thu, 09 Jul 2015 11:46:53 +0200 Carol Y. YAO, Project Manager of Jiahe Schengde Dutch team, elaborates on how hard work and team efforts are their main attributes to their journey to success.

Jiahe Shengde Investment Holdings B.V. (Jiahe Shengde B.V.) also known as Guangzhou International Automotive (GIA) is a subsidiary of a Chinese listing company, Guangxi Softto Group Co., Ltd. in China. A company that is strategically involved in the global automotive aftermarket which as well carries out projects regarding several auto parts, accessories trade, exhibition centres, scrapped car dismantling and parts remanufacturing platform which are currently covered in China. The Dutch subsidiary is currently set...]]> Tue, 07 Jul 2015 12:08:36 +0200 The Cabinet is devising a more flexible pension plan. The so-called “average premium” (doorsneesystematiek) should be abolished, said junior social affairs minister Jetta Klijnsma on Monday 06 July 2015.

All young and old employees annually pay the same contribution and build up the same pension in this “average premium” system. However, according to NU.nl, Klijnsma calls this unfair, since the contribution of young people earns interest for longer than that of older people. Thus, more and more young people find that they have to pay way too much of pension contribution. The Cabinet also points out that the current system...]]> Tue, 07 Jul 2015 11:56:58 +0200 The Cabinet is devising a more flexible pension plan. The so-called “average premium” (doorsneesystematiek) should be abolished, said junior social affairs minister Jetta Klijnsma on Monday 06 July 2015.

All young and old employees annually pay the same contribution and build up the same pension in this “average premium” system. However, according to NU.nl, Klijnsma calls this unfair, since the contribution of young people earns interest for longer than that of older people. Thus, more and more young people find that they have to pay way too much of pension contribution. The Cabinet also points out that the current system...]]> Tue, 07 Jul 2015 11:46:26 +0200 Clare Summerfield, Wealth Manager for Elliot Lloyd, shares why their team stands out among wealth management firms in the Netherlands and how intelligent and self-motivated candidates can be a part of her team 

What does Elliot Lloyd do?
Elliot Lloyd offers wealth management and financial planning services worldwide. We help international clients at all levels of wealth strategically manage their investments while protecting them from risks around inflation and excessive taxation. Elliot Lloyd also provides personalized financial solutions like retirement planning and saving for children’s education.

How was Elliot Lloyd started? What is the story behind it?
I have a lot...]]> Mon, 06 Jul 2015 21:01:37 +0200 ING’s shutdown of its branch in Arnhem by the end of next year will affect approximately 650 employees.

According to Reuters, the Dutch bank’s spokesman reported on Thursday July 2nd 2015 that call centre and IT operations will be moved to other locations, while the majority of the tasks will be moved to Leeuwarden.

Layoffs are not planned. However, “some” employees might be lost due to a reorganization announced last November.

The trade union CNV is outraged. “This is a disaster for the local employment. Part-time call centre workers are certainly not commuting to Leeuwarden to work there”, said CNV...]]> Mon, 06 Jul 2015 11:09:46 +0200 Workers between the ages 20 to 64 who are financially vulnerable often have part-time jobs. Out of those, 13% of men’s and 27% of women’s income is below social security level.

According to CBS’s report on Tuesday, more women are employed on a part-time basis because they prefer not to work long hours. As a result, 80% of financially vulnerable women work less than 20 hours a week.

Financially vulnerability is twice as common among self-employed and is also prevalent among flex workers, who have salaries at social security level. Financially vulnerable men are nearly three times as often flexible...]]> Mon, 06 Jul 2015 10:41:12 +0200 A diverse set of skills, perspectives, backgrounds and experiences encourages the development of new ideas and offers multiple alternatives for solving specific problems. Diversity is one of the key drivers of innovation and an important part of building success on a global scale

A great number of companies have discovered that increasing the diversity of their workforce, improves employees performance, making customers happier which definitely contributes to success. A diverse and inclusive work environment is of extreme importance for companies that want to attract top talents as well. With today’s global economy, organizations that are competing for the best employees...]]> Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:34:24 +0200 An investigation of the trade union CNV Care and Welfare is offering new evidence this week of the hardships many disability caregivers face. The number of reports of unsafe conditions increases.

Accordingly, more than 85% of them are subjected to swearing, hitting, threats and other forms of aggression. A quarter of these workers feel that their bosses force them to withhold this, and that they should not file a complaint.

The president of the union points out that it most likely has to do with cutbacks in healthcare, which result in less staff and thus in less attention to the...]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2015 12:11:30 +0200 An investigation of the trade union CNV Care and Welfare is offering new evidence this week of the hardships many disability caregivers face. The number of reports of unsafe conditions increases.

Accordingly, more than 85% of them are subjected to swearing, hitting, threats and other forms of aggression. A quarter of these workers feel that their bosses force them to withhold this, and that they should not file a complaint.

The president of the union points out that it most likely has to do with cutbacks in healthcare, which result in less staff and thus in less attention to the...]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2015 12:07:55 +0200 The following reflect the biggest changes in the regulations on dismissal law since 1945. During this year we expect to inform you about our first practice experience during a seminar. For now, we would like to highlight the key changes

DISMISSAL
The purpose of new dismissal law according to the government: it should be more fair and cheaper. There will be only one fixed route for grounds for dismissal: for grounds of long term disability and or economic reasons, the Dutch Employee Insurance Implementing Agency (UWV) needs to be addressed. All other grounds are at the jurisdiction of the Cantonial Court. The employer...]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2015 10:39:06 +0200 A study by CBS reveals that Europe’s career support helps young unemployed find a job in the Netherlands.

During the period 2009 – 2014, the initiative reached about 20% of young unemployed people. More than 145,000 people participated in the ESF (European Social Fund) programme, a campaign initiated by the EU to boost and improve employment in Europe. The ESF funds help people to advance their skills, such as through traineeships and coaching, and enhance their job opportunities along with it.

In 2010 – 2012, more than 60% of the people found a job right after the participation. The unstable...]]> Mon, 29 Jun 2015 12:47:28 +0200 Finding a job can be a lengthy endeavour. It takes time to adapt your CV, write a cover letter and fill out applications. Sooner or later, you might be ready to take a job you don’t really want just to pay the bills. While this is a normal experience for any job seeker, there are certain tools and steps that help you speed up the job search, and ultimately, get hired faster. In this sense, we have 10 tips you might want to consider

1. Make use of social media
Recently, more companies are using social media to find candidates.
When...]]> Mon, 29 Jun 2015 11:19:32 +0200 The Inspectorate Sociale Zaken en Werkgelegenheid (Social Affairs and Employment, Inspectorate SZW) wants employers to take responsibility for the occurrence of occupational diseases.

This was confirmed in De Monitor, a programme of the broadcasting company KRO-NCRV. Currently, many reports are sent in the Netherlands Center for Occupational Diseases (NCvB), not to the Inspectorate SZW, who supports safe and fair working conditions and socio-economic security. Under these circumstances, the supervisory body cannot determine in which companies vocational illnesses occur.

Lodewijk Asscher, the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, did not honour the Inspectorate’s request in May 2015. Shifting responsibilities would not...]]> Fri, 26 Jun 2015 10:32:34 +0200 The Dutch grocery chain Ahold and Belgium’s Delhaize agreed to a merger, creating one of the biggest supermarket operators in both Europe and the US.

Both companies announced their fusion on Wednesday 24 June 2015. The combined group, Ahold Delhaize, will operate 6,500 stores with 375,000 associates. Mats Jansson, the current Chairman of Delhaize, will become Chairman of the new firm, with current Ahold Chief Executive Dick Boer as CEO, who said: “The proposed merger with Delhaize is an exciting opportunity to create an even stronger and more innovative retail leader for our customers, associates and shareholders worldwide.”

According to...]]> Thu, 25 Jun 2015 13:49:11 +0200 50% of all workers in the Netherlands would like the choice to pick between record holidays or to be paid for these days.

This was shown through a research on Wednesday by Randstad Werkmonitor (Randstad Work Monitor), held by SSI under 810 workers.
It was stated that nearly three-quarters of the workforce spends his/her holiday days not specifically on vacation. 57% of this group use this day for remodelling or renovation. The rest of the workers spend their time taking care of relatives.

In addition, almost a quarter of the Dutch workforce prefers to receive the extra holiday pay on...]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2015 12:39:50 +0200 When preparing your CV, always take into account the origins of the company you are applying to. Is it a Bulgarian organization with offices situated in The Netherlands? Is it a Dutch company doing business in The Netherlands? A good understand of the mentality of the company will help you create your CV appropriately for the people who are going to read it. Here you can find some general CV differences between Bulgaria and the Netherlands.

1. Content
General candidate’s CV must include: personal details, education, work experience, language skills and computer skills. However, that is usually enough when preparing...]]> Mon, 22 Jun 2015 12:44:28 +0200 The number of job vacancies in Eurozone countries continued to grow in the first quarter of 2015, although less significantly than in the previous quarter.

According to Eurostat, the number of vacancies fell to 1,7% of total employment in the Eurozone, compared to 1,8% in the fourth quarter of last year. Germany, UK and Belgium showed the strongest growth in the number of vacancies. Latvia’s share climbed by 0,5% and the number in the Netherlands grew by 0,1% (1,6%).
By: C.Maiko Schnelle
 ...]]> Tue, 23 Jun 2015 10:51:24 +0200 1. Your CV is full of misspellings and grammar mistakes
You've got the chance to show the recruiter how conscientious you are. Don't miss out! A Resume with spelling or grammar mistakes gives the impression that you have not taken your application seriously or that you simply do not work accurately. Show your CV to others – often they see mistakes you have not yet realized, especially if you are not writing the application in your native language.

2. The CV is way too long
Great tip to keep in mind is that the recruiter probably does not have much time. Rewriting...]]> Mon, 22 Jun 2015 11:17:04 +0200 Entrepreneurs overall perform better when they have learned how to cope with stress. The more stress an entrepreneur faces, the less financial and personal aims it can achieve.

Josette Dijkhuizen highlights this as part of her PhD at Tilburg University. Her survey of 277 businesses shows that feelings of uncertainty, risk and responsibility as well as being available at all times greatly affect entrepreneurs’ stress perception. They can achieve a significant competitive advantage when they learn to cope with occupational stress, says Dijkhuizen. She further claims that entrepreneurs need to have inspiration in order to be successful. Consultants and coaches...]]> Fri, 19 Jun 2015 11:54:42 +0200 The cash-in-transit company Brink’s Nederland will be taken over by the German firm Wincor Nixdorf.

According to their press release on Tuesday 16 June 2015, Wincor Nixdorf wants to merge Brink’s Nederland with their subsidiary SecurCash. “Our activities can complement and reinforce one another”, said both companies in their joint statement. Brink’s Nederland has been struggling with the increased competition, especially from Geldservice Nederland (GSN), a joint venture of ABN Amro, ING and Rabobank.

Despite of a re-organization of the firm, the competition has been so fierce that it led to hundreds of job losses. With the merger, only 550...]]> Fri, 19 Jun 2015 11:53:30 +0200 The Dutch exports in April nearly saw a 4,7% rise compared to the exports in the same month during the previous season. The total volume of imports increased by 1,4%.

CBS released these figures on Monday 15 June 2015. The report attributes the export increase to the growing output of transport equipment, machinery as well as rubber- and plastic materials.

The conditions for exports in May and June were slightly less favourable in April due to adverse effects of the real exchange rate.

By: C. Maiko Schnelle ...]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2015 15:14:21 +0200 Congratulations! You have successfully reached the point in your job application process when you have been invited for an interview from the company. But the question is: what to do now? Preparing for a job interview, either face-to-face, phone or even a skype interview is a very important and thorough process, crucial part of which is preparing the absolute must ask questions during a job interview. Asking good, intelligent and well-prepared questions during an interview, shows the employer that you are really interested in the position for which you are applying and that you are serious about working in the...]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2015 11:38:39 +0200 The Dutch companies NXP and MammaPrint won the European Patent Office’s (EPO) annual European Inventor Award, which is awarded to inventors who have made an outstanding contribution to social development, technological progress and economic growth.

The winners were announced on Thursday 11 June 2015. The Eindhoven-based NXP received the award for their ground-breaking work in Near Field Communication (NFC). NXP contributed to a secure technology for data transfer between mobile devices.

Laura van ‘t Veer invented MammaPrint, which is a breast cancer test based on genetic research. NU.nl says that thanks to this technology, there is less need for chemotherapy...]]> Fri, 12 Jun 2015 11:08:22 +0200 Freerk Faber, director of World Trade Center (WTC) Twente says the organisation has seen great growth and it is providing a range of international trade services to local and international investors

“I became the director during the period of economic crisis and it was a hard time to start,” recalls Freerk Faber, director of WTC Twente. Though Faber took the reins in 2009 during the economic downturn, under his careful direction, WTC Twente has developed tremendously over the past six years offering a range of trade services for regional and international investors.

Faber says that WTC Twente has a fixed staff...]]> Thu, 11 Jun 2015 12:45:12 +0200 In the Netherlands, a growing number of people aged 50 and older found employment in the first four months of this year. Almost 26,000 were hired, which is around a quarter more than in the same period last year.

The Employee Insurance Agency (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen, UWV) published these figures on Wednesday 10 June 2015 and expects this positive trend to continue next year. The benefits agency sees the best chances for over-50s to find work in retail and wholesale trade as well as business services. These are the sectors that are expected to create new job openings.

This year in...]]> Thu, 11 Jun 2015 11:12:02 +0200 In the past year, the wage gap amongst female and male employers is getting smaller. The salary difference is currently declining, and might finish disappearing.

According to the report Loonwijzer en Monsterboard, (Wage and Monsterboard), which provides an annual insight into wage developments in the Netherlands, the female gross earnings remain unchanged at € 13.86 per hour, however the man gross earnings has decline from € 15.19 to € 14.72 per hour.

This decrease means that the wage gap of 5.8% (€ 0.86 per hour) is more than three percent less than the year before and will continues to decline...]]> Wed, 10 Jun 2015 12:50:30 +0200 Per 1 July, Dutch employees will be confronted with a new labour law. There has been talk by industry experts that “labour will never be the same” and that “it will be the greatest change in labour law ever”. Unlike what is being stated or speculated, this change will only be an easy start for what lies ahead of us. By 2040, the Dutch and the whole international labour market would have changed dramatically.

Let us fast forward to 2040 – how would your career have been when you look back? And what would your children's be like? The best...]]> Wed, 10 Jun 2015 12:58:16 +0200 When choosing a job, Dutch employees tend to think that an interesting task is more important than a higher salary with a less content prospect.

Linkedin released these findings in their global Talent Trends 2015 report on Wednesday 03 June 2015. It surveyed more than 20,000 professionals in 29 countries, of which 678 were Dutch.

Challenging tasks, professional development, future prospects and growth opportunities are particularly relevant to the Dutch participants. Employees appear to be less enthusiastic about better job titles. Additionally, the report highlights that the Dutch place remarkably little importance to better pay and benefits (16%), which is...]]> Wed, 10 Jun 2015 11:26:40 +0200 You have probably noticed that CV/ Resume in every country have its own specific fine points. Therefore when applying for a job in Netherlands, it is good to know the main differences between your original CV/Resume and the Dutch one.

We start our CV comparison with an English (United Kingdom) CV.

Photo or no photo?
First, there should be a professional photo on the Dutch CV. It may sound peculiar for job hunters/expats from the UK, where almost all CVs do not contain a photo. It is considered that a photo on the CV will make a selection process biased...]]> Wed, 10 Jun 2015 11:07:50 +0200 The Dutch telecommunications company KPN dedicates 35 million euros to invest in start-ups to promote innovation and to speed up further developments in the IT sector.

“It is more important than ever to partner with agile and innovative players to be part of new developments, “ said KPN’s CFO Jan Kees de Jager in a press release on Monday 08 June 2015. The venture fund, called KPN Ventures, will offer potential partners access to KPN’s networks and knowledge.
By: C. Maiko Schnelle...]]> Tue, 09 Jun 2015 10:50:25 +0200 Business bankruptcy files in the Netherlands dropped in May 2015 to their lowest level since November 2008. A total of 370 organizations shut their doors last month, 84 less than in April.

These figures were reported by CBS on Friday 05 June 2015. Most bankruptcies were filed by the financial institutions, namely 88. In trade, the number of bankruptcies dropped by 46 to 59. Trade and financial services are also sectors with the most companies. Considering the number of firms engaged in the fields, transport and storage make for sectors with a relatively large amount of business failures.

The three-month...]]> Mon, 08 Jun 2015 12:26:37 +0200
Are you aware that your default LinkedIn headline can be changed?

In fact, LinkedIn sets it as "At" - say for example "Senior Manager at Microsoft". While this conveys a certain message, there is a lot of potential to attract prospective leads to view your profile by making a discrete sales pitch and offering more info about yourself

What your headline should achieve
• Have keywords: Your headline should contain key words that will make you more visible in search items. You could be looked up for a number of reasons - recruiters, potential clients, and people from your company....]]> Mon, 08 Jun 2015 10:58:17 +0200
CV clips Netherlands

Record your own personal CV-Clip and beat the competition on 11th of june WTC The Hague

Nowadays the competition in the job market is getting BIGGER and BETTER and more and more people are applying for the same position. We want the candidates to stand out, increase their chances to get hired and make an unforgettable first impression even before meeting the interviewer. 



For that we want our candidates to show something that words can’t; Show that they are MOTIVATED, RELIABLE and CONFIDENT.

One can write about having these skills, BUT there is nothing that will prove it...]]> Sat, 06 Jun 2015 22:17:43 +0200 The number of workers with a flexible employment contract has been increasing from 15% (2004) to 22% (2014) over the past decade. The same applies to self-employed, whose number rose from 8% to 12% in the same period of time.

These figures were revealed by CBS on Monday 01 June 2015, and give an insight into its joint publication with the TNO, ‘Dynamiek op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt: De focus flexibilisering’ („Dynamics in the Dutch Labour Market: Focus on flexibility“).

In this sense, the Netherlands has moved up to third place in the EU, just behind Spain and Portugal. However, there...]]> Fri, 05 Jun 2015 11:34:29 +0200 The application deadline has been extended by more than three months to the 15 September 2015. Now unions and employers get more time to submit a job plan to Lodewijk Asscher from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment.

NU.nl reports that several regions and sectors requested more time to devise the measures, which will hopefully help people find work. The government recently provided 600 million euros for job plans, distributed over three periods. The proposals of the first two periods with a volume of 450 million euros have already been allocated. The final period with 150 million euros has just been...]]> Thu, 04 Jun 2015 12:03:22 +0200 People who receive unemployment or sickness benefits can withhold information about their income with impunity. The Work and Security law (Wet Werk en Zekerheid, WWZ) will go into effect on 01 July 2015.

Trouw revealed this on Saturday, 30 May 2015. This law is a replacement of the Unemployment Benefits Act (werkloosheidswet, WW), but it will continue to exist for those who request it until 01 July”, said a spokesman of the UWV to NU.nl. Under this new law, people’s income will automatically be deducted from the data that the UWV and tax authorities have.

The UWV told Trouw that...]]> Wed, 03 Jun 2015 11:43:52 +0200  The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment has already acknowledged this issue at the end of last year, as it has turned out to be a serious problem. There will be a major national campaign against bullying in the workplace.

A study by TNO in 2013 revealed that 17% of employees are sometimes bullied; which makes one of six employees. The economic crisis could be seen as one of the causes. “In uncertain times, some people need to show that they are better than others, and this was done by bullying co-workers”, said Laura Willense from the “Bullying on the workplace” foundation...]]> Tue, 02 Jun 2015 12:08:48 +0200 Personal branding is not hype or a trend; it is something that stays with you forever. It reflects your differentiation because it’s your OWN, it’s who you are. Developed or not, personal branding is the way you are perceived. Invest time and create a perception that will make others invest in you

Here are 6 steps on how to create an efficient personal brand.

Find your passion
The most important part of creating a personal brand is to figure out your passions and what you would like to be known for. Passion being your foundation, it’s essential that it’s something strong...]]> Mon, 01 Jun 2015 16:12:18 +0200 270,000 students participated in the annual National Student Inquiry, which was organised by Studiekeuze123. The survey highlighted that the Dutch students have never been this happy with their university and college courses.

The survey results were published on Thursday 21 May 2015, says ANP. Around 72% of university students are content with their courses, which makes a rise of 3% compared to last year. 58% of HBO college students are happy, which makes an increase from 53% in 2014.

Education Minister Jet Bussemaker spoke of “pleasant results” but acknowledges weak points that need to be tackled. In this sense, students...]]> Mon, 01 Jun 2015 13:28:28 +0200 In cooperation with partners in China, Dutch engineering companies Royal HaskoningDHV and Ecofys devised a plan to boost the use of bicycles in Beijing once again.

According to NU.nl, the Asian Development Bank reached out to the Dutch firms last year. The Dutch firms presented their plan to the city of Beijing officials on Monday 25 May 2015. Car emissions are mainly responsibly for smog in the Chinese capital, hence it is necessary to create decent bike paths to combat the smog and related health issues.

The purpose of the Dutch-Chinese cooperation is to make Beijing a cycle-friendly capital, since...]]> Thu, 28 May 2015 10:44:26 +0200 The number of women in senior management positions has once again increased slightly. Between 2013 and 2014, the share of women in top jobs climbed from an average of 19, 8% to 20,9% at 250 Dutch firms.

The 250 companies have signed a charter named “Talent naar de Top” to demonstrate their commitment to increase the number of women on their management boards. The government set a target of 30%. The signatories of the charter claim that 44% of their executive boards and 21% of their non-executive directors meet this target better than other companies.

According to the baltictimes.com, The...]]> Wed, 27 May 2015 13:12:45 +0200 The “Do-it-yourself” chain Hornbach expands its workforce in the Netherlands by more than a quarter this year. The German hardware company will open two new branches in Geelen and Best as well as a customer service centre.

This was published in Hornbach press release on Thursday 21 May 2015. Accordingly, 350 new employees will be hired over the course of the year, making the overall number of workers exceed to 1,600 in the Netherlands.

The company has been established for about 18 years in the Netherlands and currently have nine branches. In Europe, Hornbach has almost 150 stores, which almost a hundred...]]> Tue, 26 May 2015 11:19:39 +0200 The Netherlands dropped four places in the latest edition of the World Economic Forum’s Human Capital Index.

The index measures 124 countries’ education and evaluates how they invest in skills development and deployment. According to WEF’s press release, Finland ranks number one, followed by Norway and Switzerland. Amongst others, the index highlights the Netherlands’ limited participation of over 55 year olds in the economy, which could be considered as the country’s weak point.

The WEF believes in talent as the key factor to connect growth, innovation and competitiveness in the 21st century.
By: C. Maiko Schnelle ...]]> Tue, 26 May 2015 10:49:27 +0200
23% of Dutch employees claim to lack new skills and know-how to perform their jobs well. These workers tend to be ill more often and show a tendency in suffering more often from burnout symptoms.

This is highlighted in the Dutch Working Conditions Survey of 2014 (De Nationale Enquête Arbeidsomstandigheden), published on Thursday 21 May 2015. Skills and know-how often cannot keep up with rapid technological developments and organisational changes, and thus quickly become obsolete or outdated. According to the chart as seen on CBS, this phenomenon is most prevalent in the information and communication sector (27%), followed by the...]]> Fri, 22 May 2015 12:44:34 +0200 International retail chains, particularly those engaged in the fashion industry, increasingly got a foothold in the Netherlands. 18 chains broke into the Dutch market last year, 15 of which in Amsterdam.

According to the research by CBRE released on Tuesday, 35% of all international retailers are established in the Dutch capital. CBRE claims to be the largest worldwide consulting firm in the field of commercial real estate. The research highlights that foreign retail chains tend to prefer so-called A1 locations with a high level of footfall to establish new branches, particurlarly seen last year when Stone Island and La Perla settled...]]> Wed, 20 May 2015 12:15:29 +0200 Alongside large companies, smaller companies benefit from the economic growth as well. The total revenues of small- and medium-sized enterprises climbed by 4%, while the operating profit rose by a quarter in the previous year.

These figures were reported by SRA, a network of accounting firms, based on examining accounts of more than 3,200 companies. Accordingly, last year’s average earnings rose by 32% compared to 2013. Companies located in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and in northern provinces performed better in terms of turnover than other places in the Netherlands. The main cause of this rising profits seems to be the...]]> Mon, 18 May 2015 13:41:27 +0200 Being late for work happens to everyone at some point in time; sleeping through an alarm, getting caught up in horrible traffic or disruptive train schedules are just examples of getting into circumstances beyond your control. But being late on a frequent basis may be a bit more inconvenient for you and your co-workers. Some companies have strict tardiness rules, others are more tolerated, and however your case may be, it is important to stay on a positive note with both your supervisor and co-workers.

Here are some tips for being late for work;

• Be fully aware of the...]]> Mon, 18 May 2015 12:25:26 +0200 Due to higher investments, exports and more consumption contribution, the Dutch economy grew in the first quarter of 2015 by 0.4% compared to the previous one.

Based on primary calculations, Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS) reported that the Dutch economy is growing on a quarterly basis for the fourth time.

The economy is recovering even though this quarter growth is lower than the final quarter of 2014. Economist also forecasted a lower growth, which was also slightly weaker than predicted (0.5%). However, in comparison with the first quarter of 2014, the Dutch economy grew by 2.4% and the unemployment...]]> Wed, 13 May 2015 14:31:32 +0200 This year annual holiday allowance will fall in comparison to the previous years for many employees due to HR and payroll processor ADP own calculations.

This year the phasing out of tax credits which are income dependent will be taken into account, as a result employees will receive less net allowance. As stated in nu.nl, the tax credits will be phased out in stages and by 2024 payment of general tax on the lowest-earning partner will be cancelled.

The decline in holiday allowance particularly affects those with a higher income, for example; two and a half times the average income,...]]> Tue, 12 May 2015 14:13:21 +0200 Job interviews should emphasis on your capability to perform the essential functions of the job for which you are being interviewed. Many may think that the questions you receive should only focus on your education, experience and abilities, but it might not always be the case.

It is quite possible that at some point of a job interview, recruiters might ask an inappropriate question regarding marital status, religious views, race, ethnicity, disability, sex or age. As a result, one might feel uncomfortable or even discriminated.

The reason why recruiters may ask such questions is to make sure that there are...]]> Mon, 11 May 2015 12:28:09 +0200 Students attending the MBO (Middelbaar beroepsonderwijs; literally “intermediate vocational education“) may soon follow a newly aligned educational programme, which is supposed to increase their chances of finding a job.

The current law inhibits students from the ability to follow a flexible programme. MBO-institutions offer a combination of vocational as well as vocational guidance pathways (BOL and BBL), however they do not offer these as independent programmes.

The new law tackles this problem, as Education Minister Jet Bussemaker says on rijksoverheid.nl: “If we want young people to be better prepared for their future and want to increase their chances of finding...]]> Fri, 08 May 2015 14:04:22 +0200 Holidays are a great time for employees to recharge that can lead to a better work productivity. However, HR and managers needs to handle employee absences and ensure that the workflow process continues smoothly. Here are some tips HR can keep in mind while managing staff leave The holiday period is almost here and employees who have been working hard through the months are anticipating taking their vacation. Great news for you, the owner or manager, because you know that the time off actually helps boost productivity and satisfaction when employees return to work.
The bad news, however, is that not...]]> Thu, 07 May 2015 13:50:08 +0200 Every year, holiday grants for countless Dutch employees are an “extra”. However, this year, it might not be the case for many. According to a recent ABN AMRO study case, 16% of Dutch employees’ holiday grants and tax returns are actually needed by them to survive the upcoming months ahead.
ANP stated that not everyone is able to use their holiday grant to go on a luxurious holiday, particularly workers that earn less than the average income (less than 35,000 euros gross per year). For these employees, the holiday grant is usually used to pay off certain bills.
Out of the...]]> Thu, 07 May 2015 13:03:39 +0200 Approximately, a quarter of 44 million part-timers in the European Union (EU) last year wanted to work more hours than they actually did.
The European statistics agency Eurostat (Europese statistiekbureau Eurostat) stated that the 10 million part-timers would like more work – they represented 4.5% of the total workers in the EU, of which, two-thirds consisted of women.
The demand for additional work for part-timers in the Netherlands is the least in comparison to all the EU countries. Only 4% of part-time workers wished for more hours. The Netherlands is by far the leading part-time worker supplier in the region....]]> Thu, 07 May 2015 12:55:36 +0200 Have social media profiles become an acceptable means of applying for jobs? Will they be replacing the conventional resume any time soon?

I must warn you that there are no clear cut responses to these questions but looking at industry trends, we can glean some useful information that can prepare one to be better aligned to navigate the job search process and be in a better position to leverage on the tools of social media to further progress careers and job search efforts.

So, should social media profiles be used in lieu of resumes? I would say that first of...]]> Wed, 06 May 2015 16:13:17 +0200 There is no perfect recruitment process but a good one will ensure that companies and candidates find the right fit with each other


With the market picking up again, we, at Undutchables are noticing that it is no longer just candidates who are getting disappointed, but companies. Candidates are getting more opportunities and therefore have more choices. However, there is one question that needs careful attention – what is a successful recruitment process?

When it comes to recruiting there is no one correct way. It is important to try and get the most out of it whether you are a company...]]> Thu, 07 May 2015 00:52:41 +0200 Henriëtte Wentholt, owner of Wentholt Coaching & Training says that she offers various coaching programmes and training to help internationals and expat partners become culturally aware to reach their potential in their new environment

Does Wentholt Coaching & Training have a motto? What are the major aims of the company?
My motto is 'My commitment to creating cultural awareness around the world’. By creating this awareness, people will become more understanding and respectful of differences. If they are willing to learn they will evolve and contribute to a world where there is unity through diversity. In a world where diversity is...]]> Thu, 07 May 2015 00:55:57 +0200 Dutch Education minister Jet Bussemaker proposed a new law to punish institutions of higher education with a fine of 810,000 euros for wrongly referring themselves as universities or HBO-colleges.

“These types of organizations abuse the reputation of the Dutch higher education. They charge money and time from students for a worthless diploma, and this must no longer go unpunished,” commented Bussemaker, as reported on rijksoverheid.nl on Friday 1 May 2015.

Accordingly, “University” or “HBO” colleges (Hoger beroepsonderwijs; literally “higher professional education”) will be a protected name by the Dutch law. Furthermore, only officially accredited universities or HBO-colleges are entitled to...]]> Wed, 06 May 2015 11:42:43 +0200 Searching for a job is never an easy task and whether you are employed or unemployed, conducting a job search requires lots of research, time and effort. For various reasons, candidates that are currently employed are much more favoured by hiring managers.

Although, selling your personal brand while employed is easier, it can be particularly tricky, if your current boss is unaware. You definitely do not want to lose your job before finding a new one.

To avoid such situations, here are some tips on job searching while employed:

• Don’t tell anyone at work
“Loose lips sink ships”, an old...]]> Mon, 04 May 2015 12:45:37 +0200 In 2014, 10,000 employees were involved in 25 strikes in the Netherlands. In comparison to the previous years, much fewer people (33,000) than the annual average participated.

These figures were announced by CBS on Friday 1 May 2015. Overall, 41,000 workdays were lost due to the strikes. A ten-week campaign by employees in the cleaning sector accounted for more than half of these lost days. Twelve of the 25 strikes lasted for more than five days.

Compared to other European countries, the annual number of strikes is quite low in the Netherlands. CBS’ figures of the European average between 2009-2013...]]> Mon, 04 May 2015 12:03:05 +0200 The Dutch staffing company Randstad reports first-quarter results of 2015, which highlights significant revenue growth as a result of the positive currency effect. In total, it booked revenues of 4,4 billion euros, which was 12% higher than last year.

According to Reuters, Europe’s second-largest staffing company reported that revenues and earnings were particularly high in Britain, Luxembourg and Belgium. “The gradual recovery in Europe is reflected in our results, while we have also closed the market gap in both the Netherlands and France," said Chief Executive Jacques van den Broek in a statement on Thursday 30 April 2015.

In the...]]> Fri, 01 May 2015 11:31:32 +0200 There is at least eight per cent vacancy in Dutch primary schools because the number of pupils is decreasing. This is a particlular issue for schools in Limburg, Noord-Brabant and Friesland. Daniël Vos’ research project at the TU Delft recently demonstrated this. Rinda den Besten of the Primary Education Council (PO-raad) was not surprised by this, and commented on Saturday’s issue of Trouw: “Some places even have a vacancy of 20%.”

Normally, a vacancy rate of 4% is considered as acceptable in order to have sufficient room for a decrease or increase in the number of pupils. Additional heating, cleaning as...]]> Wed, 29 Apr 2015 12:23:37 +0200 The sporting goods retailer Telstar filed some of its chain stores in Amersfoort, Wooden, Coevorden, Almelo for bankruptcy.

This reports deStentor on 22 April 2015. The retailer known for its larger “megastores” has a total of twelve branches in the Netherlands. Accordingly, the company has suffered from unfavourable economic conditions that have led to this situation.
...]]> Fri, 24 Apr 2015 15:50:17 +0200 Dutch students show a lack of pleasure in learning experiences. They are difficult to enthuse on education compared to neighbouring countries’ students, however only relatively few students perform below average.

Many teachers as well as students consider this widespread lack of drive in education as problematic, as the Education Report (Onderwijsverslag) of 2013-2014 highlights. It was published on 15 April 2015. Accordingly, four out of ten teachers find difficulties in motivating secondary school students that show an indifferent attitude towards learning. Particularly maths and reading are very unpopular subjects. Similar findings were determined in the previous year’s report.

Another development is...]]> Thu, 23 Apr 2015 14:37:37 +0200 A Vrije Universiteit student, Steinar Henskes, has won the Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s (EO) Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) with his company that provides animal friendly-lasers to keep birds at a safe distance from dangerous areas.

The organisation said that he competed against 2,000 students from 38 countries in a series of national and international contests. On Saturday 18 April 2015, Henskes was awarded the $20,000 prize to support his entrepreneurial journey. “What an unbelievable journey to not only start a business as a student, but to win the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards, it’s a dream come true,” commented the CEO of...]]> Wed, 22 Apr 2015 09:20:44 +0200 The number of people who found employment in the Netherlands has increased in the past three months. Overall, the unemployment rate was reduced by an average of 6,000 per month.

According to the latest figures by CBS, this development is particularly visible amongst young people. The employment figure for those within15 to 24 years old increased by approximately 10,000 a month. This trend has already started in mid-2014. Over-45s also found more employment, however this development is less significant than in the young population.

The Employee Insurance Agency also stated that the number of unemployment benefits declined, in particular amongst...]]> Wed, 22 Apr 2015 08:57:10 +0200 In 2014, music streaming as well as download services achieved higher sales than selling physical music. This is the very first time that digital music offsets CDs or other physical media.

This was announced on IFPI on 14 April 2015. The figures indicate the global music industry to be in a constant transition. Consumers show a trend in embracing streaming and subscription services. Leading global players are Spotify and Deezer. IFPI’s chief executive, Frances Moore, says: “The recorded music business has always led the way for creative industries in the digital world. That leadership continues today as the music industry’s digital...]]> Mon, 20 Apr 2015 13:33:53 +0200 There are almost 1,5 million companies based in the Netherlands, which marks a new all time record. This is almost solely due to increase in number of one-man businesses.

CBS delivered these figures on Wednesday 15 April 2015. Accordingly, the number of small businesses with a workforce of one to 50 people has been increasing since 2010. Particularly the amount of one-man companies has risen by almost 25% ever since. Conversely, the number of middle-sized or large companies has overall decreased.

Most of these establishments are based in business services, healthcare as well as in the education industry.
...]]> Fri, 17 Apr 2015 15:17:27 +0200 More than 60% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), that make use of the Research and Development Promotion Act (Wet Bevordering Speur- en Ontwikkelingswerk; WBSO), invest or trade in the international commodity market.

This was announced by Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS) on Monday 13th April 2015. WBSO seeks to stimulate entrepreneurs to raise their investments in research. Therefore, with the aid of the program; companies can lower the wage costs for R&D.

CBS highlights that more than 80% of the SMEs that made use of WBSO in the manufacturing as well as in the retail industry, trade in...]]> Thu, 16 Apr 2015 11:38:17 +0200 Telecommuting and flexible working is to become a legal right in the Netherlands. The law must ensure that employees can easier combine work and family responsibilities.

According to NU.nl, this proposal was made by the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) as well as the GreenLeft. The Senate (Eerste Kamer) reached an agreement on this with a large majority on Tuesday 14 April 2015, which the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) had already done last October.

NU.nl claims that the law must facilitate a balance in carrying out work and family responsibilities, however the right to telecommuting or flexible working is not...]]> Wed, 15 Apr 2015 15:27:11 +0200 Job search experts say that many jobseekers believe that once they step out of the office the interview is over, but that is simply not the case.

Writing a thank you note or email after an interview is not just part of formality but can be that extra key to getting a job offer. However, experts say that only 20% of candidates take the time to send a thank you note to their hiring managers or recruiters.

Sending a thank you email is not only courteous -- thanking a recruiter for giving you an opportunity to speak with them, but it...]]> Tue, 14 Apr 2015 13:00:13 +0200 FedEx Corporation (FedEx) is to take over Dutch package delivery firm, TNT Express N.V. (TNT Express). The €4.4 billion deal is meant to help boost the US-based delivery company’s presence in Europe.

This was released in a joint statement by both companies last week. FedEx already operates an air-express delivery service in Europe but lags behind in the ground-delivery business. According to the statement, acquiring TNT will give FedEx direct access to the vast road network in Europe. FedEx Chief Executive, Fred Smith, said: “Europe, despite the fact that there has been low growth, is still an enormous market both...]]> Tue, 14 Apr 2015 09:07:00 +0200 The Dutch political party, Democraten 66 (D66) wants primary schools to obtain more freedom in giving English, German or French lessons. This initiative is to help reduce unemployment rates in border areas such as in Groningen.

According to NU.nl, research indicates that Dutch companies located in border regions struggle with the low German language proficiency in their employees. There are many opportunities for people to work across the border. For instance, the unemployment rate in East Groningen is at approximately 15% while the area across the border counts only half.

Paul van Meenen, who made this proposition, said: “We see...]]> Tue, 14 Apr 2015 09:02:35 +0200 The Dutch political party, Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) is proposing demotion and lower salaries for mature workers to decrease unemployment in this group.

According to the Financieele Dagblad (FD), CDA’s Scientific Institute reported that the elderly tend to have difficulties finding employment, partly because they are more costly than other staff. Demotion is supposed to contribute to reducing unemployment amongst mature workers.

The report highlights that seniors’ employment needs to be brought more in line with those of other workers. Also, Hans de Boer, the chairman of The Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO-NCW), advocated demotion at the end...]]> Thu, 09 Apr 2015 12:37:30 +0200 The merger between cable operators UPC and Ziggo has led to the loss of 450 permanent positions. Several hundred temporary and external contracts will not renewed.

Ziggo reported that these jobs will disappear in the following three years. “Merging these two companies will lead to a more efficient cooperation,” said the company in a press release. This particularly applies to product development, innovation as well as infrastructure departments. Also, layers in the management department will be reduced.

According to the trade union CNV, Ziggo’s mass layoff is not unexpected, but its degree is “shocking”. CNV’s spokesperson, Albert Spieseke said to...]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2015 14:32:41 +0200 Millenials will make up 75% of the global workforce by 2025. Jerry Grimes discusses what organisations want in their young talent and what Millenials expect in joining the workforce You have just arrived at work and learn that a new college graduate just joined your team. You walk over to greet your young colleague, what are the first thoughts in your head? Do you expect them to be ambitious and tech-savvy, eager to work hard or do expect your younger, less experienced team member to expect status and rewards without “paying their dues”?
These thoughts about Generation-Y (those born from the...]]> Tue, 07 Apr 2015 12:55:47 +0200 Peter Koijen, Owner at in2Motivation, tells us about the company’s personal and professional development programmes and how it is beneficial for both individuals and organisations Could you describe the major goals of in2motivation?
in2motivation is an international company for personal and professional development. Our mission is to get the best out of people – both companies and individuals. We specialise in motivation, coaching and training to enable changes in behaviour and communication. And our intention is to inspire and motivate people to live their lives and do it their own way.
What kind of training does in2motivation provide and how can...]]> Tue, 07 Apr 2015 11:31:43 +0200 It is essential that employees have a great drive that can contribute to their productivity and efficiency at work. Joris van Goudoever explains where employees can get their source of energy and how this motivates them to go the extra mile at work More and more research is being focused on the following question – what is the “source of energy” for employees? The Scientific Job Demands- Resources model (JD-R model) describes two types of work processes that occur in any work environment – one process is based on job requirements, and the other on energiebronnen or the source of...]]> Tue, 07 Apr 2015 11:23:22 +0200 Part of the new employment law is the transition allowance. It must always be paid to an employee in case of termination on or after 1 July 2015 (also non-renewal) of a contract at the employer’s initiative, if the employment lasted at least 24 months. This is also applicable if the employment contract was entered into before 1 July 2015. This brings an end to the long standing practice for parties to determine remuneration on the basis of the “cantonal judge formula”. In case of a termination agreement from a legal point of view, thereis no obligation to pay the...]]> Tue, 07 Apr 2015 11:20:23 +0200 Increasing youth minimum wage as high as adults’ minimum wage will eventually lead to a rise in youth unemployment, stated the Verbond van Nederlandse Ondernemingen (VNO) and Nederlands Christelijk Werkgeversverbond (NCW) also known as the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers.
Last week, the union argued over the increase of minimum wage and started a campaign against it, reported Nu.nl. According to the two organisations, under-educated youth will be particularly affected by the Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging’s (FNV) plan. The FNV believes in rewarding employees based on productivity rather than their age.
VNO-NCW also mentioned that youth unemployment will be quite harmful to...]]> Fri, 03 Apr 2015 14:53:42 +0200 In The Netherlands, four out of ten young people (between 15 to 27 years old) are not available for the labour market. This group of young unemployed comprise those who are not pursuing an education, those not looking for a job and not available for work.

The report released by Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS) highlighted that these 75,000 young people virtually have no chance to participate in the labour market. This particularly applies to young women. According to the study, 37% of this group claim disability and disease as their main reasons for their unemployment status.

Women give family...]]> Thu, 02 Apr 2015 15:38:02 +0200 Absenteeism in the workplace has plummeted in The Netherlands in the past few years. In 2014, it decreased to 3,8%, which is the lowest absenteeism rate recorded since 1996.

The Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS) suspects the ailing economy as well as the mild flu epidemic behind the decrease. In the previous year, an average 38 of 1000 employees were sick. In 2000 / 2001, the absenteeism rate was recorded at 5.5%. This significantly dropped to 4.2% until 2004 and hardly changed until 2011, where it started to consistently decrease once again.

According to CBS, large companies tend to report higher workplace absenteeism....]]> Wed, 01 Apr 2015 14:05:10 +0200
On Wednesday 25 March 2015, the Dutch retail chain Hema announced a series of price reductions by means of asking customers what they consider as “the most indispensable” products.

It is possible to take one’s choice on the products directly on Hema’s website. In the upcoming weeks, the retailer will greatly cut prices of hundreds of the selected products.

Hema claims that this step of giving customers such direct impact on price reductions is unprecedented and is part of their strategy initiated last year.

Luring customers
According to RTL Z, Hema’s sales director Heesen said: “The price cuts will be...]]> Tue, 31 Mar 2015 18:32:22 +0200
In 2014, average hourly labour costs were estimated to be €24.6 in the European Union (EU). This was released by the statistical office of the European Union, Eurostat, on Monday 30th March 2015. 

According to Eurostat, this average in labour costs masks a significant gap between EU Member States. The lowest hourly labour costs were recorded in Bulgaria (€3.8) and Romania (€ 4.6) while the highest were found in Denmark (€40.3) and Belgium (€39.1). In The Netherlands, the hourly costs rose by €0.5 to €24.6 in 2014.

Labour costs consist of wages and salaries as well as non-wage costs such as the employers’ social contribution. Within...]]> Tue, 31 Mar 2015 14:49:22 +0200 Great Place to Work yearly event held on 24th March 2015 in Amsterdam announced the Top 42 Best Workplaces of 2015. All 42 companies collectively celebrated their great achievement; nonetheless an extra congratulation was given to the top 3 organizations of each category. The categories were divided as followed; Large & Multinational companies, Medium sized enterprises and Small & Young enterprises.

In the Large & Multinational Company category shown on greatplacetowork.nl, Novo Nordisk won First place followed by first runner up SAS Nederland and second runner up Kindergarden. 

Medium sized enterprise was won by &Samhoud Consultancy followed by ICM Opleiding en training and Incentro.

Lastly, Lean Consultancy...]]> Fri, 27 Mar 2015 16:09:17 +0100 Currently, about 300,000 employees in the metal industry work without a collective labour agreement. Negotiations between the trade union Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging (FNV) and employers were broken off after five rounds.

On 20 March 2015, HRbase.nl reported that the FNV refused employers’ calculations. The negotiators demand a wage increase of 3% in a year. However, according to union representative Jacqie van Stigt, employers do not want to go beyond two small salary raises within two years. Furthermore, she claims that they are not willing to raise the low youth wages.

The collective labour agreement procedure only affects small metal companies,...]]> Thu, 26 Mar 2015 12:39:39 +0100 The municipality of The Hague injects 68 million euros into the economy with the purpose of stimulating and tackling the unemployment rate of more than 17% of the city.

According to telegraaf.nl, 25 million of the total amount goes to small and medium sized enterprises and 12 million are used for youth unemployment. The mayor and aldermen announced this on Monday 23 March 2015.

The council claims: “Renewal is needed as The Hague’s labour market does not benefit sufficiently from the nation-wide, slight economic rebound.” The aim of this is to make more people capable of living without welfare benefits...]]> Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:14:16 +0100 Behavioural interview questions are a major part of most job interviews.
These sorts of interviews are based on the premise that past performance will inform and influence future performance. In a behavioural interview, the interviewer is focused on discovering how the candidate has performed in previous work related situations with a view to ascertaining future performance and fit for the organisation.

For a behavioural interview, based on the job profile a recruiter knows what specific skillsets and competencies needed to succeed in the role and they create questions that seek to discover whether the candidate possesses these particular skills and...]]> Tue, 24 Mar 2015 15:01:02 +0100 Retail is the most important economic sector in the Netherlands. By reaching an agreement in the Retail agenda, signatories aim to future-proof this entire sector.

The Retail agenda is a reached agreement between market parties and the government by the initiative of Henk Kamp from the Ministry of Economic Affairs (Ministerie van Economische Zaken, EZ). This was released on 17 March 2015 on rijksoverheid.nl.

Involved parties aim to accomplish less vacancy by rendering store rents in line with the market, facilitating more room for shops to offer catering services, as well as offering additional training courses for staff. Minister Kamp...]]> Mon, 23 Mar 2015 15:26:09 +0100 Agency and corporate recruiters offer jobs to well-qualified candidates, but not all job-seekers know the difference between the two such as how to prepare for interviews or how job offers from either one can impact future earnings.

Recruitment agency:
Recruitment agencies use both recruiters and account managers to interview candidates and fill positions for companies. If you have an interview with a recruitment agency, you may be surprised to know that you would have to pay them a percentage of your salary if you land a job as a result of working with them. This is because agency recruitment is...]]> Thu, 19 Mar 2015 11:13:23 +0100 The volume of exporting goods has risen approximately 10, 2% in January 2015, which shows a great increase in comparison to the previous year. This marks the strongest growth since 2011.

According to the reports of Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS) on 16 March 2015, exports of petroleum and machines have particularly been booming. Exporting food, transport equipment and chemicals grew as well, albeit less significantly.

Moreover, CBS claims that the conditions for exporting goods in March have improved. Thus, current developments concerning exchange rates are more favourable than last year. Also, Dutch entrepreneurs are more positive about foreign...]]> Wed, 18 Mar 2015 11:26:54 +0100 In 2013, 13 billion euros of bonuses were paid in the Netherlands, which indicates an increase of 14% compared to the previous year. This increase applied to all industries, of which the hospitality sector experienced the lowest, and the oil and gas industry the most significant rise of bonus payments.

This was reported by Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS) on 13 March 2015. Accordingly, for the working year of 2013, employees were paid an average remuneration of 2,260 euros.

Furthermore, CBS determined that employees with high annual revenue are more often provided with monetary gifts based on their achievements....]]> Tue, 17 Mar 2015 15:19:29 +0100 One of the greatest challenges company’s face today is the continuous personal use of internet and mobile technology by employees during working hours. This constant distraction is well known as “Cyber slacking”. Many employees use a great amount of their work time reading through personal emails, social media and answering personal phone calls. Cyber slacking has become a great concern for many companies today.

Dutch employers are quite strict on the matter and expect no less of their employees. The workplace is considered a respected environment, therefore cyber slacking is unacceptable. All Dutch as well as international employees are assumed...]]> Mon, 16 Mar 2015 18:15:40 +0100 Mon, 16 Mar 2015 13:52:26 +0100
L Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Donec quam felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quis, sem. Nulla consequat massa quis enim. Donec pede justo, fringilla vel, aliquet nec, vulputate eget, arcu. In enim justo, rhoncus ut, imperdiet a, venenatis vitae, justo. Nullam dictum felis eu pede mollis pretium. Integer tincidunt. Cras dapibus. Vivamus elementum semper nisi. Aenean vulputate eleifend tellus. Aenean leo ligula, porttitor eu, consequat vitae, eleifend ac, enim. Aliquam lorem ante, dapibus in, viverra...]]> Mon, 16 Mar 2015 13:52:36 +0100 The reform of Dutch employment law will change the dismissal possibilities, also with regard to international employees.

In principle an employer can only end a contract unilaterally with a permit from the UWV. Only after such approval the employer can give notice. Such dismissal permit is obliged pursuant to article 6 of the Extraordinary Labour Relations Decree 1945 (BBA).

This Decree is regarded as a “priority rule”. This means that the BBA may apply to an employment contract to which Dutch law does not apply. But then again, it does not apply to foreign employees in all cases. It depends...]]> Mon, 02 Feb 2015 12:24:40 +0100 The TU Delft and the University of Amsterdam nearly achieved top 50 of the global ranking of the world’s most prestigious universities.

Accordingly, TU Delft scored 42nd place last year, but could not keep its position and dropped out of the top 50. On NU.nl, college president Jan van den Berg commented: “Pity!” He then adds that not too much value should be attributed to these rankings.

Alongside TU Delft and University of Amsterdam, Leiden University, Wageningen University as well as Utrecht University managed to be in the top 100. The highest rankings, namely Harvard University, University of Cambridge as...]]> Fri, 13 Mar 2015 12:18:38 +0100 The turnover of the hospitality industry in The Netherlands, including catering and accommodation, rose in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the previous year.

The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) revealed that throughout the entire year, the turnover climbed by 5.6%. The last time it achieved such a sales increase was in 2007 at 5.5%. CBS claims that all branches delivered positive summary of the sales, particularly restaurants by 6.6% and snack bars by 6.4%.

Furthermore, the increase in turnover in the hospitality industry has brought about an upturn in the job market. Also, 64,000 new job vacancies were created in...]]> Wed, 11 Mar 2015 10:52:58 +0100 After many years of declining job numbers and growing unemployment, the latter half of 2014 saw a significant increase in the number vacancies advertised in The Netherlands. The decline in jobs that started in 2008 has been reversed and the trend we saw last year is forecasted to continue for the next three years.
At the end of 2014, there were 26,000 more vacancies advertised than a year earlier, showing an overall increase of 16%. Monsterboard saw the number of vacancies advertised on their jobboard increase by a staggering 30%. The main growth was in the field of IT and...]]> Tue, 10 Mar 2015 13:09:45 +0100
Vodafone announced a new mandatory minimum global maternity policy on 6 March 2015.

According to its press release, Vodafone will offer at least 16 weeks fully paid maternity leave, as well as full pay for a 30-hour week for the first six months after their return to work.

This will especially have a positive impact with women working at Vodafone’s operating companies in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and the US.

Vodafone Group Chief Executive, Vittorio Colao, said: “Too many talented women leave working life because they face a difficult choice between either caring for a...]]> Tue, 10 Mar 2015 12:32:30 +0100 Writers Unblocked!
Theme: Changing Seasons

Do you ever experience writer’s block? Would you like to share your work with fellow writers? Could you use some feedback from a group of peers? Then this event is for you!

Come and join us at Writers Unblocked, on the 25th of March at 19h00 at the American Book Center in The Hague.

How does it work? Every alternate month, we meet to share a story, poem or whatever content we have created. There will be a general theme which is made known in advance. Each writer will have an opportunity to read his...]]> Mon, 09 Mar 2015 16:42:00 +0100 The Dutch transport sector’s turnover increased by more than two percent in 2014 and thereby reached its record growth since the economic crisis.
According to the report released by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), all branches of the sector contributed to this positive upturn.
The postal and courier services were a major contributor to the upturn in the industry – the sectors managed to increase their turnover by almost five percent last year. Internet shopping went through a boom and led to greater logistics demand, which caused a rapid eight percent growth within courier services.
The aviation industry announced an equal turnover...]]> Mon, 09 Mar 2015 11:47:36 +0100 The American donut company and coffee chain, Dunkin’ Donuts expects to open its first store in The Netherlands in 2016.
According to NU.nl, Jeremy Vitaro, Vice President of Development at parent company Dunkin’ Brands, claimed, said: “It takes a lot of time, but I count on the first store to be opened in 2016.”
In April last year, Dunkin’ Donuts announced plans to establish new stores in The Netherlands after 14 years of absence. Although no specific timeframe was mentioned, Vitaro said that the chain was aiming for branches in city centres, train stations and airports.
Schiphol Group and NS...]]> Fri, 06 Mar 2015 13:03:11 +0100 Has the 30% ruling seen its last day?
An EU citizen complaint about not being able to apply for the 30% ruling and he went to court. To the High court, to the European court of Justice and lost. However, the European court of Justice noticed an overcompensation that needs investigation. Will a lost case result in tears for all future 30% ruling applicants?

150 KM demand and discrimination
Mr Sopora lives and works in Germany. He was send by his German employer to start working in Rotterdam. Mr Sopora moved to the Netherlands and applied for the 30% ruling....]]> Thu, 05 Mar 2015 12:36:24 +0100 In 2014, Triodos Bank saw a net profit of 17 percent, resulting in an increase up to 30.1 million euros. The Netherlands-based bank, which aims to be distinguished from competitors by sustainable and transparent banking, published this news on Tuesday, 3 March 2015.
According to Nu.nl, the profit was depressed by 8.3 million euros due to the mandatory contribution that banks must provide to the rescue of SNS bank.
Triodos managed to gain more customers last year, and now counts more than 530,000. Compared to 2013, this makes an increase of 13 percent. The total assets entrusted to the bank, including...]]> Wed, 04 Mar 2015 13:20:23 +0100 Since late last year, the topic of entrepreneurship has come under the spotlight. The number of self-employed people (ZZP’ers) had risen from 784,000 in 2013 to 809,000 at the end of the third quarter in 2014, which caused concern for the Dutch government – there were plans to abolish the tax rebates (zelfstandigenaftrek) for small entrepreneurs. Finance Minister, Jeroen Dijsselbloem also told RTLZ that self-employed people have few social securities but enjoy relatively high income tax breaks.
Several reasons are being quoted by experts and business owners with regards to the increase in the number of self-employed people across the...]]> Tue, 03 Mar 2015 18:40:44 +0100 There are several major trends for 2015 and recruiters need to look at how they are recruiting talent: 1. Recruitment is becoming marketing-driven
2. Companies need to have a proactive employer branding to attract top talent
3. Mobile recruitment via mobile phones and tablets to apply for jobs and it has to be easy
4. Employee driven market. Compensation levels will be crucial and prove challenging to recruiters as the war on talent increases
5. Talent pools
6. Recruitment becomes more personal through the use of social media
7. Candidates need to be treated well in the recruitment process. A bad...]]> Mon, 02 Mar 2015 23:02:14 +0100 On February 11, 2015, the report, Supply of Labour 2014 was published by the Social and Cultural Planning Office (SCP). Various media, including Nu.nl and the Telegraaf, summarised the study under the headline “growth of multiple jobs.” However, the study also deals with the broader theme of sustainable employment.

According to the research paper, sustainable employment encompasses three areas: labour mobility, training and a healthy workplace. With sustainable employment the government wants people to work till their retirement or pension. Of course, the question to ask oneself, is sustainable employment limited to just these three areas? As observed by SCP,...]]> Mon, 02 Mar 2015 14:36:17 +0100 For years employers have insisted on a more flexible dismissal regime and and less employee protection. More flexibility is not to be expected. As from 1 July 2015 the new Dutch dismissal law will be even more rigid, so it seems.

Soon there will be exhaustive list of grounds for dismissal and compulsory routes. Dismissal for economical reasons or because of long-term incapacity (illness) to work will be dealt with by the UWV (or (new) an own dismissal commission set up in a Collective Labour Agreement). In case of other grounds for dismissal, e.g. disfunctioning, the employer must request the...]]> Mon, 02 Feb 2015 12:16:45 +0100 On Wednesday, February 25th, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte unveiled the millionth Eindhoven-produced DAF truck.
DAF is one of the most successful truck manufacturers in Europe and is a market leader in The Netherlands, Great Britain and Hungary. The first DAF truck was sold on September 1, 1949 and that year a total of 150 trucks left the factory in Eindhoven. A year later there were more than a thousand. Eighty-five years later, the manufacturing company has sold its millionth truck.
"We are very honoured that Prime Minister Rutte has officially unveiled the millionth DAF truck manufactured in Eindhoven ," said...]]> Thu, 26 Feb 2015 11:57:48 +0100 I would like to talk about one of the most common and aggravating interview questions that job candidates can encounter – “Tell me: What is your greatest weakness?”
Now this question might sound quite cliché but it is still very much asked in interviews held today. There really is no standard correct response but there are wrong responses that should be avoided as they could produce undesirable outcomes:
• Do not respond to the interviewer saying that you do not have any weaknesses
• Do not try to gloss over the question and mask a strength or a virtue as...]]> Thu, 26 Feb 2015 10:48:57 +0100 An extra 17.8 million euros has been made available aimed at combating youth unemployment in The Netherlands.

Secretary of State, Jetta Klijnsma for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment stated that this amount can be used for the ESF-Actie Jeugdprojecten or ESF-Action Youth projects by 35 central municipalities.

Klijnsma made this commitment on Twitter on Tuesday, 24 February on European Job Day. The projects are part of the regional approach to youth unemployment.

Last year, the central municipalities received about 41 million euros from the European Social Fund to support initiatives aimed specifically at young people who are unemployed...]]> Wed, 25 Feb 2015 14:47:28 +0100
Many may be surprised to know that freelancers unlike most traditional workers in The Netherlands are required to pay taxes on their income before it is actually received. As if this long-standing regulation is not binding enough, the government has now placed additional constraints on freelancers that may generate billions in tax revenue per year.
Income tax for freelancers in The Netherlands, it seems, is an unsettling balance between efficient planning and pure chance. While most employees are taxed via the pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) income withholding, freelancers however, are taxed via voorlopige aanslag (provisional assessment) and pay income tax on earnings in-advance of them...]]> Thu, 19 Feb 2015 14:24:34 +0100

REGISTER FOR FREE HERE Whether it is to start your own business, take the next step in your current role, manage large scale international companies or just a complete change of your career an MBA can give you this opportunity.

If you are ready to move forward in your career, but wondering which MBA program would best suit you, don’t miss face to face meeting with the world's most elite business schools at the QS MBA Event.

Meet them at Crowne Plaza Amsterdam City Centre, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 5, Amsterdam 1012 RC, on Thursday 5th March between 17:00 and 22:00.

How?
Simply...]]> Wed, 18 Feb 2015 14:08:47 +0100
Marleen Zuijderhoudt (Executive Director WFIA) presenting the annual results of 2014

In 2014, China accounted for the largest share of the 40 foreign investment projects acquired and assisted by WestHolland Foreign Investment Agency (WFIA). A total of 16 Chinese companies opted for The Hague region as their base for entering the European market last year. This is a continuation of the upward trend in business start-ups from China, which began in 2009.

WFIA is responsible for attracting new foreign investments and companies to The Hague region on behalf of the municipalities. Its annual results also demonstrate an increase in the number...]]> Wed, 18 Feb 2015 13:23:30 +0100 Forty-one percent of self-employed workers (ZZP’ers) are not saving for their pensions, states a latest research.
Insurer, Centraal Beheer released the results on Tuesday, 17 February from conducting a research with 539 ZZP’ers.
One in five (21%) Dutch freelancers assume that their monthly retirement income is not enough and more than half (57%) expect to work after retirement.
The report also stated that more men who are self-employed put money aside for pension compared to their female counterparts. Forty-eight percent of male freelancers are currently saving for their pension compared to only 35% of women.
Since the beginning of 2015,...]]> Tue, 17 Feb 2015 13:57:23 +0100 The number of international organisations that set up offices in Amsterdam was 139 in 2014 and have increased the number of jobs in the region.
The press release by I Amsterdam stated that these new organisations have brought a total of 1,308 jobs to the region and indicated that this would increase to 2,359 jobs within three years. In addition, international companies that had already established a presence in the region reported creating an additional 1,611 jobs in 2014.
Alderperson, Kajsa Ollongren for Economic Affairs, said: “In our experience, companies usually start off small when entering the European market, but...]]> Fri, 13 Feb 2015 14:05:18 +0100 Dutch parents with young children did not work less between 2009 and 2013 after a decreased in subsidy for childcare during this period. The employment rate did not change compared to parents with older children.
The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) released its report on 12 February, Thursday.
CBS also highlighted that the government and employers have decreased the reimbursement to parents for their billable childcare costs over the years. In 2009, that figure was 76 percent and in 2013, it was 63 percent.

The report stated that parents brought their children to formal day-care for lesser hours. Also, there...]]> Thu, 12 Feb 2015 12:59:55 +0100 When I first started thinking about a topic to share, I thought of sharing something different than anything related to recruitment. Later, having a few interview talks and reading a few HR related articles, I decide to linger a bit along this subject and ask some of the questions I have for both my colleagues and candidates.
Every day great experts are sharing tens of articles on most common mistakes in CVs, steps to take before, during and after an interview, the necessity of doing good homework in order to successfully prepare for an interview and the job itself, etc....]]> Thu, 12 Feb 2015 11:59:29 +0100 ICL, global manufacturer of products based on specialty minerals in agriculture, processed food and engineered materials, announced on 5 February its inauguration of its European headquarters and Shared Services Center in Amsterdam.

The 5,500 square meter building, located in the Prinsenhof building adjacent to Amsterdam's Koningin Wilhelminaplein square, will also serve as the home of ICL's Global Procurement organisation. The offices will eventually house around 300 ICL employees, including 250 new hires.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte joined ICL President & CEO Stefan Borgas, and Idan Ofer, representing ICL's main shareholder (Israel Corporation) to inaugurate the new regional headquarters. They...]]> Wed, 11 Feb 2015 14:43:53 +0100 Women expect less promising careers after pregnancy states survey results from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).

According to the research, 58% of childless women in The Netherlands expect that having children will influence their working career in a very negative way. However, only 24% of the men expect that parenting will be detrimental to their careers.

Young and highly educated people, both men and women, also think that their chances on the labour market will change adversely when they have a child. Men also think that parenting has more influence on the career of women than on themselves.

According...]]> Tue, 10 Feb 2015 13:25:32 +0100 Top Ten CV Tips

1. Make a Master CV, a CV with all of your experience and achievements listed. You may find it easier to organize/collect this in a folder or box rather than one document. It is easier to pull out the elements for a targeted CV when you have all the elements together in one place.

2. Research each specific position and its requirements for which you plan to apply as preparation for writing your CV. Make sure you fully understand the qualifications they are asking for and to what extent you meet these qualifications.

3. Target your...]]> Mon, 09 Feb 2015 18:27:35 +0100 It will be easier for pensioners to remain in employment if they wish. At present they often have to work through a temporary employment agency or as a self-employed person after they reach state pension age. The government wants to make it easier for them to continue working under a contract of employment. The easier this is, the longer society can benefit from their experience and know-how. Pensioners can in turn enjoy the benefits of daily activity and additional income.
The cabinet has agreed to a proposal by Minister Asscher of Social Affairs and Employment, Minister Opstelten of Security and...]]> Fri, 06 Feb 2015 12:21:11 +0100 Siemens confirms the mass dismissal of 7,800 employees worldwide. In Germany, about 3,300 jobs will disappear..
It is about 2 percent of the total workforce. In late September a total of approximately 357,000 people worked in the corporation.

A spokesman for Siemens Netherlands can not say whether layoffs are going to fall in the Netherlands , where about 2,800 people work for the company.

The mass resignation should yield savings of 1 billion euros. Siemens wants to invest the savings in innovation, productivity and growth.

The management is consulting with the representatives of the employees in Germany. Siemens aims to...]]> Fri, 06 Feb 2015 11:11:29 +0100 Start-up visa; details and requirements online

The Expatcenter Amsterdam is very pleased to announce that as of 1 January 2015, a new visa has been launched for ambitious entrepreneurs looking to start a company in the Netherlands. You can find all information about the new start-up visa on our website, along with a link to the IND’s official application form.

New salary requirements for highly skilled migrant status and 30% ruling

The salary requirements for highly skilled migrants as per January 2015 are as follows:

Highly skilled migrants of 30 years and older: EUR 4,189 gross per month excl. holiday...]]> Fri, 06 Feb 2015 08:52:41 +0100 Workplace romance is not something new but a simple fling can shift the workplace dynamics. Both organisations and employees need to avoid the pitfalls that can come from l’amour in the office Romance is in the air in the month of February but it might not be just St. Valentine’s fault. L’amour at the workplace is definitely not new and increasing number of studies show that employees are having a fling in the office whether their bosses like it or not and in some cases, the flings are with managers themselves.
According to Vault.com’s 2014 Office Romance Survey, 56% of business...]]> Tue, 03 Feb 2015 14:20:33 +0100 The Hague is known as a region for international business in The Netherlands. Kelly Rodrigus, COO of WTC The Hague, says that she and her team are committed in promoting international trade and building a “business community” for local and international organisations “The WTC is not just office buildings but it so much more than that,” says Kelly Rodrigus, chief operations officer of The World Trade Center (WTC) The Hague.
WTC The Hague is more than just the location that offers office space as Rodrigus pointed out. It comprises myriad services and facilities catered towards businesses such as conference space, an...]]> Tue, 03 Feb 2015 13:56:51 +0100 What employer does not recognise it? Employees who suddenly come to work unmotivated, who dread a consultation with the manager, who do not or with great difficulty make customer meetings and deadlines. Everyday work situations that employees were previously able to handle that now provide a lot of stress – stress which translates to fatigue, depression that can eventually lead to a burnout. And you don’t know whether this has to do with work or perhaps personal situation of the employee.

Often the involved employee and the employer act only when it is too late. This situation comes with consequences:...]]> Mon, 02 Feb 2015 15:49:15 +0100 Sandra de Bresser, Head of the BSN Language Centre at The British School in The Netherlands tells us the Centre has been providing high quality British English education for 30 years to its students

Could you describe what the major goals of BSN Language Centre are?

The BSN Language Centre is part of the British School in the Netherlands. It serves the International (Business) Community of The Hague and surrounding cities with high quality British English and Dutch language courses for adults and children who live and work here.

The British education system and methodology has an excellent reputation worldwide...]]> Mon, 02 Feb 2015 22:56:12 +0100
In case of offering or renewing of a fixed-term contract mind the new “chain provision” (ketenregeling). This rule controls how many fixed-term contracts can be closed.

As from 1 July 2015 the number of fixed-term contract remains three; the maximum duration will be two years, instead of three years. This means that a fixed-term contract will be converted into an indefinite contract, automatically, if either the duration of successive fixed-term contracts exceeds two years or more than three fixed-term contracts are concluded following one after another with intervals of six months or less. Contracts will be viewed as successive if...]]> Mon, 02 Feb 2015 12:21:42 +0100 Who would not want to change his or her behavior for the better? Quit smoking and or drinking, no longer holding things off, slimming down, more sporting etc. From now on you intend to only do things that are good for you and you will be making good and healthy choices. If it only were so simple!

But as we all know, changing is not an easy thing and it will not come without effort. Good intentions and some discipline will take you a long way. As will a strong focus on your goal. However, many other possible factors may...]]> Mon, 02 Feb 2015 11:01:16 +0100 Half of the young people today would rather have a meaningful job than a high salary, according to a latest research.

This was reported by consultancy group, Global Tolerance in the UK.

Four out of the ten respondents stated that they would prefer a meaningful job than a high salary. Also, 53% of young people said that they would work harder for an organisation that benefits society with 36% stating similar view among other age groups.

Sixty-two percent of young people also want to work with a company that has a positive influence on the world. In total, 42% said...]]> Thu, 29 Jan 2015 12:54:46 +0100
The Dutch freelance market is improving, reported by NU.nl on Tuesday 27th January 2015.

This is evident from the Freelance Market Index (FMI), which indicates how the freelance market develops. The index has risen from 213 to 240 points.

Rob Berger, CEO of Freelance.nl. said that the growth of the freelance market is due to the trend of work becoming more flexible. He also stated that clients and contractors want flexible work or projects. “The number of freelancers and self-employed people increases because the workload grows."

According to NU.nl, Freelance.nl website posted a 20% increase. There were especially more assignments...]]> Thu, 29 Jan 2015 12:53:01 +0100 Sweaty palms, nervous smile and the interminable silence. Every interviewee has experienced this. The feeling of dread and anxiety that occurs when you do not know how to respond to a question that the interviewer has asked.
The thought of being stumped for a response during a long awaited interview is one of the most difficult positions any candidate can find themselves in and the failure to respond appropriately or to navigate the proper response with skill can indeed have negative consequences for the entire interview process.
Preparing in advance for the interview will help ease anxiety and increase the...]]> Thu, 29 Jan 2015 12:28:18 +0100
The night before your interview prepare a short story about yourself. This story should cover who you are and why the company should hire you. You need to write about your education, work experiences and which career path you are interested in. Go through what you have written whilst traveling to your appointment. This self-analysis exercise will help you to think about potential questions which could be asked by the interviewer.
...]]> Wed, 28 Jan 2015 15:58:27 +0100
After the questions are over, normally there is an awkward silence, take that as your chance to ask the interviewer some questions. Of course, It all depends on how the interview went  and if the at the end the interview the recruiter says, "we will let you know later this week if you got the position.” This may give you a feeling that you may not have succeeded the job position. It may be worth your while to show enthusiasm by asking them some feedback questions, which may increase your chances of getting the job.

Ask positive open-ended questions, for example: “ Did I...]]> Wed, 28 Jan 2015 15:16:29 +0100 Be prepared when giving phone interviews. Make sure there are no disturbances, in the background, for example TV, music and any noisy appliances should be all switched off beforehand. Furthermore, pets and children are quite unpredictable so make sure they are not in the same room as you, the last thing you want is a baby crying in the background whilst you are giving your interview.

If you are using your mobile phone or a Skype call, make sure your network connection has good strength. Having a poor quality network could cause problems and static in your conversation, therefore, play it...]]> Wed, 28 Jan 2015 15:10:53 +0100 Children growing up in families living on social benefits often have a lower level of education at 30 than their peers. Irrespective of education level, the number of children from households living on social benefits who receive benefits later in life is also above average. There are various reasons for this phenomenon, e.g. it may be genetically determined or it may be the set of norms and values an individual grows up with. Sons and daughters are most often high-educated and employed, if they were raised in families with working parents or a working father and a mother with no...]]> Wed, 28 Jan 2015 13:09:17 +0100 The Dutch are willing to give up pay or days off, especially if it means getting more job security, according to Het Financieele Dagblad.

The newspaper stated that the long period of moderate economic growth and redundancy has reinforced the feeling among employees that they must abandon certain rights, reported Nu.nl.

Researcher Hans van der Spek of HR knowledge center, Berenschot, also sees that there is more willingness among employees to forego salary increase, wage or a thirteenth month.

A study he conducted showed that the terms of employment of almost a quarter of employers worsened in 2014. One in...]]> Thu, 22 Jan 2015 17:14:54 +0100 People who work long hours, on average drink more in their free time, says a new research.

The study was published in The British Medical Journal by a group of Finnish researchers, reported NU.nl.

If employees work more than 48 hours a week, they are more likely to exhibit 'risky' drinking behavior. In women, risky drinking is defined as thirteen glasses of alcohol per week, and for men it is about 21 glasses, stated the research.

The scientists got their findings through analysis of 61 studies on alcohol consumption in 14 different countries, including The Netherlands, the United States, Germany...]]> Thu, 22 Jan 2015 17:27:08 +0100 Employment figures in the OECD region improved slightly in the third quarter of 2014.

This was according to the report released by OECD earlier this week.

Employment in the OECD region increased by 0.1 percentage point to 65.7% of the workforce compared to the previous quarter. However, employment is still 0.8% lower than in the second quarter of 2008, before the outbreak of the financial crisis.

In the Eurozone, employment rose by 0.1 percentage point to 64%. According to report, Portugal and Greece were the strongest gainers. There was a relatively strong increase in employment in Ireland, Slovakia, Germany and...]]> Thu, 22 Jan 2015 13:21:47 +0100 Dutch employees are generally satisfied with their workplace leaders, states a latest research.
Results from The National Leadership Survey 2015 that was released on Tuesday 20 January, showed that bosses scored an average of a 6.8 and executives rated themselves a score of 7.6.

Trust could be the reason for the reasonable grades with both the surveyed workers and male and female executives interviewed, notes the study.
The research highlighted that four in 10 employees still prefer an older boss compared to a younger boss. Also, nearly 20% of respondents stated their preference fora male supervisor.

Furthermore, there should be less...]]> Thu, 22 Jan 2015 12:13:08 +0100 Thai agricultural workers in Israel face serious labour rights abuses because Israeli authorities are failing to enforce their own laws, says Human Rights Watch.
The report, A Raw Deal: Abuses of Thai Workers in Israel’s Agricultural Sector released today, notes low pay, excessive working hours, hazardous working conditions, and poor housing for some of Israel’s Thai agricultural workers – and employer retribution if they try to protest by going on strike.
The Human Rights Watch recommends that Israeli authorities should take immediate steps to improve its enforcement mechanisms and investigate whether unsatisfactory living and working conditions have contributed to a...]]> Wed, 21 Jan 2015 13:15:00 +0100 Around eight out 10 parents in The Netherlands save for their children, especially for their studies or training.

This was according to a research conducted by PanelWizard with SNS among 1,087 parents with one or more children up to six years old.

Figures by the National Institute for Family Finance Information or Nibud showed that parents needed around €50,000 to finance a four-year study and living space for a child. However, only one per cent of parents are expected to get this amount together by their child’s eighteenth birthday.

The study also showed that nearly one in five parents expect...]]> Wed, 21 Jan 2015 13:03:45 +0100 Global employment will deteriorate in the coming five years according to the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The World Employment and Social Outlook Trends 2015 report states that global unemployment is expected to increase by three million in 2015 and by a further eight million in the following four years.
According to ILO, over 201 million were unemployed in 2014 around the world, over 31 million more than before the start of the global crisis.
Across the globe, youth, especially young women, continue to be disproportionately affected by unemployment. Almost 74 million young people (aged 15–24) were looking for work in 2014....]]> Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:54:18 +0100 The Municipality of The Hague has updated its ‘social return policy’. The municipality aims to use this policy to help at least 2,400 people in the city find work between now and the beginning of 2018.

Under the social return policy, businesses working on behalf of the municipality help unemployed people to get a job or internship. Since the measure was introduced in 2007, more than 4,000 people have found work.

The updated measures provide more leeway for socially responsible enterprises and tailor-made businesses, explains Deputy Mayor Rabin Baldewsingh (Social Affairs and Employment). ‘With the social return policy we not...]]> Fri, 16 Jan 2015 14:17:20 +0100 A new job and restructuring plan will see the police and defence sectors in The Netherlands receiving around €40 million.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Economy has set aside €16 million for this plan. Employers and trade unions from both sectors will be paying the rest of the amount.
Spokesperson for Minister Lodewijk Asscher gave the details to The Telegraaf on Wednesday.
According to ANP, the police force employs around 60,000 personnel and from which, approximately 10,000 employees work in supporting roles. The number of supporting jobs will decrease in the coming years to 8,500 but the number of...]]> Thu, 15 Jan 2015 11:05:08 +0100 HR advisors and HR business partners and SME HR generalists are some of the main HR roles that will be in demand in Australia this year, said the Hays Quarterly Report.
The research highlighted positions that will be in demand in the HR industry for the year.
HR Advisors/HR Business Partners – Senior HR Advisors who specialise in employee relations and performance management are sought after. Demand is particularly high in the healthcare, retail and manufacturing industries. Vacancies are on offer in both new organisations or in companies that have not had any internal HR support. These organisations also require...]]> Wed, 14 Jan 2015 13:59:26 +0100 The Governor of the province of Limburg, Twan Beurskens, said that the unemployed should be allowed to apply for jobs abroad. 

The Volkskrant reported this on Tuesday, 13th January 2015.

Currently, a job seeker is obligated to accept a job within a radius of 100 kilometers from his home. This radius, however, has no effect on jobs abroad, in countries such as Germany or Belgium.

"If you live in Venlo, you do not have to apply for a job in Kaldenkirchen, which is a few kilometers across the border, but you do have to apply in Nijmegen, 70 kilometers away. That's strange," said Beurskens (VVD), Commissioner of...]]> Wed, 14 Jan 2015 09:21:33 +0100 Three out of the four employees are willing to move if they get the job that they have always wanted.

This is evident from the Kelly Global Workforce Index, which surveyed 230,000 employees worldwide. 

Twenty-one per cent of respondents are willing to move to another continent, 17% to another country and more than one in 10 would move to another region, and the same number to another city.

Half of the Europeans surveyed prefer to move to another European country for work. North America (17%), Asia-Pacific (7%), South America (4%), Africa (3%) and the Middle East (2%) are less popular destinations.

Also, a third...]]> Wed, 14 Jan 2015 09:17:25 +0100 The working conditions in the collective agreements no longer fit with the current reality of the labor market and therefore need to be adjusted.

Before advocating employers' organizations VNO-NCW, MKB-Netherlands and AWVN in their terms of employment 2015.

They want more flexibility in the collective agreements that according to the organizations must consist of more space for individual agreements, a reward structure that moves with the economic conditions and the reduction of irregular payments. Flexible forces must also, at the same time, get more security.

Employers make these agreements preferably in consultation with the unions, but in the eyes of...]]> Thu, 08 Jan 2015 10:53:15 +0100 The Japanese are allowed to work in the Netherlands without work permits, according to a recent ruling by the State Council, reported by the Volkskrant on Wednesday.

The Council of State annulled a fine of 60,000 euros for the Japanese cultural center Shofukan, handed out by the Labor Inspectorate. The cultural center built a Japanese teahouse in Rotterdam using Japanese workers. Shofukan assumed that these employees did not need a work permit because of the short duration of the project.

The Labor Inspectorate thought otherwise and decided that a penalty was warranted. The cultural center successfully appealed against the fine....]]> Thu, 08 Jan 2015 10:40:45 +0100 The number of women working has increased over the years in The Netherlands but a significant gap still exists between the genders in the labour market. Sue Lawrence examines this disparity and what it means for employment market Recent statisticspublished by CBS indicate that 65.4% of women aged 18-64 were active in the workforce compared to 78.7% of men in The Netherlands in 2013. The number of working women has risen considerably since the end of the 1990s. For every 100 employed men in 1998, there were nearly 66 employed women. By 2013 this had risen to 82 working women per...]]> Tue, 06 Jan 2015 16:51:56 +0100 London’s West End unseated Hong Kong-Central as the world’s highest-priced office market, but Asia continued to dominate the world’s most expensive office locations, accounting for four of the top five markets, according to CBRE Global Research and Consulting’s semi-annual Global Prime Office Occupancy Costs survey.

London’s West End’s overall occupancy costs of US$259.36 per sq. ft. per year topped the “most expensive” list. Hong Kong-Central followed with total occupancy costs of US$234.30. Beijing’s Finance Street (US$197.05), Beijing’s Central Business District (US$189.67) and Hong Kong’s West Kowloon rounded out the top five.

The study also found that rents are rising fastest...]]> Tue, 06 Jan 2015 12:31:07 +0100 CHANGE MANAGEMENT SERIES: The business world has become global and extremely competitive and it is essential that an organisation is able to adapt to changes. As a result, change management is a constant process that should keep running in every organisation in order for it to succeed in the marketplace such as through important strategic changes for organizational effectiveness.

To keep their organisations’ competitive leaders need to adopt thoughtful planning, strategically set goals, effectively communicate with their employees so that they all in ‘the same page’. The role of HR and its functions is also changing with the marketplace – HR...]]> Tue, 06 Jan 2015 11:20:51 +0100 As we move into the New Year the signs of a candidate-driven market remain strong. This was borne out during the second-half of 2014 when it was evident that more candidates were turning down opportunities already after their first or second interviews. Some companies still regard the market as being employer-driven and are acting accordingly. The effect of this is that it is becoming increasingly harder for them to get candidates over the line as competition for the best talent intensifies and the more agile businesses remain better equipped to meet the demands of the candidate community.

So what do...]]> Mon, 05 Jan 2015 22:57:48 +0100 Arnold C.J. Waal, Managing Director of Orange Tax Services elaborates on the 30% tax ruling for international employees

What is the 30% ruling and which employees are eligible for it? Could you elaborate?

The 30% ruling is a ruling the Dutch tax office made as a response to an individual’s relocation cost application, double housing costs and similar requests made by employees arriving from abroad. The Dutch tax office recognised that this type of employee has a disadvantage compared to resident or native Dutch employees who do not have double housing costs, travel costs, household moving costs and more costs...]]> Mon, 05 Jan 2015 22:41:33 +0100 Unemployment stable at 8 percent More people in work in last three months Number of unemployment benefits up by 6 thousand Fewer benefits in education sector According to figures released by Statistics Netherlands today, 630 thousand people in the Netherlands were unemployed in November. This has been stable for the last few months now. Following a slight fall in September and October, there was a small rise of 3 thousand in November. Unemployment fell substantially from May to August. In November, just as in October, 8 percent of the labour force were unemployed. In the third quarter, 45 percent of...]]> Mon, 05 Jan 2015 19:52:39 +0100
In period 12 (week 45 – 48) the total amount of hours increased 9% and also turnover grew 9%, in comparison with the same period last year. This period had an equal amount of workable days compared to the same period last year, so no correction was applied.

The administrative sector increased 6% in hours and turnover increased with 7%.
Hours in the industrial sector increased 7% and turnover increased 6%.
Ultimately, the amount of worked hours in the technical sector increased 23% compared to the same period last year, turnover increased 19%.

Source ABU/ Source: Intellex
http://www.abu.nl/engels/facts-figures/market-developments-period-12-2014  ...]]> Mon, 05 Jan 2015 19:44:53 +0100
As from 1 January 2015 the first part of the Dutch Work and Security Act (WWZ) will be in force. This act will drastically reform legislation governing flexible employment contracts and the Dutch dismissal law. The first part that comes into effect on 1 January 2015 will be of importance for fixed-term contracts in particular.

A novelty is the introduction of the statutory notification obligation for employers.

Please be aware that in case of a fixed term contract, for a duration of six months or more, the employer must notify the employee in writing, at least one month before the...]]> Thu, 18 Dec 2014 18:22:30 +0100
New employment law:
From 1 January 2015, watch out for standard provisions!

If a fixed-term contract is closed or renewed as from 1 January 2015 attention should be paid to standard provisions, such as the trial period and the non-compete clause. As a consequence of the Dutch Work and Security Act (WWZ), part of which will be effective as from 1 January 2015, new rules apply!

A probationary or trial period is not allowed anymore for fixed-term contracts up to 6 months. It is considered undesirable in such a short-term contract.
To contracts with a longer duration, from 1 January...]]> Thu, 18 Dec 2014 18:26:44 +0100 The people in The Netherlands commute an average of 42.5 minutes for work, according to a study commissioned by Samsung Electronics, writes the Belgian Metro.

The European average is almost 45 minutes. The Belgians' work travel time was found to be the longest – they commute 53.2 minutes for work. Also, the Spaniards and Italians travel more than 51 minutes for work.

At 36.88 minutes, the British have the shortest work travel time followed by the Germans with just under forty minutes.
...]]> Wed, 17 Dec 2014 12:53:32 +0100 The participation of women in the workforce in The Netherlands has declined, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).

More than eight out of 10 women who were inactive in the third quarter of 2014 the labour market did not want a paying job. Also, more women have stated an illness or disability as the reason for not working. CBS stated that this could be related to the decrease in the number of women who aspire to a job because of retirement or old age.

The employment rate for men has hardly increased – 78.7% of men were working...]]> Wed, 17 Dec 2014 12:11:05 +0100 Always looking, always searching. Double-check your CV, write your cover letter. After a point it turns into a routine. I don’t want to admit it, but I think an application written by a bored person definitely shows. The recipe is known – copy and paste the company name, change a few things here and there- even better, don’t change anything apart from names because who cares anymore? I got the same suggestion several times: Don’t bother. It’s not going to be read anyway. I do not think this is good advice, though, because it is self-defeating in the first place.
...]]> Wed, 17 Dec 2014 09:59:27 +0100 You think that a phone interview is the best thing that happened to you since you started looking for a job: You don’t have to look neat or overthink about the firmness of your handshake. Think twice though: a phone interview IS an actual interview. They are becoming increasingly common in the screening process due to the large number of applications recruiters receive. Do not underestimate the impact a successful phone interview can have on your chances to land this job.
Tidy up your space
It is best not to stay in you pajamas slouching on your couch during the...]]> Wed, 17 Dec 2014 09:33:19 +0100 Higher vocational education (HBO) should offer more master studies, thus the students would not have to transfer to universities in order to deepen their knowledge. says Doekle Terpstra, former chairman of college Inholland .

The move to a university is according to Terpstra often a waste of talent , because many students are not suited for a scientific training programs.
They will profit much more from a practical in a practical, vocational training master program .

According Terpstra youth is 'doomed ' to go after the VWO or HBO to university, even if the student in question is not at...]]> Tue, 16 Dec 2014 11:52:59 +0100 The Dutch government would like to create a register of women who qualify for a top positions in a big company.
Minister Jet Bussemaker (Emancipation) together with Hans de Boer, President of VNO-NCW will be responsible for creating te database.

That is a spokeswoman for the minister said Wednesday in response to a message from the NRC. With this register Bussemakerhuis wants to avoid that s Brussels imposes the Netherlands a quota of women who must occupy a leading position.

De Boer and Bussemakerhuis will be talking to the companies directly with request to suggest at least five women who...]]> Tue, 16 Dec 2014 11:18:22 +0100 67 million euros for  jobs plan in the food industry. This is what Minister Lodewijk Asscher of Social Affairs and Employment and politician Mirjam Sterk announced Monday.
This money is reserved for training , sustainable employability and creating two thousand additional traineeships for young professionals. 20 million is given by the government, the rest of the money comes from employers and unions in the food industry.

Many employees in the sector will shortly retire. Leo Bons CNV Professionals said he expects over thousands of new jobs to cone free over the next four years. "The developments in the industry is very...]]> Tue, 16 Dec 2014 11:00:06 +0100
The monthly vacancy indicator provides a quick indication of the trend in private sector job vacancies, based on the opinions of businesses in this sector. Before the recent stagnation, private sector opinions concerning job vacancies had improved almost continuously for eighteen months.

Construction and manufacturing more optimistic
Opinions on job vacancy trends differ greatly within the private sector. In...]]> Wed, 10 Dec 2014 10:11:48 +0100 Dutch employees can expect an average salary increase of 2.3% next year. According to Hay Group’s annual global remuneration survey, The Netherlands is below the European average of 3.1%.

The Group announced the survey results today. According to the study, The Netherlands scores average compared to its neighbouring countries. Belgium and France expect a wage increase of 2% and Germans will be receiving a 2.8% increment in their salaries.

Globally, increase in salaries in 2015 is expected to average 5.4%. This figure is partly affected by substantial salary increases in South America by high inflation rates. Another factor is challenge...]]> Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:47:11 +0100 An MBA degree from a school with good ranking might count more than a person thinks. According to an employment data analysis by Poets and Quants, 85.9% of top ten graduates from top ten schools in the US had job offers at graduation, while 95.4% had offers in the following three months.
Although these numbers are positive, there is a difference between top ten MBA schools compared to other institutions based on their ranking. Four business schools in the US recorded the best job offer rate. The University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, Dartmouth...]]> Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:33:52 +0100 Work Cost Rule: parking

From January 1, 2015 the Work Cost Rule is applicable for all employments. In this rule is determined what costs can be paid tax free to the employee, what costs can be paid with 80% end wage tax and what costs are regular salary. How about the car and parking?

Company car
A company car is processed as regular salary. That implies the applicable percentage of the new catalogue value is added to the income, unless the employee can proof not to drive more than 500 km per year for private use. Costs related to such...]]> Tue, 09 Dec 2014 10:50:04 +0100 5 Tips for Jobseekers to Stay Positive  I will find  A job.
Make this your daily affirmation. It’s easy to complain about how few opportunities are out there, but in the long run your mood and energy will suffer if you only focus on the scarcity of chances. It is better to think in a manner that allows room for failure in order to try over and over again. 
I am qualified for the position.
It’s a different story if the position is for someone who speaks German and French, when you speak neither. But if you read the description and think you can...]]> Mon, 08 Dec 2014 11:32:31 +0100 Rejection: It’s the first shock. Gradually, you get used to it. But the more it happens, as I wrote last week, it slowly gets to you. I know it’s a dreadful topic because it can unsettle you to the core, making space for unwanted thoughts: What is going on? Am I not good enough?
During my job-search I’ve come across three types of rejection: Rejection after interview
Anticipation is high. Yes, there’s a lot of stress involved, but it’s the positive kind of stress. Even when faced with the most unexpected results, there is the satisfaction that you made it...]]> Mon, 08 Dec 2014 10:58:40 +0100 Orange Tax Services

The year is ending almost and this is the time to evaluate the year with your employees. Have you never done this, it is never too late too start.

Year end meeting

A year end meeting is to discuss with the employee the goals set, goals met or other achievements of the year. It is also a good moment to inform the employee that you are very much satisfied with the job done or effort put into the company. Always much appreciated.
For the good news message the year end evaluation is less important, it is the bad...]]> Mon, 08 Dec 2014 09:54:08 +0100 The employment sector in 2014 has shown positive improvements and it looks to keep improving next year. Together Abroad looks back at the employment market in 2014 and the upcoming changes in labour laws in 2015 in The Netherlands The year of 2014 is ending and the labour market in The Netherlands has slowly but steadily improved. Data from the Central Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS) Nederland paints a positive picture in terms of the Dutch economy and employment sector on the whole in 2014 – unemployment figures have dropped while labour participation is still on the rise.

Numbers from CBS...]]> Fri, 05 Dec 2014 15:55:51 +0100 CHANGE MANAGEMENT SERIES:

Effective change management is essential for organisations and innovative leaders play an important role in leading the way for long-term business success

Change management is increasingly becoming crucial for sustaining a business in the current competitive business market. However, the actual process is still difficult for companies and the people that represent them.
The study Organizational Change by Boston VA Health Care System, elaborates on the importance of organisational change on long-term success and survival of the organisation and that companies need to adapt rapidly to the changing environment in order to survive.
There are several factors that...]]> Thu, 04 Dec 2014 23:55:48 +0100 Perfect Housing is a leading website for rental apartments in The Netherlands. Business Development Director, Joost Luttge, tells us what the organisation has to offer

What are the main services that Perfect Housing provides its clients?
Perfect Housing focuses mainly on being able to provide the best possible overview of the rental properties available throughout The Netherlands. Having had a strong presence in the housing sector for over a decade, we have accumulated a great amount of knowledge and expertise, and have just recently decided to specialise and focus solely on our portfolio.
To offer the best possible service to...]]> Thu, 04 Dec 2014 22:28:44 +0100 Finding the perfect job as an international in The Netherlands can be tough. What makes it more difficult is that Dutch companies may prefer to hire only local staff – small- to medium-sized (SMEs) companies who operate locally might not have a need to hire internationals.
An executive at a recent Offshore Energy conference, noted that results were achieved faster and with more efficiency when everyone spoke the same language and had the same cultural background. Also, local staff possess an adequate knowledge of English.
In addition, not only could it be more efficient, hiring local staff may be cheaper...]]> Thu, 04 Dec 2014 22:21:43 +0100 Parents have gained greater flexibility in how they share the care of their child in the first year after birth as new regulations regarding Shared Parental Leave (SPL) came into force on 1 December 2014.
The UK government released in a press statement that the new rules, which apply to couples with babies due or children matched or placed for adoption on or after 5 April 2015, allows parents to choose whether they want to share the mother’s maternity leave.
As many as 285,000 working couples are expected to be eligible to share leave from April 2015. The changes in...]]> Wed, 03 Dec 2014 12:31:44 +0100 Eternal Sun announced in a press statement that it had closed a €2 Million ($2.5 Million) financing from Belgian investment firm Vermec N.V.
The Delft based high‐tech company that specialises in solar simulation technology will use the investment to expand international sales and service operations.
Leading research institutions, solar module manufacturers and certification authorities rely on Eternal Sun’s solar simulation systems for testing the quality of solar modules and materials. Chokri Mousaoui, co‐founder and CEO of Eternal Sun, said: “In an era of continuous improvement of solar modules, our solar simulation systems are in high demand with customers that aim...]]> Wed, 03 Dec 2014 12:16:20 +0100 In period 11 (week 41 – 44) the total amount of hours increased 9% and also turnover grew 9%, in comparison with the same period last year. This period had an equal amount of workable days compared to the same period last year, so no correction was applied.

The administrative sector increased 7% in hours and turnover increased with 9%.
Hours in the industrial sector increased 7% and turnover increased 6%.
Ultimately, the amount of worked hours in the technical sector increased 19% compared to the same period last year, turnover increased 16%.

Source ABU...]]> Tue, 02 Dec 2014 21:09:36 +0100
Hours worked in tem jobs

lso higher demand for short-term temporary contracts
The amount of long-term temporary contracts, e.g. secondment and...]]> Tue, 02 Dec 2014 21:01:10 +0100 Thousands of Dutch unemployed individuals, living close to the German-Dutch border would be able to find a job more easilyacross the border if the Dutch government handled tax and legal regulations more smoothly.


The relatively favorable economic developments in Germany offer opportunities for jobseekers. Province of Drenthe, four municipalities in Overijssel and Drenthe together with the German municipality of Emsland presented a job plan on Monday.

The unemployment rate along the border is often high, sometimes twice as high as the national average. Whilst in Germany there’s is actually a shortage of labor.

The red tape and small incompatibilities such...]]> Tue, 02 Dec 2014 16:04:24 +0100 College diplomas need additional backups!

It is already known the long-term benefit of having a university degree when taking job opportunities, but on the current short term present a significant number of graduates understand that the market demands additional skills as well.
“In the end you have to put some kind of applied point on your pencil in order to get through the door. These are the handholds and footholds that allow you to move around and start climbing new angles” in the job market, stated Anthony Carnevale, director of Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce. The Federal Reserve Bank...]]> Tue, 02 Dec 2014 13:29:34 +0100 Statistics from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York revealed that the unemployment rate for recent college graduates — which was down from 7% in 2011— remains above historical standards at 5%. Also, about 46% of recent college graduates are in jobs that do not necessarily require degrees in comparison with about 35% for all college graduates.
“In the end you have to put some kind of applied point on your pencil in order to get through the door. These are the handholds and footholds...]]> Tue, 02 Dec 2014 10:27:36 +0100 Traditionally reference checks at the final stage of interview have been a staple for many years. However, I ask myself the age old HR question, do they really add value or are they simply yet another form to fill in and another process to follow.

A large majority of companies I contact for checks on employees either refuse to give any information or will simply only give you the dates of employment and the position; so in all honesty it only verifies the candidates resume and is not a valuable insight into their working behavior, which is supposed to be...]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2014 14:21:24 +0100 'Have you seen any job descriptions lately? It’s scary.
“3+ years of experience, advanced [insert languages], advanced writing skills, advanced coding skills, advanced in [insert list of software skills], advanced [walking on sticks and juggling three balls at a time].”

I can’t get my head around how many skills they need people to have. I know, practice makes perfect and I have to present something substantial. Otherwise, how to prove I can actually do it? It reminds me of the well-known chicken and the egg story: experienced to get experience, like a dog running after its own tail. I add...]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2014 17:16:37 +0100 More people find work Number of unemployment benefits hardly changed Increase unemployment benefits in sectors subject to seasonal variation like agriculture and hotels and restaurants According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), the number of unemployed hardly changed in October. In the period May-September, unemployment declined each month. In October, 8 percent in the labour force were unemployed.
Figures released by the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) show that the number of unemployment benefits fell by 500 to 419 thousand.

Unemployment has fallen less rapidly in recent months
Unemployment adjusted for seasonal effects declined by 1 thousand in October to 627 thousand. In...]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2014 15:02:16 +0100 The best business schools in the USA are annually increasing their budget for their scholarship funds. Harvard Business School has a $31.5 million scholarship fund for little more than 1,800 MBA students, sias Fortune.com. This has significantly increased from the $22 million from around four years ago. However, the process of increasing scholarship funds seems to be a general trend in Business Schools both public and private, for example: Yale University School of Management; Stanford Graduate School of Business; University of Michigan’s Ross School; UCLA’s Anderson School and several others.

Business Schools are looking for candidates who will bring valuable...]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2014 13:35:02 +0100   The most popular employers that would significantly give a lift to your starting career have been published by Memory Research, in the study ‘'First EMPLOYERS 2014’. This study was held among students and young professionals. Shell is the company that ranks first when asked where the starters want to start their career. Shell was already representative of its industry but in this year, they are ranked first in the overall market. The reasons that backed up this high ranking were: 20% the international opportunities; 15% the good working conditions and salary; 12% promotion opportunities.
Compared to last year’s study edition,...]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2014 15:12:23 +0100 In the modern age of Linkedin and social media it is easier than ever to secure new positions; yet why do so many companies not invest time in employer branding, especially on the agency side.

It amazes me how many junior recruiters out in the market cannot tell you anything about the companies they recruit for and why you would want to work for them.
Just a few days ago I was headhunted for a senior profile role at a major market leading FMCG company, yet when I asked the consultant a few key questions his response astounded me:

1)...]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2014 14:16:44 +0100 So 5 days ago I am asked by a VP of Operations, how important are recruitment motivation letters?

This person may potentially be in the market for a new job and they want to know how important this really is? They are asking a professional opinion as a trusted client, but the dilemma is do I answer honestly that I find them about as useful as a chocolate tea pot or the Recruiters professional response…. They have to be a short synopsis of a resume.
There are many people out there who feel they are still a valuable insight into...]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2014 14:12:32 +0100 We have all come across those beautiful curriculum vitae templates reminiscent of an online dating profile. The question is, do we take the risk and try a new format or do we stick to our safe basic CV? This, of course, depends on the position you are applying for. If the company is historically conservative and the position requires strict professionalism, perhaps bubbly graphics will only decrease your chances of an interview. But before you throw away your creative ideas, try some slight changes and updates that are possibly the slight edge you need to make your CV more appealing.  Color...]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2014 12:59:09 +0100 Do you make plans and take no action? Or you work long hours because you keep getting distracted? If you wait just before the deadline to get started, read about the five things that organized people do: Use a planner
Whether you use an agenda, your smartphone or Google Calendar, always keep track of the things you have to do. Write everything down: From an important job interview to grocery shopping, everything should have its slot in your to-do list. Set a time frame: It’s important to have a clear plan about when something has to be done. Group your...]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2014 12:06:06 +0100 Twitter is according to Glassdoor’s 2014 survey the best company for culture and values, with a 4.5 rating.
An employee comments enthusiastically:
“The people are just the best. Amazing culture. Always learning something new at Twitter University.”

Google and Facebookmade it to the Top 5 with employers commenting on the welcoming environment, continuous challenges and great rewards. All three are also listed among the best companies to work for.

The evaluation was made by the companies’ employees directly and promises a straightforward assessment of the vital core values. Core values that correspond to the company culture can keep the team together,...]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2014 12:01:44 +0100 According to study of the German Institute for Makroökonomie und Konjunkturforschung the average Dutch employee working within the private sector costs the employer €33 per hour, whilst the average amount in the European Union stands at €23.90.

This puts The Netherlands in sixth place on the list following Denmark, Belgium, Sweden, France and Luxembourg. At the top of the list with the most expensive employee rate is Denmark, where the average cost of an employee is €41.30.

Just try to compete with the Bulgarian employees who cost their employers as little as €3.60 per hour!!...]]> Tue, 18 Nov 2014 13:36:29 +0100
Employment Market developments period 10 2014
period 10 (week 37 – 40) the total amount of hours increased 10% and turnover grew 9%, in comparison with the same period last year. This period had an equal amount of workable days compared to the same period last year, so no correction was applied.

The administrative sector increased 9% in hours and also turnover increased with 9%.
Hours in the industrial sector increased 8% and turnover increased 7%.
Ultimately, the amount of worked hours in the technical sector increased 19% compared to the same period last year, turnover increased 15%.

Source ABU...]]> Tue, 18 Nov 2014 13:26:53 +0100 Imagine you are an employer evaluating over a hundred curriculum vitae’s, or CVs and the same cliché words or phrases are repeated like a bad pop song. With that in mind, as candidates we should be more cautious with our word choice. The following list is a warning for those plagued with mechanical CV writing: Worked: When at a loss for words it seems best to describe your work with the common phrased “worked on/with/for”, which is a step away from saying you simply “did” something. Think of what the actual task is such as: organized, assisted, strengthened or finalized. ...]]> Mon, 17 Nov 2014 16:44:31 +0100 When it’s all about experience, landing your first job seems a dreadful task. However, by following the correct steps, you can boost your chances in being discovered as new talent.  Know what you want! Create an online profile
Use LinkedIn and upload your CV in job boards. Be careful about consistency, update regularly with new achievements and let your network know about them. Keep going...
Even when you think this last interview went great or you’re perfect for the position you last applied for, don’t stop. Keep searching and applying, as things might not turn out as expected.  Connect
Let everyone...]]> Mon, 17 Nov 2014 15:04:38 +0100 My week has been quite hectic, as I found my way out of daily obligations, part-time jobs (in take it or leave it situations) and an upcoming, hopefully soon, relocation. In the midst of being busy I stopped by the International City Podium in The Hague last Tuesday. For those who don’t know what it is about, the ICP (International Community Platform) summarizes its mission as “Improving the work & living environment for the (international) employees and families in The Hague and surrounding municipalities and thereby, the working environment for employers themselves.” Events organized by the ICP are a great opportunity...]]> Mon, 17 Nov 2014 14:56:56 +0100 The percentage of workers who combine two jobs at the same time has increased in 2013 to 7.6 % average to of all employees. This reports the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) Friday. This is a troubling  tendency.

If in 2003 this number was as low as 5.5 %, nowadays two out of three employees  combines two jobs. In most cases the employees combine a normal paid job with self-employment.

This increase occurred in all sectors, but it is most evident IT, communications, specialized business services and public administration and government sectors.

Combining two employer’s is seen the most in the hospitality,...]]> Mon, 17 Nov 2014 13:17:44 +0100 Facebook wants to win users the office world. Therefore, the company is working on a business social network to compete among others with LinkedIn.
This was explained by the Financial Times Monday based upon anonymous sources.

"Facebook at Work would make it possible to chat with colleagues and friends as well as professional acquaintances. The business network would more or less look the same as the current Facebook site, but the personal photos and status updates of users would remain invisible to business contacts.

Facebook would also work on a way to edit documents together. This would be the social network...]]> Mon, 17 Nov 2014 12:33:22 +0100 A new student loan system was introduced this week in the House of Representatives, which will end the basic grant system. The new loan system will not affect students who are on the current basic grant. The new loan system is a way for the Dutch government to invest in the quality of higher education system.

According to Nu.nl, support for the proposal by Jet Bussemaker, Minister of Education was not unexpected. In spring, the ministers of VVD, PvdA, D66 and GroenLinks had already reached an agreement.
The payback period on these loans is to a period of 35 years...]]> Fri, 14 Nov 2014 13:14:13 +0100 Europeans, by far, enjoy more vacation time than their peers in Asia Pacific and North America, earning nearly twice as many paid vacation days every year, states a report by Expedia.

According to 2014 Vacation Deprivation study, the median number of vacation time available to employed Europeans is 28 days. Thirty days are offered to residents of Denmark, France, Germany, and Spain. They take full advantage; residents of all four countries report having taken every day available to them. Their European peers trail them only slightly. UK residents take 25 of 26 days whereas Italians take 21 of 28 days....]]> Thu, 13 Nov 2014 10:45:24 +0100 The best of us are overwhelmed with fear at the thought of updating our Curriculum vitae, commonly known as CV. The first step to combat CV phobia is to understand there is no such thing as a perfect CV. How is that supposed to make you feel better? Each appealing position requires an equally attractive candidate CV that stands out from all the rest. Making your CV standout can simply entail avoiding common mistakes. This does not mean you must write a new CV from scratch for every position, but rather make your CV relevant to the position you are...]]> Fri, 07 Nov 2014 13:08:09 +0100 Work has become less important for people compared to nine years ago, according to the latest report by CIPD. A similar study in 2005 showed that nearly half of employees found work most important in life but only 28% share the same opinion now. It also appears that more people prefer a well-paying job over a job that they like.

The research found another significant change in people’s work mentality – the where, the how and who people want to work with has altered. More than one third of the 633 respondents wanted to change their working hours.

The main...]]> Fri, 07 Nov 2014 11:58:37 +0100 The Central Bereau of Statistics of Netherlands (CBS) revealed that young people with low educational qualifications have the most difficulty finding a job. Nearly 100 thousand young people between the 15-26 age bracket, who no longer participated in education or training programmes were unemployed in the first quarter of 2014. Three months later, only three in every 10 of them  had found a job for at least 12 hours a week.. During the past decade, the proportion of young people with low levels of education who found work within a short period of time has never been so low.

In the first...]]> Thu, 06 Nov 2014 17:23:45 +0100 The Tokyo District Court ordered a restaurant chain and two of its personnel to pay more than half a million dollars in damages to the family of an employee who killed himself due to overwork in November 2010. The man was forced to work nearly 200 hours overtime in a month. The President of Sun Challenge, a Tokyo-based steak house chain and another were found culpable in failing to stop the employee from working excessive hours, reported AFP.
According to a Kyodo News report, the presiding judge, Akira Yamada stated the “psychological load of prolonged work and power harassment caused...]]> Thu, 06 Nov 2014 11:52:13 +0100 MBA students are seeking more than just one degree – in order to achieve their aspirations in the different industries; they are signing up for joint- or dual degrees.
Stanford’s Graduate School of Business (GSB) is launching a new joint degree programme that links an MBA with an MS in electrical engineering. The Business school has recently introduced several joint degree programmes such as MS in Computer Science/MBA and MS in Environment and Resources/MBA.
Approximately 13% to 15% of GSB students are in joint- or dual degree programmes, compared to less than 10% four or five years ago, said Madhav...]]> Thu, 06 Nov 2014 10:49:06 +0100 The Participatiewet will come into effect in January 2015 but is the Dutch government facing an uphill task in its aim to create 125,000 jobs by 2026 for people with arbeidsbeperking? From 1 January 2015, the Participatiewet will come into effect. With this law, the Dutch government aims to create more jobs for people with disabilities (physical, mental) and Wajong – young people with disabilities and students who became unable to work at a young age. It also includes people who have a great gap in accessing the labour market due to various factors such as low education or long-term...]]> Tue, 04 Nov 2014 15:13:04 +0100 This is a new series of Jobseekers’ Diaries by Andromachi, an expat, job seeker and recent graduate with a Master’s degree in English Literature and Culture.


I can’t recall how many times I’ve been posed with the same question in the past few months while job-hunting: Why did you pursue a degree in the Humanities? Why did you study English?

To me, the answer is pretty obvious: I chose to follow a discipline that truly inspired me to do my best and not half-heartedly drag my feet to its completion. However, this question comes from a well-meaning place, given the...]]> Tue, 04 Nov 2014 11:26:33 +0100
Finding a job you love may seem irrelevant when considering the difficulties of landing a job in the first place. However, the enjoyment you receive from your occupation will affect not only your professional performance but also your quality of life. Look into past experience
What would you really like to pursue? It’s probably right in front of you, in your resume. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel when job-searching. Your true passion is something you repeatedly enjoy doing, be it in your professional career or even experience acquired by volunteering for causes. Develop your self-awareness, make a list...]]> Tue, 04 Nov 2014 11:10:16 +0100 CHANGE MANAGEMENT SERIES: Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are a crucial strategy for companies to stay competitive and catch up with globalisation. As a result, they incorporate efficient technologies and expand to new markets with lower costs.

However, not all M&As are successful. In a CNBC article, experts from Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University said that the failure rate for M&As is as high as 90%. There are several reasons for this distressing figure such as difficult market and financial factors. However, research highlights that the integration process in an M&A is affected when organisations ignore “people...]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2014 00:42:21 +0100 There are various ways of presenting a resume or CV to catch the eye of a recruiter. There is also a growing trend of sending a video CV or resume to HR to land the perfect job – especially in public relations, sales, marketing and media sectors, where good communication and presentation skills are quintessential.
“Video CV’s differentiate you from the crowd. Employers can immediately see how well you present yourself,” says Reyndert Coppelmans, who used to make video CVs in The Netherlands before heading sales and marketing at Treeveo in Spain.
Video resumes can come in two forms –...]]> Fri, 31 Oct 2014 17:58:30 +0100 The Dutch cabinet is formulating plans to slow the growth of self-employed people (ZZP) and the first proposals will be submitted around 1 December this year, reported the Financieele Dagblad (FD).
Since 2009, the number of self-employed people has risen from 63,2000 to 80,0000. This costs the government money because self-employed people pay less tax. As such, the cabinet would like to abolish the tax rebate for small entrepreneurs (zelfsstandigenaftrek), which costs the government about €1.8 billion in lost tax revenue.
Other rebates up for possible repeal are the starters rebate and the small business profit tax exemption, reported FD. Due...]]> Fri, 31 Oct 2014 11:06:34 +0100 Commerical managers, Axel Lemmens and Micha Patutschnick share with Together Abroad about WTC The Hague Business Center’s work on providing business opportunities to its tenants and investors

What are the major goals of WTC The Hague Business Center?
Our major goals are – building international business development, stimulating entrepreneurship, providing active networking and a high-quality office environment with an international allure.
As WTC The Hague has an interest in promoting international business and entrepreneurs. How is it working to attain tenants to fit with the rest of the organisations in the premise?

WTC The Hague Business Center is at the...]]> Wed, 29 Oct 2014 18:02:18 +0100 Lodewijk Asscher, Minister for Social Affairs and Employment announced that the ministry will be paying special attention to the issue of workplace bullying during yesterday’s parliament debate over working conditions.

According to ANP, the minister responded to a plea from Labour MP John Kerstens, who referred to a research stating the increase in cases of workplace bullying.

Minister Asscher said that he wants to handle the problem of workplace bullying. Also he wants to allow his department to inspect companies if they appear to have taken little measure to prevent workplace bullying. The minister also agreed to implement measures against...]]> Thu, 30 Oct 2014 16:05:33 +0100 Business school graduates in the US earn more over a 20-year period, says a research.
A recent analysis done for Poets&Quants by PayScale, a US data analysis firm, revealed interesting conclusions. The study collected the salary data from graduates through online pay comparison tools over 20 years after the graduation by taking into account the base salaries, cash bonuses and profit sharing’s in today’s dollar currency from 50 top ranking business schools in America.
According to the research, the income for MBA graduates over a 20-year period was a hefty seven-figure income. Furthermore, the highly ranked business schools delivered the highest...]]> Thu, 30 Oct 2014 12:20:20 +0100 The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SWZ ) will be launching the Check Your Stress Week or Check Je Werkstress campaign, from 3 to 6 November to create awareness of work stress related issues and how to reduce it.

According to a press statement by the ministry, nearly 1 million people are at risk of burnout or other work-related mental illness in The Netherlands. Also, over one in eight employees in The Netherlands suffer from stress and a third of the work-related absenteeism is caused by stress.

Lodewijk Asscher, Minister for Social Affairs and Employment will kick off the...]]> Wed, 29 Oct 2014 13:02:47 +0100 The Best Workplaces in The Netherlands  in 2014 list has been revealed by the Great Place to Work® Institute. SAS Nederland, Microsoft and Novo Nordisk top the list as the best large multinational companies for employees.
The research institute releases an annual list of top organisations to work for throughout the globe – large multinational companies, medium-sized enterprises and small and young enterprises. These organisations on the list show a special policy that leads to trust toward management, employees being proud of what they do and having fun with the people they work with.
The score on the employee survey (two-thirds) and...]]> Wed, 29 Oct 2014 12:22:25 +0100 The TIAS School for Business and Society, which is affiliated with Tilburg University and Eindhoven University of Technology, has been given top place by students for its full-time Master of Science in Business Administration (MScBA) course in the Best Studies research by Elsevier.

The research is based on the results of the National Student Questionnaire. According to the study, students highly evaluate the professors of the masters, the examination process and overall quality of the programmes.

Senior Career Consultant, Jelda Veninga, said that this result was not a complete surprise because of the feedback the school gets at the end of...]]> Tue, 28 Oct 2014 15:14:34 +0100 The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment has announced that the gross minimum wage and minimum wage for employees under 23 years of age will be slightly increased from 1 January 2015.

The minimum wage will increase by 0.44% from 1 January in comparison to the minimum wage established on 1 July 2014. The minimum wage for full-time employment applies to employees of all ages from 23 years to retirement age. The gross minimum wage is proportionally lower for employees who work part-time.

According to the Minimum Wage and Minimum Holiday Allowance law, the gross statutory minimum wage based on...]]> Tue, 28 Oct 2014 11:52:39 +0100
Full-time jobs related to exports

Twice as much job growth through exports than through domestic consumption
The number of full-time jobs thanks to the exports of goods and services has...]]> Mon, 27 Oct 2014 13:18:08 +0100 Aztec Group has announced the launch of its sixth operational office in another major funds location, Amsterdam. This is following the opening of an office in Stockholm earlier this year.
The funds service provider’s new office gives clients the opportunity to utilise Aztec’s comprehensive range of fund and corporate services from the Netherlands region. The Amsterdam office will add to the Groups onshore presence in the UK, Luxembourg and Sweden and its offshore offices in Guernsey and Jersey.
The new office has been launched with the support of a longstanding client and is headed up by a senior member of...]]> Fri, 24 Oct 2014 14:47:30 +0200 Speakeasy, a 40-year-old executive communication consultancy has announced the opening of a permanent office and learning environment in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The facility is scheduled to begin full-time operations in the first quarter of 2015.
The company announced in a press release that Speakeasy Amsterdam will offer a full suite of Speakeasy’s communication development programs.
“We launched programmes in Amsterdam two years ago to serve business leaders across the world who recognized the value of communicating in multiple global theaters,” said Scott Weiss, CEO, Speakeasy. “Speakeasy Amsterdam is the product of the overwhelming response we received as we continue our...]]> Fri, 24 Oct 2014 14:29:40 +0200 Globally men continue to do better than women when it comes to having full-time work for an employer, according to Gallup's global Payroll to Population (P2P) employment rate study. The gender gap remained just as wide in 2013 compared to five years ago.
The study highlighted that full-time employment has not grown since 2012 and remained at 26% in 2013 across the globe. The P2P employment rates have remained stagnant since 2012 with 34% for men and 18% for women.
Sweden and Iceland are the only two countries in the world with a P2P rate higher than 50% ( Sweden...]]> Thu, 23 Oct 2014 15:53:31 +0200 Business Schools are changing the structure and content of their programmes to adhere to the changing global market’s structure and conditions.
The schools are catching up with new updated strategies – introducing new subjects, flexible timetables along with renewed missions. Besides core courses, they are providing and focusing more on new foundations such as soft skills, entrepreneurship, international fieldwork, big data and a multidisciplinary approach.
Kellog School of Management of NorthWestern University has just introduced its new brand strategy by repositioning the Kellog brand. Its new focus is with regards to a growth mindset coupled with deep analysis and social...]]> Thu, 23 Oct 2014 14:22:18 +0200 An extra €35 million will be made available for the Participatiewet, said Jetta Klijnsma, Secretary for Social Affairs and Employment.

The money will be go to regional Werkbedrijven – work enterprises that help people to re-integrate them for employment – who will play a major part in executing this law. These enterprises will partner with municipal councils, the UWV (Employee Insurance Agency), regional employers, labour unions and educational institution.

The ministry also revealed the regulations for the regional Werkbedrijven – each one of the 35 work enterprises will receive €1 million. “The success of the Participatiewet will stand or fall...]]> Wed, 22 Oct 2014 11:42:11 +0200 While tuition fees for increased across many countries, Germany has announced that it would re-provide a tuition-free tertiary education system.

The decision to implement fees went into effect in 2006 but it was met with backlash – many argued that public universities should not be charging for education. Soon, individual states started repealing this mandate to revert back to free tertiary education.

Lower Saxony was the last state in Germany to abolish its tuition fees for university students. “We got rid of tuition fees because we do not want higher education which depends on the wealth of the parents,” said Gabrielle...]]> Wed, 22 Oct 2014 11:11:46 +0200 The 2015 Tax Plan, which is part of the budget plans for 2015, focuses on alleviating the tax burden on labour. A sum of €1 billion has been made available for this purpose, which will be used to reduce the lowest rate of income tax and increase the employed person’s tax credit in order to make work more profitable. These measures will partially reverse the increased tax burden arising from earlier government measures.
Reducing the tax burden on labour
The government will make work more profitable next year by significantly increasing the employed person’s tax credit. Five million euros will...]]> Mon, 20 Oct 2014 10:07:46 +0200 Applying for a new job or thinking about a career change?

Checking your CV is probably the first thing that comes to mind. It’s the most important document for finding a job and the layout is often the key to getting an employer’s attention.
You might have the exact qualifications, experience and skills for the job you are applying for but if your CV does not highlight this it may be overlooked and opportunities missed.
Together Abroad now offers the CV Check service which provides guidance and tips from experienced HR professionals on how to better format your CV so...]]> Thu, 17 Oct 2013 19:24:35 +0200 Dutch steel producer, Staalconcern Nedstaal was declaredbankrupt by the District Court of Rotterdam today. On Wednesday the company requested a deferral, which is commonly followed by the application for bankruptcy.
The steel producer, based in Alblasserdam has 280 employees. The company has annual sales of €100 million but it has been making losses since 2009.
The company stated a combination of factors led to the bankruptcy – high prices of raw materials but a low price on the final product, tough competition from South Korea and China, reported Nuzakelijk.nl. In addition, the company has many customers in Germany, Italy and France,...]]> Fri, 17 Oct 2014 16:19:42 +0200 Companies that operate internationally, proved better able to cope with economic crisis in terms of employment

Fewer job losses in export business

Since the beginning of the recession in 2008Dutch companies operating internationally have lost significantly less jobs lost compared with other companies operating on the inner market. This reports the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) on Friday.

Between 2008 and 2009, the crisis had relatively little impact on Dutch employment market and the companies focused on the inner were in an equal situation as the companies performing internationally. However already between 2011 and 2012 the number of jobs has...]]> Fri, 17 Oct 2014 16:04:13 +0200  NuVasive, Inc., a medical device company focused on developing minimally disruptive surgical products and procedures for the spine, is opening an office in Amsterdam.
As part of NuVasive’s strategic expansion throughout the EMEA market, it is opening its European Center of Excellence (COE) office in Amsterdam. The Center will serve as NuVasive’s European commercial headquarters and function as the commercial hub for the European executive leadership and departments across marketing, surgeon education, sales, human resources, legal and other support functions, stated the company's press release.
The International Operations Center in Ireland, which was established in June, will remain the Company’s international...]]> Fri, 17 Oct 2014 15:20:30 +0200 In 2013, nearly 850 thousand people were less than one year active in their current job. Nearly a quarter of a million of these people were working outside their region of residence. This phenomenon is termed regional mobility. A survey conducted by Statistics Netherlands shows that a relatively high proportion of people employed in the Randstad region and the central part of the Netherlands are inter-regional commuters.

Greater Amsterdam and Haaglanden region in top ten
The Randstad region attracts many people seeking employment. More than 80 thousand people engaged in regional mobility found work in the labour market regions of...]]> Fri, 17 Oct 2014 15:17:33 +0200 NUVASIVE®  announces opening of new European Center of Excellence in Amsterdam. The Center will serve as NuVasive’s European commercial headquarters and function as the commercial hub for the European executive leadership and departments across marketing, surgeon education, sales, human resources, legal and other support functions. Meanwhile, the International Operations Center in Ireland, which was established in June, will remain the Company’s international operational headquarters.

Russell Powers, Executive Vice President of International for NuVasive said, “Region specific events such as Eurospine are essential to our expansion efforts in Europe. The COE, along with the recently opened International Operations Center in Ireland, provide...]]> Fri, 17 Oct 2014 14:49:13 +0200 Women who are expecting multiple births should be entitled to an early maternity leave, of at least four weeks, says an MP.

On 13 October, Pieter Heermabrug, MP for Christen Democratisch Appèl’s (CDA) initiated the discussion with Minister of Social Affairs, Lodewijk Asscher about extending maternity leave, reported NU.nl.

According to Heermabrug, women who are expecting twins or triplets rarely go on leave on the 34th week of pregnancy, which is common. Often, they quit on doctor's advice before the 30th week. Heermabrug suggested that the maternity leave for these women should officially start in the 30th week.

Steven van...]]> Fri, 17 Oct 2014 08:54:55 +0200 Job losses in the healthcare sector are expected to decrease in the coming year. The government’s plans to implement less budget cuts in the in sector will bring down to job losses from the estimated 27,000 full-time positions to about 12,000.

This was stated in a letter that Martin van Rijn, Secretary of State and Edith Schippers, Minister of public health, wrote to the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer). Van Rijn and Schippers assume that the lost of 12,000 jobs will affect 30,000 people

According to NU.nl, Van Rijn says he is aware that many people are uncertain regarding the...]]> Thu, 16 Oct 2014 07:59:19 +0200
The Centre for Higher Education Information (CHOI) recent research, Keuzegids HBO/2015 has revealed that the Hogeschool Utrecht (HU) is the top vocational university in the Randstad region.
The Keuzegids HBO 2015 made a critical evaluation of 1,150 bachelor’s programmes at HBO level. HU came in the tenth spot of the ranking list. This is an improvement from its 14th place in 2013. According to the research, the Financial Services Management course from HU was ranked the best in Utrecht.
Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA) was at the end of the ranking list of the large universities in The Netherlands. Fifty-nine courses...]]> Thu, 16 Oct 2014 00:37:36 +0200 Job hunting is challenging and can be quite stressful at times, especially when it involves a career change. Together Abroad has the expertise and experience to offer you advice and guidance on potential Dutch job prospects through a number of individual sessions with a career advisor. Through these sessions we examine the opportunities available to you, taking into account your skills, work experience, strengths, weaknesses and potential barriers.

We will examine your current situation and look into your expectations for your new professional direction. Our advisors will guide you through different strategies and planning for your new career and take...]]> Tue, 15 Oct 2013 16:17:10 +0200 Business schools graduates are losing interest in investment banking and turning to consultancy and technology sectors, says The Economist.
Figures show that this trend can be seen among MBA graduates from elite business schools across the globe. The percentage of students from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business choosing jobs in investment banking fell from 30% in 2007 to 16% in 2014. In 2007, 46% of London Business School’s MBA graduates entered financial services but in 2013, only 28% did.
According to The Economist, about 30% of the business schools graduates apply and work in the consultancy technology industries....]]> Wed, 15 Oct 2014 11:20:15 +0200 MapR Technologies has opened its first office in The Netherlands, a strategic plan to extend the company’s presence in the EMEA region.

The data technology company announced in a press release that it has entered into a signed partnership agreement with Anchormen, a Dutch software development specialist, to broaden their consulting and training services in the region.

MapR has hired Hugo Karelse, who has worked in senior roles within several big data technology groups at Oracle, to lead the expansion in the Benelux region.

"MapR is excited to expand our commitment to customers and partners in the region and help...]]> Fri, 10 Oct 2014 11:26:08 +0200 The University of Amsterdam (UvA) has come in the 50th place in the QS World University Rankings 2014/2015 which makes it the top rated university in The Netherlands.

UvA moved up by eight spots compared to last year’s rankings. Among UvA’s departments, The Natural Science Faculty and Engineering and Technology are ranked the highest at 100th and 137th places, respectively.

Leiden University ranked at the 44th place and Utrecht University at the 80th place.

Other notable universities that have moved up places among the best universities across the globe are The Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), The Groningen University...]]> Thu, 09 Oct 2014 11:49:32 +0200

The Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS)  revealed that the employment rate in the sustainable energy sector has grown significantly.

The employment rate in this sector increased by 24% in 2013 compared to 2008. However, employment rates in other economic sectors decreased by 3% in the same period of time.
The growing interest in sustainable energy has led to more jobs and profits for the sector. The employment rate grew by 12% in the period of 2008-2012 at a profit of 4.2 billion euros. This development in the sustainable energy sector accounted for 0.7% of the total economical growth.
By:...]]> Thu, 09 Oct 2014 11:08:18 +0200  

A collective labour agreement (CAO) was reached for temporary employment that will see changes to the remuneration framework in the sector.

Worker unions and the Association of Temporary Employment Agencies (Algemene Bond Uitzendondernemingen or ABU) reached an accord after laborious negotiations.

A statement released by the ABU revealed that temporary workers will receive wages based on the employment terms of the hiring company. This change will take effect from 30 March 2015. In the original 2012 CAO, this was a principe-afspraak, a non-binding agreement between the negotiating parties.

A separate salary framework will be applicable for people who have been...]]> Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:01:49 +0200 Increase in work hours and turnover rate

A report released by The Federation of Private Employment Agencies (Algemene Bond Uitzendondernemingen, ABU) revealed during the period between August and September (weeks 33-36) this year, the total amount of work hours increased by 8% and turnover grew by 7%, in comparison with the same period in 2013.

Several sectors such as administrative, industrial and technical saw a significant increase in work hours and turnover rate. The administrative sector’s work hours and turnover increased by 6%. Hours in the industrial sector grew by 8% and turnover shot up by 7%.

The technical sector...]]> Wed, 08 Oct 2014 11:42:13 +0200 After prolonged negotiations, an agreement has been signed that makes it easier for certified chefs in Asian cuisine to get work permits in The Netherlands.

The Wokakoord was signed on 29th September after negotiations were concluded between Lodewijk Asscher, Minister of Social Affairs and Employment and the Asian Hospitality Association, Aziatische Horeca Vereniging (AHV).

The Asian hotels and catering sector will be receiving 1,650 work permits in the first year and 1,500 in the second year for chefs specialising in Asian cuisine, stated Algemeen Dagblad. In return, the sector must train Dutch chefs so that they may acquire the required...]]> Tue, 07 Oct 2014 15:16:23 +0200 The Federation of Businesswomen, Federatie Zakenvrouwen, demands that the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers, VNO-NCW, put more effort into helping women into top positions.

A letter urging Hans de Boer, the chairman of VNO-NCW, to take action was sent with signatures from 40 women from varying sectors such as business, culture and politics, stated Het Financieele Dagblad.
Critics think that this is just one of the many demands that are yet to come from The Federation of Businesswomen. The Federation said that they still see room for progress regarding the employment of women in The Netherlands.
According to The...]]> Mon, 06 Oct 2014 12:24:35 +0200
The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), also known as the Shanghai Ranking, has recently published their list of the top 500 universities in the world. Many research institutions in the Netherlands that offer higher education for international students improved their overall positions. They also excelled in specific subjects and fields of sciences.

The Shanghai Ranking (ARWU) is an annual ranking that has been published since 2003. It uses six objective indicators to rank more than 1200 universities across the globe. These indicators include the number of highly cited researchers chosen by Thomson Scientific, the number of articles published in...]]> Thu, 02 Oct 2014 18:24:46 +0200 Henk Kamp, Minister of Economic Affairs of The Netherlands, opened the Dutch Innovation Factory in Zoetermeer on September 22.
The mayer of Zoetermeer, Charlie Aptroot, called it the beginning of a Dutch Innovation Parc, a place where education, business and research can meet.

...]]> Thu, 02 Oct 2014 18:20:23 +0200 Dler Law Office, a full service business and litigation law firm headquartered in Erbil Kurdistan in northern Iraq, has established a European law firm in WTC The Hague. Due to increasing investment and trade between Iraq/Kurdistan and Europe, Mr. Dler Saber, the managing partner of Dler Law Office, decided it was time to incorporate a law office in Europe- Dler Law Office Europe BV.


As Mr. Dler Saber explained, “We carefully considered various possible locations in Europe, and we concluded that Holland would be the best option. The assistance that the West-Holland Foreign Investment Agency gave us in setting up...]]> Thu, 02 Oct 2014 18:07:20 +0200 The Hague’s status as International City of Peace and Justice is proving increasingly beneficial to the local and regional economy. This is according to a Decisio study of the economic impact of international organisations on The Hague region.

With as many as 37,500 jobs, the city’s international organisations are the most important engine driving employment in The Hague and surrounding region. Medium- and low-skilled employees also benefit from this advantage. In addition, the international institutions account for as much as € 5.2 billion in indirect expenditures.

Deputy Mayor Ingrid van Engelshoven for Knowledge Economy, International Affairs, said: "Every single job at an...]]> Thu, 02 Oct 2014 18:05:04 +0200 The engineering and ICT sectors across the globe are facing a major hurdle—the shortage of skills and candidates. Manpower Group’s 2013 Talent Shortage Survey revealed that in a global scale, engineers and IT staff are among the top 10 jobs employers have difficulty filling. Employers said the chief contributing factors are lack of technical competencies (hard skills) and a lack of available applicants or no applicants.

The European Commission highlighted that there is a critical shortfall of ICT experts and that there is a mismatch between skills on offer and those that are in demand in the technology market. The...]]> Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:38:28 +0200 Technology and innovation giant, Philips has announced its split into two separate companies -- Lighting solutions and HealthTech, which will combine Healthcare and Consumer Lifestyle.

Frans van Houten, CEO of Philips announced this in London with a meeting of investors and analysts. “I do appreciate the magnitude of the decision we are taking, but the time is right to take the next strategic step for Philips, as we continue on our transformation,” he said. Van Houten also said that the spitting might come as a surprise for many people, however the company going in this direction for a long time...]]> Tue, 30 Sep 2014 23:42:00 +0200 Research released by European statistical office, Eurostat highlighted that for a third-month in a row, the unemployment rate has remained at 11.5% in the Eurozone. However, it is s a positive sign compared to the figures nearly a year ago – in August 2013, unemployment stood at 12% of the workforce.

The unemployment rate in the European Union (28 countries) in September was 10.1%, which was at its lowest level since February 2012. In July, the unemployment rate was 10.2% and in August 2013, it was 10.8%. Austria and Germany have the lowest unemployment rate at 4.7% and 4.9%, respectively....]]> Tue, 30 Sep 2014 14:56:58 +0200 Tamkara Adun speaks to Willem Van Donge, head of Career and Personal Development and Javier Arias, community marketer and an alumnus at Nyenrode on their views on the university, its MBA programs and how they are catered to the needs of its candidates

Could you tell us a bit about Nyenrode and the Nyenrode Heritage?
Nyenrode Business Universiteit was created in 1946 by industry leaders from leading corporations such as KLM, Shell, Unilever, Philips and Akzo with the intent to set up a business community that would create business leaders in order to impact the global business community, positively.

Nyenrode...]]> Tue, 30 Sep 2014 12:00:30 +0200 Nyenrode Business Universiteit is hitting the road. Over the next few months, the university will be promoting its MBA programmes in Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and Eindhoven. Marketers, Javier Arias and Sasja Heijman tell us more.

What can visitors expect to learn from Nyenrode’s MBA Roadshow? As part of the itinerary, there is Career Progress and Personal Leadership Workshop. Could you elaborate on this Workshop?

The purpose of this MBA Road Show is to bring Nyenrode closer to the business community in the Netherlands. The MBA Road Show sessions include an inspiring information session regarding the different MBA-options that the university...]]> Tue, 30 Sep 2014 11:18:32 +0200 The budget released by the Dutch government will be help to expand SMEs, boost innovation and strengthen the growth of several sectors such as sustainable energy, agriculture and environment.

A ‘Special Envoy’ has been set up to help start-ups and growing businesses. This Envoy will strengthen the international position of Dutch start-ups and growing businesses and will encourage entrepreneurs from other countries to set up business in the Netherlands.
The financial scope for SMEs will also be widened by a range of measures that can generate additional financing of €2.5 billion. Campaigns focusing on alternative forms of financing will also...]]> Tue, 30 Sep 2014 11:03:17 +0200 The regulation to create 100,000 jobs for people with disabilities by 2026 in The Netherlands has created heated discussions.
According to ANP, the government plans for these jobs for disabled professionals who are unable to earn statutory minimum wage. However, employers and employees demand a broader definition, emphasising that it might be disadvantageous to highly educated professionals.

Last Monday, presidents of VNO-NCW and FNV, Hans de Boer and Ton Heerts, respectively, spoke at a sitting in De Tweede Kamer about the agreements Jetta Klijnsma, Secretary of the Sate (Social Affairs) has made with the social partners.

A majority of the...]]> Tue, 30 Sep 2014 10:59:16 +0200 Employers say that FNV’s (Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging) demands that organisations give all employees a raise of €900 next year could lead to layoffs.
Hans de Boer, president of VNO-NCW , the confederation of Netherlands industry and employers, said on Radio 1 programme De Ochtend that FNV’s requirement could prove bad for certain sectors, especially the ones that have not overcome the economic crisis and are still facing difficulties doing so.

According to ANP, he also stated the demand is senseless. He pointed out the retail and housing sectors as examples, stating that they are still facing a lot of difficulties...]]> Tue, 30 Sep 2014 10:58:12 +0200


Tamkara Adun speaks to Willem van Dongen, head of Career and Personal Development and Javier Arias, community marketer and an alumnus at Nyenrode on their views on the university, its MBA programs and how they are catered to the needs of its candidates

Could you tell us a bit about Nyenrode and the Nyenrode Heritage?

Nyenrode Business Universiteit was created in 1946 by industry leaders from leading corporations such as KLM, Shell, Unilever, Philips and Akzo with the intent to set up a business community that would create business leaders in order to impact the global business community, positively.

Nyenrode...]]> Mon, 29 Sep 2014 21:31:26 +0200
According to Google: Europe Blog, Google will be announcing a new EUR600 million investment to build a new data centre in Eemshaven, the Netherlands. The investment will be spread out over the next four years to build a new data centre in Eemshaven, the Netherlands.

At a time of high unemployment throughout Europe, the project promises a welcome infusion of jobs. Construction will provide work for more than 1000 workers. We expect to start initial operations in the first half of 2016 and to be fully operational by the end of 2017. By then, the centre will create employment for...]]> Thu, 25 Sep 2014 17:51:29 +0200 International Welcome Center Northern Netherlands opens its doors in November. On Tuesday, November 4, a dream eight years in the making, will become a reality with the opening of the International Welcome Center North (IWCN), a one-stop-shop for international people living in Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe. The IWCN will offer services in three areas: government formalities (residence permits and municipal registration); information (practical information and referrals to reliable service providers); and social (a chance to start building a social and /or business network during activities and events) all at one location.

The International Welcome Center North is a collaboration between the...]]> Thu, 25 Sep 2014 16:18:59 +0200

 

Ageing population pushes up spending on state pensions

According to figures published today by Statistics Netherlands, spending on state old-age pensions has risen by nearly a quarter since 2008, to 32.7 billion euros in 2013. The increase in pension spending correlates with the increase in the number of people entitled to a state pension, and is indeed caused by population ageing. The first Dutch baby boomers reached the age of pension entitlement in 2011. By the end of 2013, over 3.2 million people in the Netherlands were receiving a state old-age pension. One in ten of them live outside the...]]> Wed, 24 Sep 2014 16:04:30 +0200
Unemployment down again in August Number of people in work continues to rise Fewer 25 to 44 year-olds unemployed in last four months Fewer unemployment benefits in August Construction workers account for largest fall in benefits According to figures released today by Statistics Netherlands, the number of unemployed people in the Netherlands fell for the fourth month in a row. More people have found a job in recent months. Unemployment fell by 13 thousand persons in August, to 8 percent of the labour force. Under-45s accounted for nearly all of the decrease in unemployment.
Figures from the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV)...]]> Wed, 24 Sep 2014 15:59:22 +0200
One in nine employed work less than twelve hours a week

In the second quarter of 2014, nearly 900 thousand people (11 percent of all persons employed in the Netherlands) were working less than twelve hours a week. Three-quarters do not wish or are unable to work more than twelve hours a week, mainly because they attend some form of education or (vocational) training programme. Small jobs are more and more often occupied by young people. In the second quarter of this year, more than 60 percent of people with small jobs were in the age category 15-24. They often...]]> Wed, 24 Sep 2014 15:54:26 +0200 It should be made more attractive for top students from abroad to study in the Netherlands. Conversely, talented Dutch students should be encouraged to pursue studies in other countries. With this aim in mind, education minister Jet Bussemaker is creating a scholarship programme that will provide 1,000 grants a year towards study costs: each grant will be worth € 5,000.

Top students from abroad boost standards, raise results (including those of Dutch students) and strengthen the international character of Dutch higher education. Over the next few years, the new scholarship programme will enable high fliers from other countries to study...]]> Mon, 15 Sep 2014 19:23:29 +0200 The iconic French fashion house Chanel has purchased a new office in Amsterdam. The building, which is currently still under construction, is expected to open in spring 2015, when Chanel International will establish its new international headquarters in Amsterdam.


Amsterdam’s popular business district
According to several Dutch media outlets (eg Het Parool), Chanel has spent almost 45 million on the new office space, which is located at the Zuidas, one of the most popular business districts of Amsterdam. While in many areas of the country businesses have had to cancel construction plans, the appetite of investors for Zuidas office space...]]> Mon, 15 Sep 2014 18:48:33 +0200 More unemployed find work No more jobs lost, marginal growth job vacancies Self-employed jobs further up More long-term unemployed


Statistics Netherlands announced today that the Dutch labour market showed signs of recovery in the second quarter of 2014. Unemployment fell relative to the first quarter, the number of job vacancies grew marginally and no more jobs were lost. The number of long-term unemployed, on the other hand, increased.

Fewer unemployed as more people found work
Unemployment declined in the second quarter. Adjusted for seasonal effects, 672 thousand people were unemployed, i.e. 12 thousand fewer than in the first quarter, when unemployment...]]> Sun, 14 Sep 2014 11:21:42 +0200 In the second quarter of 2014 The Dutch labor market showed a tentative recovery .This reports the Central Bureau of Statistics ( CBS) on Thursday .
Unemployment has decreased compared to the first quarter. The number of new vacancies has slightly grown and while the number of existing jobs remained unchanged.
However, the long-term unemployment did not decreased, on the contrary, it seems like for long term unemployed people it became even harder to return to the labour market..

In the second quarter were 672,000 jobless people, 12,000 fewer than in the first quarter was the case .
In the...]]> Fri, 12 Sep 2014 14:51:33 +0200 Export of child benefit and child budget to be discontinued by 2015.

The House of Representatives has approved the bill to stop the exportation of child benefit and child budget to countries outside the European Union. This takes effect from the 1st of January 2015. A transitional period of 6 months will apply to parents receiving this kind of support. Please click here to read more.
For those who may be unfamiliar with the difference between the child benefit and the Child budget, some clarification is shown below:

Child Benefit (Kinderbijslag)
If you live or work in the Netherlands and...]]> Mon, 08 Sep 2014 17:49:28 +0200
Market developments period 8 2014

In period 8 (week 29 – 32) the total amount of hours increased 9% and turnover grew 8%, in comparison with the same period last year. This period had an equal amount of workable days compared to the same period last year, so no correction was applied.

The administrative sector increased 7% in hours and turnover increased with 6%.
Hours in the industrial sector increased 9% and turnover increased 8%.
Ultimately, the amount of worked hours in the technical sector increased 16% compared to the same period last year, turnover increased 12%. Source ABU...]]> Mon, 08 Sep 2014 16:12:41 +0200

                               Nyenrode MBA: the gateway to a successful career in the Netherlands

The Nyenrode’s one year full-time International MBA is an investment that has the potential to open up new doors of opportunity and provide the pertinent skills required to thrive in the global job market.
The Nyenrode full-time MBA provides an incredible opportunity for career growth and for the acquisition of Business and Management skills that can be utilised on a global scale.

In some occasions, expatriats living in The Netherlands encounter challenges to step into the Dutch labour market. Nyenrode understands this and provides them with the tools...]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2014 18:25:03 +0200
HOW TO ACE YOUR NEXT SKYPE INTERVIEW

As Organizations leans more towards the use of technology and social media to support recruitment efforts, it is becoming increasingly common for the interview process to be done remotely.
Remote interviews can be a complicated terrain to navigate as the absence of non-verbal cues can leave even the most confident job seeker feeling unsure and unsettled. But with adequate preparation a positive outcome can be expected.
When faced with a remote interview such as telephone interviews, skype interviews, or videoconferencing, it is advisable to comport in the same manner as one would do...]]> Thu, 28 Aug 2014 09:54:33 +0200 Speak Dutch and improve your chances of finding a job

The government is requiring recipients of social assistance benefit to improve their Dutch language skills and thus boost their chances of finding a job. This measure had already been announced in the coalition agreement. Following a proposal from Jetta Klijnsma (State Secretary for Social Affairs and Employment), the cabinet has agreed to submit an amendment to the Work and Social Assistance Act on this subject to the House of Representatives.

'The point is that people must be able to express themselves and be understood at work and in their day-to-day...]]> Wed, 27 Aug 2014 16:56:35 +0200
Focus on work in civic integration exam

From 1 January 2015, the civic integration examination will contain a stronger focus on work. The Government wants to get more immigrants into employment by helping them learn how to find a job. The Cabinet has approved a proposal from Lodewijk Asscher (Minister of Social Affairs and Employment) to augment the exam with an extra job-seeking module.

At present, the exam includes only general questions about work, such as the role of temporary employment agencies. From 1 January 2015, candidates preparing to take the exam will have to take steps to find employment....]]> Wed, 27 Aug 2014 16:54:13 +0200 Workshop Mind Your Step, you’re wearing wooden shoes! 7 September Dubai 

On Sunday September 7, the Netherlands Business Council in Dubai is offering you a free-of-charge workshop “Mind Your Step, you’re wearing wooden shoes’ by established cross-cultural specialist Esther Janssen. You will receive useful insights and practical tips and tricks on how to turn cultural differences between Arabs, Asians and yourself into more successful business operations.

Business across cultures
Today’s international business landscape changes the way organizations operate and people communicate. It is increasingly common to work with colleagues, clients or suppliers in or from more countries. While colleagues or suppliers...]]> Mon, 25 Aug 2014 08:52:10 +0200 Unemployment further down in July More people found work in recent months Labour force 100 thousand down from one year previously Marginal growth unemployment benefits Statistics Netherlands (CBS) announced today that unemployment has fallen for the third month in a row. More people recently found work. Unemployment declined by 12 thousand in July to 8.2 percent of the labour force. The unemployed as well as the employed labour force were reduced by approximately 50 thousand relative to one year previously.

Figures published by the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) indicate a marginal rise in July in the number of people claiming unemployment...]]> Fri, 22 Aug 2014 09:39:33 +0200

Nyenrode is coming to you! During our MBA Road Show we will visit a variety of cities in the Netherlands in order for you to experience how a Nyenrode MBA can boost your career and personal development.

Looking for an MBA to get the most out of yourself and your career? Come to the Nyenrode MBA Road Show Rotterdam, powered by Together Abroad on December 2nd 2014.
Discover how to drive innovation, exercise power and become the best leader you can be!

Program MBA Road Show Rotterdam

18:00h – 18:30h Registration with warm snack

18:30h –...]]> Thu, 21 Aug 2014 15:22:20 +0200


Nyenrode MBA Roadshow - The Hague WTC The Hague 14-10-2014

Nyenrode is coming to you! During our MBA Road Show we will visit a variety of cities in the Netherlands in order for you to experience how a Nyenrode MBA can boost your career and personal development.

Looking for an MBA to get the most out of yourself and your career? Come to the Nyenrode MBA Road Show The Hague, powered by Together Abroad on October 14th 2014.
Discover how to drive innovation, exercise power and become the best leader you can be!

Program MBA Road Show The Hague

18:00h – 18:30h Registration...]]> Thu, 21 Aug 2014 14:59:09 +0200 How can HR attract International candidates to The Netherlands

With the increasing globalization of business operations and the talent market-place, many employers find themselves having to recruit outside their own borders for talent. As international recruiters enter the new global marketplace for jobs, they soon find that they are not only competing for talent against other companies, but that they are also competing for talent against other countries, continents and time zones.

This means that in order to run a successful international recruiting campaign to attract top talent (and not just average candidates) from around Europe or around the world, employers need...]]> Thu, 21 Aug 2014 14:36:45 +0200 6 Pertinent Questions to ask The Hiring manager during an Interview.

During an interview, it is not uncommon for the hiring manager or the recruiter to ask the bulk of the questions, leaving the job seeker the arduous task of formulating suitable and impressive responses.

However, towards the end of the interview, the tables do turn and the candidate is an opportunity to ask any questions he or she might have. This is an opportunity for the candidate to further differentiate himself and it is advisable that the candidate be well prepared to ask relevant and well thought out questions....]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2014 12:10:57 +0200 Employement Market developments period 7 2014

In period 7 (week 25 – 28) the total amount of hours increased 6% and turnover grew 6% as well, in comparison with the same period last year. This period had an equal amount of workable days compared to the same period last year, so no correction was applied.

The administrative sector increased 5% in hours and also turnover increased with 5%.
Hours in the industrial sector increased 6% and turnover increased 6% as well.
Ultimately, the amount of worked hours in the technical sector increased 9% compared to the same period last year,...]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 17:26:51 +0200 Employment Market developments period 6 2014

In period 6 (week 21 – 24) the total amount of hours increased 8% and turnover grew 8% as well, in comparison with the same period last year. This period had a workable day less compared to the same period last year, so a correction was applied.

The administrative sector increased 5% in hours and turnover increased with 5%.
Hours in the industrial sector increased 10% and turnover showed a comparable development of 10% increase.
Ultimately, the amount of worked hours in the technical sector increased 8% compared to the same period last year,...]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 17:25:27 +0200 Job vacancies continue slight growth Job vacancies rise for fourth successive quarter Largest increase in commercial services
Labour market more dynamic
Figures released by Statistics Netherlands today show that the number of job vacancies rose slightly in the second quarter of 2014: there were 4 thousand more vacancies than in the previous quarter. This is the fourth quarter in a row that the number of vacancies has risen.
Extra work mainly in trade and commercial services
The commercial services sector accounted for the largest part of the increase in labour demand. As consumers spent more in shops, there were more...]]> Fri, 15 Aug 2014 10:46:11 +0200 Problems arise on a regular basis in both work and life, and employers want employees who know how to rise to the challenge and deal with problems calmly and effectively. For the best employees, every problem has a solution and no obstacle is insurmountable.

To show your prospective employer your can-do attitude, you want to demonstrate that your approach to problem-solving is calm, rational and objective. Explain that your approach is to break down a problem into its component parts so you can see the main issues and exactly what needs to be done. You then do research if required...]]> Mon, 11 Aug 2014 11:32:40 +0200 Together Abroad had a chat recently with Rene Ahuja of Rexus Consulting Ltd.
Rene is currently the Director of Rexus Consulting Ltd. He has over 15 years’ worth of experience in the Information Technology Sector and his company is focused on career transformation and they support to individuals of varying backgrounds and competencies who will like to explore a career in Information technology.
Please see below excerpts from our conversation:

• Hello René, welcome and thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Can you tell our Audience about Rexus consulting and how your company can help them manage...]]> Tue, 05 Aug 2014 09:12:29 +0200 The experience of an applicant during application procedure by organizations will become crucial in the coming years, especially in a tight labor market when the vacancies will soon be difficult to fill. "Therefore, it is smart to invest in the Candidate Experience," says Veronique Oonk from Intelligence Group.

Experience of candidate is crucial

Several factors determine the experience of a candidate with the employer, Oonk says: "Strictly speaking, it all starts with the first contact with company during recruitment (job fairs ) or the visit of recruitment page of company’s website. It is all part of Candidate Experience. But to...]]> Mon, 04 Aug 2014 12:17:12 +0200 Calvin Klein, the famous lifestyle apparel brand, is building a new European head office in Amsterdam. The aim is to officially open the new office in early 2016.

Amsterdam as gateway to Europe
The news was picked up by several Dutch media outlets. From the new office in Amsterdam, Calvin Klein aims to further strengthen its presence in Europe. Calvin Klein is a subsidiary of the PVH Corporation, which also owns Tommy Hilfiger – another American brand to have moved its head office to Amsterdam.

Fashion hub Amsterdam
The move illustrates the popularity of Amsterdam for fashion and apparel brands....]]> Mon, 04 Aug 2014 11:43:32 +0200 There is research to show that, Organizations are increasingly using social networking channels for advertising jobs and to support recruitment efforts. According to SHRM research findings on social media recruitment trends “More than three- quarters (77%) of organizations reported using social networking sites to recruit potential job candidates”. Of all the social media channels, LinkedIn was indicated to be the most commonly used for recruitment, with a majority usage of (94%) followed by Facebook (54%) and Twitter (39%).
It is generally agreed that, conducting a successful job search requires innovation and a great deal of “out of the box” thinking. As...]]> Mon, 28 Jul 2014 15:36:50 +0200 The Together Abroad team held a workshop in The Hague WTC, on the 10th of July 2014 "How to find a job?"

There was a great deal of knowledge sharing on the how to find a job in The Netherlands. 
They had attendees with different competencies and skill sets and from different career backgrounds and this definitely made for a rich and well-rounded interaction.

The main thrust of the event was to offer information and guidance on how to find a job in The Netherlands. Together Abroad made a rich presentation which covered topics such as covering the key locations in Holland and the availabilities...]]> Fri, 25 Jul 2014 09:12:28 +0200
New! Topic-Based Summer Courses. Now 15% summer discount!

Summer has arrived again. A time to relax, enjoy and more importantly some time for yourself. Summer is a great opportunity to improve your skills in order to increase your opportunities. For these reasons, Berlitz is pleased to present a special summer offer:

Improve your speaking skills in a particular field of interest:

Summer offer: 15% discount off the regular price: now at €995 All-In! • 6 x 2h15 Face-to-Face lessons
• 1 month e-learning
• The price includes material, enrolment fee, assessment– and endtest, report and certificate.
• Available Languages: French,...]]> Wed, 23 Jul 2014 14:40:46 +0200
Vivace Magazine is located at WTC The Hague since early June. Vivace is a lively luxury lifestyle magazine that combines "Business and Pleasure".

With a passionate team of professionals Vivace wants to entertain readers from the higher segment with topics such as fashion, housing, interior, cosmetics, cars, boats, culture and travel. Also financial and legal topics are highlighted, as well as real estate.

Vivace is the first glossy magazine that is distributed house to house and spread into the heart of the target audience in Wassenaar and The Hague. Furthermore, the magazine will be distributed to hotels, restaurants and shops...]]> Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:00:48 +0200
Muntajat holds the exclusive rights to market, sell and distribute Qatar's chemical and petrochemical products to the global market.

Qatar produces 10 million tonnes per annum of chemicals, polymers and fertilisers, supplying and supporting the growth of a large number of industries around the world. Qatar’s output is planned to reach 23 million tonnes by 2020 due the continuous investments in the sector. The government is investing $25 billion to expand the industry and build a sustainable and diversified economy. The next decade is set to be the ‘Chemical and Petrochemical Decade’ for Qatar.

Aligned with the goal of Qatar...]]> Wed, 23 Jul 2014 12:59:19 +0200

Together Abroad had the privilege of speaking with Kirsten Jansen-van den Broek who is currently the Communication Manager at Undutchables Recruitment Agency.
Please see below excerpts of our conversation. • Hello, Kirsten welcome and thank you for coming. Can you please tell us a bit about yourself and your professional background?
I started my career in Recruitment in 2006. In 2009, I changed jobs to my current company which is Undutchables Recruitment Agency. About two years ago, I was offered the job of Communication Manager for the whole of Undutchables. I find that it is a great match with my personal...]]> Mon, 21 Jul 2014 21:07:07 +0200 Interview tip: What is your greatest strength? One of the most popular questions in a interview is “What is your greatest strength?” or “what are your strengths?”. The answer to this question will give the interviewer an idea of your personality and capability to perform the job offered. There is no right or wrong answer as soon as you give positive strengths related in some way to the position.
It is strongly recommended to prepare the answer to this question beforehand. It has to sound credible and you have to be ready to give some examples that support the credibility of...]]> Fri, 18 Jul 2014 12:55:06 +0200

Despite it is difficult to discover if a candidate is being honest in an interview, body language provides signals that can lead the recruiter to unmask the liar.

Dr. Lillian Glass, a behavioral analyst, worked for the FBI to unmask body language signals of deception. In her book “The Body Language of Liars” describes the following signals.

• Sudden head movement
If the candidate moves suddenly the head after you ask a question, you may hear a lie. The head will be retracted, bowed down or crocked before the...]]> Fri, 18 Jul 2014 11:58:25 +0200 Most of the time, preparation is the secret to be successful in a job interview. When preparing the questions, remember that not everything can be suitable. After the article of "the top 10 questions to ask in an interview", we invite you to check the 10 questions you shouldn’t ask in an interview: 1. Do you offer the possibility to work from home?
2. Can you tell me if there is public transportation nearby?
3. Can you tell me what does the company do?
4. Do you offer child care on-site facilities?
5. How often do you give a pay...]]> Tue, 15 Jul 2014 14:04:59 +0200 For people receiving unemployment benefits is easier to volunteer. Henceforth, unemployed people can volunteer to work for example, in a sports club or festival when the tasks can be done by volunteers. Lodewijk Asscher Minister of Social Affairs said in the Parliament on Thursday that he will make the rules less strict. The Court had previously insisted about this. The principle is that a person can volunteer as long as it does not lead to displacement of paid work. However, the UWV agency suggests more flexibility about this. Now someone's benefit can be cut if the volunteering position is done by...]]> Sat, 12 Jul 2014 14:51:28 +0200
Nowadays, improving team’s performance is a challenge for management. Employees are not seen as individuals anymore. Now they are part of a team and the company’s success is closely related to how well they can create a high-performance team. In its simplest terms, the concept focuses its efforts in the development of teamwork skills and team communication as well as a good understanding of team dynamics and improvement of team performance to reach company’s goals. Teambuilding can vary from complex role-playings to simple bonding exercises. Most activities include exercises about brainstorming, creativity, collaboration and feedback. The target areas for these...]]> Fri, 11 Jul 2014 11:46:04 +0200 In order to prevent evasion of the statutory minimum salary, wages will be no longer paid in cash in the Netherlands. From the 1st of January of next year, a salary fraction equal to the minimum wage should be paid by bank transfer only. Employers may also contribute to employees’ health insurance costs but they will no longer deduct it from the minimum wage. Lodewijk Asscher Minister of Social Affairs stated on the Parliament on Friday these measuresare introduced to create a helathy climate of respect for the labour market rules. Besides, Asscher wants to give to the “Inspectie SZW” (former Work...]]> Wed, 09 Jul 2014 18:05:44 +0200 Before an interview is over, the recruiter gives the candidate an opportunity to find out more information about the recruitment process, the company or the position. This time given to ask questions is more important than it seems.

Even thought you think there is no need for asking anything else, the fact is that you must ask something to conclude the interview. Not making that question can affect your success in the recruitment process. Questions show interest in the job or in the company but also is a good way to clear any doubts that your potential employer could have about you or maybe...]]> Thu, 10 Jul 2014 11:43:54 +0200
Statistics Netherlands opts for international definitions of unemployment and inflation

Statistics Netherlands will use the definition of the International Labour Organisation as its main indicator of unemployment as of 2015 and the international Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) for the inflation rate. According to TjarkTjin-A-Tsoi, the Director General of Statistics Netherlands: “This step is part of a wider strategy of using the international definitions to facilitate comparability and to avoid confusion. Furthermore Statistics Netherlands will use additional indicators far more often in order to describe complex financial-economic phenomena adequately.”

Unemployment
Statistics Netherlands published monthly figures about unemployment and the...]]> Wed, 09 Jul 2014 13:12:11 +0200 HR professionals recruit successfully through Social Media Using Social Media, HR professionals can fill vacancies reducing recruitment costs. In addition, an active social media policy provides positive attention. This results in a good image for an organization and increases employees engagement according to research from ADP. Most of HR professionals include Social Media in their HR Policy. More than half of them expect Social Media to be the most important channel of personnel recruitment. The use of Social Media is also very beneficial for employees as nearly a third of job seekers who use social media get an offer by an...]]> Mon, 07 Jul 2014 14:56:51 +0200 Sickness absence rate for older employees without chronic disorders about the same as for younger employees

The sickness absence rate for older employees is higher than for their younger counterparts, because older employees more often suffer from chronic disorders. Older employees are more often faced with disorders related to high sickness absence rates, like cardiovascular diseases and back, back of the neck and joint complaints. The sickness absence rates by age for employees without chronic diseases do not differ much.

Sickness absence higher as people grow older
The reported sickness absence rate for employers over 2013 was 4.0 percent. This...]]> Thu, 03 Jul 2014 13:39:59 +0200 Image: Vice Mayor of The Hague Henk Kool

With the installation of the city’s new administration, The Hague deputy Mayor Henk Kool leaves the City Hall and steps down as alderman for Social Affairs, Employment and Economy. During his two political terms Henk’s ambition, vision and expertise led to many international companies locating new offices in The Hague and the WestHolland region. In the last 8 years we have seen an increasingly pro-active business approach by the City’s staff managed by Henk. Despite his busy schedule, Henk was always personally willing to meet potential new companies and enthusiastically promoting The...]]> Thu, 03 Jul 2014 13:24:44 +0200
Leading Chinese automotive enterprise Guangzhou Jiahe Shengde Auto Parts Market Management, part of the Shenzhen listed Guangxi Softto Co.,Ltd, is a trading platform for both European and Chinese auto parts- and accessories manufacturers and distributors. The first exhibition in The Hague is planned later this year.

A growing demand in the global automotive aftermarket combined with a boost in car sales brings Jiahe Shengde to expand their business globally. Apart from the new premises in The Hague another Trade and Exhibition Centre will be opened in the United Arab Emirates. Jiahe Shengde also plans to open Centre’s in Russia, United...]]> Thu, 03 Jul 2014 13:20:52 +0200 The CBS (Centraal Bureau voor Statestieken) states that the number of jobs in The Netherlands, declined by 4,000 in the fourth quarter of 2013. Also, when compared with the same period in 2012, the number of employee jobs reduced by 1.6% with a total reduction of 128,000 jobs. It is interesting to note that in preceding quarters of 2013, this decline was a lot more substantial. More information provided here.
With the job market in The Netherlands experiencing a marginal contraction, it is necessary that job seekers take proactive measures to ensure that job search efforts are not hampered by...]]> Mon, 30 Jun 2014 13:26:23 +0200 It is not a secret that the importance of coaching is growing sharply in the business environment. This increase is visible in many sectors and professions. Blue chip companies like Coca Cola or Google know the advantages of coaching and its effective way to improve employees’ performance. Coaching is a type of Human Resources Development. It deals with employees in a supportive and positive way to enhance their personal effectiveness within the business. There are three types of coaching within the business environment: executive coaching, corporate coaching and leadership coaching. Coaching enhance motivation, leadership skills, management skills, interpersonal skills, personal...]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2014 10:30:34 +0200 Tips to deal with Ramadan in the workplace
This year the Ramadan begins on Saturday 28th or Sunday 29th of June. How should your organization deal with Muslims who want to participate in Ramadan while work continues?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam (faith, pray, almsgiving and pilgrimage). This month of fasting and abstinence lasts 29 to 30 days. The end of Ramadan falls this year around Sunday 27th and Monday 28th of July 2014.
The beginning and end of Ramadan depends on the position of...]]> Wed, 25 Jun 2014 17:33:27 +0200
Market developments period 5 2014

In period 5 (week 17 – 20) the total amount of hours increased 4% and turnover grew 3%, in comparison to the same period last year. This period had one workable day more compared to the same period last year, for this a correction was applied.

The administrative sector increased 5% in hours and also turnover grew 5% in comparison to the same period in 2013.
Hours in the industrial sector increased 3% and turnover increased 1% compared to the same period last year.
Furthermore, the amount of worked hours in the technical sector increased...]]> Mon, 23 Jun 2014 22:30:01 +0200
Unemployment down

Unemployment down in May
Contraction labour force slows down
Amount of unemployment benefits further down in May
More unemployment benefits over-55s in May

Today, Statistics Netherlands announced that unemployment declined for the first time this year because more people found work. In March, the number of unemployed also declined, but this was caused by the fact that people withdrew from the labour market. Unemployment fell by 14 thousand in May; 8.6 percent in the labour force are unemployed.
Figures released by the UWV (Institute for Implementation of Employees’ Insurances) indicate that the number of unemployment benefits was reduced...]]> Mon, 23 Jun 2014 22:12:40 +0200 More older employees on permanent contracts

Between 2001 and 2013, the share of employees in the employed labour force was reduced from 88 to 85 percent, but the share increased among over-55s, because employees continue to work longer. The number of employees with flexible employment contracts is growing.

One in three are flexible workers or self-employed
Last year, 68 percent in the employed labour force had permanent employment contracts, versus 76 percent in 2001. Both the share of flexible workers and the share of self-employed have grown during this period. Together, these two groups made up nearly one-third of the...]]> Mon, 16 Jun 2014 22:21:59 +0200 Human Resources: How economical crisis and regulations affect dismissals.
A recent study has shown how 40% of managers would replace their employees. However, there are many regulations regarding dismissals which truly restricts that will. When the legal barriers disappear and there is no obstacle that number rises to 88%. According to Dick Koopman, Director at Yacht, who conducted the survey, there is a big mismatch going on because of the economical crisis. As a consequence of a lack of vision in organizations, managers do not know what is needed in the future and thus cannot respond to future needs. Due to the...]]> Mon, 16 Jun 2014 12:49:54 +0200 Humble business leaders are more effective
A new research shows how modesty is the key to become a successful leader. Mighty humble leaders benefit from a more open mind and culture.
This conclusion emerges from the PhD research of Milton Sousa from Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM). He defends his thesis "Servant Leadership to the test: new perspectives and insights' on Thursday, June 12th, 2014 at the Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Often, modesty is associated with iconic spiritual or political leaders, not so much with leaders in the business world. In his thesis, Sousa shows that modesty is one of...]]> Wed, 11 Jun 2014 20:00:40 +0200 Employees prefer pension security

When asked, most employees who are saving for a pension via their employer reported that they wanted financial security when they retire. The majority preferred not to make do with less pension, even if this means working to an older age and/or having to paying higher premiums. A surprisingly large group, on the other hand, do not have any opinion at all about the pension issues addressed in the survey.

Later retirement to maintain pension scheme
On the basis of four pension dilemmas, Statistics Netherlands has conducted a survey among employees saving for a pension via...]]> Sat, 07 Jun 2014 09:42:13 +0200 The economy is improving and the traditional labour market hobbles are automatically back. However, the labour market has changed. A new rule should provide a balance between flexibility and security, and the mismatch between offer and demand.
The crisis will disappear, and the jobs engine will start rotating again. According to Joop Schippers, Professor of Labour Economics, we should not cheer up too fast. He expects that the end of the crisis will not solve everything. "Indeed, there is also structural unemployment."
Moreover, the labour market has changed comparing to the previous crisis in the 80s. Ton Wilthagen, Professor of...]]> Fri, 06 Jun 2014 15:15:38 +0200 Together Abroad had the privilege of speaking with Liubovi Bosenko, Human Resources Manager and Coordinator of the Operations and Support Team at HiiL
HiiL was founded in 2005 and is an advisory and research institute for the justice sector based in The Hague. It is an organisation that is passionate about making justice work for both people and organisations on a global scale. They achieve this goal by the way of providing innovation and improvements to rule making and conflict resolution processes.

Hello Liubovi. Please introduce yourself and tell us what it is that you do at Hiil.

My name...]]> Fri, 30 May 2014 19:01:22 +0200 The Netherlands reviews and rises the minimum wage every year to adjust the salaries to the increase of life costs. This week the new amounts were announced and they will entry into practice per the 1st of July 2014. The new minimum wage per the1st of July 2014 is stated as follows:
- € 1,495.20 per month;
- € 345.05 per week;
- € 69.01 per day.
The figures were announced by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment and they affect employees aged 23 and over for a full-time employment
Until the 1st of July 2014, the minimum wage per...]]> Tue, 27 May 2014 10:11:10 +0200

Last year, 0.8 percent of all people employed in the European Union (EU) were living in one EU country and working in another. The proportion of cross-border workers from the Netherlands was below the EU average. More than 40 thousand people living in the Netherlands were working abroad.

Marginal growth cross-border workers in EU
The number of cross-border workers has grown over the past half decade from 1.5 million to more than 1.8 million in 2013, i.e. 0.8 percent of the employed population in the EU. The rates were high in Slovakia (nearly 6 percent) and Estonia (nearly 4 percent)....]]> Mon, 26 May 2014 15:48:39 +0200
English & Dutch CV Templates for The Netherlands
The most convenient way to apply for a job in The Netherlands is to use a chronological resume with the right format. A CV is a marketing document to sell yourself, a way to show to your future employer your skills, abilities and qualifications.

A CV should be easy to read and it must include the most relevant information. With our English and Dutch CV template for the Dutch Market you can reach your interviewer's expectations and start the successful career that you are looking for.


Download a CV Template in English...]]> Mon, 26 May 2014 15:36:11 +0200 CHANGES TO THE DUTCH LABOUR LEGISLATION In the weeks ahead, there will be some changes to the Dutch Employment Legislation and these changes will be take effect from the 1st of July 2014. The intent of these changes is increase job security by putting a check on flexible employment practices thereby facilitating a natural progression for employees in The Netherlands from fixed term contracts to more permanent job contracts.

It is advisable to keep abreast of these changes as they will provide all stakeholders in the job market with the tools and information to make informed decisions about the employment relationship....]]> Mon, 26 May 2014 09:04:12 +0200 The Amsterdam-based DE Master Blenders and Mondelez International are blending their coffee portfolios into a new company. With combined revenue of more than €5 billion, the new company will be the world’s largest pure coffee company.

Amsterdam: a home to headquarters
The entire deal is expected to be completed in 2015 and the new company will operate from the headquarters of DE Master Blenders in Amsterdam. This decision illustrates that Amsterdam has solidly established itself as a leading location for European headquarters. Especially when large multinationals merge, they are increasingly choosing the Netherlands as a location for their new (legal)...]]> Wed, 21 May 2014 18:39:57 +0200 Lodewijk Asscher, Dutch Minister of Social Affairs, is taking steps to address the problem of stress.
His Ministry will check working hours, workload and aggression in the workplace. Asscher also wants employers and employees to be aware of the risk of too much stress. He has launched a campaign to point this out.

Stress is a taboo
One third of work absenteeism is caused by stress. According to the Minister, it is often a taboo, “employees are ashamed to talk about stress. Hard work is nothing wrong, but the conditions to do so should be there. For example, you can...]]> Tue, 20 May 2014 19:09:42 +0200 Should a vacancy be filled? Social media is the solution. Many HR professionals and recruiters are struggling in the search of new talent. The U.S. recruitment guru Kevin Wheeler is convinced that social media is the future of recruitment. "The tools may change, but not the concept of social media and the internet to find the right people ".
The first step for HR professionals is therefore, according to Wheeler, that HR professionals know the importance of learning about social media. "However, I see that many HR professionals have cold feet and did not even want to try. Then, it...]]> Tue, 20 May 2014 19:00:47 +0200 Labour Market developments period 4 2014
In period 4 (week 13 – 16) the total amount of hours increased 4% and also turnover grew 4%, in comparison to the same period last year. This period had one workable day more compared to the same period last year, for this a correction was applied.

The administrative sector increased 4% in hours and also turnover grew 4% in comparison to the same period in 2013.
Hours in the industrial sector increased 4% and turnover increased 3% compared to the same period last year.
Furthermore, the amount of worked hours in the technical...]]> Tue, 20 May 2014 18:34:12 +0200 Number of job vacancies continues to rise Third consecutive quarterly increase in vacancies Largest rise in commercial services Labour market more dynamic
The number of job vacancies rose by 7 thousand in the first quarter of 2014. At the end of the first quarter of 2014 there were more job vacancies in nearly all industry sectors. This is now the third quarter in a row that vacancies have risen, Statistics Netherlands announced today.

Trade, ICT, hotels and restaurants push up labour demand
Commercial services contributed most to the increase. This was mainly the result of more vacancies in the trade...]]> Mon, 19 May 2014 21:53:42 +0200 Unemployment rise slows down as young people leave labour market Unemployment rises slightly in April Lower labour participation among young people Unemployment benefits 11 thousand lower in April Ten percent fewer new benefits in April than in March
Statistics Netherlands announced today that unemployment rose by 3 thousand people in April. This has slowed down the rise in unemployment at the beginning of the year. It is not the result of more jobs becoming available though, but mainly because young people have been withdrawing from the labour market.
Figures from the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) put the number of people claiming...]]> Mon, 19 May 2014 21:34:26 +0200
Your CV is your primary marketing tool and is often the first impression an employer will have of you.
It highlights your skills and work experience and will communicate to the hiring manager the values and competencies that you can bring to their organization thus determining whether or not you will progress to the next stage of the recruitment process.

The aim of your CV therefore, should be to persuade recruiters and hiring managers to see you as valuable and to invite you for the job interview.
Each country is unique in its requirements as far as CV writing goes...]]> Mon, 19 May 2014 13:48:30 +0200 Only 8% of the HR managers believe that their team have the right knowledge and skills to face all the challenges related to human resource management and strategic planning, and that they are an added value for the company.

Tim Gould distils from Deloitte's report "Global Human Capital Trends 2014" that human resources management is not ready for the challenges of the future. The comprehensive report shows the opinion of 2.500 (HR) leaders about HR-related topics. Seen as the greatest challenge, HR leaders try to maintain and keep relevant staff and ' reinvent ' the HR function. Most organizations do not...]]> Mon, 19 May 2014 10:03:07 +0200 The Together Abroad team held a workshop in the WTC office in The Hague.

It was a well-attended event and there was a lot of fun, ambiance and great coffee! More importantly, there was a great deal of knowledge sharing on the how to find a job in The Netherlands. We had attendees with different competencies and skill sets and from different career backgrounds and this definitely made for a rich and well-rounded interaction.


The main thrust of the event was to offer information and guidance on how to find a job in The Netherlands. Irina made a rich presentation which...]]> Fri, 16 May 2014 15:53:27 +0200 Some Information on Salary in The Netherlands.

As the economy in The Netherlands strengthens and consumer confidence increases we expect that this will influence hiring decisions positively.

As part of this multiplier effect, we expect to see increases in available job positions and even the creation of new openings. This will mean new jobs for job seekers and increased growth opportunities for employees.

There are exciting times ahead and it does pay to get more familiar with salaries, pay structures and allowances.

So let’s talk for a bit about salary in The Netherlands. What is the difference between the gross...]]> Thu, 15 May 2014 16:41:22 +0200 Employees feel less autonomous

According to the Netherlands Working Conditions Survey 2013, conducted by TNO and Statistics Netherlands, the percentage of employees in the Netherlands who say they can organise their own work has decreased in recent years. Short-tenure workers, in particular, feel less autonomous. This decrease is partly caused by the rise in the share of employees with flexible employment contracts.

Steady decrease
The share of employees who can organise their own work, i.e. decide how and when to carry out their tasks, fell from 61 percent in 2008 to 56 percent in 2013. While 65 percent of employees...]]> Mon, 12 May 2014 12:29:56 +0200 How to Bridge a Gap in your CV

If you have been out of paid employment for a while, there is a possibility that in the near future that you will be asked the question “Why have you been out of work so long?”

Now, this question might sound to you like you are on trial and that everything you say will be used against you but with a little bit of preparation and some creativity you can leverage this interview question and use it to your advantage.

CV gaps may occur for a wide variety of reasons. They could be...]]> Mon, 12 May 2014 10:21:49 +0200 .
Employees make use of social media and other digital tools when they are at home. By allowing the use of these at the workplace, companies can use them to drive a cultural change in the organisation, says Erik Muinck Keizer, Country Manager Benelux and Robert-Jan van Berckel, Senior HR Business Partner at Google.
The main idea behind Google is that they work as they live, “We can help you to work the way you live by extending the features and options and create the environment you need to be productive, innovative and successful. “Google said in an introductory text...]]> Fri, 09 May 2014 17:06:31 +0200 ICP survey: Quality of your Professional Life

The International Community Platform* (ICP) aims at increasing the attractiveness of the working and living environment for international talent. In 2013 over 1000 internationals in NL participated in the ICP survey on “The perceived Quality of Professional Life in NL”. In 2014 the employers of the ICP would like to learn more about this topic. We will extend the survey to other 'expat'-locations in NL and abroad.

Are you an employee, entrepreneur, volunteer, student, or job seeker living outside your country of origin?
Please fill out this survey and share it with your...]]> Tue, 06 May 2014 16:55:58 +0200

WORKSHOP: HOW TO FIND A JOB IN THE NETHERLANDS, 15TH OF MAY THE HAGUE
Together Abroad
Thursday, May 15, 2014 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM
The Hague, Netherlands

Book a session here Have you been living here for quite some time and still experience difficulties in the local labour market? Do you need career assistance? Do you know how to find a job in the Netherlands?

Together Abroad gives a workshops "How to find a job in the Netherlands" 15th of May WTC The Hague
During this training we give very practical information about the Dutch labour market and how...]]> Tue, 29 Apr 2014 15:27:35 +0200 Dutch Unemployment Rate Falls for the First Time in 2014

In March of 2014, Netherlands’ seasonally adjusted jobless rate fell to 8.7 percent from 8.8 percent in the previous month and 8.1 percent a year earlier, as more people left permanently the labor market rather than found jobs.

The number of unemployed persons fell by 7 thousand in March to 684 thousand.

Unemployment benefits amounted to 454 thousand in March, 6 thousand less than in February but 74 thousand more than in March of 2013. The monthly decrease was recorded mostly for people under the age of 25. The amount...]]> Sun, 27 Apr 2014 22:27:47 +0200 Market developments period 1 2014

In period 1 (week 1 – 4) the total amount of hours increased 3% and turnover grew 4%, in comparison to the same period last year. This period had an equal amount of workable days compared to the same period last year, so no correction was applied.

The administrative sector increased 9% in hours and also turnover grew 9% in comparison to the same period in 2013.
Hours in the industrial sector decreased 1% and turnover increased 1% compared to the same period last year.
Furthermore, the amount of worked hours in the technical sector...]]> Thu, 17 Apr 2014 18:18:30 +0200 TAQA Gas Storage Bergermeer starts partial commercial operations in the Netherlands

Project milestone achieved safely, on schedule and within budget

TAQA, the international energy and water company from Abu Dhabi, today announced the start of preliminary commercial operations at its Gas Storage Bergermeer facility in the Netherlands. Compressors are injecting gas into five wells drilled into the previously depleted Bergermeer reservoir. This milestone marks the completion of the first phase of the project.

Jan Willem van Hoogstraten, Managing Director of TAQA in the Netherlands said, “Gas Storage Bergermeer is one of the biggest, independent investments made in the Netherlands at...]]> Thu, 17 Apr 2014 18:10:17 +0200 Arnott® Air Suspension opens European Union location in Holland

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arnott® Air Suspension – the leader in aftermarket automotive air suspension products – announced the opening of a European Union office and distribution center. The EU facility, located in the Netherlands, provides local sales and support, faster shipping, payment in Euros, and an easier way for customers to return and sell cores to Arnott.

“Opening the European Union facility is the logical result of Arnott’s significant and growing worldwide product popularity”

Arnott, with worldwide headquarters in Florida, U.S.A. makes air suspension replacement products for many European, Japanese, and...]]> Thu, 17 Apr 2014 18:07:40 +0200
Exports account for one third of employment in the Netherlands

In 2012, exports of goods and services generated the equivalent of 2.2 million full-time jobs in the Netherlands. This accounts for one third of total employment in the country. Some 62 percent of these jobs are in the export sector itself, while 38 percent are in the sectors supplying the export sector.

Export sector provides jobs for exporters and suppliers
Most export-related employment is generated by exporting companies themselves. These companies account for employment totalling over 1.3 million full-time equivalents. If, for example, a dairy company produces half of its...]]> Thu, 17 Apr 2014 18:05:17 +0200
Kevin Tao, Huawei President West Europe; Dirk Jan van den Berg, President of the Executive Board of Delft University of Technology
Huawei and Delft University of Technology jointly work on talent development

Voorburg / Delft, 2 April, 2014 - Huawei, a leading global ICT solutions provider, signed an agreement with the Delft University of Technology to start the Huawei Authorized Network Academy (“HANA”). The agreement was signed in the presence of President Xi Jinping from the People’s Republic of China and Willem Alexander, the King of the Kingdom of The Netherlands. Huawei and the university aim to upgrade the skills of...]]> Thu, 17 Apr 2014 18:02:46 +0200 Unemployment down, but fewer people employed

More people withdrew from the job market
Female unemployment higher
Number of unemployment benefits down by 6 thousand in March

Fewer benefits granted to young people and men
According to the most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands (CBS), unemployment fell by 7 thousand in March. The decline was largely due to the fact that many people withdrew from the labour market, not because more people managed to find paid jobs. The number of people with paid jobs was reduced further in March.
Figures published by the Institute for Implementation of Employees’ Insurances (UWV)...]]> Thu, 17 Apr 2014 17:56:23 +0200
Fewer businesses and institutions bankrupt

In March this year, 521 businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses) were declared bankrupt, i.e. nearly 100 down from February 2014. The number of bankruptcies was reduced by more than one quarter relative to March 2013.

Many businesses and institutions declared bankrupt in March were active in the sectors trade (127), financial services (78) and construction (77).In most sectors, the number of bankruptcies was below the level of the preceding month.

As the number of businesses declared bankrupt in a particular month is closely related to the number of days courts are in session, it...]]> Mon, 14 Apr 2014 14:20:12 +0200 Dutch women increasingly have a higher income than their husbands

Women are increasingly earning more than their partners. In 2002 some 13 percent of Dutch couples aged between 15 and 65 had the woman as their main earner, whereas in 2012 this was the case in 19 percent.

Women in couples without children most often have the higher income
The share of women as the main earner is highest among couples without children living at home. In 23 percent of these couples the woman had a higher income than her partner in 2012. In 2002 this was 17 percent. The...]]> Mon, 14 Apr 2014 14:17:58 +0200
Is finding employment in the Netherlands the next step on your career path? The Netherlands has job vacancies for expatriates with specific skills in many fields, especially in the services and trade, logistics, and information and telecommunication sectors. If you are an EU/EEA citizen, you do not need a work permit to take up employment in the Netherlands. Citizens of all other countries do require a work permit.
To find a job you can utilize the resources offered on werk.nl, a Dutch job portal hosted by the UWV (the Employee Insurance Schemes Implementing Body) and on EURES, the European Job Mobility...]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2014 09:13:02 +0200
A good resume is very important in finding a job . However, there are some mistakes that even continue . Most experienced candidates Below are ten of the biggest mistakes that you absolutely must try to avoid displayed .

1. A 'funny ' email address
" chickenwing@provider.com 'or' nice-party@provider.com " are definitely not suitable for e-mail addresses turn . on your resume Indeed, if a recruiter a resume and cover letter with a similar email address receiving , it is often deleted immediately , if the e - mail already come through the...]]> Mon, 07 Apr 2014 13:56:54 +0200
Foto iamsterdam Single permit for work and residency in Holland as of 1 April 2014

Foreign nationals coming to the Netherlands to work for a period longer than three months will receive a combined residence and work permit (gecombineerde vergunning voor verblijf en arbeid, GVVA) as from 1 April. They no longer have to submit separate applications for a residence permit to the Netherlands Immigration and Naturalisation Service (Immigratie en Naturalisatiedienst, IND) and for a work permit to the Netherlands Employees Insurance Agency (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen, UWV). From today, a single procedure at the IND suffices.

State Secretary Teeven (Security and Justice)...]]> Mon, 07 Apr 2014 08:31:58 +0200 Sickness absence at lowest level since 1996

The sickness absence rate among employees in the Netherlands was reduced to 3.9 percent in 2013, i.e. at any one time 39 in every one thousand employees were absent due to sickness. The rate reached the lowest level since the current sickness absence survey was started up in 1996.
Sickness absence rate dips under 4 percent
After a period of stabilisation between 2004 and 2011, the sickness absence rate was reduced further in the past two years. Last year, only 39 in every one thousand employees were ill. Possibly, there is a relation...]]> Sun, 06 Apr 2014 08:56:20 +0200 Location WTC The Hague Date 15.05.2014

Workshop How to find a job in NL 15th of May WTC The Hague 
Have you been living here for quite some time and still experience difficulties in the local labour market?
Together Abroad gives a workshops "How to find a job in NL" on 15th of May

During this training we give very practical information about the Dutch labour market and how the recruitment in the Netherlands works:
Dutch labor market
Recruitment channels
New recruitment trends / Online recruitment:
RSS and Phone applications...]]> Thu, 03 Apr 2014 21:39:41 +0200
Workshop How to find a job in NL / 22th of May WTC Amsterdam
WTC Amsterdam

Workshop How to find a job in NL 22th of May WTC Amsterdam

Have you been living here for quite some time and still experience difficulties in the local labour market?
Together Abroad gives a workshops "How to find a job in tNL" on 22th of May

During this training we give very practical information about the Dutch labour market and how the recruitment in the Netherlands works:
Dutch labor market
Recruitment channels
New recruitment trends / Online recruitment:
RSS and Phone applications
CV / Personal Profile...]]> Thu, 03 Apr 2014 21:34:25 +0200
Join our Eurovision Party 2014!
Undutchables goes Bollywood!

As an Undutchable, you are invited to our 16th Eurovision Party in Bollywood style!

We’re looking forward to catching up with you in a spectacular location in Amsterdam with other internationals. Entertainment and plenty of delicious snacks are taken care of. We are looking forward to seeing you on Saturday the 10th of May! Tickets can be ordered here!

Kind regards,

The Undutchables Team

**********************************************************************************************

What Watch the Eurovision Song Contest LIVE on the big screen! Enjoy additional entertainment and the company of other Internationals.

Dance the night away to our live...]]> Wed, 02 Apr 2014 11:03:14 +0200 ...]]> Thu, 27 Mar 2014 21:50:14 +0100
Campus of Delft University of Technology

TU Delft has risen to 42nd place in the global reputation ranking list of universities, the World Reputation Rankings of Times Higher Education magazine. Last year, the university stood at a shared 51st-60th place. With the new ranking, TU Delft is now the highest ranked Dutch university and the third highest European university of technology. Three other Dutch universities are ranked in this top 100.Services
Competition
TU Delft President Dirk Jan van den Berg is delighted with this new ranking: "A great reputation is important for staying attractive to talented students and researchers from...]]> Thu, 27 Mar 2014 15:34:06 +0100 Impression of the new Biotech Training Facility

On February 25th the design- and build contract was signed. The contract value is approximately € 5 million. The Biotech Training Facility will be a unique international GMP training facility for employees in the (bio)pharmaceutical industry that will meet the urgent need for highly qualified personnel in the sector. BAM Utiliteitsbouw will construct the Biotech Training Facility at Leiden Bio Science Park.

The life sciences sector is struggling to find sufficient well trained staff. With many promising products

in the pipeline, it is expected that the need for staff will only increase in...]]> Thu, 27 Mar 2014 13:55:21 +0100 Chinese and Dutch Ministers officially open new Huawei office in Voorburg

[Voorburg, 25 March, 2014] Huawei, a leading global ICT solutions provider, today celebrated the opening of a new office in Voorburg. The Chinese Minister of Commerce, Gao Hucheng, and the Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade, Lilianne Ploumen, officially opened the office by cutting the ribbon. The new office reflects the rapid growth of the company in The Netherlands. Almost 250 employees will be employed at the Voorhaghe building in Voorburg.


Official opening
A distinguished group of national and local government officials, key customers and other stakeholders were able to...]]> Wed, 26 Mar 2014 21:14:21 +0100
Record number of jobs thanks to foreign investments

United States remains most important source for FDI projects

In 2013 the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) was actively involved in supporting 193 foreign investment projects that landed in the Netherlands. These projects are good for a total investment of € 1.7 billion in the Dutch economy and a record number of nearly 8,500 jobs. Additionally, a recent survey amongst foreign investors in the Netherlands also showed an increase in their appreciation of the Dutch investment climate.

Attractive business climate
‘The attraction of the Dutch business climate for foreign investors is a...]]> Mon, 24 Mar 2014 14:39:35 +0100 How is the ‘personal approach’ Settle service online put into practice in regards to the candidates and the network of clients?

Settle Service Online is especially designed for individual international employees who are relocating to the Netherlands. An international relocation usually enhances a very stressful period. Using Settle Service Online means that many practical issues are taken care of. The Online aspect means that we will mainly be in contact through email. People who wish to have a more personal service are more than welcome to use our traditional services (www.settleservice.com/).


How do you view the current relocation market in...]]> Mon, 24 Mar 2014 10:55:49 +0100
Unemployment continues to rise Unemployed labour force rose by 13 thousand in February Around the same number of unemployed young people as three months previously Hardly any change in number of unemployment benefits More unemployment benefits in transport/storage and health/welfare Figures released by Statistics Netherlands today show that, after adjustment for seasonal effects, unemployment in the Netherlands was 13 thousand higher in February than in January 2014. At 691 thousand, it is now 8.8 percent of the labour force.

Figures from the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) put the number of people claiming unemployment benefit at 460 thousand in February 2014,...]]> Thu, 20 Mar 2014 19:44:30 +0100
Reed Business Media is proud to announce that is has received the certification " Top Employer Netherlands 2014” together with a number of other selected organisations. This is an official recognition for excellent HR policy .
Excellent benefits
An examination of the Top Employers Institute found that Reed Business Media offers its employees excellent working conditions. Thus, the organization scored high on career opportunities, working conditions, training and opportunities for flexible working. The company is praised for the wide ' range ' of benefits and networking opportunities .
A clear recognition
Renee van der Laan , Director of Human Resources...]]> Wed, 19 Mar 2014 11:31:33 +0100 Acquisition Creates $3 Billion Global Customer Management Services Company

(Cincinnati; March 3, 2014) – Convergys Corporation (“Convergys”) (NYSE: CVG), a global leader in customer management, today announced that it has completed its acquisition of Stream Global Services, Inc. (“Stream”).

The addition of Stream will strengthen Convergys’ position as the leading U.S. provider in the $55 billion outsourced customer management services industry. It expands the company’s geographic footprint and capabilities. Convergys now has 125,000 employees working out of more than 150 locations in 31 countries, speaking 47 languages. Stream’s complementary client portfolio will also diversify Convergys’ client base through the addition...]]> Mon, 17 Mar 2014 13:22:40 +0100 Sollicitatietraining in Nederland Together Abroad adviseert u over uw kansen op werk de arbeidsmartkt door middel van een aantal individuele sessies met een carrière adviseurs
Zij onderzoeken uw mogelijkheden en houden rekening met uw sterke en zwakke punten en evetuele barrières .. Daarnaast kunnen zij u helpen bij het vinden van geschikte vacatures en nieuwe mogelijke kansen op de arbeidsmarkt.

Together Abroad heft zich gespecialiseerd in het begeleiden van internationals en meertalige kandiaten.
Elk land heeft zo zijn eigen werkcultuur, warden en normen .
Het vinden van die eerste baan in Nederland kan wat extra begeleiding nodig hebben 
Hoe schrijf je een CV...]]> Fri, 14 Mar 2014 15:12:53 +0100
606 businesses and institutions bankrupt in February

In February this year, 606 businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses) were declared bankrupt, i.e. 11 more than in January. Many businesses and institutions declared bankrupt were active in the sectors trade (145), financial services (88) and manufacturing industry (75).
As the number of businesses declared bankrupt in a particular month is closely related to the number of days courts are in session, it may vary considerably from one month to the next. Therefore, the three-month moving average is a more reliable indicator.
With 599 versus 591, the three-month moving average was marginally...]]> Thu, 13 Mar 2014 23:46:36 +0100
More people think their chances of finding employment are very poor

Last year, 70 thousand people, nearly twice as many as in 2008, thought their chances of finding employment were so poor that they have stopped looking altogether. Especially among 55 to 65-year-olds pessimism prevailed.
Half of people willing to work defined as unemployed
Nearly 1.2 million people wanted to work twelve or more hours a week in 2013. More than half of them were unemployed, i.e. they were available in the short term and had been looking for work in the past four weeks.
Additionally, 284 thousand persons are...]]> Thu, 13 Mar 2014 23:43:25 +0100

VU AMSTERDAM INVITES TOGETHER ABROAD FOR THEIR INTERNATIONAL BACHELOR & INTERNATIONAL MASTER STUDENTS.
Today the 13th of March Together Abroad will give a presentation about "How to find a job after graduation in the Netherlands?


Together Abroad will talk about the topics; Aspects of finding a job / employment in the Netherlands Dutch labor market: Current situation on the Dutch labour market Hiring companies Hidden vacancies Recruitment channels: How agencies work and which should you register with Which internet boards you should check to find a job, matching your profile; New recruitment trends / Online recruitment: Recruitment via social media esp. Linkedin, Facebook,...]]> Thu, 13 Mar 2014 09:08:01 +0100 Popularity temporary contracts increased
Employers in the Netherlands see more and more the benefits of temporary contracts for strategic personnel . The demand for temporary workers is also expected to increase this year. It is a worldwide trend.
According to research by Page Personnel among more than 13 thousand employers and professionals on temporary work and interim management the popularity of temporary contracts has tremendously increased.

Testing newcomers
Dutch employers indicate that see as the main benefits for temporary labor 2 things: the flexibility ( 91 percent ) and responding to the short term needs ( 85 percent ). Another reason...]]> Wed, 12 Mar 2014 09:57:24 +0100 Women aged between 25 and 30 have higher hourly wages than men

The gross-wage gender gap was nearly 18 percent in 2012 which means that, on average, for each euro men earned, women earned 0.82 eurocents. Women in the age category 25-30 earned higher hourly wages than their male counterparts, but over the age of 40, women’s average hourly wages were significantly lower.

Gender wage gap narrowing
The wage gap is calculated by comparing the average gross wage of all women to the average gross wage of all men. Slowly but continuously, women are catching up. The gap between men’s...]]> Tue, 11 Mar 2014 14:13:20 +0100 Master Experience
Experience our one year, English-taught, professional and practical Business Masters.

Are you planning a career in Finance and Accounting, Consultancy & Entrepreneurship or Logistics Management?
Do you want to build on your bachelor’s degree in business, invest in your future and improve your opportunities?
Or are you ready for the next step in your career, and by doing a Master in Business Administration (MBA) want to grow into a higher management position?

Join us for a unique insight into our Master programmes. Follow a trial lesson, meet our lecturers and current students. Get a taste of what the Rotterdam...]]> Tue, 11 Mar 2014 13:44:11 +0100 Education should be a hotbed for innovative and ambitious enterprise. All too often entrepreneurs who are still in college or students who want to branch out into enterprise are frustrated by practical restrictions. The government wishes to remove these restrictions and close the gap between education and enterprise.

Linking education to the needs of enterprise
Until a few decades ago, pupils and students trained to work for a company. Now 1 in 8 people working in the Netherlands is an entrepreneur. The government aims to link education to the needs of enterprise:

Incorporating entrepreneurship in the curriculum;
Removing practical restrictions...]]> Tue, 11 Mar 2014 13:31:20 +0100 Mirantis Expands in Europe to Help Accelerate OpenStack Adoption
Mirantis, the number one pure-play OpenStack vendor, is expanding its European operations to help support increasing global demand for OpenStack solutions, and to drive further market growth for its flexible, commercially-supported OpenStack distribution and professional services.

The company, headquartered in Mountain View, California, has opened an office in Amsterdam to supplement its existing centres in Poland, Ukraine and Russia. This will enable Mirantis to capitalise on the fast-growing interest in vendor-agnostic OpenStack environments in Europe, and to further enhance support for partners and customers.

Adrian Ionel, CEO of Mirantis, said “Enterprises...]]> Tue, 11 Mar 2014 12:39:18 +0100
World’s Leading Business Schools return to Amsterdam
QS World MBA Tour brings top business schools to your doorstep
Register for free at www.topmba.com


The QS World MBA Tour, the world’s leading series of career and education events for aspiring MBAs, returns to Amsterdam on Tuesday 11th March building on the great success of recent events. The fair gives prospective MBA candidates a fantastic opportunity to meet face-to-face with admissions officers from around the world. Who? Meet the world’s top business schools including IMD, St. Gallen, IE , RSM Erasmus, Hult, MIP, ESMT European School of Mngt, GISMA, HEC Paris, Aarhus,...]]> Fri, 07 Mar 2014 10:30:30 +0100

Do's and don'ts during salary negotiations Discard the first bid Ask most defensible salary Name a band Use the ACA method Negotiate first on the gross salary Nice salary with fringe benefits Take your time
Discard the first bid
There is almost always room for negotiation . The prospective employer probably expect you to negotiate . His opening bid he has geared . It is his lowest bid , not the highest. Once you bite immediately , he will think he has given too much and that maybe you had said . Direct yes at a lower salary

Ask most defensible...]]> Thu, 06 Mar 2014 22:32:04 +0100 The first 4 Do's and don'ts during salary negotiations Negotiate only after the job offer about the job 's salary Do not disclose your last paycheck Say nothing about salary requirements Let the employer offer Negotiate only after the job offer about the job 's salary
Speak only about the salary after the prospective employer has offered the feature. He has decided that you are the best candidate and would like to employ . You are then in a good bargaining position . The longer you delay the salary discussion , the more chances you have to sell yourself and the higher the...]]> Thu, 06 Mar 2014 22:23:20 +0100

Medline’s new international headquarters in Arnhem to provide healthcare customers with exceptional value worldwide

Arnhem, the Netherlands-- February 28, 2014 – Medline Industries, Inc., a leading U.S.-based provider of medical and surgical supplies, officially opened its new international headquarters with the Alderman of the City of Arnhem, Michiel van Wessem on Wednesday in Arnhem’s World Trade Center. One hundred select guests, Medline employees and representatives of the Development Agency East Netherlands and the Province of Gelderland joined the formal opening event.

Based just outside of Chicago, Ill., Medline is the largest privately held...]]> Tue, 04 Mar 2014 22:16:30 +0100 Slight economic recovery and EMU balance under 3 per cent according to Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis

The Dutch economy is slowly on the path to recovery, in the slipstream of the euro zone, with a projected ¾% growth this year and 1¼% for 2015. For the current year, unemployment is expected to increase further up to 650,000 people, but will decline again next year as a result of improving employment opportunities.

Inflation for both years is projected at 1½%. This year, the government deficit will be 2.9%, decreasing to 2.1% in 2015.

Improvement in both the global and...]]> Tue, 04 Mar 2014 22:01:26 +0100 2nd International Job Fair 5th April 2014 Amsterdam

Are you an international settled in the Netherlands looking for a next step in your career? Or are you new to the Netherlands and in possession of work permit? You could even be living elsewhere in EU but ready to move to the Netherlands.

The International Job Fair is the event for pursuing an international career in the Netherlands. It provides a unique opportunity to get all the information and contacts you need in one place. Within a single day, you’ll have the chance to meet employers from several industries as well as...]]> Tue, 04 Mar 2014 10:04:51 +0100
The amount of hours worked in temp jobs increased in the fourth quarter of 2013 relative to the third quarter. The number of hours worked on secondment basis also grew. Temp agencies also reported turnover growth as a result of the increased demand for temp and seconded staff.

More hours and higher turnover
Adjusted for seasonal variation, the number of temp hours grew by 1.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 relative to the third quarter. The marginal growth registered in the third quarter thus continues. The amount of hours worked on...]]> Tue, 04 Mar 2014 09:53:32 +0100
Flevoland has highest unemployment rate

Unemployment has risen across all Dutch provinces last year. Flevoland, Groningen and Friesland had the highest unemployment rates. Rotterdam had the highest rate among the four major Dutch municipalities, but unemployment rose most rapidly in Amsterdam.

Lowest unemployment growth in South Holland
Last year, 8.3 percent in the Dutch labour force were unemployed. With 10.9 percent, Flevoland had the highest proportion of unemployed. Unemployment rates were also relatively high in the provinces of Groningen and Friesland. In the province of South Holland - still in the top three in 2012 - the increase was relatively...]]> Mon, 03 Mar 2014 13:00:45 +0100 The Lower House has accepted the Work and Security bill on 18 February. Included in this bill is the amendment in which is stated that employers are obligated to offer their employees training. An employer will no longer be able to just fire an employee on grounds of dysfunction without having offered schooling.
This was stated by Maarten van Gelderen of Van Gelderen Arbeidsrechtadvocaten on www.hetnieuweontslagrecht.nl. According to an appendix added to the amendment, in this case it is an extension of the already existing ‘good employers’ concept. Van Gelderen states that we should not underestimate the importance of this obligation....]]> Thu, 27 Feb 2014 10:07:12 +0100
Employment Market trends have appeared first period

In period 1 (weeks 1-4), the number of hours worked increased by 3% and increased by 4% compared to the same period last year sales. This period had an equal number of working days compared to the same period last year, there is no correction.

The hours in the administrative sector increased by 9% compared to the same period last year and the sales increased by 9%.
The hours in the industrial sector showed a decrease of 1% compared to the same period last year, sales increased by 1%.
The number of hours...]]> Fri, 21 Feb 2014 20:25:36 +0100 Job vacancies rise slightly 3 thousand job vacancies Increase only in private sector According to figures released by Statistics Netherlands today, there were 97 thousand job vacancies in the Netherlands at the end of December 2013. The figure has been corrected for seasonal effects.
The increase in the number of vacant jobs was completely accounted for by the private sector, where the number of vacancies rose in nearly all branches of industry. The only exception was the financial sector, where the number of available jobs fell. At the end of 2013 this sector had 6 thousand job vacancies. The number of...]]> Fri, 21 Feb 2014 20:20:14 +0100 Unemployment further up Unemployed labour force 10 thousand up in January Number of unemployment benefits grows by 23 thousand The most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands show that unemployment increased by 10 thousand in January 2014 to reach 678 thousand, i.e. 8.6 percent in the labour force. The figures are adjusted for seasonal variation.
Figures published by the Institute for Implementation of Employees’ Insurances show that 460 thousand unemployment (WW) benefits were granted in January 2014, an increase by 23 thousand relative to December 2013.

Unemployment fairly stable over the past three months
Unemployment increased by 10 thousand in January....]]> Fri, 21 Feb 2014 20:17:21 +0100 How to make a good resume?
Short and sweet

A good resume can make the difference between an invitation for an interview and a standard letter of rejection . It is thus a powerful "weapon" where you have to time stabbing . In Your resume contains summarized information about yourself , which others quickly get a picture of you .
Adjust your CV to the job you are applying for and keep it as short as possible . A resume is meant to be read quickly. Detailed information can be lost in the interview . If it is the job...]]> Fri, 21 Feb 2014 17:20:50 +0100 Tax Globalizers | Taxreturnshop.nl

Introduction Tax Globalizers | Taxreturnshop.nl
For every year you receive income out of employment in the Netherlands it is obligatory to file a Dutch tax return. This obligation becomes effective as soon as you receive an invitation to file a Dutch tax return (“aangiftebrief”) in the coming months or when the outcome of the tax return shows an amount payable to the tax office. In most cases the 2013 Dutch tax return has to be filed before April 1 of this year.
There are two tax providers we can recommend. Tax Globalizers and Taxreturnshop.nl. Both companies have their...]]> Thu, 20 Feb 2014 12:12:26 +0100 RSH Relocation and Immigration Services (formerly known as Relocation Services Holland) has been in the business of relocating employees to the Netherlands for almost 30 years now. We are one of the oldest Relocation companies in the Netherlands and have, through our many years of experience, built up a strong working relationship with all relevant Dutch institutions and our ever-expanding client base in different industries including Information Technology, Petrochemical, Engineering, Transportation & infrastructure, Food, Financial Services and Global Law consulting.

Understanding that adjusting to the new environment can be a demanding experience and hence the importance and impact of moving...]]> Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:40:37 +0100 Job Interview questions Finance jobs

Careers in finance span a large number of positions including commercial banking, financial planning, private equity, to name just a few. Preparation for interviews in this field is as important as any other and common company research applies and should extend, as far as possible, into looking into the financial side of the business so that you are aware and ready for anything that might come your way.

Aside from the standard interview questions, a job interview for a financial position may include the following:

Experience
A career in finance, particularly for upper level positions...]]> Tue, 18 Feb 2014 22:11:21 +0100 Job interview questions ICT

When interviewing for a job in IT, aside from the standard job interview questions this interview will focus strongly on your technical skills and abilities to solve IT related tasks.

As with any technical role, the interviewer will focus in depth on your IT training, achievements, qualifications, work and IT programme experience in order to assess that you are the right person for the job.

Below we offer a list of IT job interview questions that are most commonly asked in IT job interviews. It is a good idea to review this list and prepare suitable...]]> Tue, 18 Feb 2014 22:05:33 +0100
Job Interview questions Marketing & Communication jobs

A career in marketing will demand creativity, ambition, strategic planning and problem solving ability; therefore interviewers for these positions will ask questions in order to recognise these personality traits and find the candidate that best fits the position.

Your ability to both adapt to marketing changes and support your theories is going to be tested so it’s important to include facts, figures, measurements and an awareness of the psychology of marketing.

Marketing functions are often the heart of a company so most marketing interviews will hold more substance than many other types of...]]> Tue, 18 Feb 2014 22:01:19 +0100 How to write a Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Your Curriculum Vitae (CV) gives the prospective employer the first impression on your skills, capacity, and potential. It is therefore extremely important to get it right. Particularly in times of economic turndown like today, your resume is the most valuable asset and selling point for you to enter the job market. And what about your motivation letter in the Netherlands? Does it reflect all your capabilities and experience?


How to write a Functional Dutch  Curriculum Vitae (CV)
When applying for a specific vacancy we advice to use a functional Dutch CV especially if you think...]]> Tue, 18 Feb 2014 12:36:13 +0100
The Nyenrode Talent Archive (International MBA 2014 CV book) exemplifies the authentic talents of our International MBA participants. Reflecting the personal leadership development journey that Nyenrode walks with each and every one of our students, the Talent Archive is designed to connect our participants with the international business community.

For more information and/or request for a copy, contact Willem van Donge at +31 (0)346 291 723 or email w.vdonge@nyenrode.nl...]]> Tue, 18 Feb 2014 11:12:15 +0100
Job Interview Questions Netherlands

1.Job Interview Questions Netherlands: Why did you apply for this position and what interests you about this job?
When you're asked what interests you about the position you are interviewing for, the best way to respond is to describe the qualifications listed in the job posting, then connect them to your skills and experience. That way, the employer will see that you know about the job you're interviewing for and that you have the skills to do the job.

When answering this question be sure to add in past experience and how you relate that activity to...]]> Tue, 18 Feb 2014 09:49:21 +0100 HLH Consulting, a Chinese firm that specialises in executive recruitment for globalising Chinese companies, has chosen to set up in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. The company recently opened its new Amsterdam office.

Chinese success and growth in Amsterdam
With more than 70 Chinese companies already present in the Amsterdam Area, HLH will find that many customers are located just around the corner. For example, Huawei, one of their biggest clients, has established their European headquarters in the Amsterdam Area. And according to HLH Consulting, the international attraction of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area automatically appeals to other foreign companies and candidates...]]> Mon, 17 Feb 2014 11:34:11 +0100 Expedia, a major international online travel company from the United States, has chosen to expand its existing operations in Amsterdam. In turn, this will create approximately 120 new full time jobs in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area.

Amsterdam’s attractive labour pool
Expedia announced the news in a press statement. To facilitate the expansion, Expedia Group has leased a new office in a canal-side property in the historic city centre of Amsterdam. When Expedia first set up their business in Amsterdam, the company experienced first hand that the area acts as a magnet to talented people from across the globe.

“The impressive...]]> Mon, 17 Feb 2014 11:21:36 +0100 Asscher: more security to employees with flexible contracts
More and more organizations are making use of flexible contracts . This while workers overwhelmingly prefer a permanent according the research by ECORYS , which the Minister of Social Affairs Lodewijk Asscher has sent to the to the Parliament. In his letter Asscher indicates that the Bill Work and Safety corresponds with the results of the research .
The last two years in all the sectors made extensive use of flexible contracts for new hires. Also in the next two years approximately ½ of all companies are planning to make even more...]]> Mon, 17 Feb 2014 11:10:21 +0100 Jobs in Amsterdam

This is probably not the first article that you have read that attempts to portray a country as a great place to live and build a career, and it won't be the last. But, without doubt, choosing to establish the next step of your international Job in Amsterdam could be one of the best choices that you make in your life. This is a bold statement we know, and we can back it up, and justify exactly why a Job in Amsterdam is so special.

Well, the first reason that we think a Job in Amsterdam is such a...]]> Fri, 14 Feb 2014 22:18:17 +0100
Employees realize that a romance in the workplace can backfire on their careers.
That conclusion came out of the of a global survey by recruitment platform Monster. 39 percent of respondents believe that the relationship could jeopardies their career, and they would never start a romantic relationship with a colleague. Another 19 percent confirms the danger to possible the career, but is determined that it should not stop them from falling in love and starting a romantic relationship with a fellow colleague. Only 15 percent say that a relationship would constitutes no possible danger to the career but nevertheless they...]]> Fri, 14 Feb 2014 12:16:29 +0100
Zoekt u naar een nieuwe baan of denkt u na over een carrière switch?
Het schrijven uw CV is waarschijnlijk het eerste dat in u opkomt. Het is het belangrijkste document voor het vinden van een baan en de lay-out is vaak de sleutel tot het krijgen van aandacht van een werkgever.
Er worden vele exacte kwalificaties, ervaring en vaardigheden gevraagd voor de job waarvoor u solliciteert, maar als u CV deze kwalificaties, ervaringen en vaardigheden niet markeren dan wordt uw CV over het hoofd gezien en mist u uw kansen. Een goed CV schrijven is het...]]> Wed, 12 Feb 2014 13:38:23 +0100 Skilled migrants are highly educated foreigners carrying passports from countries not belonging to the EU, EEA or Switzerland, moving to The Netherlands in order to contribute to the knowledge-based economy. If you invite a skilled migrant to The Netherlands you will have to be an acknowledged referent. In this position you will be able to apply for the skilled migrant’s residence permit. You will have to pay the skilled migrant a wage higher than a set limit. This is stated in the Law for modern migration policy.

Referent acknowledgement obligatory
Only if you are an acknowledged referent  is it possible...]]> Wed, 12 Feb 2014 11:24:07 +0100 Employing foreigners does not only bring benefits, there are also some disadvantages. An example is unfair competition for Dutch workers or the fact that foreign workers sometimes face abuse.

Unjust Competition and Repression
Foreign employees are often less expensive to employ than Dutch workers. This may lead to competition distortion. Dutch workers could therefore lose their jobs. In the rule, foreign self-employed workers will also work for a lower rate than their Dutch colleagues.

Foreign Employee Abuse
Some employers abuse foreign employees. Examples of this abuse are:  Paying foreign workers less than the legal minimum wage; Ignoring the Collective Labour Agreements;...]]> Wed, 12 Feb 2014 11:09:50 +0100 The benefits of employing foreign workers for The Netherlands:
• Foreign workers replenish shortages in the labour market.
• Certain foreign employees possess expertise of which there is not enough in the Netherlands. There are special arrangements for these workers, such as the Skilled Migrant Programme and programmes for athletes and artists.

Skilled Migrant Programme
Skilled migrants, such as talented architects and scientific researchers, are able to contribute to the Dutch economy. This is why more flexible admittance regulations apply to this group. Skilled migrants for instance, do not need a work permit. The employer attracting skilled migrants to The...]]> Wed, 12 Feb 2014 10:57:42 +0100 European legislation determines that employees from the European Economic Area (EEA) have permission to work in The Netherlands. The EEA consists of all the countries belonging to the European Union and Lichtenstein, Norway and Iceland. Furthermore, the government ensures that employees needed in The Netherlands are able to start quicker.
Free Traffic within the European Union
For employees from one of the EEA countries there are no limitations. They are able to work in The Netherlands without permits. Citizens of countries which do not belong to the EEA need a work permit.
Citizens from Croatia are not allowed to work...]]> Wed, 12 Feb 2014 10:45:48 +0100 Sollicitatietraining in Nederland

Een sollicitatiegesprek is de tijd en plaats om indruk op uw potentiële werkgevers . Uw toekomstige baan hangt af van uw prestaties tijdens die korte periode van tijd.
En het kan helemaal fout gaan als u niet in staat bent om al uw potentiële , vaardigheden en expertise te tonen . 
Together Abroad traint u voor uw sollicitatiegesprekken .
Hoe de moeilijkste vragen te beantwoorden ?
Hoe kunt u laten zien dat u de juiste persoon bent voor de job ?
Hoe kunt u uw kennis over het onderwerp bewijzen?
Kortom, hoe krijg u dit contract ondertekenend? 

Via een een op een rollenspel bereiden wij...]]> Wed, 12 Feb 2014 09:41:22 +0100 Carrière Trainingen & Workshops

Elk land heeft zijn eigen werkcultuur, waarden en normen . Het vinden van die eerste baan kan wat extra begeleiding nodig hebben.
Hoe formuleer je je CV voor een Nederlands bedrijf ? Wat is het minimumloon in Nederland? 
Together Abroad geeft seminars , Carrière workshops die voor u beschikbaar zijn om u te helpen met al deze vragen .

Voor meer informatie over onze carriere trainingen en workshops kijkt op onze website www.togetherabroad.nl 

Carrière Trainingen & Workshop Hoe kan ik een baan in Nederland te vinden? ( 2,5 uur training )

Tijdens deze Carrière training geven wij zeer praktische informatie over de Nederlandse...]]> Wed, 12 Feb 2014 09:33:12 +0100 Dutch maternity leave is much shorter than in the rest of Europe

When it comes to the duration of pregnancy leave or maternity/parental leave The Netherlands scores one of the worst in comparison to other European countries. Respectively 16 and 26 weeks of leave are almost the exact opposite of No. 1 Czech Republic where women get to 28 of pregnancy and 192 weeks of parental leave . Dutch fathers are also not better off than other European daddies . This is evident from the Worldwide Benefit & Employment Guidelines , conducted by consulting firm Mercer .

Mercer examined countries...]]> Tue, 11 Feb 2014 15:49:49 +0100 CV Check€ 79, - 

Zoekt u naar een nieuwe baan of denkt u na over een carrière switch?
Het controleren van uw CV is waarschijnlijk het eerste dat in u opkomt. Het is het belangrijkste document voor het vinden van een baan en de lay-out is vaak de sleutel tot het krijgen van aandacht van een werkgever.
Er worden vele exacte kwalificaties, ervaring en vaardigheden gevraagd voor de job waarvoor u solliciteert, maar als  u CV deze  kwalificaties, ervaringen en vaardigheden niet markeren dan wordt uw CV over het hoofd gezien en mist u uw  kansen.

Together Abroad biedt nu de CV Check 
Onze HR ervaring...]]> Tue, 11 Feb 2014 14:17:00 +0100 There are various types of leave. The rights and obligations of employers and employees to leave standing in the Work and Care Act.
The following leave arrangements are set out in the Work and Care Act (Wet arbeid en zorg):

Maternity leave and maternity leave
Paternity leave
Parental leave
Adoption leave or foster care leave
Short-term care leave
Long-term care leave
Emergency leave

Other arrangements in collective agreements
Employers and employees may make additional or alternative arrangements in a collective labor agreement (CAO).

...]]> Tue, 11 Feb 2014 13:57:36 +0100 Recruitment in the Netherland / Dutch Recruiters

If you are an international candidate looking to get a job in the Netherlands the best way to do this is to inform about  Recruitment in the Netherland / Dutch Recruiters. There are three main ways to do this.

Go to an international job board in the Netherlands for recruitment in the Netherland / Dutch Recruiters

The first way is too simply search on any international jobs board relating to the Netherlands and you will find that many of the job postings are being handled by recruitment agencies in the Netherlands on behalf of a...]]> Fri, 07 Feb 2014 22:23:09 +0100 Budding optimism among manufacturers in the Netherlands

The mood among Dutch manufacturers improved further in January. The producer confidence indicator climbed from 0.1 in December to 0.7 inJanuary. After a period of two and a half years in which pessimism prevailed, manufacturers are now cautiously optimistic.

Producer confidence consists of three component indicators: manufacturers’ opinions on their order positions, their opinions on their stocks of finished products and the projected output over the next three months. Manufacturers were more optimistic about their future output in January than in December. They were also less negative about their order positions, but more...]]> Thu, 06 Feb 2014 20:18:53 +0100 Dyadic International expands its Dutch Research Centre

Expansion includes new state-of-the art fermentation lab, significantly increased floor space and additional scientific staff

JUPITER, Fla., January 29, 2014 - Dyadic International, Inc. (OTC Pink: DYAI), a global biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development, manufacture and sale of enzymes and other proteins for the bioenergy, bio-based chemical, biopharmaceutical and industrial enzyme industries, announced today that the expansion of its research laboratory in The Netherlands is now complete.

Dyadic’s Chief Operating Officer, Danai Brooks, stated, “Commercial interest in Dyadic’s C1 expression technology has increased with new end markets, such as biopharmaceuticals, and...]]> Thu, 06 Feb 2014 20:17:16 +0100 Coveo establishes European headquarters in Amsterdam

Company opens EMEA headquarters in Amsterdam to support global growth and increasing demand for search & relevance technology

San Mateo, CA and Quebec, Canada – January 29, 2014 – Today Coveo announced the opening of a new European headquarters office in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, to support the company’s expansion into key European markets and provide on-the-ground sales support for enterprise customers and partners in the region.

Coveo’s decision to expand operations in Europe was based on increasing global demand for and adoption of its Search & Relevance Technology. The investment is yet another milestone...]]> Thu, 06 Feb 2014 20:15:10 +0100 Declare income tax 2013 in the Netherlands

Introduction
For every year you receive income out of employment in the Netherlands it is obligatory to file a Dutch tax return. This obligation becomes effective as soon as you receive an invitation to file a Dutch tax return (“aangiftebrief”) in the coming months or when the outcome of the tax return shows an amount payable to the tax office. In most cases the 2013 Dutch tax return has to be filed before April 1 of this year.
There are two tax providers we can recommend. Tax Globalizers and Taxreturnshop.nl. Both companies have...]]> Tue, 04 Feb 2014 22:35:08 +0100 Pitching for an MBA scholarship at Nyenrode

Last year’s winners of the International MBA Scholarship Challenge about getting an MBA
A few weeks ago the International MBA Scholarship Challenge 2014 was launched. Nyenrode Business Universiteit rewards remarkable talents with five revolving scholarships for the full-time International MBA program starting in October 2014. The International MBA Challenge is organized by Nyenrode and powered by IamExpat.

The IMBA Challenge is an online scholarship competition for talented professionals with at least three years of work experience who are eager to boost their personal authenticity in leadership, entrepreneurship and stewardship. Previous editions of the IMBA...]]> Tue, 04 Feb 2014 12:33:51 +0100 Summary
Christo Nel is the Program Director of International MBA and Executive MBA at Nyenrode Business Universiteit in the Netherlands. Christo Nel is a previous head of the Centre for Leadership Studies at the Stellenbosch University School of Business (USB), where he specialized in leadership development and high performance organization cultures and practices. His wealth of experience of the challenges facing leadership of medium to large and corporate organizations makes him one of South Africa’s most respected consultants and executive coaches.



An MBA qualification is not a degree – it is so much more. It is a journey of personal development...]]> Mon, 03 Feb 2014 17:01:42 +0100 Number of school dropouts down in the Netherlands and the EU

The school dropout rate in the Netherlands was reduced in recent years to 8.8 percent in 2012. The rate across the EU was also gradually reduced. The reduction of school dropouts is high on the national and international policy agenda.
Fewer girls than boys leave school prematurely
The school dropout rate among 18 to 24-year-olds in the Netherlands declined from more than 14 percent in 2003 to nearly 9 percent in 2012. The dropout rate among girls is lower than among boys (7 percent versus more than 10 percent)....]]> Thu, 30 Jan 2014 09:34:41 +0100 Supplementary pension: new tax laws
From 2014 onwards, 67 will be the age for supplementary pension accumulation under good fiscal conditions.
Preparation Under examination Accepted In force
The Upper and Lower Chamber have accepted the proposal
The fiscally attractive percentage for supplementary pension accumulation will drop by 0.4%. People on an income of €100.000 or more won’t receive tax deduction when saving for extra pension.

Preparation Under examination Accepted In force
The proposal is being prepared by the cabinet
Excise duties on beer, wine, sherry, port and spirits will rise by 5.75% on 1 January 2014. In January 2015, excise duties on cigarettes...]]> Wed, 29 Jan 2014 18:31:15 +0100 Workplace conflicts
15 percent of all employees have experienced some sort of conflict at work with management staff or with colleagues. Let’s be honest: in a conflict with management staff an employee tends to be on the losing end. So, do we just take our loss…..?

Conflict does not mean you are ill
If you are in an unhealthy work situation, the logical option seems to be to call in sick. The number of people calling in sick due to a labour conflict lies between 70,000 and 100,000 annually. But in the opinion of medical officers, being in a labour conflict...]]> Wed, 29 Jan 2014 18:29:01 +0100 Were you confronted with a drop in your net wages this year? Chances are that it will be on the up for 2014. Compared to 2013, you will be better off by a small percentage on all gross incomes up to € 4350.

If you are on a fulltime minimum income (€ 1500 a month), you will be € 50 (net) better off each month. This large diverge continues up to € 1750, from there on up it dwindles. For instance, an average income of € 2500 will see a net increase of € 35. People working part-time earning approximately...]]> Wed, 29 Jan 2014 18:24:32 +0100 In 2013, 115 new international companies established offices in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area, collectively creating direct employment for a total of 1,727 people. These new figures were presented today by amsterdam inbusiness, the organisation responsible for acquisition in the region. The majority of these jobs were created in the Creative industry and the ICT sector, while the increase in the number of new companies in the Life Sciences sector is also particularly striking. The Amsterdam Metropolitan Area is currently home to 2,500 international companies, employing 140,000 people.

Amsterdam Alderperson Carolien Gehrels (Economic Affairs) commented on developments, saying: “In recent years,...]]> Wed, 29 Jan 2014 14:01:17 +0100 Amendments 2014

Pay slip
If your wages dropped last year, chances are your wages will grow in 2014. All gross wages under € 4350 will People earning a higher income will see a decline in their net wages. There are several reasons for this. The tariff of tax bracket one has gone up which means you will pay less tax on the first part of your salary. Besides this, general tax exemption will become income dependable. Labour credit will grow for everyone earning up to approximately € 3350 a month. In the coming year it will grow with € 374 to...]]> Mon, 27 Jan 2014 11:11:22 +0100 Which questions should not be asked during a job interview?

During a job interview an employer is only allowed to ask questions which relate to the function you are applying for. He shouldn’t ask questions relating to your private life or your health.

Job interview questions relating to private matters
An employer shouldn’t ask you questions relating to private matters such as family circumstances or whether or not you would like to start a family.

Job interview questions relating to your health
The employer is not allowed to ask you about your health or your former job sick leave history. Questions relating...]]> Mon, 27 Jan 2014 11:07:26 +0100 Other taxes Netherlands

Inheritance and gift taxes Netherlands
In the Netherlands inheritance and gift taxes are levied on the fair market value of the inheritance or gift, minus an exempt amount. The exemption as well as the rate levied on the inheritance or gift net gift or inheritance (10% to 40%) will depend on the relationship with the donor.

Transfer taxes Netherlands
The transfer of real estate or certain relating rights is subject to 2% transfer tax, payable by the new owner. The 2% transfer tax applies equally to residents and non-residents.

Insurance taxes Netherlands
An insurance tax of 21% is...]]> Mon, 27 Jan 2014 10:18:09 +0100 Dutch social security

In addition to Dutch personal income taxes, individuals who are living and / or working in the Netherlands are generally also covered by the Dutch social security system. It consists of the Dutch national insurance, the Dutch employees’ insurances and Dutch health insurance. Exemptions may be available for employees working temporarily in the Netherlands.

Dutch social security/ Dutch national insurance
The Dutch employee insurance includes pension insurances for old age and surviving relatives. Dutch national insurance premiums are levied on an annual income up to a maximum of EUR 33,363. The annual premiums due are capped at...]]> Mon, 27 Jan 2014 10:12:29 +0100 Personal income taxes Netherlands

Individuals who are living in the Netherlands (residents taxpayers) are liable on Dutch personal income tax on their worldwide income. Individuals who are living outside the Netherlands (non-resident taxpayers) are only liable to Dutch personal income tax on income received from specific sources in the Netherlands (such as Dutch employment income, director’s fees, business income and Dutch real estate).

Types of taxable income (boxes).
Dutch personal income tax is due on three types of taxable income (boxes). Each box has its own tax rates.
• Box 1: taxable income from work and home ownership
• Box 2:...]]> Mon, 27 Jan 2014 10:09:02 +0100 Unemployment up in the Netherlands Unemployed labour force 15 thousand up in December Number of unemployed persons increased by nearly 100 thousand last year Number of unemployment benefits up by 19 thousand in December 245 thousand benefits terminated due to work resumption in 2013 According to the most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands, seasonally adjusted unemployment increased by 15 thousand in December 2013 to reach 668 thousand, i.e. 8.5 percent of the employed labour force.
Figures published by the Institute for Implementation of Employees’ Insurances (UWV) show that the number of unemployment (WW) benefits was 438 thousand in December, an...]]> Fri, 24 Jan 2014 20:29:49 +0100 Global travel leader to add more than 120 jobs at new office located in Amsterdam’s city center

Amsterdam – 22 January 2014 – The Expedia group (NASDAQ: EXPE), the world’s leading online travel company, today announced it is bringing approximately 120 new jobs to Amsterdam through the expansion of its existing operations in the area. The group has leased a new office in Amsterdam’s Gouden Bocht neighborhood, which it plans to occupy beginning the first quarter of 2014. The Expedia group’s local market management team initially established operations in the city in 2004, and will also relocate to the new...]]> Wed, 22 Jan 2014 22:09:53 +0100 Economic situation in the Netherlands more favourable than one year ago

By the end of last year, the Dutch economy was in the recovery stage. The situation was very different from the end of 2012, when the economy was in deep recession. In the first six months of 2013, the economic situation worsened to reach the lowest point in April and May. Subsequently, the economic climate gradually improved, as the Business Cycle Tracer, published by Statistics Netherlands shows. The Business Cycle Tracer provides a picture of the economic situation by means of 15 indicators.

6 indicators still in the red...]]> Wed, 22 Jan 2014 22:02:28 +0100

Average retirement age employees further up to nearly 64 years

The average age for employees to go into retirement rose further in 2013 to 63.9 years, i.e. 0.3 years higher than in 2012. Currently, nearly half of persons going into retirement are aged 65 years or older. Altogether, 73 thousand employees retired last year.

Retirement age has risen since 2007
The average retirement age for employees over the period 2000-2006 was 61 years. Since 2007, the average retirement age has risen annually.
This is due to the introduction in 2006...]]> Wed, 22 Jan 2014 21:53:32 +0100 ADIDAS CUSTOMER SUPPORT ADVISOR Teleperformance is looking for a fulltime or part-time Customer Support Advisor for the site in Maastricht who will support the Adidas online shop with both customer care as commercial activities in business to customer.

Your duties as Customer Support Advisor for Adidas
The Adidas Group is global leader in the sporting goods industry and offers a broad portfolio of products. Products from the Adidas Group are available in virtually every country of the world. As Customer Support Advisor it is your daily task to support the Adidas online shop. This means that your main activities are answering...]]> Fri, 17 Jan 2014 10:45:55 +0100 Nyenrode International MBA Scholarship Challenge 2014, win 1 of 5 sholarships!

Nyenrode International MBA Sholarship Challenge 2014, powered by IamExpat, is an online competition for global minds that are ready to enroll in a journey of personal and professional development.

Assess your business and analytical skills, participate in a discussion on a business case and get the chance to win one of five tuition-fee revolving scholarships for Nyenrode’s International MBA program starting in October 2014.

Prizes:

1 full-tuition revolving scholarship (worth €32,500)

2 partial tuition revolving scholarships (worth €20,000 each)

2 partial tuition revolving scholarships (worth €10,000 each)

Participate here...]]> Thu, 16 Jan 2014 11:50:12 +0100 Nyenrode Business Universiteit welcomes talented professionals to visit our university and discover our MBA programs. We think it is important for you to experience our university for yourself before you decide to apply for an MBA at Nyenrode. During the MBA Weekends, Nyenrode Business University opens its doors, allowing you to experience our university and the Executive MBA program first-hand.

Register here and get the chance to visit us as our guest all-inclusive.

Next MBA Weekend event date:
February 7th - 9th, 2014

Register here and get the chance to visit us as our guest all-inclusive.

Nyenrode EMBA Weekend: 7-9...]]> Wed, 15 Jan 2014 14:06:42 +0100 Self Employment in the Netherlands

More and more people in the Netherlands work as self-employed. The synomyns for being self-employed in the Netherlands are Freelance or ZZP (zelfstandig zonder personeel or self-employed without staff).
You made a decision to work for yourself. What do you need to know about starting up your own company?
When you set up your own business you have to deal with a number of issues which are relevant for every new starter.
Dutch Legal forms
There are various legal structures in the Netherlands you can choose from. For instance for an independent consultant a sole...]]> Mon, 13 Jan 2014 22:59:51 +0100
Consumer confidence in the Netherlands growing further

Dutch consumers were slightly less pessimistic in December than in the preceding month. The consumer confidence index climbed 2 points to -16. The mood among consumers has improved considerably over the past few months, although pessimism still prevails.

Consumers were less negative about the economic climate than in November. The component indicator economic climate improved 4 points in December to reach -12. Consumers’ opinions about the economic situation over the past 12 months improved, but their opinions on the economic climate in the next 12 months remained unchanged.

The component indicator reflecting consumers’...]]> Mon, 13 Jan 2014 22:49:46 +0100
The number of unemployment (WW) benefits has risen in recent years to over 400 thousand by the end of September 2013. Inflow and outflow are increasing. The amount of short-term WW benefits has grown dramatically.
More unemployment benefits claimed and terminated
In the first nine months of 2013, an average of 50 thousand new unemployment benefits were registered each month versus about 20 thousand five years ago. More new benefits were granted and more benefits were terminated. With an average of 43 thousand, the number of benefits terminated each month in 2013 was nearly...]]> Mon, 13 Jan 2014 22:45:27 +0100
If you want to come and work in Twente, you probably have many questions. What are the legal criteria to be able to work in Twente? How do you do get a visa? Are you allowed to work in Twente? Together Abroad Jobboard informs about all these career questions in Twente.

Check all career | Job opportunaties in Twente

So, if you are looking to get a language career | job  in Twente which languages will make you most employable? This is a difficult question, but most experts believe that the world's most influential languages at...]]> Mon, 06 Jan 2014 21:48:09 +0100 Ducth Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands

When you have decided to start up your own business in The Netherlands you first step is to register your company at the Chamber of Commerce. The main taks of the Chamber of Commerce is to provide entrepreneurs with up to date information and advice.
Many municipalities offer a startes subsidy which you can use for trainings and coachingsessions from Chamber of Commerce (KVK). For more information if your municipality participates in starters subsidy program please contact KVK in your region.

Dutch Chamber of Commerce registration
Chamber of...]]> Mon, 06 Jan 2014 21:41:39 +0100
Queen Máxima launches new Regional Development Agency for South-Holland

Delft, December 12th 2013: This afternoon Lijm & Cultuur hosted the spectacular public presentation of the new Regional Development Agency for South-Holland. Her Majesty the Queen Máxima – featured in a hologram presentation - unveiled the new name: Innovation Quarter

Investment and Innovation in South-Holland
The mission of Innovation Quarter is to strengthen the competitiveness of South-Holland by supporting and financing innovative business. Opportunities for innovation are greatest in key sectors such as Clean Tech, Life Sciences & Health, Safety & Security, High Tech and HortiTech. Entrepreneurs in the region may...]]> Mon, 06 Jan 2014 16:45:01 +0100 \International School Delft, The Netherlands, opens

International School Delft, The Netherlands, opens!
On 1 March 2014, the International School Delft (ISD) will open its doors. Initially, the school will move into an existing school building on Nassaulaan in Delft. Later, the ISD is expected to be permanently based on the TU Delft campus. The ISD’s mission is ‘Inspiring learning for bright futures’, a mission which is inspired by the city of Delft, home to a unique mix of science, art, history and technology.

The ISD focuses on children whose foreign parents live or work in the Netherlands, children of Dutch...]]> Mon, 06 Jan 2014 16:41:07 +0100 Turkish Airlines will set up base in Rotterdam

Turkish Airlines will open their second base in the Netherlands at ‘Rotterdam The Hague Airport’. As of 4 March seven Turkish Airlines employees will be stationed in Rotterdam to handle the new regular services between Rotterdam and home base Istanbul and to staff an additional Marketing & Sales office for the region.

Turkish Airlines has taken a well-advised decision to set up a base in Rotterdam. General Manager Ferhat Yerli: “Rotterdam is the trading capital of the Netherlands and the city boasts the largest port in Europe. Rotterdam is an important potential...]]> Mon, 06 Jan 2014 16:37:07 +0100 Unemployment Netherlands down

Unemployed labour force reduced by 21 thousand in November
Number of current WW benefits up by 11 thousand

Increase WW benefits mainly in sectors easily affected by seasonal variation
According to the most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands (CBS), seasonally adjusted unemployment was reduced by 21 thousand to 653 thousand in November 2013, i.e. 8.2 percent in the labour force.
Figures released by the Institute for Implementation of Employees’ Insurances (UWV) illustrate that the number of unemployment (WW) benefits increased by 11 thousand to 419 thousand in November.

Unemployment further down

In November, 8.2 percent in...]]> Mon, 06 Jan 2014 16:34:27 +0100 Welch Allyn Establishes New Regional Headquarters in Leiden

Skaneateles Falls, N.Y., USA, November 6, 2013—Welch Allyn, a leading medical diagnostic device company that specializes in helping clinicians improve patient safety and outcomes, today announced the official establishment of its Europe, Middle East & Indian Sub-Continent (EMEI) headquarters and a consolidated Operations Center in the Netherlands. Both sites are part of the company‘s current realignment strategy aimed at positioning Welch Allyn for future growth throughout the region.
"In order to achieve our full potential in this part of the world, we made the tactical decision to realign our resources to best...]]> Sun, 15 Dec 2013 20:04:38 +0100 The Hague may call itself the Best City Centre in the Netherlands in the ‘large city centre‘ category for 2013 to 2015. It was a close race but in the end The Hague was chosen over Amsterdam.

The jury commended The Hague on its long-term outlook and public private partnership, which has led to many new developments over the last years even in economically difficult times. According to the jury report, ‘The city is now among the national top and has developed into a ‘must see‘ destination. The Hague offers visitors a mix between an historic, intimate atmosphere and a...]]> Sun, 15 Dec 2013 20:01:52 +0100 Number of bankruptcies down in November

In November this year, 576 businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses) were declared bankrupt, the lowest level so far in 2013. The reduction by 168 relative to October was mainly due to the number of day courts were in session. October had an extra session day. Most businesses and institutions declared bankrupt in November 2013 were active in the sector trade (158).
As the number of businesses declared bankrupt in a particular month is closely related to the number of days courts are in session, it may vary considerably from one month to the...]]> Fri, 13 Dec 2013 07:58:41 +0100 Last year, the number of second job holders included in the employed labour force has risen marginally to 544 thousand.
On average, people holding two jobs work two hours more each week than those with one job.

Number of second job holders marginally higher in 2012
The number of second job holders (Second jobholders A person who has a second job as an employee or self-employed next to his primary job. The primary job is defined as the most demanding job in terms of working hours. Self-employed with two jobs, for example work for two businesses they own.) in the...]]> Tue, 10 Dec 2013 11:44:08 +0100 Two of Holland's biggest cities will deny tax or social security numbers to Romanians or Bulgarians who fail to pass housing and employment checks Rotterdam and The Hague are ready to defy the European Union by denying immigrants a national registration number unless they meet stringent checks amid fears of an influx of Romanian and Bulgarians next year.

The municipal authorities in the two cities have warned that they will defy central government by carrying out inspections to make sure EU migrants have honest employment and are not living in overcrowded accommodation.

Those that are living at unsuitable addresses, or do...]]> Tue, 10 Dec 2013 11:23:01 +0100
Interview James Bluemink CEOpener and founder of Bottlocase

Bottlocase has been set up since 2013and designs and develops IPhone bottle opener cases.
Your company has been tipped as one of Amsterdam’s most exiting start up’s, can you explain why?
Yeah sure.

We initially tested our products with a cross sectional target market that included students, bar staff, breweries and beer lovers worldwide. This was the typical reaction we received from testers.

Wow… did that actually happen?Seriously….. Where can I get one on?
This was enough evidence to validate the market so we pushed forward with our designs and built the...]]> Sat, 07 Dec 2013 19:41:34 +0100 Hague Justice Portal

The Hague Justice Portal has served as a virtual gateway to information, news, and research activities in, and related to, The Hague for over a decade. It was initiated by The Hague Academic Coalition and officially launched by Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands on 6 April 2006. The Hague Academic Coalition (HAC) has close the Hague Justice Portal, The Hague’s major electronic gateway to information about courts and other organizations working in The Hague in the fields of international peace, justice and security.
Hague Justice Portal has served well for more than five years, the decision...]]> Fri, 06 Dec 2013 15:05:43 +0100
Why You Should Put Millennials at the Heart of Your International Hiring Strategy - Jobs in the Netherlands
There are three forces acting on the world of international hiring and assignments and these are creating a need for recruiters and HR to shift their strategic focus to the Millennial Generation (Born 1998 -2002).

This does not mean discarding Generation Y (Born 1965 1982) and Baby Boomers (Born 1946-1964), as a multi-generational hiring strategy will lead to diverse teams that are more flexible and adaptable and more high performing; I am fully behind multi-generational teams!

However, the demographic shifts that are occurring...]]> Wed, 17 Oct 2012 13:03:47 +0200 Each individual who is living or working in the Netherlands needs to obtain a BSN-number. A BSN number is a citizen service number and this is a unique registration number for everyone who lives in the Netherlands.

If you will be living in the Netherlands, you need to register with the local municipality of the (temporary) place of residence in the Netherlands and should obtain a so-called BSN (Dutch fiscal registration number). For residents, the Dutch BSN will automatically be requested with the town or city hall in the (temporary) place of residence in the Netherlands. They will be provided...]]> Tue, 03 Dec 2013 11:01:53 +0100 As soon as you know when your company plans to start business in the Netherlands, you should notify the Dutch tax authorities (Belastingdienst). When starting your activities in the Netherlands as a sole trader, a partnership, a limited partnership or a partnership under common firm, your company can be registered with both the Dutch tax authorities and the Dutch Chamber of Commerce at the same time. When starting your activities in the Netherlands under another legal form (such as a limited liability company, a BV), you will still have to notify the Dutch tax authorities and the Dutch Chamber of...]]> Tue, 03 Dec 2013 10:58:26 +0100 Temporary job agency in netherlands

We are operating in a global jobs market, where aspiring international workers move from country to country, for a variety of reasons, such as: career development, better pay, to broaden their horizons or simply to find a job. The Netherlands has become a very attractive destination for overseas candidates for two main reasons; the first is that is ranked as one of the top 20 most liveable cities in the world, and the second reason is that it is currently enjoying some of the lowest levels of unemployment in the euro-zone.

So, what is the most...]]> Sat, 30 Nov 2013 09:18:05 +0100
Hours worked in stage A temp jobs

Marginal increase hours worked in temp jobs

In the third quarter of 2013, the amount of hours worked in stage A temp jobs in The Netherlands was 0.5 percent up from the sector quarter. The modest increase follows five consecutive quarters of decline. The index (2010=100) for the number of hours worked in stage A stood at 98.8. The figures have been adjusted for seasonal variation.

Stage A includes people working for temp agencies on a contractual basis without regular terms of employment. In stage A, it is easier for both parties – temp...]]> Fri, 29 Nov 2013 14:09:41 +0100
Recently, Dutch Courts decided that employees – recruited from abroad – should be able to prove their specific expertise that is scarce or absent in the Dutch labor market in order to apply for a tax credit (30% ruling). Talent alone is not enough to get the 30% ruling.

Outline of 30% ruling
The 30% ruling is a tax credit for: 1. employees recruited from abroad (incoming employees) who have specific expertise that is scarce or absent in the Dutch labor market, and 2. expats (outgoing employees). Qualifying employees can get...]]> Thu, 28 Nov 2013 23:38:40 +0100
Working from home in The Netherlands
Share of teleworking employees growing

Over the past years, the share of employees working from home has risen to nearly one in three in 2012. Half of employees could take leave whenever they wanted and more than one in five could set their own working hours on a regular basis.

One in three employees are working from home
A growing group of employees are working from home. In 2005, one quarter of employees reported to work at home at least one hour a week, versus nearly one third in 2012. On average, employees work nearly...]]> Thu, 28 Nov 2013 09:09:21 +0100
Working in The Netherlands

Pleasant workplace atmosphere important

Nearly all employees indicated in 2012 that a pleasant workplace atmosphere is important to them. For three quarters of employees a pleasant workplace atmosphere is essential. Nearly all employees consider competent management, job security, interesting work and a good salary to be important aspects of their job.

Teleworking has lowest priority
The opportunity to work from home is important for only a small proportion of employees, although the percentage has risen marginally since 2008 from 34 to 39 percent. The other aspects have been fairly stable over the years. There is an obvious...]]> Thu, 28 Nov 2013 09:05:28 +0100


         

                                  The Sligro & Together Abroad invite you to the Culinary Christmas Event
                                             Thursday 12 December 2013 from 13.00 until 21.00 hours
                                                                     Print this as invitation!
                                                                           50 inspiring tastings 
                                                                                Wine tasting
                                                                                 Live music 
                                                                      Entertainment for children

                                                                       Selected restaurants:                                                                    Brasserie NL (Ruben van Dieten)                                                                  Restaurant Savarin (Edwin Loos)                                                              Restaurant Villa la Ruche (Marko Karelse)                                                                 Hofstede Meerzicht (Alain Adriaanse)                                                               Restaurant Thai Fresh (Careen & Sarah)

                                                                     Roberto de Luca Wine tasting

...]]> Wed, 27 Nov 2013 16:21:44 +0100 International Job Fair 2014 Amsterdam 5th April 2014

Why this Job fair?
Although hard to imagine in the current economic climate, particularly with the growing unemployment rate in the Netherlands, the shortage in the skilled and highly-educated workforces is expected to grow in the coming year(s). With this in mind, Expatica & Together Abroad introduce the 2nd International Job Fair, a unique opportunity for organisations to showcase themselves and meet hundreds of job seekers.
All in one day!

Features International Job Fair 2014
Target audience consists of both new and established members of the international community looking for a job...]]> Mon, 25 Nov 2013 17:09:59 +0100 Unemployment down Unemployment reduced by 11 thousand in October Number of current benefits down by 8 thousand According to the most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands, seasonally adjusted unemployment was reduced by 11 thousand to 674 thousand in October 2013, i.e. 8.5 percent of the employed labour force.
Figures released by the Institute for Implementation of Employees’ Insurances (UWV) show that the number of unemployment (WW) benefits granted in October grew by 8 thousand to 408 thousand.

Fewer unemployed
In October, 8.5 percent in the labour force were unemployed. With 8.7 percent, unemployment reached the highest level in July...]]> Sun, 24 Nov 2013 21:35:24 +0100 Scholarships in the Netherlands
The Dutch government continually attempts to make higher education as accessible as possible to students and mid-career professionals from other countries. In Holland, higher education is subsidized meaning that tuition fees can be kept relatively low, especially when compared with the United Kingdom and the United States.

Regular Scholarship
If you are in full-time/dual higher education in the Netherlands, you may be eligible for a student grant. You must satisfy the following three requirements:

Age: you must be under the age of 30 when you become entitled to a student grant
Nationality: you must be a Dutch...]]> Fri, 22 Nov 2013 19:08:58 +0100
Universities of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands

The programs offered by Universities of Applied Sciences ('Hogescholen') focus on the practical application of knowledge. Acquiring work experience through internships is an integral part of professional study programs. The Netherlands has 45 government-funded Universities of Applied Sciences. The largest institute enroll between 20,000 to 39,000 students. Altogether some 365,000 students are enrolled on professional programs.
» Master (M): 1–2 years
» Bachelor (B): 4 years
Below universities of Applied Science in the Hague area:

The Hague University of Professional Education
The Hague University has a critical part to play in the future success...]]> Fri, 22 Nov 2013 18:47:57 +0100
International Institutes in the Netherlands
For more than 50 year the Netherlands has been offering a specified form of higher education, namely advanced coursed, taught in English, in what is known as ‘international education’

There are five large and a number of smaller IE institutes all of which focus on development-orientated courses; these are based on small, intercultural groups working together in the exchange of knowledge, facilitated by teachers with extensive experience of working in developing countries.

» PhD (only possible at 1 institute): duration is flexible.
» Master of Arts (MA): 1 – 2 years.
» Master of Science...]]> Fri, 22 Nov 2013 18:45:08 +0100
Universities in the Netherlands

Of the fourteen government-funded research Universities in the Netherlands, three specialize in engineering, one in agriculture, and one is part of the Open University. These institutes instruct students in all aspects of academic study and research, although many programs also contain a professional component and most graduates find employment outside the research community. The Universities vary in size, ranging from 6,000 to 30,000 students. Altogether they enroll some 205,000 students.
» PhD: 4 years.
» Master of Arts (MA): 1 – 2 years.
» Master of Science (MSc): 1 – 2 years.
» Bachelor of Arts (BA):...]]> Fri, 22 Nov 2013 18:43:34 +0100
As one of the best educational centers in Europe, the Netherlands offers more than 1400 internationally-orientated degree programs and courses in English. Higher education in the Netherlands can be divided into three main streams: Universities, Universities of Applied Sciences (Hogescholen) and International Institutes

Universities in Holland
Of the fourteen government-funded research Universities in the Netherlands, three specialize in engineering, one in agriculture, and one is part of the Open University. These institutes instruct students in all aspects of academic study and research, although many programs also contain a professional...]]> Fri, 22 Nov 2013 18:33:09 +0100 Dutch economy up 0.1 percent in the third quarter on the second quarter 46 thousand fewer jobs than in the second quarter

Relative to one year previously:
- the economy is down by 0.6 percent
- investments are 3.0 percent lower
- exports are 2.1 percent higher
- household consumption shrank by 2.3 percent and
- there are 160 thousand fewer jobs

According to the first estimate by Statistics Netherlands, the Dutch economy grew by 0.1 percent in the third quarter van 2013 compared to the second quarter. It is the first time after the second quarter of 2012 that...]]> Fri, 15 Nov 2013 12:29:16 +0100 Slightly more job vacancies 3 thousand more unfilled job vacancies Increase mainly in commercial services
According to the latest figures released by Statistics Netherlands there were 94 thousand unfilled vacancies by the end of September 2013, up 3 thousand on the previous quarter. The figures are seasonally adjusted. This constitutes the first increase in the number of vacancies in two years.
The rise in the number of vacancies is entirely found in private companies. The number of vacancies in government stabilised. The largest increase was realised by commercial services. The number of vacancies, in round figures, rose by 3 thousand...]]> Thu, 14 Nov 2013 19:01:02 +0100 Last year, in 54 percent of couples with young children one partner was working on a full-time basis and the other partner on a part-time basis. This was also the case in 2008. The corresponding figure for 1996 was 31 percent.

One quarter of couples live on one full-time income
In 2012, more than 1.2 million couples had children living at home under the age of twelve. The so-called one-and-half-income earners model implies that one partner is working on a full-time basis and the other partner on a part-time basis. With 54 percent, this was the most common income model....]]> Wed, 13 Nov 2013 17:02:01 +0100 Dutch energy company Essent offers its employees the best working environment in the Netherlands and has won the Winning Workplace award for most progressive office.
The headquarters of Essent in Den Bosch showed in the final of this election with competitor Eneco, in Rotterdam and wholesaler Makro in Amsterdam coming in behind.
Innovative culture
Essent reached the top three of the election thanks to a public vote on the internet combined with a jury verdict. The jury looked at factors such as the companies building, the location, the workplaces and the way the participating organizations created an open and innovative...]]> Tue, 12 Nov 2013 10:39:19 +0100 In the first quarter of 2013, the amount of hours worked in stage A temp jobs was 3.2 percent down on the fourth quarter of 2012. The number of hours worked in temp jobs declined for the fourth consecutive quarter. The index (2010=100) for the number of hours worked in stage A reached 99.5 in the first quarter.

Stage A includes people working for temp agencies on a contract basis without regular terms of employment. In stage A, it is easier for both parties – temp job agencies and temp workers – to terminate the contract than in the subsequent...]]> Tue, 12 Nov 2013 10:37:30 +0100 The HR Tech Europe 2013, hosted in Amsterdam on 24 and 25 October was an exciting place to be. In attendance were highly inspiring people that are seeing the bigger picture and discussing the leading role HR is going to play in the future. Below we highlight some of the changes taking place in the world of HR.

Paradigm change in HR

In HR, we are right in the middle of a massive paradigm change. This is also true for recruiting - HR is still stuck in traditional thought patterns. However, nowadays it's all about change: It's about re-engineering the...]]> Fri, 01 Nov 2013 10:12:23 +0100
One of the main areas of discussion at this year’s HR Tech Europe conference, held on October 24 and 25 in Amsterdam was the Top 10 key HR Investment Areas for 2013 – 2014. Marc Coleman, founder of the Pan European HR Network and contributor to HR Tech Europe discusses these 10 key focus areas.

European HR Investment Areas Talent Management
Given the old and sometimes tired adage of ‘people are our most important asset’ this is never likely to change for obvious reasons. This is still seen as the biggest pain point for so many businesses, big and small...]]> Fri, 01 Nov 2013 10:08:33 +0100 The Dutch Association for Personnel Management and Organizational Development (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Personeelsmanagement en Organisatie ontwikkeling - NVP) has updated its application code and placed it in line with modern HR practices of recruitment and selection.

The main changes implemented in the new NVP recruitment code include:
• The use of social media in recruitment and selection procedures has received a definite place within the selection procedure standards.
• Raising awareness among candidates and organizations that what is stated on the internet about a candidate or his employment history is not necessarily always correct.
• Tightening of the complaints procedure...]]> Fri, 01 Nov 2013 09:55:09 +0100 Appical, a Dutch cloud software company in the field of HR won the 2013 iHR Award last week at a ceremony that took place during the HR Tech Europe conference. The company has developed a mobile platform for employees to work faster.

The jury consisted of experts from various fields of Accel Partners, Deloitte, Oracle, Randstad, SuccessFactors and Tincup & Co. Appical was unanimously elected as the winner due to the apps focus simplicity and impact on the HR community.

Amongst companies from Israel, Hong Kong, United Kingdom and the United States, Appical was the only Dutch company that was...]]> Fri, 01 Nov 2013 09:52:15 +0100 Fewer defence jobs will be lost Friday

Changes to the government’s 2014 spending plans mean 1,400 fewer defence jobs are set to be cut than first thought. While 1,000 jobs will still be cut, the number of compulsory redundancies will be ‘substantially fewer’ than the 2,400 first envisaged, the revised figures show. Defence has already cut 12,000 jobs in an effort to find €1.33bn in savings demanded by the government at an earlier stage
Source: Dutchnews.nl ...]]> Thu, 31 Oct 2013 15:19:52 +0100 Dutch employers have written to parliament to protest at tax increases on industry which are included in the recent budget agreement. In particular, the increase in tax on mains water will have an ‘unintentional and disproportionate impact’ on companies, especially those in the chemicals and metal sectors, the VNO-NCW employers' organisation says.

The tax means some firms which currently pay €50 a year for mains water may have to pay €10m in water taxes a year, the organisation's research shows. Hospitals and other public sector organisations which use a lot of water will also be hard hit, according to the...]]> Wed, 30 Oct 2013 18:23:57 +0100 Building group Ballast Nedam on Friday issued a profit warning and said it will cut 250 jobs. Rather than an operating profit of €15m, the company now expects to book an operational loss, Ballast Nedam said in a trading update.

‘The third-quarter results were disappointing. Unfavourable results were achieved on a major project and several regional infrastructure projects,’ the statement said. The jobs will go in the fourth quarter at regional building firms, specialists and the headquarters operation. The reorganisation will cost some €7m.

‘We refrain from further quantification of the forecast in view of the persistent uncertainty surrounding substantial...]]> Wed, 30 Oct 2013 15:38:28 +0100 Since 2010, 48 HBO college and university courses have been criticised for not being up to scratch by the higher education accreditation agency NVAO.
Of these, 38 courses were offered by public institutions and 10 by private bodies, such as correspondence schools. The problems included poor final year theses, poor marking standards and students who did not know how to carry out research, the paper said. Courses which come under fire are given one or two years to improve. The paper said that eleven courses, including the much-criticised journalism training scheme at the Windesheim College in Zwolle, are now up...]]> Wed, 30 Oct 2013 15:30:23 +0100 A recent study has shown that within organizations the right freelancer is not always hired for the correct job. This is mainly due to little input and influence from the HR team during the selection of the freelancer.

That is at least a quarter (26 percent) of ZZP (zelfstandig zonder personeel), according to the research on 617 freelancers, done by Fast Flex. Two-thirds of freelancers in practice encounter that job descriptions do not match the reality. In addition, 58 percent noted that no account is taken of the corporate culture and often times the freelancer is matched correctly to the...]]> Wed, 30 Oct 2013 15:24:53 +0100 Brewing group Heineken saw net profit fall 15% in the third quarter of this year but turnover was up slightly.

Net profit fell to €483m, partly due to declining sales in eastern and central Europe, the company said. Disappointing economic growth also had an impact in other countries. In total, volume sales were down 2%.

Group turnover rose 1% to €5.7bn

‘Underlying trading conditions across Europe remain challenging, as evidenced by a weak consumer environment in central and eastern Europe in the quarter,’ chief executive Jean-François van Boxmeer said in a statement.

‘As a consequence, we are accelerating efforts to...]]> Thu, 24 Oct 2013 10:29:02 +0200 The number of women in higher management grades has risen slightly over the past year, from 20% to 21%, the Volkskrant reports on Tuesday.

The Volkskrant, which carried out the research among 35 of the top Dutch companies, says this is encouraging because higher management forms a pool of women who can move up into the top echelons.

This year saw the introduction of a 'legally desirable target' for female board members of 30% by 2016.

However, there is a long way to go, says the paper. Another report earlier this year said of the 213 board members of the...]]> Thu, 24 Oct 2013 10:25:21 +0200 Rail union FNV wants public transport, the police and the department of justice to take action in ending violence against public transport staff.

"We must make a joint statement. Get your hands off of our staff!" this was the statement made by union director Roel Berghuis following the beating of a railway conductor at Amsterdam Central Station.

The guard was injured in the scuffle with travellers, which eventually ended with the NS employee, one of the thugs and a bystander on the tracks where a train was about to leave.

The trade unionist calls the recent incident 'rock bottom’ in...]]> Thu, 24 Oct 2013 10:23:49 +0200 Three quarters of one-man businesses launched in 2009 were still active in 2012. Their chances of survival were higher than for one-man businesses launched in 2007. Profit margins of one-man businesses started up in 2007 and still active in 2012 have diminished.

More likely to survive
In 2012, 75 percent of one-man businesses launched in 2009 were still active, whereas only 63 percent of one-man businesses launched in 2007 had survived three years later. Surprisingly, one-man businesses started up during the recession in 2008 or 2009 appear to have a better chance of survival than those started up in 2007....]]> Thu, 24 Oct 2013 10:22:19 +0200
Dutch pension funds are in a better financial position but not all of them can guarantee they won’t have to make cuts in payouts next year, according to figures released on Thursday. Only building sector pension bpfBouw can say with certainty pensions don’t have to be cut next year.
It has increased its coverage ratio to nearly 110%, well over the legal minimum of 105%. Civil service pension fund ABP, one of the biggest funds in the world, has increased its coverage ratio to 103.%, well up on the 97.1% in the second quarter. But the danger of cuts has...]]> Tue, 22 Oct 2013 14:38:46 +0200
The two companies scored highest in overall satisfaction in the awards hosted by Effectory.

Dutch airline KLM won the category of companies with more than 1000 employees and nuclear fuel company Urenco was the best among companies with fewer than 1,000 employees .

Scania and Nedmag Industries scored highest in the category ‘largest contributor to overall satisfaction.’

The score is determined by the overall satisfaction of the employees of the organization. Both KLM and Urenco achieved a 8.9. The average in the Netherlands is 7.5.

Job security

For the awards a total of 316 companies were surveyed and confidence and...]]> Tue, 22 Oct 2013 14:09:21 +0200 In September this year, 595 businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses) were declared bankrupt, fewer than in August and the lowest number of bankruptcies so far in 2013, although still 7 percent up from September 2012. Many businesses and institutions declared bankrupt in September were active in the sectors trade (146) and construction (100).
As the number of businesses declared bankrupt in a particular month is closely related to the number of days courts are in session, it may vary considerably from one month to the next. Therefore, the three-month moving average is a more reliable indicator. In September, the...]]> Tue, 22 Oct 2013 14:07:56 +0200 There were 91 thousand job vacancies at the end of June 2013, the lowest level in nearly ten years. The number of job vacancies decreased by 6 thousand relative to the end of March, 2013. This is mostly due to a reduced demand for staff in the private sector. At the end of June, there were 83 thousand unfilled job vacancies in the private sector and 8 thousand in the public sector. Vacancy figures are adjusted for seasonal variation.
The number of vacancies per one thousand jobs, the so-called vacancy rate, is an indicator for the tension on the labour...]]> Mon, 21 Oct 2013 13:53:56 +0200
Minister of Social Affairs and employment, Lodewijk Asscher has announced that government will invest 120-million Euros over the next two years into the labour market to fight unemployment in the construction sector.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment announced that the parties have prepared a sector plan for this purpose.

The plan does not create additional employment but instead, better divides the available work. For instance guiding employees to other work, retraining skills and providing apprenticeships using wage subsidy.

The plan was signed in mid-October by the construction industry including; FNV, CNV Professionals, The Building Contractors Federation of the...]]> Fri, 18 Oct 2013 08:51:24 +0200 Marginal unemployment growth Unemployment growth 2 thousand in September Unemployment growth levels off \ Number of unemployment benefits stable Fewer unemployment benefits granted in construction sector
According to the most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands, seasonally adjusted unemployment grew by 2 thousand in September to reach 685 thousand, i.e. 8.6 percent of the labour force.
Figures published by the Institute for Implementation of Employees’ Insurances (UWV) show that the number of unemployment (WW) benefits paid in September has risen by 1 thousand to 400 thousand.
Unemployment growth rate slows down
The monthly unemployment growth over the past three months averaged 3...]]> Thu, 17 Oct 2013 18:49:47 +0200 Don’t miss Expatica’s10th annual “i am not a tourist” Expat Fair on Sunday 3 November. It’s all an expat needs to make the most of life in the Netherlands, and it’s free to join!

Whether you have lived here for days, months or years, make sure you keep Sunday 3 November free on your calendars for this once-a-year opportunity.

“i am not a tourist” Expat Fair 2013 will be an interactive extravaganza of experts and companies specialising in expatriate life, with presentations, workshops, networking and live entertainment on offer.

We’ve invited over 100 exhibitors to offer you a helping hand...]]> Thu, 17 Oct 2013 16:39:43 +0200 Mobiquity Opens New European Headquarters in Amsterdam


Mobiquity Expands to Europe, Establishing Global Presence as Mobile Engagement Provider. Acquires Netherlands-based Full-service Web and Mobile Development Firm to Drive European Growth.
Mobiquity, a mobile engagement provider creating innovative solutions that drive business value, has selected the Netherlands for its expansion into Europe and has acquired Xaton, a full-service Web and mobile development company based in Amsterdam. Xaton’s clients include Ziggo, DTG, Superdirect and KPN. The opening of Mobiquity’s first European office, headquartered in Amsterdam, is driven by the company’s significant growth in the U.S., as well as increasing global demand for...]]> Mon, 14 Oct 2013 22:12:24 +0200 Starting your own business in the Netherlands

Following a successfull networking contact with the Chamber of Commerce The Hague Together Abroad endorses the seminar Starting your own business. It is a seminar for people who are thinking about starting their own business in the Netherlands. It is English Spoken. You can ask questions and during and after the seminar you can increase your network. For fulltime or parttime starting entrepreneurs, whether your idea is a (web)shop, to provide a service or you want to go international you are very welcome.

What can you expect:
Understanding the essential qualities of an...]]> Thu, 10 Oct 2013 08:44:49 +0200 Working in the Southeast Netherlands

The Southeast Netherlands provides more than 100.000 jobs in the high-tech, automotive, and manufacturing industry and in high tech services. This portal connects you to international organizations with vacancies. Or your employment route may take you to one of the well-known international top technology companies or to one of the many much smaller innovation companies in the region. Both large and small, the prospects of a dynamic and rewarding working environment in Brainport are considerable.

Egalitarian approach in the Southeast Netherlands
The apparent egalitarian approach in the Netherlands fits very well with Dutch company structures,...]]> Tue, 08 Oct 2013 12:13:32 +0200 International Interest for HighTech Twente

The Italian company SEKO, producer of pumps and dosing systems, is looking for a location in the Netherlands. They want to be able to better serve their current customers, and to attract new customers, in the Benelux. The original plan was to open a location in the middle of the country.

SEKO is a good fit in the cluster of HighTech companies in the region of Twente. The company has since opened a sales office in Enschede at the Euregio business park. Oost NV played a role in helping the company establish its Dutch location....]]> Tue, 08 Oct 2013 12:03:52 +0200
The influx of technical talent continues to the next five years is far too low.
Due to the increasing tightness in the technical labour market labour productivity and business profitability under pressure.

This is the conclusion of theTechnical labour market Monitor 2013 that SEO economic research has commissioned by the rural partnership TechniekTalent.nu.
The report is presented during the Fourth National Industry Debate today in the ' Utrechtse Jaarbeurs '. The expected inflow in technical occupations is according to this research over the next five years, at least 33,000 workers lower than the demand for new technical staff. A part...]]> Mon, 07 Oct 2013 10:38:03 +0200 Fresh foods and your role as a responsible consumer

Reshaping trade in fresh foods conference

Date: October 31st, 2013
Place: Nyenrode Business Universiteit, the Netherlands
Register before 24.10.2013

Registrations: Reshaping Trade in Fresh Food

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!

Nyenrode Business Universiteit believes that global talents need to be aware of what happens behind the scenes in the international food value chains. The products you buy in the supermarket and eat everyday have their own stories. You, as a responsible consumer, should listen to those stories cautiously because you are what you eat and you hold the power to change.

Nyenrode and...]]> Mon, 07 Oct 2013 09:57:20 +0200
The HAN Language Centre also prides itself in being able to offer tailor-made courses. We can bring a course to your business address or run it at our HAN campus in Nijmegen or Arnhem. As part of the...]]> Fri, 04 Oct 2013 18:39:32 +0200 Part-time jobs Netherlands

This is probably not the first article that you have read that attempts to portray a country as a great place to live and build a career, and it won't be the last. But, without doubt, choosing to establish the next step of your international job in the Netherlands could be one of the best choices that you make in your life. This is a bold statement we know, and we can back it up, and justify exactly why a job in the Netherlands is so special.

Well, the first reason that we think a job in the Netherlands is such a great...]]> Thu, 03 Oct 2013 08:54:12 +0200
More than 4,000 extra jobs in the Netherlands thanks to foreign investors

Active lobbying by the Dutch government resulted in € 827 million in foreign investment for the Dutch economy in the first six months of this year. Together these investments are good for 4,332 extra jobs in the Netherlands. Minister Henk Kamp of Economic Affairs announced this on 30 September 2013 during the opening of the new global research center ‘Nutricia Research’ in Utrecht, part of the French company Danone.

Attractive for foreign companies
“With a highly educated labor force and good facilities, the Netherlands is an attractive country...]]> Thu, 03 Oct 2013 08:48:54 +0200
Dual Career Netherlands
Why should dual careers to be a key issue for international employers looking to hire overseas applicants into their business?

Well, according to a unique study by the Permits Foundation, titled the International Survey of Expatriate Spouses and Partners, 60% of the global workforce would be 'unlikely to relocate to a country where it is difficult for their partner or spouse to find work'. This was a very expansive study, which took in the views of 3,300 expatriate spouses and partners from 122 nationalities working in 117 host countries.

Therefore, this study deserves to be taken very seriously...]]> Wed, 02 Oct 2013 22:30:26 +0200 Excellent mobility (High-Speed train, RandstadRail), a central location in the inner city and a mix of multinationals, local businesses and housing, results in a fantastic city entrance to Rotterdam as well as to the Randstad conurbation. Rotterdam Central District. An area, where Rotterdam and Europe meet.

The combination of the new ultra-modern Rotterdam central station and its diverse array of public transport modalities, which will be completed in March 2014, its location and the opportunities for real estate developments make Rotterdam Central District a unique location in Europe. A international oriented business district within the vibrant heart this world renowned...]]> Wed, 02 Oct 2013 12:48:24 +0200 Canon Europe and Nippon Express strengthen cooperation in Rotterdam

Canon Europe, world-leader in imaging solutions consolidates its central warehouse operations for Western Europe in Rotterdam. The consolidation is part of a comprehensive review of Canon’s supply chain network to optimize efficiency in anticipation of future business requirements. As a result of a tender, Nippon Express has been appointed as the logistics service provider for the new central warehouse operation. Together with the existing facilities, a new 70,000 m2 distribution center will become the beating heart of Canon's European supply chain.

The location for the consolidated central warehouse operation will be...]]> Wed, 02 Oct 2013 12:43:05 +0200 Fewer social security recipients find employment

At the end of 2011, 367 thousand people in the Netherlands received social security benefits. More than 28 thousand, i.e. less than 8 percent, found jobs in 2012, versus more than 9 percent one year previously. In the category municipalities with a population exceeding 100 thousand, Zoetermeer has the highest percentage of individuals moving from social security to employment, Arnhem has the lowest percentage.

2012 difficult year to move from social security to employment
Since the lowest level of the recession was reached in 2009, the proportion of social security recipients who found...]]> Mon, 30 Sep 2013 11:27:34 +0200
Therefore, this study deserves to be taken very seriously by international...]]> Thu, 26 Sep 2013 15:55:21 +0200             Spouse Programme: Career assistance and counselling in the Netherlands

Together Abroad offers a Spouse programme, advice on your job prospects through a number of individual sessions with a career advisor.
Together we examine your opportunities, taking into account your strengths, weaknesses and barriers. We will analyze your current situation and your ideas for your new professional challenge.
Our advisors will also guide you through strategies and planning for your new career. In addition, we will assist you to search for job opportunities and learning options which can facilitate your entrance to your career choice in the Netherlands.

Additional modules of the...]]> Thu, 26 Sep 2013 15:34:21 +0200
Did you know that, according to the Brookfields Global Relocation Trends survey, 6% of international jobs fail, that is, they end prematurely? This statistic should be of interest to all international workers, as the typical expatriate assignment requires a significant investment in time and energy from the employee, spouse and family and, in the case of the partner it can also include a certain amount of personal sacrifice. The cost of failure in an international posting is therefore extremely high and it is vital that you do everything you can to minimize the risk of assignment failure....]]> Thu, 26 Sep 2013 15:26:34 +0200
Therefore, this study deserves to be taken very seriously by...]]> Thu, 26 Sep 2013 15:24:24 +0200
Expats Events organises in partnership with Together Abroad the End of Summer Party 2013!
Saturday 28 September Beach Club WIJ The Hague/Scheveningen!

After the great success of the Experienz! Beach Party in Beach Club WIJ, Expat Events had no doubt which venue to choose for our End of Summer Party 2013… of course Beach Club WIJ in Scheveningen!

The outdoor terrace, the luxurious decoration and the perfect location will guarantee us to provide our event with the ultimate summer vibes.

Come and meet other Internationals, expats or expat related people and have a chat and drink in the Lounge...]]> Thu, 26 Sep 2013 09:24:09 +0200

Starting your own business in the Netherlands

Following a successfull networking contact with the Chamber of Commerce The Hague Together Abroad endorses the seminar Starting your own business. It is a seminar for people who are thinking about starting their own business in the Netherlands. It is English Spoken. You can ask questions and during and after the seminar you can increase your network. For fulltime or parttime starting entrepreneurs, whether your idea is a (web)shop, to provide a service or you want to go international you are very welcome.

What can you expect:
Understanding the essential qualities of an entrepreneur
The...]]> Fri, 10 May 2013 16:19:44 +0200 Starting your own business in the Netherlands

Following a successfull networking contact with the Chamber of Commerce The Hague Together Abroad endorses the seminar Starting your own business. It is a seminar for people who are thinking about starting their own business in the Netherlands. It is English Spoken. You can ask questions and during and after the seminar you can increase your network. For fulltime or parttime starting entrepreneurs, whether your idea is a (web)shop, to provide a service or you want to go international you are very welcome.

What can you expect:
Understanding the essential qualities of an...]]> Tue, 24 Sep 2013 09:42:21 +0200
For more information about the In-company workshops and trainings contact us; info@togetherabroad.nl  

...]]> Tue, 24 Sep 2013 08:57:53 +0200 You are in a middel of a relocation process or you have just arrived in Holland.
Have you been living here for quite some time and still experience difficulties in the local labour market?
Do you need assistance with partner employment?
Do you know how to find a job in the Netherlands?

Together Abroad gives workshops about how to find a job in the Netherlands
Discount OFFER now €15,- excl VAT

Come to our workshop: FIND A JOB IN THE NETHERLANDS

We will tak about:
Current situation on the Dutch labour market
hiring companies
hidden vacancies
Recruitment channels:
how agencies...]]> Tue, 24 Sep 2013 08:48:13 +0200 The Netherlands has quite an international profile, but working with Dutch people and organizations may give rise to unexpected challenges. As in any country, working successfully requires a profound understanding of the local mindset and context, and the ability to connect with local colleagues, partners and clients.

Whether you are starting a new assignment, looking to expand your international career or have already worked with Dutch organizations for a longer period of time, this dedicated and interactive workshop concerning the Dutch business culture allows you to navigate the cultural landscape...]]> Tue, 24 Sep 2013 08:41:10 +0200 Relocating yourself and your belongings to Holland and finding accommodation in a good neighborhood with good transport links and amenities takes careful planning. You can find a list and description of relocation agents and property rental resources that can help you make a smooth relocation to the Netherlands.
Housing & Relocation and companies in the Netherlands...]]> Mon, 23 Sep 2013 08:44:00 +0200 Unemployment down in August Youth unemployment down in August Upward trend unemployment less steep Nearly 400 thousand WW benefits
According to the latest figures released by Statistics Netherlands, seasonally adjusted unemployment fell to 683 thousand in August, i.e. 8.6 percent of the labour force.
Figures published by the Institute for Implementation of Employees’ Insurances show that the number of unemployment (WW) benefits grew by 5 thousand in August to reach 399 thousand.
Upward trend more gradual
Unemployment declined by 11 thousand in August. Young people almost entirely accounted for the decline. Over the past twenty-four months, youth unemployment had risen almost...]]> Thu, 19 Sep 2013 18:03:55 +0200

   ...]]> Mon, 16 Sep 2013 19:38:28 +0200
Why Fred started Perfect Housing?
"Renting an apartment in The Netherlands these days is still associated with Housing Corporations and a restricted and underdeveloped market. While a lot of international companies decide to get established in The Netherlands,...]]> Mon, 16 Sep 2013 11:09:31 +0200 We think it is important for you to experience our university for yourself before you start the MBA journey at Nyenrode. We felt a campus tour just wasn’t enough, so we created the MBA Weekends. During the MBA Weekends, Nyenrode Business University opens its doors to remarkable prospective MBA students, allowing you to experience our university first-hand.

The MBA Weekends  include two action-packed days and nights on our 13th Century estate, giving you a taste of what our International MBA and Executive MBA are all about while you discuss, attend top quality lectures and workshops.

We handpick who will attend...]]> Fri, 13 Sep 2013 18:40:33 +0200 The plan is for the adjusted bill to be submitted to the Lower Chamber in the third trimester of 2013. Submitting the bill to the Upper Chamber is scheduled for the first trimester of 2014. The law...]]> Fri, 13 Sep 2013 10:21:12 +0200 Expatica & Together Abroad presents the International Job Fair

Are you an international settled in the Netherlands looking for a next step in your career? Or are you new to the Netherlands and in possession of work permit? You could even be living elsewhere in EU but ready to move to the Netherlands.

The International Job Fair is the event for pursuing an international career in the Netherlands. It provides a unique opportunity to get all the information and contacts you need in one place. Within a single day, you’ll have the chance to meet employers from several industries as...]]> Fri, 13 Sep 2013 08:10:17 +0200 A MBA in the Netherlands. Which MBA should I pursue?

7 steps to make the right choice
By Javier Arias

At a certain point in your career path, you may wonder whether pursuing an MBA is the next step. Nowadays, exploring MBA opportunities can be very overwhelming due to the large number of programs and formats that are offered. Accreditations, rankings, location, costs and return on investment are amongst the elements that play a role in your decision.
At Nyenrode Business Universiteit, we have identified somekey steps for you to find the right MBA:

1. Is an MBA really the...]]> Wed, 28 Aug 2013 12:19:42 +0200
Energy Group Twente on Together Abroad
The Energy Group Twente consists of nearly 20 companies from the Twente region and the German border area.

Mission and vision 
Putting the Energy Cluster Twente on the map. 
Due to the distinctive character of its innovative products and services the cluster generates more business, increases the quality of turnover and contributes to a greater degree to a more sustainable world.

Cluster Composition
The cluster consists of nearly 20 companies from the Twente region and the German border area. A hallmark of the participating companies is that they are all end-user and internationally oriented, as well as complementary...]]> Mon, 26 Aug 2013 22:27:36 +0200
Number of vacancies further down

Number of vacancies declines by 6 thousand
Most substantial reduction in sector commercial services
Adjusted for seasonal variation, there were 91 thousand unfilled vacancies at the end of June, a reduction by 6 thousand relative to the first quarter, which means that the downward trend continues. According to the most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands, the number of vacancies has reached the lowest level of the past decade.

The private sector entirely accounts for the decrease in the number of vacancies. In the public sector, the number of vacancies has in fact grown. The...]]> Mon, 19 Aug 2013 13:29:22 +0200 The MBA is a significant financial investment for a business professional, but the rewards can be very worthwhile, as your career chances after an MBA are likely to be greatly enhanced.
In fact, the MBA Career market has been improving in recent times. Figures from GMAT show that 75% of employers from around the world plan to hire recent MBAs in 2013, compared to just 71% in 2012. Of course an MBA is not a guarantee of a job; it can just help to open doors. And the GMAT survey shows that 56% of employers still consider prior experience to...]]> Tue, 13 Aug 2013 12:08:21 +0200 As of 1 August 2013, the Ministry of Economic Affairs has eased the regulations for entrepreneurs from outside of the European Union looking to work in the Netherlands. In doing so, it hopes to attract innovative self-employed people that will make a special contribution to the Dutch economy due to their specialist expertise.

Self-employed knowledge migrants in Amsterdam
The Dutch government announced the new changes in a press statement on 1 August. The key revision is that upon applying to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service, the knowledge workers have to file an additional request to be allowed to establish a...]]> Mon, 12 Aug 2013 14:25:07 +0200 Employee motivation is a hot topic in corporate circles at the moment. Why? Because recent research from Aon Hewitt tells us that 40% of employees globally are disengaged and demotivated. The situation is at its worst in Europe where 43% of employees are disengaged, compared to 37% in North America and just 26% in Latin America.

Since there is plenty of evidence linking employee motivation to productivity, its vital that HR professionals, (in Europe especially), work on raising employee motivation levels in their business.

So, what steps can HR take to begin increasing engagement and motivation levels in their business?...]]> Thu, 08 Aug 2013 12:16:56 +0200
Although the number of vacancies for highly skilled has increased by seven per cent compared to 2012 during the past six months, college and university graduates still struggle with finding the job up to their level

Fourteen percent of highly educated candidates work currently below its level of education. Also, a quarter of all college and university level students accepted a job below his level last year. At the same time more than twenty percent of all high school graduates work in a position above his education.

According to Dick Koopman Direcor of Yacht , the fact that highly educated...]]> Fri, 02 Aug 2013 10:54:10 +0200 YER is an international recruitment agency that focuses on Bachelors and Masters for permanent and temporary positions; Graduates, Professionals, Executives and Directors.

YER offers:

Recruitment Solutions, 4 target groups
YER for Graduates, talented starters seeking their first job
YER for Professionals, usually candidates making the second/third step in their careers, gross annual salary of approx. € 50,000 max.
YER for Executives, managers and specialists
gross annual salary of € 50,000 or more
YER for Directors, senior level candidates, gross annual salary of € 100,000 or more; senior level
Interim Solutions
Interim Professionals for secondment (to projects)
Interim Management for independent...]]> Fri, 26 Jul 2013 12:11:04 +0200 Are you looking for a job in Twente? On Together Abroad you can find language jobs in the Twente for native speakers and multilingual professionals . Jobs in English, German, French, Spanish, Russian and other languages in Rotterdam, Amsterdam and other locations
Finding a job in Twente / Overijssel
How to write a resume in the Netherlands

Your resume gives the prospective employer the first impression on your skills, capacity, and potential. It is therefore extremely important to get it right. Particularly in times of economic turndown like today, your resume is the most valuable asset and...]]> Fri, 26 Jul 2013 10:06:38 +0200

This is probably not the first article that you have read that attempts to portray a country as a great place to live and build a career, and it won't be the last. But, without doubt, choosing to establish the next step of your international career in the Netherlands could be one of the best choices that you make in your life. This is a bold statement we know, and we can back it up, and justify exactly why a career in the Netherlands is so special.

Careers in Twente / Overijssel Well, the first reason that...]]> Fri, 26 Jul 2013 10:00:39 +0200
HOLLAND HANDBOOK

The Indispensable Reference Book for Expatriates in the Netherlands

This richly illustrated handbook offers 256 full-color pages of essential information for the expatriate on all aspects of living and working in the Netherlands such as: career, fiscal issues, health care, housing, insurance, international education, registration and telecommunications. The reader can also find more general information on Dutch culture and habits, tourist information, language and international clubs. All these subjects are approached from the perspective of the expatriate - both newcomers and expats who have been living in the Netherlands for some time.

This and many useful addresses, phone...]]> Fri, 26 Jul 2013 09:52:07 +0200
London, 4 July 2013 – Canon Europe, world-leader in imaging solutions, announced plans today to consolidate its central warehouse operations for Western Europe based in the Netherlands, as part of a comprehensive review of Canon’s supply chain network to optimise efficiency in anticipation of future business requirements.

As a result of a tender, Nippon Express has been appointed as the logistics service provider for the new central warehouse operation. The location for the consolidated central warehouse operation will be in the Maasvlakte area of Rotterdam.

The new consolidated warehouse will become operational in the second half of 2015, following a...]]> Wed, 24 Jul 2013 22:36:06 +0200
Photo Claire Droppert
Unilever shifts European marketing to Rotterdam

Leading FMCG-manufacturer Unilever brings regional brand developers from 11 different European locations to Rotterdam – the home of its new European Marketing and Innovation Powerhouse.

All of Unilever’s European marketing activities, worth an impressive €13bn, will be managed out of the company’s new marketing and innovation HQ, located at Unilever’s Weena office in central Rotterdam.

The new facility will see Unilever’s top regional brand development talents move from many different locations around Europe, to Rotterdam. This represents approximately 400 high level jobs, seeing several hundred highly qualified professionals relocating to the city.

In...]]> Wed, 24 Jul 2013 22:32:42 +0200
Workshop “What makes the Dutch Dutch?”

For who?
For newly arrived expats (and expat partners) to give them a head start when settling into Dutch society. Aimed at people who want to make the best of their stay in the Netherlands and who want to get to grips with the Dutch quickly.
What do I get?
Participants will receive an introduction to the Dutch language, as well as practical information on the Dutch labour market and Dutch culture. This workshop provides the participants with all they need to know to make their stay in the Netherlands a success.
How Much?
This...]]> Tue, 23 Jul 2013 20:33:49 +0200
If you want to come and work in Twente or another place in The Netherlands you probably have many questions. What are the legal criteria to be able to work in the Netherlands? How do you do get a visa? Are you allowed to work in the Netherlands?
Together Abroad Jobboard informs about all these questions and find all jobs in Twente.

In order to be able to work in this country you should have a valid: Visa and work permit BSN number Jobs in Twente
Work permit in Holland
If you have a nationality of a EU country, the European...]]> Tue, 23 Jul 2013 13:22:55 +0200 According to the latest figures published by Statistics Netherlands, seasonally adjusted unemployment grew by 16 thousand in June 2013 to reach 675 thousand.
Figures released by the Institute for Implementation of Employees’ Insurances (UWV) show that the number of unemployment (WW) benefits has grown by 4 thousand to 382 thousand in June.

Unemployment up by more than 100 thousand over the past six months
The unemployment rate reached 8.5 percent in June, i...]]> Tue, 23 Jul 2013 10:37:44 +0200
Relocating yourself and your belongings to Holland and finding accommodation in a good neighborhood with good transport links and amenities takes careful planning. You can find a list and description of housing and relocation agents and property rental resources that can help you make a smooth relocation to the Netherlands.
Housing & Relocation and companies in the Netherlands...]]> Fri, 19 Jul 2013 16:14:51 +0200
Perfect Group
Perfect Housing

Relocating anywhere can be a very trying and difficult experience. That's why we're here - to help you find a house, settle in, and make your move and stay as pleasant as possible.

The Perfect Group is a full-service rental agency listing a large, screened portfolio of rental properties from partner providers.We offer you the following benefits:

* A licensed and professional agency
* Member of the Amsterdam Association of Housing Bureaus
* A wide selection of rental apartments
* Access to all broker's properties
* International, service-minded agents
* No registration costs

Why The Perfect Group?
We closely...]]> Fri, 19 Jul 2013 16:10:38 +0200
EU provides €450 million to help job-seekers in the Netherlands

Over the next seven years (2014-2020) the Netherlands will receive some €450 million from the European Social Fund (ESF) to help job-seekers develop the skills that are in demand on the labour market.

Most of this funding will be distributed among municipalities, which are divided into 35 regional labour markets. Another share will go to the private sector. The funds will primarily be used to supplement and support the implementation of the Participation Act, in accordance with a proposal put forward by the State Secretary for Social Affairs and Employment,...]]> Thu, 18 Jul 2013 14:40:59 +0200
The Netherlands aims to attract more talent from abroad

The Netherlands must become a more attractive destination for talented foreign students, researchers and knowledge workers. In accordance with a proposal by education minister Jet Bussemaker, the cabinet has decided to develop an action plan to lure talented young people to the Netherlands to study, and persuade them to stay here when they start their career.

The Social and Economic Council recently published an advisory opinion entitled 'Make it in the Netherlands!', which underscores the importance of attracting and retaining talented foreign students. The government agrees with the SER that students...]]> Thu, 18 Jul 2013 14:39:42 +0200
Perfect Group
Relocating anywhere can be a very trying and difficult experience. That's why we're here - to help you find a house, settle in, and make your move and stay as pleasant as possible.

The Perfect Group is a full-service rental agency listing a large, screened portfolio of rental properties from partner providers.We offer you the following benefits:

* A licensed and professional agency
* Member of the Amsterdam Association of Housing Bureaus
* A wide selection of rental apartments
* Access to all broker's properties
* International, service-minded agents
* No registration costs

Why the Perfect Group?
We closely with...]]> Wed, 17 Jul 2013 17:08:46 +0200
Why this Job fair?

Although hard to imagine in the current economic climate, particularly with the growing unemployment rate in the Netherlands, the shortage in the skilled and highly-educated workforces is expected to grow in the coming year(s). With this in mind, Expatica and Together Abroad introduce the International Job Fair, the event for pursuing an international career in the Netherlands.
This is what the experts say about the situation:

www.government.nl
The shortage of skilled workforce in healthcare is confirmed by the Dutch government on their website: ‘1.3 million people work in the healthcare and social welfare sector...]]> Wed, 17 Jul 2013 17:03:03 +0200
If you want to come and work in Twente or another plac, e in The Netherlands you probably have many questions. What are the legal criteria to be able to work in the Netherlands? How do you do get a visa? Are you allowed to work in the Netherlands?
Together Abroad Jobboard informs about all these questions.

In order to be able to work in this country you should have a valid:

Visa and work permit
BSN number

Work permit in Holland
If you have a nationality of a EU country, the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland,...]]> Wed, 17 Jul 2013 13:30:00 +0200
If you want to come and work in the Netherlands, you probably have many questions. What are the legal criteria to be able to work in the Netherlands? How do you do get a visa? Are you allowed to work in the Netherlands?
Together Abroad Jobboard  informs about all these questions.

Check all vacancies in Twente
Today's job seekers are more internationally mobile than they have ever been. A recent survey from the Intelligence Group has revealed that a massive 68% of the global labour force is willing to work abroad, which is a 7% increase over 2006. This...]]> Wed, 17 Jul 2013 13:19:52 +0200
Unemployment Netherlands Highly-educated young men more often unemployed than their female counterparts
Unemployment among highly-educated 25 to 35-year-old men has increased significantly after 2009. Last year, more than 6 percent of them were unemployed. The rate was nearly twice as high as among highly-educated young women.

Unemployment growth among highly-educated young women slowing down
Until 2010, the unemployment rates for highly-educated men and women in the age category 25-35 were almost the same, i.e. approximately 3 percent for both groups in 2009. Since then, the rate among highly-educated young men has risen more rapidly than among highly-educated young women. Last year, 6.2...]]> Wed, 17 Jul 2013 12:53:21 +0200
International JOB FAIR 2013 Why this Job fair?
Although hard to imagine in the current economic climate, particularly with the growing unemployment rate in the Netherlands, the shortage in the skilled and highly-educated workforces is expected to grow in the coming year(s). With this in mind, Expatica & Together Abroad introduce the International Job Fair, a unique opportunity for organisations to showcase themselves and meet hundreds of job seekers.
All in one day!

Features International Job Fair 2013
The exhibition is ideal for international organisations in thenine ‘top industries’ as well agencies seeking to recruit highly-educated multilingual workforce in...]]> Fri, 12 Jul 2013 12:46:08 +0200
Together Abroad is a nationwide partner of UWV for reintegration of mutilingual unemployed receiving the Unemployment -benefits. It means that the candidates who are unemployed in Holland can choose to follow the IRO traject with Together Abroad.

If you are legally reside and work in the Netherlands you can enjoy the benefits of Dutch Social security system. When you lost your job and unemployed in Holland at the moment check if you are subject to the Unemployment Insurance Act ( Unemployment benefit ).

Unemployment benifits in the Netherlands Unemployment Insurance Act ( WW )
The...]]> Fri, 12 Jul 2013 12:44:19 +0200 Internationale Carrierebeurs 2013

Why this Job fair?

Although hard to imagine in the current economic climate, particularly with the growing unemployment rate in the Netherlands, the shortage in the skilled and highly-educated workforces is expected to grow in the coming year(s). With this in mind, Expatica and Together Abroad introduce the International Job Fair, the event for pursuing an international career in the Netherlands.
This is what the experts say about the situation:

www.government.nl
The shortage of skilled workforce in healthcare is confirmed by the Dutch government on their website: ‘1.3 million people work in the healthcare and social welfare sector...]]> Wed, 10 Jul 2013 23:18:56 +0200 You cannot do anything in Holland without money, so the most important thing to organize first is your bank. Don't just join the first bank that you come across, as banks can vary in terms of service and product: quality, flexibility and range. Compare the market and choose a bank which best serves your needs as an expat. We have prepared a directory of the main Dutch banks and provided a brief description of each bank and what it offers to help you choose the right bank for you. Check the banks in the Netherlands...]]> Wed, 10 Jul 2013 22:50:15 +0200
The Dutch government continually attempts to make higher education as accessible as possible to students and mid-career professionals from other countries. In Holland, higher education is subsidized meaning that tuition fees can be kept relatively low, especially when compared with the United Kingdom and the United States.
Regular Scholarship
If you are in full-time/dual higher education in the Netherlands, you may be eligible for a student grant. You must satisfy the following three requirements:

Age: you must be under the age of 30 when you become entitled to a student grant
Nationality: you must be a Dutch...]]> Wed, 10 Jul 2013 22:31:52 +0200
Spouses Employment: Career assistance and counselling in the Netherlands

Together Abroad offers advice on your job prospects through a number of individual sessions with a career advisor.Together we examine your opportunities, taking into account your strengths, weaknesses and barriers. We will analyze your current situation and your ideas for your new professional challenge. Our advisors will also guide you through strategies and planning for your new career. In addition, we will assist you to search for job opportunities and learning options which can facilitate your entrance to your career choice in the Netherlands.

Additional modules of Spouses employment...]]> Wed, 10 Jul 2013 21:55:41 +0200
Relocating anywhere can be a very trying and difficult experience. That's why we're here - to help you find a house, settle in, and make your move and stay as pleasant as possible.

Perfect Housing is a full-service rental agency listing a large, screened portfolio of rental properties from partner providers.We offer you the following benefits:

* A licensed and professional agency
* Member of the Amsterdam Association of Housing Bureaus
* A wide selection of rental apartments
* Access to all broker's properties
* International, service-minded agents
* No registration costs

Why Perfect Housing?
We closely with local...]]> Sat, 06 Jul 2013 12:51:38 +0200 INTERNATIONAL JOB FAIR 2013 AMSTERDAM

The International Job Fair is the event for pursuing an international career in the Netherlands. It provides a unique opportunity to get all the information and contacts you need in one place. Within a single day, you’ll have the chance to meet employers from several industries as well as multilingual recruiters. During several presentations and workshops, you can gain in-depth knowledge of the Dutch job market.'

Order here your FREE ticket(s) to the International Job Fair!
...]]> Wed, 26 Jun 2013 17:58:01 +0200
Foreign companies a major driving force for jobs in Brabant

Over 1,100 jobs created in the first half of 2013, with some 2,000 new posts expected for the year

The rise in foreign companies settling in Brabant has proved to be a major driving force for employment in the province. Thanks to companies from abroad, 1,137 jobs were created in the first six months of 2013, marking a more than twofold increase (127 percent) over the same period in the preceding year. This emerged from figures released on Thursday by the Brabant Development Agency (BOM).

It is expected that for...]]> Tue, 25 Jun 2013 23:57:03 +0200
Unemployment rises further in May Increase in unemployment levels out slightly More unemployed aged over 25 Slight increase in unemployment benefits
Figures released by Statistics Netherlands today show that after adjustment for seasonal effects, unemployment in the Netherlands rose by 9 thousand in May, to 659 thousand persons.
Figures released by the Institute for Implementation of Employees’ Insurances (UWV) show that the number of unemployment benefits fell by 2 thousand in May, to 378 thousand.

Smaller rise in unemployment Netherlands
Unemployment rose to 8.3 percent in May. Nine thousand more people were out of work than in April. In the last...]]> Tue, 25 Jun 2013 23:45:33 +0200
CALLING ALL HIGH POTENTIALS!

For an elitegroup of candidates, we will be hosting 3 round table focus groups to discuss current trends and changes in secondary benefits, social media, targeting the right employers and general labour market conditions. As a high potential candidate, your input is invaluable to us and we would like to invite you to this niche event.

If you would like your views and opinions to count whilst acquainting yourself with an award winning employer in The Netherlands, this is your unique opportunity.

We will be holding 3 separate events for varying career levels, so if you...]]> Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:40:25 +0200


Sykes has been set up since 1977 and is now offering its services in 24 countries . How did the company evolve throughout its history, particularly in The Netherlands?
In 1877 Sykes USA was expending into EMEA. Amsterdam was chosen as EMEA Headquarters due to the diversity in the candidate’s pool. We continued as EMEA Headquarters until 2002-2003 until Headquarters moved to Edinburgh Ireland.

How is the ‘personal approach’ Sykes put into practice in regards to the candidates and the network of clients?
The clients from Sykes give a list of requirements. Sykes is very co-operative towards the clients and...]]> Tue, 11 Jun 2013 23:01:58 +0200
Adams specialises in matching multilingual candidates with exciting job opportunities in international companies in the Netherlands.

The company was established in 1997 by Maureen Adam – an experienced recruiter and a native English speaker. Maureen’s mission was twofold. Firstly, to create a recruitment company that would offer a high quality, professional service with an added personal element and secondly to help non-Dutch speaking candidates find jobs in the Netherlands. Maureen accomplished her mission. Since 1997 Adams has helped many non-Dutch speakers to find new and satisfying careers in the Netherlands whilst forging close working relationships with a wide variety of...]]> Wed, 12 Jun 2013 10:05:16 +0200
More than half of employees commute to work

At the end of 2011, nearly 56 percent of employees did not work in their municipality of residence. Larger cities in particular attract many commuters. Half of the busiest commuter routes lead to Amsterdam.

Nearly 4.5 million commuters
Nearly 4.5 million employees had to travel to another municipality to work; 3.6 million people worked in their municipality of residence. This implies that nearly 56 percent of all employees are commuters. In 2006, the share of commuters was approximately the same.

Major cities attract many commuters
The major Dutch cities attract most commuters....]]> Tue, 11 Jun 2013 18:32:30 +0200
• Decide on the right career path
• Manage your career
• Sell yourself with confidence on your CV and at interviews
• Review job search strategies
• Write a winning CV, Motivation Letter and LinkedIn Profile
• Start and grow your own business

Contact me today for a FREE 20 minute telecom strategy session and let’s start putting the fun and passion back into your working week!

Address:Kloosterlaan...]]> Mon, 10 Jun 2013 10:14:47 +0200
As a career coach I reconnect clients with their talents, passion, purpose, values and other critical aspects of their ideal work. I equip them with career management skills that can be used in future transitions in addition to enhancing their current work. The outcome of career coaching includes enhanced self-awareness, clarity about life and work related purposes and goals, increased ability to be effective in today’s changing workplace and to manage their own career by taking responsibility, and overall improvement of clients’ quality of life.


Zicht op passend werk door inzicht in talenten, competenties en...]]> Mon, 10 Jun 2013 10:08:52 +0200 Job Search or Career Orientation? That IS the question.
Most people who would like a new job, check out what’s on offer in the ‘job market’. This is looking outwards and around you, and is fine when you know what you’re looking for and what you want.

For expats the key question is “What do I have to offer to employers abroad; not knowing the local language and not knowing so much about the local market?”
When you don’t know, and still have a lot of questions on the subject, then you do well...]]> Mon, 10 Jun 2013 10:12:18 +0200 Continuous decline in amount of hours worked in temp jobs

In the first quarter of 2013, the amount of hours worked in stage A temp jobs was nearly 1.5 percent down on the fourth quarter of 2012. The number of hours worked in temp jobs declined for the fourth consecutive quarter. The index (2010=100) for the number of hours worked in stage A reached 101.7 in the first quarter. The figures are adjusted for seasonal variation.

Stage A includes people working for temp agencies on a contract basis without regular terms of employment. In stage A, it is easier for...]]> Tue, 04 Jun 2013 08:55:28 +0200

According to an ITU study, the Netherlands was ranked at 6th in the league table of the most advanced IT economies in the world. The study also shows that 94% of Dutch households have internet access, which is 21% above the European average.

This creates huge demand for IT products and services in the Netherlands which not only explains why there is such huge demand for IT professionals , it also explains why there are so many ITC Jobs in the Netherlands. Some of the biggest ITC employers in the world such as: Tata Communications, SAS, Microsoft, NetApp, EMC, Cognizant,...]]> Sat, 01 Jun 2013 08:52:04 +0200 Finance Jobs in The Netherlands.

The Dutch Ministry of finance has long been committed to creating a healthy finance sector in the Netherlands to ensure a good supply of finance jobs. And thanks to its favourable position in Europe, the Netherlands has always been regarded as a very attractive location for the major financial institutions. For example, the Netherlands has very modern finance legislation, it has a very stable business climate and the local population is very well educated, trained and internationally minded. It also has good status within the eurozone and has good relations with the other major financial...]]> Sat, 01 Jun 2013 08:48:27 +0200
Reduction older WW benefit recipients
At the end of December last year, 340 thousand unemployment (WW) benefits were granted, i.e. more than one and a half time as many as five years ago. The number of male recipients grew notably. Partly because the maximum benefit entitlement period was reduced, the share of 55 to 65-year-old recipients dropped to 25 percent.
Growth stronger among men than among women

The number of WW benefits granted to men has risen from 101 thousand at the end of 2007 to 190 thousand at the end of 2012. The number of unemployment benefits granted to...]]> Tue, 28 May 2013 15:35:38 +0200 81 per cent of European youths are willing to move abroad for work. These numbers were made clear from Research performed by StudentJob among ten thousand students and starters from seven western European countries showed these numbers. Although all youths show willingness, there are remarkable differences to be seen among these countries. Dutch youngsters are quite satisfied, the Spanish aren’t and Germans and Austrians are not quite as conservative as people seem to think.
In the last few weeks, StudentJob has questioned 10,651 students and starters from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, France, Spain and Great Britain. The main question...]]> Fri, 24 May 2013 08:54:47 +0200 The candidate and employer dynamic has been shifting for some time as a result of: globalization, changing work habits, the arrival of Generation Y, and the explosive arrival of new technologies such as social media and mobile. In this article, we will outline some of the key trends affecting recruitment in 2013.

1. Employer Branding Is Increasing. Employers are increasingly seeing the importance of developing an attractive employer brand in order to attract talent. This is shown by Employer Brand International's 2012/2013 Global Research Study which has revealed that 39% of companies are looking to increase their investment in employer branding...]]> Tue, 21 May 2013 08:48:31 +0200 Finding great leaders for a business is one of the constant challenges faced by all talent management teams. Great leaders can mean the difference between 'good' and 'great'; they can drive organizations through change, they can turnaround troubled businesses and they steer companies to success. So, what does a great leader look like?

Well, a recent white paper in Harvard Business Review, titled 'Leadership That Gets Results' has outlined an interesting modern framework that employers can use to spot great leaders in the hiring process. They argued that the most effective leaders are able to exhibit six different styles of leadership...]]> Tue, 21 May 2013 07:32:12 +0200 Unemployment further up
8.2 percent in the Dutch labour force unemployed in April
Unemployment rate higher among men in the last few months

Number of WW benefits unchanged
According to the latest figures released by Statistics Netherlands, seasonally adjusted unemployment increased by 7 thousand in April 2013 to reach 650 thousand.
Figures published by the Institute for Implementation of Employees’ Insurances (UWV) show that the number of unemployment (WW) benefits was 380 thousand in April, the same as in March.

Unemployment rate at 8.2 percent
The unemployment rate increased further in April to 8.2 percent. The monthly increase over the...]]> Wed, 15 May 2013 22:41:30 +0200 Amount of unfilled job vacancies marginally down
Fewer than 100 thousand vacancies by the end of March

Number of vacancies down by 5 thousand
Amount of vacancies substantially down in health care and welfare sector
According to the latest figures released by Statistics Netherlands, there were 97 thousand unfilled job vacancies by the end of March, i.e. 5 thousand down from the previous quarter. The figure is adjusted for seasonal variation. The downward trend thus continues and has reached the lowest level in ten years.

The number of vacancies declined across the board, but most - by 2 thousand to...]]> Wed, 15 May 2013 22:38:33 +0200

Hire me! A Diary Series

I find it hilarious when speaking to my grandpa (who is 94 years old and, as you can expect from a man of his age, is spending his days at home with no mayor occupations) and asking him to do me a favor he replies – ‘mmm I’ll see I don’t know if I can find the time to do that’. Ahh!? How is it possible that he comes up with this when we both know he spends his days doing ‘nothing’? I’m used to tease him by replying ‘ahh well, off course, doing nothing...]]> Fri, 11 May 2012 00:27:32 +0200

Introduction to the Netherlands“What makes the Dutch Dutch?”

For Who? For newly arrived internationals (expats and expat partners) to give them a head start when settling into Dutch society. Aimed at people who want to make the best of their stay in the Netherlands and who want to get to grips with the Dutch quickly.

What do I get? Participants will receive an introduction to the Dutch language, as well as practical information on the Dutch labour market and Dutch culture. This workshop provides the participants with all they need to know to make their stay in the Netherlands a...]]> Wed, 08 May 2013 15:42:35 +0200
Unemployment in the Netherlands higher than in Germany
According to the international definition, the unemployment rate in the Netherlands was 6.4 percent in March, i.e. above the German rate of 5.4 percent. Until September 2012, the unemployment rate in the Netherlands has been lower than in Germany. Last year, employment improved in nearly all German sectors.

Unemployment up in the Netherlands, stable in Germany
Since the German reunification, unemployment has always been lower in the Netherlands than in Germany, but this trend changed in 2012, when the rate was 5.4 percent in both countries according to the international definition. In...]]> Wed, 08 May 2013 08:34:01 +0200
This is a joint press release of TNO and Statistics Netherlands

More and more employees in the Netherlands are worried about losing their job. These concerns are greatest among 50-59 year-old employees. At the same time, employees in this age group are more often enthusiastic about their job than younger workers. These are among the initial results of the Netherlands Working Conditions Survey 2012, held by TNO and Statistics Netherlands.

At the end of 2012, 32 percent of employees were worried that they might lose their job. This is twice as many as in 2007, when 16 percent had such...]]> Wed, 08 May 2013 08:27:11 +0200 IDIS has announced the opening of a distributor network based out of Dongen in the Netherlands providing regional business operations to support next generation DirectIP™ high definition (HD) surveillance solutions.

IDIS Benelux BV offers customers a direct and local operation for DirectIP™ sales, service and technical support across Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. “By expanding our European presence and broadening our inventory, we improve efficiencies while providing local and tailored operations and programs that directly benefit our Benelux customers,” commented, Dr Young Dal Kim, CEO, IDIS Group of Korea.

Carlo A. Kuijer, CEO, IDIS Benelux, noted, ““We are building on...]]> Tue, 07 May 2013 10:54:17 +0200 Company Joins Thriving Dutch Gaming Scene


Chartboost, a San-Francisco based company that develops platforms for mobile games, has opened its first international office in Amsterdam.

The new location enables the company to provide real-time support to the one-third of Chartboost developers who are already based in Europe.

“We have always admired European developers and find their creativity and leadership inspiring. We are excited to now be even closer to that thriving game ecosystem,” said Maria Alegre, co-founder and CEO, Chartboost.

The Amsterdam area is currently home to more than 50 gaming companies, and the Dutch gaming market is expected to...]]> Tue, 07 May 2013 10:47:04 +0200  

Nyenrode Business Universiteit understands that choosing which university and program are the best for your is never an easy task. Therefore, they have created the MBA Weekends so you can experience what life would be like once you enroll in the MBA program.

Nyenrode MBA European Weekend consists in two action-packed days and nights at Nyenrode’s 13th Century estate which will provide potential International MBA and Executive MBA students with quality lectures and workships around the topic: ‘the role of Europe in the global business world’. During this event,...]]> Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:56:00 +0200 How To Use Social Media to Find Top Talent For Your Firm

Latest figures suggest that over 90% of employers are using social media for hiring. Why? Because talent shortages and tough economic conditions remain in place throughout the world – including the Netherlands – and social media is an effective new way to find both domestic and international talent at a low price.

This is why employers should get on board with social media hiring or risk being left behind in the war for talent. There are three social media hiring channels that you should focus on and these...]]> Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:22:13 +0200

Number of expat orders on the rise
Employees are able to obtain orders from abroad more easily. The number of expat orders has risen by 50 per cent.
According to a business survey held by Mercer, it is expected that the number of foreign orders will be on the increase this year. ManonGerritsen, expat consultant says, “Working abroad is becoming more and more popular and the orders are becoming more and more diverse. This is due to the fact that lately, a lot of companies have only been able to give out small increases in wages.” According to Mercer, the...]]> Mon, 22 Apr 2013 08:29:53 +0200

Its easy to think that in the modern world of jobs boards and social media hiring that Career Job Fairs in the Netherlands are dead. They are not, Career Job Fairs in the Netherlands are alive and kicking and still remain a great way to get a job.

So, why are jobs fairs in the Netherlands so popular? Because there is one key advantage that a career job fair in the Netherlands has over other job search tactics That is, a career job fair in the Netherlands gives you immediate access to a Dutch employer and if you...]]> Sun, 21 Apr 2013 08:40:45 +0200
Winnaar Intercedent van het Jaar 2013
Dé Intercedent van 2013 is bekend! Het is Suzanne Jongejan-Eversteijn van Unique. Tijdens de spannende finale waarin de tien runners up met elkaar hebben gestreden om de titel heeft Suzanne niet alleen de Award in ontvangst genomen, ze mag ook een jaar lang in een auto van de Intercedent van het Jaar rijden. ARTRA Arbeidsmarkttrainingen kijkt samen met de ABU, de NBBU en ál haar sponsoren terug op ‘Het leukste Flexevent van 2013!’

Tot het laatste moment spannend
In de middag hebben de drie finalisten Suzanne, Iris Mulder van Adecco en Kristel Frey van Manpower...]]> Sat, 20 Apr 2013 19:54:09 +0200

Social media is an important and exciting new recruitment channel which many employers are now incorporating into their hiring process. Reports suggest that up to 90% of employers now use social media to attract talent. The most popular social media hiring channel is Linked-In and Twitter is very popular too. So, what does it take to effectively attract talent through Linked-In or Twitter?

Starting with Linked-In. One of the most effective ways to find talent on Linked-In is to build a following of relevant talent on Linked-In and then to market vacancies to your following. The best way to do...]]> Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:22:40 +0200

The stunning facility will be dedicated to driving innovation and new products that will excite consumers and customers in The Netherlands and across Europe, a key market for Heinz, a global leader in the packaged foods industry.

In total 160 chefs, food-scientists, quality engineers and researchers will drive innovation across Europe in this...]]> Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:32:47 +0200 Unemployment in the Netherlands rises to over 8 percent Unemployment rises sharply in March Slight increase in unemployment benefits According to figures released today by Statistics Netherlands, seasonally adjusted unemployment in the Netherlands rose by 30 thousand in March, to 643 thousand people.
Figures published by UWV – the organisation responsible for implementing unemployment benefits - show that the number of unemployment benefit claimants rose by 3 thousand to 380 thousand in March.

Unemployment in the Netherlands rises sharply again
Unemployment rose further in the Netherlands in March, to 8.1 percent. Three months previously, 7.2 percent of the labour force were out...]]> Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:25:25 +0200 What Does it Take to Manage International Teams Effectively?
As a result of the globalization of trade, culture and talent over the last decade, employers now find themselves leading and managing international teams consisting of staff of multiple nationalities and coming from diverse cultures. This change in the make up of teams cannot be ignored and companies with international teams needs to internationalize their management processes if they are to remain effective.

So, what does it take to manage international teams effectively?
One of the main ways that the management process can be internationalized is to hire, promote and encourage...]]> Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:16:20 +0200 Modern Migration Policy Act enters into force on 1 June 2013 

The Modern Migration Policy Act (Wet modern migratiebeleid) will be introduced on 1 June 2013. State Secretary Teeven stated this in his letter to the House of Representatives. The National Visa Act (Wet nationale visa, also referred to as the MVV Act) will be introduced simultaneously.

The Modern Migration Policy Act can enter into force now that INDiGO, the new information system of the IND, is functioning and can adequately support the implementation of the act.

Once the act has been introduced, most migrants will need to have a sponsor...]]> Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:45:40 +0200 Its easy to think that in the modern world of jobs boards and social media hiring that Careers Fairs in the Netherlands are dead. They are not, Careers Fairs in the Netherlands are alive and kicking and still remain a great way to get a job.

So, why are jobs fairs in the Netherlands so popular? Because there is one key advantage that a job fair in the Netherlands has over other job search tactics That is, a jobs fair in the Netherlands gives you immediate access to a Dutch employer and if you can impress their hiring team, it...]]> Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:06:31 +0200 The average age in the employed labour force has risen further to 41.4 years in 2012.
On average, employees are younger than self-employed, but their average age increases faster. The sectors public administration and government services have aged most during the past two decades.

Average age in the employed labour force continues to rise
Between 1990 and 2012, the average age in the employed labour force has increased from 36.2 to 41.4 years. The labour force is ageing because the entire Dutch population is ageing, but mainly because the labour participation rate among older people has risen significantly. In 1990,...]]> Mon, 15 Apr 2013 08:30:20 +0200 The cabinet and the social partners have agreed on a sizeable package of measures for the future of the labour market.
The main points are: The 4.5 billion austerity programme for 2014 will be ignored completely. It will be assessed if it will be necessary to take further action for 2014 in August. Because of this, the announced income freeze for the government and for the care sector is cancelled. The arrangements made by the coalition agreement on the unemployment benefit term are slashed. Instead, the unemployment benefit term will be shortened gradually from 2016 onwards to two years. Arrangements...]]> Mon, 15 Apr 2013 08:08:43 +0200 RELOCATION HOLLAND

In our increasingly globalized world, job seekers are becoming more globally mobile than they have ever been. Yes, a recent survey by CERC tells us that 25% of workers from 24 countries surveyed would be 'very likely' to move abroad, which is up 6 points from 19% last year. So, it is clear that there is a huge pool of global talent who are willing to internationally relocate to the Netherlands for a job. However, in this highly competitive, global talent market-place international employers must have an appealing brand message if they are to attract and secure the services...]]> Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:25:53 +0200 Dutch Employment Law | Netherlands

There are several areas of legal advice that may be important to you when you are an expat in the Netherlands and it is important to ensure that you know your rights and the laws of the land and the work-place before taking up assignment.

One of the first areas that you must be fully aware of when in the Netherlands is your immigration status. You must be absolutely clear on the terms of your residency permit and work permit and be careful not to breach them. If you have come from outside the EU you...]]> Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:15:57 +0200 We know that the global employment situation is especially difficult at the moment due to the persistent global economic slowdown. This has created many areas within the world where jobs are scarce and, if you are in countries with high unemployment or limited career options, it can seem like you are in a career dead end, like it is the end of the world.

The truth is though that the world does not end at your country's border, it begins there, and if you go out and search this world, you will find plenty of countries with great employment...]]> Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:00:29 +0200
This is probably not the first article that you have read that attempts to portray a country as a great place to live and build a career, and it won't be the last. But, without doubt, choosing to establish the next step of your international job in Holland could be one of the best choices that you make in your life. This is a bold statement we know, and we can back it up, and justify exactly why a job in Holland is so special.
Netherlands Jobs

Well, the first reason that we think a job in the Netherlands is...]]> Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:54:01 +0200
In the first quarter of this year, collectively negotiated (CAO) wages increased by 1.8 percent. The wage increase is the highest since the end of 2009, but is still far below the level of inflation. Contractual wage costs increased by 2.2 percent in the first quarter.

Wage increase has been below inflation level for eleven quarters
The average wage increase has been below the level of inflation since the third quarter of 2010. This was also the case in the first quarter of 2013: the collectively negotiated wage increase is...]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2013 17:02:17 +0200
The average annual bonus of employees has risen by 5 percent in 2011. The highest average bonuses were paid in the sectors mineral extraction and financial services. Bonuses paid in the (semi-)public sector were far below the average of 2 thousand euros.
Highest average bonuses paid in mineral extraction sector
The sector mineral extraction topped the list in 2011 with an average bonus of 12.5 thousand euros per working year. With 8 thousand jobs, mineral extraction is a small sector. The sector financial services (e.g. banks, insurance companies and pension funds) occupied second place with an...]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:57:20 +0200 University bachelors graduate sooner
The share of bachelor students at universities graduating within 5 years has grown substantially. Female students still graduate faster than their male counterparts, but men are catching up.
More than two thirds take their bachelor’s degree within 5 years
After 5 years, 68 percent of first year university students in study year 2007/’08, had completed their bachelor’s degree, i.e. an increase by 5 percentage points compared to first-year students from 2006/’07 and 8 percentage points compared to 2005/’06. The increase comes after a period, in which the binding study advice, the bachelor-before-master rule and the long-study...]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:54:44 +0200 What Does it Take to Manage International Teams Effectively?

As a result of the globalization of trade, culture and talent over the last decade, employers now find themselves leading and managing international teams consisting of staff of multiple nationalities and coming from diverse cultures. This change in the make up of teams cannot be ignored and companies with international teams needs to internationalize their management processes if they are to remain effective.

So, what does it take to manage international teams effectively?

One of the main ways that the management process can be internationalized is to hire, promote and encourage...]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:26:37 +0200
The Leiden area is a booming knowledge region. It is home to the Leiden University, the Leiden Bio Science Park, the aerospace cluster and the floral industry. Apart from offering challenging jobs, the Leiden region is an excellent location for living and recreation.

The Expat Centre Leiden provides a warm welcome to expats who live and work in the Leiden region. We will help you find answers to questions about the issues you will deal with when settling in the Netherlands. Our dedicated expat officers will answer your questions and offer you advice on a wide range of...]]> Thu, 04 Apr 2013 09:22:17 +0200
Within the Twente Region, which is in the East of the Netherlands, there are many international companies and therefore there are a lot of expats within the Twente Region. With the Expat Center, the World Trade Center Twente has fulfilled the need of an organisation, where expats can find answers to...]]> Thu, 04 Apr 2013 09:15:09 +0200
Expats can obtain regional information about procedures, housing, taxation, finance & insurance, education & careers, personal & social needs, culture & leisure and much more at the Expat Center South in Tilburg, Eindhoven and Maastricht.

How to Find Holland Expat Center South | Eindhoven
Kennedyplein 200
5611 ZT Eindhoven

How to Find Holland Expat Center South | Maastricht
Mosae Forum 10
6211 DW Maastricht

How to Find Holland...]]> Thu, 04 Apr 2013 09:13:18 +0200
After a successful few years, the Expatcenter still has its sights set on expanding services and building bridges for Amsterdam’s international community.

The cities of Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Almere and Haarlemmermeer, together with the Immigration and Naturalisation Services (IND), have joined forces to create the Expatcenter. The Expatcenter, situated in the World Trade Center in Amsterdam Zuid, provides a one-stop-shop service for highly-skilled migrants.

Successful...]]> Thu, 04 Apr 2013 09:11:27 +0200
More than half of unemployed workers, who have been without work for more than one year, usually find employment in a different sector from where they were working before.

Results of research performed by UWV proved this last Wednesday. Furthermore, the long-term unemployed (unemployed for more than one year) find work approximately three months quicker than jobseekers only searching for work in their own field. The number of long-term unemployed workers has been on the rise for quite some time. Figures supplied by CBS showed that in the...]]> Wed, 03 Apr 2013 18:22:17 +0200
We are Arlette de Haan and Els de Buvry. With over 25 years of experience in financial planning, relocation, house hunting and tax services, we recognized the necessity for a more customized approach to the needs of our clients. Based on these experiences we founded Tulip Expats Services. 
Tulip Expats Services provide advice to those who wish to work and live in the Netherlands and also to (overseas) companies who do, or are planning to do, business in the Netherlands. Because we specialize in all these areas we are familiar with all the specific rules and regulations and can...]]> Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:52:15 +0200 Established in 1990, Settle Service is your trusted partner for immigration and relocation services in the Netherlands. Our aim is to ease your way through government regulations and all kinds of practical aspects related to a relocation. We are at your service; are your guide to, in and out of the Netherlands. Please explore our website and find out what we do and who we are. If you have a question, please send us an e-mail or contact us through the contact button on the left hand side.

Settle Service: to guarantee a positive start!

Settle Service guides your way...]]> Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:46:31 +0200
Relocation Services Holland's goal is to ease the Human Resource Department's work load. We aim to remove all worries and concerns about the assignees’ immigration and...]]> Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:40:54 +0200
Relocation isn't just a question of finding a house, especially for international expatriates! It's about creating an enjoyable life in a brand new culture for themselves and their families. Our professional staff’s main priority is to make the difference between an normal service and a successful new start. They make sure to ensure a smooth transition during the whole relocation and settling in. This enables the employee to focus on his/her new job, quickly and stress-free, generating a healthy return on investment.

The people at Relocation isn't just a question of finding a house, especially for international expatriates! It's about...]]> Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:35:35 +0200
The world is becoming smaller and workers are becoming more globally mobile. Yes, research from CERC tells us that 25% of employees from 24 countries say that they would be 'very likely' to take up a job in a new country, which is 6% higher than last year.

But, even though many of you are very keen to move abroad for work to the Netherlands in order to take advantage of the global jobs market, many of you are not seizing the opportunity to work in a new country. We think that you may...]]> Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:30:20 +0200
Together Abroad offers you advice on your job prospects through a number of individual sessions with a career advisor.
Together we examine your opportunities, taking into account your strengths, weaknesses and barriers.
We will analyze your current situation and your ideas for your new professional challenge.

Our career coaches will also guide you through strategies and planning for your new career. In addition, we will assist you to search for job opportunities and learning options which can facilitate your entrance to your career choice in the Netherlands.

ADDITIONAL MODULES OF CAREER COACHING NETHERLANDS: Career development Assesment Job analysis List of companies...]]> Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:09:47 +0200
Thinking about a career change? Not sure which education to pursue? The Dutch labor market allows the creativity to focus on your full potential, regardless of you previous career? Finding a job abroad is not always easy, particularly if you do not know the language. You would probably be surprised to learn about how many job opportunities for non-Dutch speakers there are in the Netherlands.

The hardest part is getting started:
Where to look for vacancies?
How to present yourself for a job interview?
What kind of opportunities are there for your experience?

At Together Abroad...]]> Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:01:42 +0200

Shell attracts ex-military staff

Shell will start hiring redundant military staff from next month onwards
On Wednesday afternoon, the energy group and Ministry of Defence will sign a covenant on the matter which will run from 2 April 2013 until 31 March 2014. The agreements made may be extended each time by a period of one year, should both parties be in agreement. Shell is specifically looking for staff for logistic posts, maintenance workers, operators and staff for the contracts & procurement department. “We know that military workers have useful competences and qualities to work for Shell”.

Cooperation

“Cooperation, flexibility,...]]> Tue, 02 Apr 2013 10:41:28 +0200 eG Innovations Focuses on Continental Europe, Opens Office in the Netherlands

Growing Demand for Performance Management Solutions in Europe, Record Customer Adoption and Strong Partner Growth Fueling Expansion
Iselin, N.J., March 26, 2013 eG Innovations, the award-winning provider of automated performance management solutions for virtual, cloud and physical IT infrastructures, today announced that it has opened an office in The Hague, the Netherlands. This new location will allow eG Innovations to better meet the needs of European customers as they seek to gain greater visibility into the performance of applications and IT infrastructures. Headquartered in Singapore, eG Innovations has offices...]]> Tue, 02 Apr 2013 08:35:28 +0200

Als je als expat (tijdelijk) naar het buitenland gaat om daar je werkzaamheden te verrichten, heb je nog steeds recht op dezelfde bonus als je expat-collega’s. Dit geldt ook wanneer je collega’s, die werken op lokale arbeidsvoorwaarden, die bonus niet krijgen, zo bepaalde recentelijk de kantonrechter Groningen (LJN: BZ0528).


Expat-bonusIn deze zaak ging het om een Nederlandse werknemer, werkzaam bij een internationaal bedrijf, die sinds 2005 als expat werkzaam was in Kazakhstan. In 2010 werd hem verteld dat hij een bonus uitgekeerd zou krijgen, te weten ‘payment of 70% of 24 leave days for the...]]> Fri, 29 Mar 2013 08:46:13 +0100 The Modern Migration Policy Act (Wet modern migratiebeleid) will be introduced on 1 June 2013. State Secretary Teeven stated this in his letter to the House of Representatives. The National Visa Act (Wet nationale visa, also referred to as the MVV Act) will be introduced simultaneously.

The Modern Migration Policy Act can enter into force now that INDiGO, the new information system of the IND, is functioning and can adequately support the implementation of the act.

Once the act has been introduced, most migrants will need to have a sponsor in the Netherlands. Sponsors and migrants have statutory obligations under...]]> Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:15:00 +0100
Most people underestimate the complexity of an Income Tax Return (IT) and often get stuck during the preparation process. In order to prevent this from happening, it is wise to first consult a tax adviser or to have your Income Tax Return prepared by a certified tax adviser.

Income Tax is levied on natural persons. All the residents of the Netherlands are liable for Income Tax, but obviously a person is only liable for Income Tax if he/she earns an income. Residents of the Netherlands (domestic taxpayers) have to pay Income Tax on their income, wherever in the...]]> Thu, 28 Mar 2013 15:43:46 +0100
The Innovation Union Scoreboard shows that the Netherlands has risen to the fifth place this year of most innovative economies in the European Union. 'This great score shows that the Dutch economy is very strong. The Netherlands belongs in the top five.' says minister Kamp of Economic Affairs.

Innovation performance in the EU has improved year on year in spite of the continuing economic crisis, but the innovation divide between Member States is widening. Drivers of innovation growth in the EU include SMEs and the commercialisation of innovations, together with excellent...]]> Thu, 28 Mar 2013 15:32:58 +0100
Your resume gives the prospective employer the first impression on your skills, capacity, and potential. It is therefore extremely important to get it right. Particularly in times of economic turndown like today, your resume is the most valuable asset and selling point for you to enter the job market. And what about your motivation letter in the Netherlands? Does it reflect all your capabilities and experience?
COVER LETTER IN HOLLAND
The cover letter is not necessarily an integral part of your job application in Holland. You can use the passage ‘Personal profile’...]]> Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:02:47 +0100 Cross-cultural training Netherlands

Are you about to meet with a foreign business contact? Here’s your chance for a great first impression! 
Culture-inc have composed 10 do’s and don’ts for doing business in the Netherlands

Cross-cultural training Netherlands Plan your meeting well in advance; Dutch are ruled by their agenda's
Get down to business fairly soon; too much small talk may be viewed as lack
of competence
Expect decision making to be slow due the need for consensus; all involved may
voice their opinions first 
Dutch tend to be very direct and honest in their communication, but they do not
tell you everything
Dutch don...]]> Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:11:49 +0100 ICP  International Community Platform survey Let your talent pay off

Dear international,

Please participate in the ICP* survey on “The Quality of your Professional Life””. With your input and needs we can create an optimal working and living environment for international talent and their relatives.

Our goal: enable your talent to pay off!

Are you an international employee, self-employed, student or so called ‘STARS’ (Spouses Traveling and Relocating Successfully), please share your input via the link to the online survey.
Completing the survey will take approximately 15 minutes of your time. Should you not be able to complete the survey...]]> Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:15:31 +0100 “Nyenrode Programs for Professionals & Entrepreneurs”

Nyenrode Business Universiteit is offering breakthrough international programs for experienced professionals and entrepreneurs to enhance their business skills and knowledge with insights than can immediately be put into practice in their current businesses. These programs are MBA level courses with an international focus and a practical orientation.

Nyenrode programs allow professionals and entrepreneurs to experience the most up-to-date academic know-how and the best business practices in topics such as entrepreneurship, international business, sustainability and finance. All our programs for professionals and entrepreneurs are English-taught. These programs last from 5 to 10 days.

Find more...]]> Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:57:06 +0100 Meet WILMA VAN DER VEER

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND IN RELOCATION?
I have worked in the relocation industry since 1996. I started on the household moving side and then realized there was much more to a move then shipping furniture. From there I started to work closely together with local Dutch relocation companies. After that I set up European relocation management in 27 European countries together with ARM in Asia. In 2003, we became Global Relocation Services (GRS), which has locations in 90 countries around the world.


WHAT ARE YOUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE AND INTEREST?
I have broad interests, but...]]> Mon, 25 Mar 2013 11:18:37 +0100 Positive results for NFIA in 2012 despite continuing difficult economic times

THE HAGUE, 14 February 2013 - The Netherlands continues to be very attractive for foreign companies. In 2012, the NFIA (Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency) supported 170 foreign investment projects, with a total value of more than 930 million Euros. These projects will result in 5,166 jobs, of which 1,795 relate to job retention. The share of job retention in 2012 has nearly doubled in comparison to 2011, according to the latest annual results for the NFIA.

Bas Pulles,...]]> Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:53:49 +0100
China State Key chose the Netherlands due to the advanced innovative-ecosystems and for Delft in particular because of the successful partnering in Beijing, by exchanging knowledge and expertise . It is the first...]]> Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:11:48 +0100
Since 11 January the new European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) is up and running to help protect European citizens and businesses from cyber-crime. EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström articipated in the official opening of the Centre established at the European Police Office, Europol in the Hague (the Netherlands).

"The Cybercrime Centre will give a strong boost to the EU‘s capacity to fight cybercrime and defend an internet that is free, open and secure. Cybercriminals are smart and quick in using new technologies for criminal purposes; the EC3...]]> Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:16:03 +0100
The projects reported on in 2012 reflected a significantly higher growth expectation: 889 new jobs in 3 years....]]> Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:08:00 +0100 My motivation to start working for Randstad was that I was looking for a job in a dynamic working environment, with a large multinational company. I had heard very good stories about Randstad as an employer and that they invested a lot in the training and development of new employees.


Our specific approach with Randstad Multilingual Recruitment is a personal approach. We work with a team of 5 people, who are responsible for establishing and maintaining all relations ourselves. Our process is quite straightforward: candidates that apply or that we headhunt ourselves, get a telephone interview. In this interview, a...]]> Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:48:23 +0100
Dear International,

My name is Suzanne Jongejan, i work for UNIQUE inhouse SHELL DH and i have been nominated for Intercedent / recruiter van het jaar (Consultant/recruiter of the year)!
A huge honor and I have already made it through the first round! Intercedent van het Jaar is a yearly election for professionals in the recruitment industry and in order to help win the election, I will need to get as many votes as possible on my promo film. Aside from this I have been tested on my knowledge and will be tested on commercial&management skills. Based on the results of this, I hope to...]]> Tue, 19 Mar 2013 08:55:17 +0100
What was the motivationt start working for Unique?

What attracted me initially was the combination of sales and recruitment which Content offered in one job (Content merged with Unique in 2010). For me it is very important to have a dynamic job while being able to mean something for people. Previously I had been working in sales and I was just selling products that could make peoples live easier. At some point I wanted to add value on a much deeper level. In this job you can actually change peoples lives by offering them the opportunity that they have been...]]> Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:50:14 +0100
Women should be able to take their maternity leave in sections and spread the 10 full weeks over a maximum period of 30 weeks.
Pia Dijkstra and Steven van Weyenberg, members of parliament for D66, will put forward a proposal on Friday, International Women’s Day, in order to realize this plan. Coalition parties VVD and PvdA say they have sympathetic views regarding the plans but will await the exact details and form an opinion, keeping the cabinet’s proposals in mind. The bill is expected to be under discussion after the summer. Dijkstra sees many advantages in the amendment. It would...]]> Mon, 18 Mar 2013 09:00:07 +0100
Over a third of all employees are willing to hand in part of their wage in order to keep their job. On average, Dutch people will give up 5 per cent of their salary.

A group of 5 per cent is even willing to hand in over 10 per cent if that means their job is safe. Research performed by the ING shows that 62 per cent of the workforce do not think they will be able to change jobs in the near future. A mere 23 per cent believe they would be able to find new work should this...]]> Mon, 18 Mar 2013 08:58:34 +0100
45 thousand employees earn 100 thousand euros or more
In 2011, the average annual wage of employees per job was 31 thousand euros; 145 thousand employees in the Netherlands annually earned 100 thousand euros or more in 2011.

Nearly six in ten jobholders earn less than 30 thousand euros
There were 7.9 million employee jobs in the Netherlands in 2011. The average annual wage was 31,340 euros, including special bonuses, like end-of-year bonuses, performance-related bonuses, etc. Approximately one in twenty jobs are secondary jobs.
In 4.7 million jobs, employees earned an annual wage of 30 thousand euros or less, i.e....]]> Sun, 17 Mar 2013 09:17:48 +0100 Unemployment highest in Flevoland

Unemployment increased across all Dutch provinces last year. The highest rates were recorded in Flevoland, South Holland and Groningen. The unemployment rate is still relatively high in the north of the Netherlands, but the gap between the north and the rest of the country has narrowed.

Unemployment rate Flevoland 8 percent
Last year, 6.4 percent of the Dutch labour force were unemployed. With 8 percent, the province of Flevoland had the highest rate. The rate was also relatively high in the provinces of Groningen and South Holland. Just as in 2011, these three provinces had...]]> Sun, 17 Mar 2013 09:07:49 +0100
Are positive, understanding professionals who enjoy sharing their extensive experience and resources to keep your international relocation costs within budget while ensuring well adjusted families with highly personalized services. They are host, teacher and friend. They know the country – the customs, the culture – and understand all about moving and living overseas. Through their experience and knowledge we provide relocating families the patient and positive support so necessary to adjust quickly to their new surroundings. 

Global Relocation Services excel at solving relocation challenges by providing the most essential and comprehensive solutions. In addition, we are committed to...]]> Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:38:20 +0100 The vision of Verra Real Estate is to guarantee and provide international companies, expats and private persons the highest possible standard of service, legal knowledge and quality housing during their stay in the Netherlands. This vision has been developed by our team as a result of our experience in the ordinary rental market. The current housing agencies do not apply the same standards as Verra Real Estate. The lack of service and quality had become a common practice in the...]]> Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:33:15 +0100
We know that the global employment situation is especially difficult at the moment due to the persistent global economic slowdown. This has created many areas within the world where jobs are scarce and, if you are in countries with high unemployment or limited career options, it can seem like you are in a career dead end, like it is the end of the world.

The truth is though that the world does not end at your country's border, it begins there, and if you go out and search this world, you will find plenty of countries...]]> Wed, 13 Mar 2013 08:36:56 +0100
The world is becoming smaller and workers are becoming more globally mobile. Yes, research from CERC tells us that 25% of employees from 24 countries say that they would be 'very likely' to take up a job in a new country, which is 6% higher than last year.

But, even though many of you are very keen to move abroad for work to the Netherlands in order to take advantage of the global jobs market, many of you are not seizing the opportunity to work in a new country. We think that you may be missing an opportunity to...]]> Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:01:09 +0100 We hebben 2- talige of meertalige vacatures in Nederland online beschikbaar.

Where can HR managers find internationals who are ready to work in Holland?

There is an ongoing discussion in the Dutch media about the shortage of skilled workers. Experts and authorities in the trade forecast that by 2014,The Netherlands will have a shortage of about 60,000 skilled workers and the Dutch job industry would have to rely on foreign skilled workforce to fill up this shortage in the near future.

Linda Groener, the co-owner of the job board for internationals...]]> Tue, 12 Mar 2013 12:59:32 +0100
As with most countries in the world, tax is an important personal consideration that you must get right in the Netherlands in order to avoid unnecessary financial penalties.

But, one of the best incentives to properly investigate and organize your tax is that proper tax management can minimize the amount of tax that you are required to pay, and maximize your disposable income. This means that you will have more money to spend on the things that you enjoy.

First things first; as an expat in the Netherlands you will most likely be subject to income tax....]]> Tue, 12 Mar 2013 12:46:09 +0100
Legal recruitment dropped very sharply by -20% and research & development did not fare much better as hiring activity went down by -19%.

The index also highlights that elementary occupations maintained a positive growth track and grew by +8%, but managers experienced the greatest reduction in annual...]]> Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:36:33 +0100
In February this year, 755 businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses) in the Netherlands were declared bankrupt. This is the highest monthly number ever recorded. In January, the number of bankruptcies was also high (734).

As the number of businesses declared bankrupt in a particular month is closely related to the number of days courts are in session, it may vary considerably from month to month. Therefore, the three-month moving average is a more reliable indicator.
The three-month moving average stood at 680 in February, i.e. the highest number since the beginning of the time series...]]> Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:23:48 +0100 In 2011, the gross annual wage of female employees averaged 33 thousand euro, i.e. 55 percent of the average income of their male colleagues, who earned 58 thousand euro. The gender income gap is very wide among (married) couples with children. The gender income gap in the Netherlands is in the middle range in the European Union (EU).
Considerable income gap between working parents
The difference in earned income between men and women is relatively small for single employees. On average, single women’s wages are 84 percent of single men’s wages, but in...]]> Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:21:26 +0100
In het tweede jaar van haar master Sociale Wetenschappen aan de Universiteit van Amsterdam kreeg Shuiqin Liu een Nederlandse vriend. Was ze anders ook hier gebleven na haar afstuderen? “Waarschijnlijk niet”, zegt de Chinese. Via een Chinese online community kwam ze er bovendien achter dat ze na het afronden van haar studie nog een jaar in Nederland mocht blijven om een baan...]]> Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:27:00 +0100
As a result of globalization, and the fact that companies in the Netherlands are increasingly looking to expand into new global markets, there is a huge demand for foreign language speakers. And, fortunately for bilingual candidates, the supply of bi-lingual talent in the Netherlands is not keeping up with demand, which is why you will find a large number of bi-lingual job vacancies in the Netherlands.

This means that one of the best ways to increase your chances of employment in the Netherlands is to learn a second language which will make you a...]]> Wed, 06 Mar 2013 20:35:11 +0100
U zit nog midden in de verhuizing of u bent net aangekomen in Nederland.
U woont hier al een tijdje en maar u heeft nog moeite met de Nederlandse arbeidsmarkt.
Bent u bekend met de wijze waarop u werk in Nederland kunt vinden?
Together Abroad geeft een workshop over het vinden van werk in Nederland en de nieuwste trends op het gebied van personeelswerving.

Diverse punten over het vinden van werk in Nederland
• Nederlandse arbeidsmarkt:
• huidige situatie van de arbeidsmarkt
• bedrijven met vacatures
• verborgen vacatures

Werving- en selectiebureaus:
•...]]> Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:41:20 +0100
Denkt u over een carrièreswitch? U weet niet zeker welke opleiding u moet kiezen? Is het op de Nederlandse arbeidsmarkt mogelijk om gebruik te maken van uw talenten, ongeacht uw loopbaan tot nu toe?
Het is niet altijd makkelijk om een baan in het buitenland te vinden, zeker niet als je de taal niet machtig bent. Het is verbazingwekkend hoeveel mogelijkheden er zijn op de arbeidsmarkt in Nederland voor non-native speakers.
Het moeilijkste is het begin: waar zijn vacatures te vinden? Hoe presenteer je jezelf bij een sollicitatiegesprek? Wat zijn de mogelijkheden voor iemand met uw ervaring? Together Abroad geeft...]]> Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:38:58 +0100
An international oriented company is constantly in need of qualified multilingual personnel. This career portal which is connected to Google, LinkedIn, Facebook and other social and professional networks allows your company to place their multilingual vacancies and to select directly their candidates. But what’s more important, you have access to all around information on the candidates including, their references, interests, groups they are associated with, and much more. It is a very unique way to select your own staff and to promote your company within professional circles.

Together Abroad de Vacaturebank voor meertalig talent in...]]> Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:35:22 +0100
The motivation letter in the Netherlands is not necessarily an integral part of your job application in Holland. You can use the passage ‘Personal profile’ in your CV/ Resume to reflect your experience and objectives. If the companies requires a cover/ motivation letter it should refer to your present and future plans, showing your prospective employers what you want to do now and what you will do for them in the future.
A motivation letter Its goal is to introduce the CV/ Resume, to bring to attention aspects of your activity that can help your application and are...]]> Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:14:45 +0100
The career portal of Together Abroad is meant for multilingual professionals. The active CV database of high educated multilingual candidates experienced in a broad scale of job sectors, coming from all career levels and regions of the Netherlands is accecible for companies and recruitment agencies.

Technology for job postings:

Together Abroad has an active connection with: Knollenstein Technologies, Ingoedebanen and Broadbean wich are compatible with most recruitment systems like Carerix, Connexys, CTB Flex, Hireserve, Mr.Ted, Otys, PeopleXS Actonomy, FlexService, Memocom/Commence, UB Plus and Yellowyard, etc.
Together Abroad has also technology to post the jobs automatically from your...]]> Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:00:11 +0100 The Underground adds a new topic related to employment to its printed edition. The aim of this new topic is to help its readers have a better understanding of how to succeed in a job search in the Netherlands.

According to Nu.nl, the rate of unemployment in the Netherlands is rising rapidly and currently points at 7% of the workforce. As part of The Underground’s commitment to assist the community of The Hague with its needs, the paper will publish a monthly article regarding employment from March 2013 onwards. The aim of this new content is to...]]> Mon, 04 Mar 2013 21:26:07 +0100
Fonterra and A-ware Food Group confirm European partnership with new plants in Holland

New cheese and dairy ingredients plants in Heerenveen

New Zealand-based Fonterra and Netherlands-based A-ware Food Group have given the green light to develop a new cheese plant and dairy ingredients plant in Heerenveen in the north of the Netherlands.

New Zealand-based Fonterra and Netherlands-based A-ware Food Group have given the green light to develop a new cheese plant and dairy ingredients plant in Heerenveen in the north of the Netherlands.

Fonterra CEO Theo Spierings and A-ware Food Group CEO Jan Anker have today confirmed the...]]> Mon, 04 Mar 2013 20:00:11 +0100 GERMAN JOBS IN THE NETHERLANDS
Great Reasons to Get A German Job In The Netherlands – and how to do it

Our research tells us that more and more of you are looking to move abroad for work. In fact a recent survey from CERC which polled 13,000 employees in 24 countries revealed that 25% of people said that they would be 'very likely' to take a job abroad in another country, which is a 6% increase from last year. People relocate abroad for many reasons such as: to broaden their experience, develop their career, experience new...]]> Sun, 03 Mar 2013 00:02:39 +0100
FRENCH JOBS IN THE NETHERLANDS
Great Reasons to Get A French Job In The Netherlands – and how to do it

Our research tells us that more and more of you are looking to move abroad for work. In fact a recent survey from CERC which polled 13,000 employees in 24 countries revealed that 25% of people said that they would be 'very likely' to take a job abroad in another country, which is a 6% increase from last year. People relocate abroad for many reasons such as: to broaden their experience, develop their career, experience new cultures...]]> Sat, 02 Mar 2013 23:50:46 +0100
Research from the Global Talent Barometer tells us that more than 2 thirds of people are currently willing to work abroad, which is a 7% increase in global mobility from 2006. We know therefore that there is a huge demand amongst global job seekers to find a job in a new country, however, with so much choice, it is not easy to decide which destination will be right for you. However, one location which we think serves as an excellent destination for international workers looking to relocate is the Netherlands. Yes, we believe there...]]> Sat, 02 Mar 2013 23:48:15 +0100
One of the best ways to integrate into a new country and to get ahead in the work-place is for you to learn the local language.

Learning Dutch or English in the Netherlands can be a challenge but also an opportunity to grow in your new life or job in the Netherlands. Everyone has his or her motivations for learning Dutch or English, in the Netherlands such as increasing your chances on the job market, earning your entry ticket to an educational institute, improving your social life, acquiring a feeling of integration, feeling more...]]> Sat, 02 Mar 2013 23:29:43 +0100
One of the most important things to get right when you move to the Netherlands is choosing a location to live which is in commutable distance to your place of work and which also meets your personal lifestyle needs such as access to local amenities and entertainment. Get it right and you will have a strong foundation from which you and your family can go about their working and personal lives. Get it wrong and you may find yourself in the uncomfortable position of having to move again.

One good way of handling the uncertainty...]]> Sat, 02 Mar 2013 23:21:09 +0100
CAREER ASSISTANCE AND COUNSELLING IN THE NETHERLANDS 
Spouse employment: Career assistance and counselling in the Netherlands

Together Abroad offers advice on your job prospects through a number of individual sessions with a career advisor.Together we examine your opportunities, taking into account your strengths, weaknesses and barriers. We will analyze your current situation and your ideas for your new professional challenge. Our advisors will also guide you through strategies and planning for your new career. In addition, we will assist you to search for job opportunities and learning options which can facilitate your entrance to your career choice...]]> Sat, 02 Mar 2013 23:07:19 +0100
Thinking about a career change? Not sure which education to pursue? The Dutch labor market allows the creativity to focus on your full potential, regardless of you previous career? Finding employment abroad is not always easy, particularly if you do not know the language. You would probably be surprised to learn about how many employment opportunities for non-Dutch speakers there are in the Netherlands.

The hardest part is getting started:
Where to look for vacancies?
How to present yourself for a job interview?
What kind of opportunities are there for your experience?

At Together Abroad we offer you personal advice...]]> Sat, 02 Mar 2013 23:02:46 +0100
We are operating in a global jobs market, where aspiring international workers move from country to country, for a variety of reasons, such as: career development, better pay, to broaden their horizons or simply to find a job. The Netherlands has become a very attractive destination for overseas candidates for two main reasons; the first is that is ranked as one of the top 20 most liveable cities in the world, and the second reason is that it is currently enjoying some of the lowest levels of unemployment in the euro-zone.

So, what is the most effective channel for...]]> Sat, 02 Mar 2013 22:52:16 +0100
Research from the Global Talent Barometer tells us that more than 2 thirds of people are currently willing to work abroad, which is a 7% increase in global mobility from 2006. We know therefore that there is a huge demand amongst global job seekers to find a job in a new country, however, with so much choice, it is not easy to decide which destination will be right for you. However, one location which we think serves as an excellent destination for international workers looking to relocate is the Netherlands. Yes, we believe...]]> Sat, 02 Mar 2013 22:41:44 +0100 Together Abroad Nederlands grootste vacaturebank voor meertalige banen.
We hebben 1000 in de meertalige Jobs Jobs en tweetalige online beschikbaar.

Where can HR managers find internationals who are ready to work in Holland?

There is an ongoing discussion in the Dutch media about the shortage of skilled workers. Experts and authorities in the trade forecast that by 2014,The Netherlands will have a shortage of about 60,000 skilled workers and the Dutch job industry would have to rely on foreign skilled workforce to fill up this shortage in the near future.

Linda Groener, the co-owner of the job board for internationals “Together Abroad”,...]]> Fri, 01 Mar 2013 15:09:26 +0100
On Saturday 23 February 2013 Nuffic launched the website www.careerinholland.nl at the event NL4Talents. This new website provides international students and alumni with reliable and up-to-date information about career opportunities in Holland after their studies.

International students and alumni can now visit the website to learn more about key economic sectors in Holland, Dutch business culture, how to find a job and how to apply for one, salaries, entrepreneurship and practical information about residence permits for their stay after graduation.

Through www.careerinholland.nl Nuffic aims to retain international talent to...]]> Fri, 01 Mar 2013 15:02:25 +0100
In the fourth quarter of 2012, the amount of hours worked in stage A temp jobs was nearly 1 percent down on the third quarter. The number of hours worked in temp jobs also declined in the two preceding months. The index (2005=100) for the number of hours worked in stage A reached 110 in the fourth quarter. The figures are adjusted for seasonal variation.
Stage A includes people working for temp agencies on a contract basis without regular terms of employment. In stage A, it is easier for both...]]> Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:56:59 +0100 This is probably not the first article that you have read that attempts to portray a country as a great place to live and build a career, and it won't be the last. But, without doubt, choosing to establish the next step of your international career in the Netherlands could be one of the best choices that you make in your life. This is a bold statement we know, and we can back it up, and justify exactly why a career in the Netherlands is so special.

Well, the first reason that we think a career...]]> Wed, 27 Feb 2013 23:17:48 +0100 Anyone wanting to (come to) work and live in the Netherlands, needs a valid passport or identity document. You must also have proof that you have access to Dutch medical insurance.

Do you need awork permit in the Netherlands?
If you have the nationality of a European Union (EU) country, the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, then of course you may work in the Netherlands. This is known as the freedom of movement of workers.

If you have Bulgarian or Romanian (the so called new-EU countries) nationalitiy the residence permit is not required,...]]> Wed, 27 Feb 2013 09:49:01 +0100
So, what is the most effective channel for landing...]]> Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:28:31 +0100
If you are an international candidate looking to get a job in the Netherlands the best way to do this is to enroll with a recruitment agency in the Netherlands. There are three main ways to do this.

Go to an international job board in the Netherlands

The first way is too simply search on any international jobs board relating to the Netherlands and you will find that many of the job postings are being handled by recruitment agencies in the Netherlands on behalf of a Dutch Employer. Applying for these jobs is a great way of making...]]> Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:21:42 +0100 If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, turn to Together Abroad.
Together Abroad matches you up with companies or employment agencies. And vice versa. In addition, it offers information and expertise to those seeking a new start or change in career.
Don’t fall through the net. Get hired.
Check out all vacancies here...]]> Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:05:03 +0100
Most countries and major cities have World Trade Centers and the Netherlands is no different; it has World Trade Centers in all the major metropolitan locations in the Netherlands, which is a good thing as World Trade Centers are a great resource for expats in the Netherlands. The services that they offer are especially useful to expats who work internationally, or who are entrepreneurial and self employed expats along with more senior executives who have an international remit.

So, what kind of services does a World Trade Center offer that will be useful to...]]> Wed, 20 Feb 2013 22:47:27 +0100
Relocating to the Netherlands from overseas will be one of the most exciting and important steps that you take in your career and working life. However, as with all international relocations, the process of settling in can be complicated. In recent years in the Netherlands, there has emerged a new expat support function known as the Expat Center, which is designed to reduce red tape for relocating professionals and to help expats and their families to settle in.

Expat Centers are situated throughout the Netherlands so no matter where you are locating within the Netherlands...]]> Wed, 20 Feb 2013 22:44:36 +0100 Adjusted for seasonal variation, 101 thousand job vacancies were unfilled by the end of last year, i.e. a decrease by 7 thousand relative to the previous quarter. Figures released by Statistics Netherlands show that the number of vacant jobs has declined continually during the past eighteen months.
The number of vacant jobs is falling across all sectors. There were 3 thousand vacant jobs in the construction sector by the end of last year, a reduction by half relative...]]> Mon, 18 Feb 2013 17:01:34 +0100
We realize that there are lot of things to take care of and a lot of questions to ask and be answered when you come to the Netherlands as an expatriate. It can be hard knowing what to do and especially hard finding all the correct people to ask questions. To help expatriates who are coming to the Netherlands to cope with their first weeks, we have compiled a list of key information sources that you will/may need to make use of.

 www.burgerservicenummer.nl/ - find out everything you need about applying for your...]]> Thu, 14 Feb 2013 16:27:58 +0100
Everyone who resides in the Netherlands must have a BSN (Burgerservicenumber). This is sometimes referred to as a Sofi Number (social security number). The BSN is the citizen number and is the unique reference number for every person residing in the Netherlands.

Why is it so important? Well, if you want to make use of the Netherland's governmental and financial services you will need to show them your BSN. You will need a BSN to interact with the Dutch authorities, as well as to enable your employer to...]]> Thu, 14 Feb 2013 16:26:23 +0100 Last year, 128 thousand people with a non-western background and 315 thousand native Dutch people were unemployed. According to the most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands, unemployment has risen further in 2012.
On average, 15.5 percent of the non-western labour force in the Netherlands were unemployed last year, versus 13.1 percent in 2011. Unemployment in the native Dutch population increased from 4.2 to 5.0 percent over the same...]]> Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:16:24 +0100
We are operating in a global jobs market, where aspiring international workers move from country to country, for a variety of reasons, such as: career development, better pay, to broaden their horizons or simply to find a job. The Netherlands has become a very attractive destination for overseas candidates for two main reasons; the first is that is ranked as one of the top 20 most liveable cities in the world, and the second reason is that it is currently enjoying some of the lowest levels of unemployment in the euro-zone.

So, what is the...]]> Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:23:58 +0100
When you move to the Netherlands it is important to think about learning to speak the local language at a practical level at least. So, what language (s) are spoken in Holland? Well, the native language is Dutch; however English, German and French are commonly spoken and so if you speak one of these second languages you may be able to get by also, but you will not be able to rely on someone speaking these second languages in all situations. This is why you should consider attending a language school in the Netherlands to...]]> Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:10:19 +0100 Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:08:14 +0100
One of the most important things to get right when you relocate to the Netherlands is choosing a location to live which is in commutable distance to your place of work and which also meets your personal lifestyle needs such as access to local amenities and entertainment. Get it right and you will have a strong foundation from which you and your family can go about their working and personal lives. Get it wrong and you may find yourself in the uncomfortable position of having to move again.

One good way of handling the uncertainty about where to...]]> Fri, 08 Feb 2013 09:41:21 +0100
One of the most important things to get right when you move to the Netherlands is choosing a location to live which is in commutable distance to your place of work and which also meets your personal lifestyle needs such as access to local amenities and entertainment. Get it right and you will have a strong foundation from which you and your family can go about their working and personal lives. Get it wrong and you may find yourself in the uncomfortable position of having to move again.

One good way of handling the uncertainty about...]]> Fri, 08 Feb 2013 09:35:45 +0100
Insurance in The Netherlands

Once again, insurance is not a difficult thing to organize but it can be costly if you do not get it right. Some insurances are obligatory and are required by law, (just like in your home countries) and others are optional.

And you should carefully investigate and fully understand the insurance environment in the Netherlands for expatriates and make sure that you choose the right insurance and level of cover which is appropriate to your individual circumstances.

By law, you must have medical insurance in the Netherlands and this can be arranged through a private company...]]> Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:39:41 +0100 Banking in The Netherlands

Its important that you have your finances in order from an early stage when starting an expatriate assignment. Your life and work will run much smoother if you can easily pay all the necessary costs and bills which come your way. You'll obviously need a bank account in order to receive your salary, to pay for rent, etc...

Banking in The Netherlands

Fortunately, it is relatively easy for an expatriate to open a bank account in the Netherlands but you do need to follow the correct procedures and have all the right paperwork to hand. For expats,...]]> Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:35:50 +0100

Legal Advise and Employment Advice in Netherlands
There are several areas of legal advice that may be important to you when you are an expat in the Netherlands and it is important to ensure that you know your rights and the laws of the land and the work-place before taking up assignment.

One of the first areas that you must be fully aware of when in the Netherlands is your immigration status. You must be absolutely clear on the terms of your residency permit and work permit and be careful not to breach them. If you have come from outside the...]]> Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:28:37 +0100
Expat Tax | Taxes For Expats in the Netherlands

As with most countries in the world, tax is an important personal consideration that you must get right in the Netherlands in order to avoid unnecessary financial penalties.

But, one of the best incentives to properly investigate and organize your tax is that proper tax management can minimize the amount of tax that you are required to pay, and maximize your disposable income. This means that you will have more money to spend on the things that you enjoy.

First things first; as an expat in the Netherlands you will most likely...]]> Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:24:23 +0100
One of the most important things to get right when you move to the Netherlands is choosing a location to live which is in commutable distance to your place of work and which also meets your personal lifestyle needs such as access to local amenities and entertainment. Get it right and you will have a strong foundation from which you and your family can go about their working and personal lives. Get it wrong and you may find yourself in the uncomfortable position of having to move again.

One good way of handling the uncertainty...]]> Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:22:21 +0100
But, this is...]]> Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:20:15 +0100
Shop assistant, shelf stacker and waitress are the most popular jobs among pupils and students. Boys most often work as shelf stackers in supermarkets, shop assistant is the most popular job among girls. Altogether, 871 thousand young pupils and students held small jobs to supplement their income in 2011.
Boys often work as shelf stackers
Shop assistant, shelf stacker and waiter/waitress are the most popular jobs among young people attending regular education. More than 68 thousand male pupils and students were working part-time as shelf stackers in supermarkets to earn an extra income in 2011; 36 thousand worked as shop...]]> Wed, 06 Feb 2013 14:20:57 +0100
The share of unemployment (WW) and income support benefit recipients has grown during the past half decade. The number of WW recipients has risen by 77 percent. The increase was relatively large in the Randstad region. With an increase of 20 percent over the period 2008–2012, the number of income support benefits rose less rapidly. Unlike WW benefits, the increase in income support benefits predominantly occurred outside the Randstad region.
Share WW benefits almost doubled in Randstad region
By the end of June last year, 277 thousand persons received unemployment benefits, i.e. 25 in every 1,000 people in the Netherlands...]]> Wed, 06 Feb 2013 14:01:27 +0100
The pay slip has been simplified by the ULB (Standardisation Wage Concept Act). The amount of information has been reduced and all the tax and premium amounts are calculated over one single amount. The main difference is that, compared to the current pay slip, employees no longer have to pay a contribution to the ZVW (Health Insurance Act). All these costs are now charged to the employer, which means that employees no longer have to pay taxes over this amount.

More clarity?
According to Dik van Leeuwerden, manager of the Knowledge Centre for Laws and Regulations of the ADP, ‘The...]]> Mon, 04 Feb 2013 11:56:16 +0100 Perfect World, a Chinese developer of online games, has chosen to house its essential IT infrastructure in the AMS 5 data centre in Amsterdam, hosted by the TelecityGroup.

Gateway to Europe
Perfect World is a market leader in China’s online gaming market. Its most popular titles include Perfect World, Battle of the Immortals, Legend of Martial Arts and Zhu Xian. After a successful entry into the US market, the games publisher has also decided to further strengthen its European market position from its new data centre base in Amsterdam. The company’s European headquarters is also located in Amsterdam.

The decision...]]> Mon, 04 Feb 2013 11:04:16 +0100 Next Thursday, the 7th of February, the Careers day of Utrecht University will take place. In the morning there are three workshop rounds and in the afternoon will be a Careers Fair. Over 60 companies will be present on the 7th of February. There are several places left for the workshops, registrations will close this Sunday so be in time!
For more information and registration please check out the website: www.uu.nl/careersday  ...]]> Sat, 02 Feb 2013 09:22:37 +0100 Although there was a decrease of 9 per cent in the number of job openings compared to 2011, the last quarter showed small signs of growth. Yacht indicates the continuing crisis to be the main reason for this positive development. According to Yacht manager Erik Kolthof, the situation asks for businesses to alter their policies and in these proceedings financial managers are essential. As soon as these managers have done their...]]> Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:43:31 +0100 It concerns the right of employees to return to work after maternity leave or adoption leave. This was announced by the European Committee, the general management of the European Union, last Thursday. Brussels blames Dutch law for still not having any specific criteria concerning these workers and their protection. Since 2007, the committee has repetitively urged the Netherlands to conform the law to European legislation. After aforementioned types of leave, employees should be able to return to the...]]> Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:50:10 +0100 As of January the income requirements have been revised effective as of 1 January 2013:

Highly skilled migrants from the age of 30 € 52.010,-
Highly skilled migrants younger than 30 € 38.141,-
Persons who have graduated in the Netherlands and the Highly Educated Migrants Scheme € 27.336,-
Holder of a Blue Card € 60.952,-

If the application for a Regular Provisional Residence Permit has been submitted before 1 January 2013, the income requirements of 2012 will still apply to applications for a residence permit submitted after 1 January 2013.

Employees who wish to come to work as Highly Skilled...]]> Fri, 25 Jan 2013 12:49:34 +0100
The number of men working on a part-time basis is growing. Early 2001, 12 percent of men had part-time jobs versus 17 percent in the third quarter of 2012. The number of part-timers has increased notably among 15 to 25-year-old men.

In the third quarter of 2012, the employed labour force included over 4 million 15 to 25-year-old men. The majority of them (83 percent) were working on a full-time basis, i.e. 35 hours a week or more. However, the proportion of part-timers working 20 to 35 hours a week is increasing. Early 2001, 10...]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:13:42 +0100
We know that the global employment situation is especially difficult at the moment due to the persistent global economic slowdown. This has created many areas within the world where jobs are scarce and, if you are in countries with high unemployment or limited career options, it can seem like you are in a career dead end, like it is the end of the world.

The truth is though that the world does not end at your country's border, it begins there, and if you go out and search this world, you will...]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:28:44 +0100 It is not enough to know which profession to choose, you also need to know what questions to ask and how to formulate them in order to find a good match between you, the job and the company. Here are five questions that should help you to identify a positive workplace from a disaster-waiting-to-happen workplace.

Top 5 questions to ask a recruiter in the Netherlands The atmosphere at work
Wrong question about the atmosphere at work is a direct and open one. It allows the recruiter to give you facts that are well received by the candidate. So avoid questions...]]> Mon, 02 Apr 2012 23:26:06 +0200 Sun, 20 Jan 2013 17:45:00 +0100
Research from the Global Employee Engagement Index tells us that the Dutch employment environment is well above average in terms of: work atmosphere, employee satisfaction, role clarity, motivation etc...

Yes, if you are looking for a place to work overseas and one of your crucial criteria is working environment and conditions – which it should be since you spend nearly a third of your life in work – then Netherlands is an excellent choice of destination for an Expat. Why? Because its working conditions are very...]]> Wed, 16 Jan 2013 16:47:37 +0100
When you have decided to start your own business a new world is opening up, with a wide variety of possibilities.
You could open a shop or start your own consultancy fi rm; become a full-time or a part-time entrepreneur. Clients may wish to hire you for advice or construction work. Before plucking up which is planted, there is a time to plant. In other words: you will have to be prepared to tackle challenges as well - either as a provider of services or products, as a selfemployed entrepreneur, a sole trader, an independent...]]> Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:05:51 +0100
If you want to come and work in the Netherlands, you probably have many questions. What are the legal criteria to be able to work in the Netherlands? How do you do get a visa? Are you allowed to work in the Netherlands?  Together Abroad Jobboard informs about all these questions.

In order to be able to work in the Netherlands you should have a valid: Visa and work permit in the Netherlands BSN number in the Netherlands WORK PERMIT in the Netherlands
If you have a nationality of a EU country, the European Economic Area (EEA)...]]> Tue, 15 Jan 2013 11:54:46 +0100
We are operating in a global jobs market, where aspiring international workers move from country to country, for a variety of reasons, such as: career development, better pay, to broaden their horizons or simply to find a job. The Netherlands has become a very attractive destination for overseas candidates for two main reasons; the first is that is ranked as one of the top 20 most liveable cities in the world, and the second reason is that it is currently enjoying some of the lowest levels of unemployment in the euro-zone.

So, what is the...]]> Thu, 03 Jan 2013 10:32:41 +0100

Employment Contract in the Netherlands
You can work for a Dutch employer with whom you have entered into an (temporary) employment contract. The employment contract in the Netherlands  includes conditions of the work you will be doing, your salary, the number of working hours, holiday allowance, and the number of leave days you are entitled to. Also other conditions in the Netherlands can be agreed upon such as: expense allowances for moving and commuting, pension provisions, etcetera. If you work for a Dutch employer in the Netherlands, you will in most cases be subject to Dutch taxation and...]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:44:08 +0100
Health insurance provides insurance cover for the cost of medical care. If you work and pay income tax in the Netherlands, you are subject to Dutch social security legislation. This means that you are obliged by law to take out health insurance in the Netherlands. A health insurance policy is a Dutch insurance policy that provides coverage for healthcare costs and meets the requirements of the Dutch Health Insurance Act (Zorgverzekeringswet). Even if you are already insured for healthcare costs in your own country, you still have to take out health insurance in the Netherlands....]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 10:25:17 +0100 Research from the Global Talent Barometer tells us that more than 2 thirds of people are currently willing to work abroad, which is a 7% increase in global mobility from 2006. We know therefore that there is a huge demand amongst global job seekers to find a job in a new country, however, with so much choice, it is not easy to decide which destination will be right for you. However, one location which we think serves as an excellent destination for international workers looking to relocate is the Netherlands. Yes, we believe...]]> Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:03:03 +0100
WTC Services
The key services of the WTC Twente are:
* The WTC Business Club: meeting point for international business
* Trade Information Services: matching of worldwide supply and demand with Euregional supply and demand
* Trade Education Services: practical workshops, seminars and training of international business developments
* Group Trade Missions: incoming and outgoing trade missions
* Business Services: various commercial activities such as renting of offices, conference facilities

Location World Trade Center Twente

In the next few years the WTC Twente will relocate to a new offices complex around the Central Station in Hengelo....]]> Mon, 07 Jan 2013 17:25:09 +0100
A job interview in the Netherlands is the time and place to impress your potential employers. Your future job depends on your performance during that short period of time. And it can all go down the drain if you are not able to demonstrate all your potential, skills and expertise.

Together Abroad prepares you for your job interviews in the Netherlands. How to answer the hardest questions right? How to show you are the right person for the job? How to prove your knowledge on the subject? Basically, how to get you to sign that...]]> Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:40:59 +0100
The Netherlands is increasingly host to foreigners as temporary agency workers. Many of these so-called flex migrants are assisted by the almost 90 ABU members that are active in this area. These members, which include both specialists and generalists, come together in ABU International. A platform that makes it clear that ABU members stand for quality and reliability also in the area of labour migration.

What does the ABU do?
The ABU puts efforts into the development of clear regulations, good accommodation, effective cooperation and strict enforcement. A few examples:
All ABU members are required to be...]]> Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:46:02 +0100
Quality and security guaranteed
There are a great many private employment agencies that provide workers on a commercial basis in the Netherlands. Only some of these are affiliated with the ABU. An ABU member must satisfy strict quality requirements. For example in the areas of safety...]]> Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:43:33 +0100 The Netherlands enforces a legal minimum wage. This is adjusted twice each year (on 1 January and 1 July). Every worker between the ages of 23 and 65 in employment enjoys at least the right to this minimum wage. Minimum youth wages apply to employees younger than 23. The minimum wage also applies to employees of a foreign company or temporary employment agency working in the Netherlands. You can find the current minimum wage amounts on the website: www.szw.nl (click on ‘English’ above right). The minimum wage is based on the total working hours applying in a...]]> Thu, 27 Dec 2012 12:06:36 +0100 Anyone wanting to (come to) work and live in the Netherlands, needs a valid passport or identity document. You must also have
proof that you have access to Dutch medical insurance.

Do you need a permit?
If you have the nationality of a European Union (EU) country, the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, then of course
you may work in the Netherlands. This is known as the freedom of movement of workers.

If you have Bulgarian or Romanian (the so called new-EU countries) nationalitiy the residence permit is not required, but you do still need...]]> Thu, 27 Dec 2012 12:03:12 +0100 the case of full-time employment, you are therefore entitled to 20 holiday days a year (4 x 5 working days a week).

Holiday days are accrued in the course of a year. If you have been working somewhere for less than a year, the number of holiday days to which you are entitled will be
calculated on a proportional basis. If you are working for 25...]]> Thu, 27 Dec 2012 11:38:34 +0100
The cover letter in the Netherlands is not necessarily an integral part of your job application in Holland. You can use the passage ‘Personal profile’ in your CV/ Resume to reflect your experience and objectives. If the companies requires a cover/ motivation letter it should refer to your present and future plans, showing your prospective employers what you want to do now and what you will do for them in the future. 
A cover letter Its goal is to introduce the CV/ Resume, to bring to attention aspects of your activity that can help your application and...]]> Fri, 21 Dec 2012 21:30:31 +0100
A new perspective on leadership

On Wednesday 23rd of January, Nyenrode will celebrate the New Year with an inspiring and interactive Executive MBA event. A gathering of current, aspiring Executive MBA students, alumni and company executives to gain a new perspective on leadership.

During the MBA World Café evening, prof. dr. Ian Robertson, neuroscientist and author of The Winner Effect will give an interactive lecture on leadership. To celebrate the Dutch publication of his book, Het Winnaar Effect, he happily agreed upon sharing his knowledge and expertise with...]]> Fri, 21 Dec 2012 09:45:51 +0100
But, even though many of you are very keen to move abroad for work to the Netherlands in order to take advantage of the global jobs market, many of you are not seizing the opportunity to work in a new country. We think that you may be missing an opportunity to make...]]> Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:32:14 +0100 No long-term shrinkage of the potential labour force expected when the age for entitlement to General Old Age Pension (AOW) is raised
AOW entitlement age expected to be raised to 68 in 2030.In 2040, 26 percent of the population will be over 65 compared to the current 16 percent
More AOW claimants in 2040 despite raising the entitlement age Population up by 47 thousand in 2012 Dutch population expected to reach 17.8 million by 2040 and 17.9 million by 2060

With the proposed raising of the age at...]]> Tue, 18 Dec 2012 17:29:22 +0100 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 19:53:50 +0100
If you are one of these globally minded...]]> Mon, 17 Dec 2012 19:47:21 +0100
In the second quarter of this year, 108 thousand young people in the age category 15-25 were unemployed, an increase by 26 thousand from one year previously. The unemployment rate is particularly high among non-school going young people.

Unemployment grows more rapidly among non-school going young people

Six in every ten young unemployed attend some form of education. In the second quarter of this year, 64 thousand pupils in regular education were seeking jobs for twelve hours a week or more and were prepared to start shortly. This is an increase by nearly a quarter from one year previously. Unemployment...]]> Mon, 24 Sep 2012 14:28:55 +0200 The Netherlands have one of the lowest rates of youth unemployment in Europe. Other countries, like the UK, have looked at the Netherlands in awe, trying to understand the secret of success.

Part of their success is rooted in their national culture: work hard, make money. “It is absolutely unacceptable to have our young people just sitting at home,” said the minister of employment Paul de Krom, quoted by the BBC in 2011. As a Dutch youngster, you are expected to start working as soon as you reach the legal age. Finding a 15-year old filling up the shelves of...]]> Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:12:01 +0200
Press release, 19 April 2012 15:00

Unemployment in the Netherlands  up by 2 thousand in March ,Youth unemployment noticeably higher than one year ago. Number of WW benefits down by 3 thousand in March ore unemployment benefits than twelve months ago.
According to the most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands, seasonally adjusted unemployment rose marginally in March 2012 to 465 thousand, i.e. 5.9 percent of the labour force. Figures published by the Institute for Implementation of Employees’ Insurances (UWV) show that the number of unemployment (WW) benefits declined by 3 thousand to 296 thousand.

Youth unemployment  in The Netherlands growing...]]> Sat, 21 Apr 2012 08:23:06 +0200
NETHERLANDS UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

Unemployment Rate in Netherlands increased to 6,80 percent in November of 2012 from 6.00 percent in January of 2012. Unemployment Rate in Netherlands is reported by the Dutch Statistics Office. Historically, from 2003 until 2012, Netherlands Unemployment Rate averaged 5.4 Percent reaching an all time high of 7.0 Percent in February of 2005 and a record low of 3.4 Percent in August of 2008. In Netherlands, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force. This page includes a chart with historical data for Netherlands Unemployment Rate.

Unemployment Rate

The unemployment...]]> Wed, 12 Dec 2012 08:40:10 +0100
Unemployment in Groningen twice as high as in Zeeland
With 7.3 percent, Groningen had the highest percentage of unemployed last year, marginally above the 2010 level. Zeeland, again, had the lowest unemployment rate (3.7 percent) in 2011.

Lower rate in Limburg
The overall unemployment rate in the Dutch labour force was 5.4 percent in 2011, the same as in 2010. In the province of Limburg, the rate dropped markedly...]]> Sun, 04 Mar 2012 16:50:53 +0100
The composition of the employed labour force in the Netherlands has changed in the last ten years. It now comprises fewer employees with a permanent position, but more with flexible contracts and self-employed people.
Size of employed labour force fairly stable in last two years
The employed labour force in the Netherlands consisted of 350 thousand more people in the third quarter of 2012 than in the third quarter of 2002. Until the beginning of the recession at the end of 2008, the employed labour force grew by nearly 500 thousand people,...]]> Sat, 15 Dec 2012 13:18:06 +0100
PALO ALTO, Calif. / TILBURG, Netherlands – 12 December 2012 - As a key step towards beginning worldwide distribution of Model S, Tesla Motors announced today that it will begin operations this month at its new EuropeanDistributionCenter in Tilburg, Netherlands. This new facility will serve as Tesla’s European service and parts headquarters, as well as the final assembly and distribution point for Model S vehicles sold in Europe. General production of European left-hand drive Model S is planned to begin in March 2013....]]> Sat, 15 Dec 2012 13:13:59 +0100 If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, turn to Together Abroad Career Portal in the Netherlands.
Together Abroad matches you up with companies in the Netherlnads or recruitment agencies in the Netherlands. And vice versa. In addition, it offers information and expertise to those seeking a new start or change in career. Rewriting your resume/ CV Curriculum Vitae to the Ducth standard, interview training and careercoaching .

Don’t fall through the net. Get...]]> Sat, 15 Dec 2012 09:39:33 +0100

In our increasingly globalized world, job seekers are becoming more globally mobile than they have ever been. Yes, a recent survey by CERC tells us that 25% of workers from 24 countries surveyed would be 'very likely' to move abroad, which is up 6 points from 19% last year. So, it is clear that there is a huge pool of global talent who are willing to internationally relocate to the Netherlands for a job. However, in this highly competitive, global talent market-place international employers must have an appealing brand message if they are to attract and secure the services of...]]> Wed, 12 Dec 2012 22:49:45 +0100 And it can all go down the drain if you are not able to demonstrate all your potential, skills and expertise.
Together Abroad prepares you for your job interviews. How to answer the hardest questions right? How to show you are the right person for the job? How to prove your knowledge on the subject? Basically, how to get you to sign that contract?

Our one-on-one role play exercises and workshops will prepare you...]]> Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:11:48 +0100
COVER LETTER IN HOLLAND
The cover letter is not necessarily an integral part of your job application in Holland. You can use the passage ‘Personal profile’ in your CV to reflect your experience and objectives....]]> Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:15:34 +0100 RSS Job Feed Generator

If you go to http://www.togetherabroad.nl every day to search for new job listings our RSS jobfeed is a perfect tool for you.
RSS is a format used to publish frequently updated content such as jobs, blog entries, news headlines, and podcasts in a standardized format. An RSS document (which is called a "feed", "web feed", or "channel") contains either a summary of content such as the jobtitle and location or the full text.
RSS makes it possible for people to keep up with news, new jobs etc. in an automated...]]> Wed, 12 Dec 2012 13:40:32 +0100

There are a number of channels how one can find work in the Netherlands.These jobs may be not even published at the companies careersites. Together Abroad gives workshops on regular basis on how to find a job in the Netherlands. For more information check our events calendar

Hidden jobs in the Netherlands:
Were can we find the hidden jobs in the Netherlands?
Due to the the crisis of 2009-2011 a lot of companies hire the professionals directly avoiding recruitment agencies and publication of vacancies on expensive jobboards.

Recruitment agencies in the Netherlands :
There are about 20 different recruitment agencies...]]> Wed, 12 Dec 2012 13:23:59 +0100

According to the findings of the Heidrick and Struggles Global Talent Index The Netherlands is the 7th most open country in the world in terms of the inward and outward flow of talent. Yes, the survey showed that The Netherlands is very open to hiring foreign nationals to add diversity to its workforce. This makes The Netherlands a great destination for candidates from all over the world – be that the Americas, Asia, Africa or Australasia to start an international career.

So, there are many great reasons to come the Netherlands for work, which makes it a popular and competitive...]]> Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:07:32 +0100
Find perfect jobs in the Netherlands!

Together Abroad is an international career portal. Here you can apply for multilingual or bilingual jobs & internships and find information about international education.
Start your new career in the Netherlands and search for the perfect job where Dutch is not necessarily a requirement!

Check all our multilingual opportunaties:

We also offer support to international individual employees in order to be successful on the employment market in the Netherlands.

Besides multilingual jobs & internships we offer:
Career coaching
Interview trainings
CV optimalisation and creating motivation letters
Workshops, clinics and seminars:
Get a job in the...]]> Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:02:16 +0100 AMSTERDAM – In the last ten years the internationals could relatively easy find a job in OECD countries including finding job in the Netherlands. OECD countries have made much progress over the past decade in helping immigrants in employment process.Many countries have made attracting highly-skilled migrants a key target of their immigration policy. Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom have all seen sharp increases in the proportion of university-educated graduates among recent immigrants. The unemployment rate among migrants became thus much closer to that of natives.

According to the integration of migrants report by Organisation for Economic Cooperation and...]]> Fri, 07 Dec 2012 08:52:56 +0100
Find perfect jobs in the Netherlands!

Together Abroad is an international career portal. Here you can apply for multilingual or bilingual jobs & internships and find information about international education.
Start your new career in the Netherlands and search for the perfect job where Dutch is not necessarily a requirement!

We offer support to international individual employees in order to be successful on the employment market in the Netherlands.

Besides multilingual jobs & internships we offer: Career coaching Interview trainings CV optimalisation and creating motivation letters Workshops, clinics and seminars: Get a job in the Netherlands Job interview training Basic...]]> Thu, 06 Dec 2012 22:22:22 +0100 Did you know that, according to the Brookfields Global Relocation Trends survey, 6% of international jobs fail, that is, they end prematurely? This statistic should be of interest to all international workers, as the typical expatriate assignment requires a significant investment in time and energy from the employee, spouse and family and, in the case of the partner it can also include a certain amount of personal sacrifice. The cost of failure in an international posting is therefore extremely high and it is vital that you do everything you can to minimize the risk of assignment failure.

So, what steps...]]> Thu, 06 Dec 2012 11:16:19 +0100
With the increasing globalization of business operations and the talent market-place, many employers find themselves having to recruit outside their own borders for talent. As international recruiters enter the new global marketplace for jobs, they soon find that they are not only competing for talent against other companies, but that they are also competing for talent against other countries, continents and time zones.

This means that in order to run a successful international recruiting campaign to attract top talent (and not just average candidates) from around Europe or around the world, employers need to know how to effectively market their...]]> Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:19:59 +0100 Unique Nederland, as part of USG People, has different substructures, one of which is Unique Multilingual (UML). What is the specific place and focus of UML within the larger company? S.C.: Unique Multilingual is, within Unique Nederland, the team of specialists in multilingual recruitment of office personnel for companies of various sizes. By multilingual, we mean non Dutch speakers, therefore native speakers of other languages, or Dutch natives who speak English and a third language.
The team at UML is itself composed of internationals with a total of 11 different nationalities, people who are either expats in Holland, or Dutch...]]> Wed, 21 Nov 2012 11:31:52 +0100

Unemployment benefit applications in the Netherlands
THE HAGUE – Benefit authority UWV has temporarily employed over 200 employees in order to process the steep increase in the number of applications for social welfare payment.
The UWV announced last Thursday that another 300 people have been employed in order to support job-seekers. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment has made a budget available for this end. “These ‘new’ employees are mostly UWV staff members who have been made redundant due to cutbacks” according to the organisation. The number of applications for social welfare payment rose by 18 per cent in the...]]> Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:17:40 +0100 As an international employer who regularly recruits for roles requiring international candidates, or a company looking to source their first international employee, you will already be aware that recruiting internationally can bring greater challenges than recruiting for local candidates, that is the process can be: more expensive, require more coordination and take longer. Of course, in most cases the rewards to the business of international recruitment far outweigh the costs.

Even so, you should be aware that international applicants may be at greater risk of leaving the assignment early or under-performing as they may have additional cultural adaption issues to...]]> Wed, 31 Oct 2012 13:56:46 +0100
The World Trade Center Twente aims to stimulate international trade by bringing together institutions and companies in the EUREGIO-area and the World Trade Centers Association global network. The role of the World Trade Center Twente is to provide a comprehensive service package comprising of, amongst others, a business club, business information,...]]> Mon, 03 Dec 2012 14:10:25 +0100 Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has secured the prestigious 'International Airport of the Year 2012' award at the CAPA's Aviation awards for Excellence gala dinner, held today in Hong Kong.
CAPA (Centre for Aviation) is a highly recognized, global provider of independent market intelligence, analysis and data services for the aviation industry.

CAPA's international panel of judges recognized that Amsterdam Airport Schiphol displayed significant leadership across a wide range of key airline and passenger related issues. Through its efforts, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has taken up an exemplary role within the global aviation industry.

Maarten de Groof, Chief Commercial Officer of Schiphol Group,...]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:58:25 +0100
Why should partner employment be a key issue for international employers looking to hire overseas applicants into their business? Well, according to a unique study by the Permits Foundation, titled the International Survey of Expatriate Spouses and Partners, 60% of the global workforce would be 'unlikely to relocate to a country where it is difficult for their partner or spouse to find work'. This was a very expansive study, which took in the views of 3,300 expatriate spouses and partners from 122 nationalities working in 117 host countries.

Therefore, this study deserves to be taken very seriously by international employers...]]> Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:43:53 +0100
The company PM-Aerotec, based in Hengelo, is the winner of the World Trade CenterTwente Export Award 2012. The prize was presented last night during Business Meets Twente by JeroenRoodenburg, the ambassador for Trade and Industry & International Business of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The jury praised the company for its export strategy and its co-engineering projects abroad.
PM-Aerotech(formerly Tecnovia van den Akker)isbased in Hengelo, it recently re-launched itself successfully as part of PM Bearings and produces metal precision components and is specialised in manufacturing high-quality technical modules, assembly products and end products in small editions for, among others, the...]]> Sat, 24 Nov 2012 17:51:10 +0100 AMSTERDAM – The working population still has not mastered basic communication English. The Netherlands, Belgium, Norway and Sweden are exceptions to this rule.
This was made clear by the English Proficiency Index for Companies 2012, a research performed by education organisation Education First, according to EurActiv.
This research was performed under 115,000 employees and 1.7 million adults in 24 countries. The interviewed labour force is employed by companies which turn over from one million dollars up to 100 billion dollars annually. In the Czech Republic, Japan and Russia, the working population is even worse at conversation English than the general public....]]> Fri, 23 Nov 2012 08:51:03 +0100 Every year www.greatplacestwork.nl publishes a list of the best places to work in Europe. They also break this list down by country which means we are able to bring you the list of the top 10 large multinational employers in the Netherlands which means that they have great work practices and are regarded as great places to work. This should be very useful information for international workers planning to take their next career step in the Netherlands. The top great places to work in the Netherlands are:

1.Microsoft
2.Amgen
3.ebay.
4.SAS
5.McDonald's
6.Mars Nederland
7.Mars Food Europe
8.NetApp
9.Novo Nordisk...]]> Wed, 21 Nov 2012 19:12:51 +0100 Expanded operations center to support growing European customer base

Amsterdam, The Netherlands — Tangoe, Inc. (NASDAQ: TNGO), a leading global provider of Communications Lifecycle Management (CLM) software and services, today announced the relocation of its European office location in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The new and larger office, located at: La Reine, Hogehilweg 17, 1101 CB Amsterdam Zuidoost, supports a growing workforce committed to delivering global, enterprise-grade solutions to Tangoe’s expanding customer base in Europe and around the globe.

“Amsterdam’s central location and close proximity to major travel networks, in addition to its high concentration of multi-national corporations, provides a perfect...]]> Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:31:58 +0100 California-based Jive Software, a provider of social business solutions, is expanding its operations in Europe via new services for local customers. This includes the establishment of a data centre in the Netherlands.

The company’s new data centre, located in Amsterdam, features a modular build, abundant capacity and high-power density.

Jive Software also announced more than 70 per cent employee growth in the region for 2012.

About Jive Software
Jive Software is a provider of social business solutions. The company brings social technology innovations from the consumer world into enterprises.

NFIA
Source:IPAWorld.com, 15 November 2012...]]> Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:29:15 +0100 AMSTERDAM – According to a global survey of expatriate by the Intelligence Group 2/3 of Dutch expats wants to return in the Netherlands.
The reason that Dutch expatriates stay in other countries is mainly to gain experience.
This deviates significantly from for example French or Belgian expats, who have moved abroad because of the crisis and never want to come back to their own country.
Besides the Netherlands (62 percent), the Australian (84 percent), Brazil (74 percent) and Chinese (61 percent) expats want to ever settle in their homeland again.
Belgians, Israelis and Greeks on the contrary do not want...]]> Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:31:18 +0100 TAQA, the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, and EBN BV of the Netherlands, in the presence of Minister Verhagen of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, today marked the start of construction of Gas Storage Bergermeer. Bergermeer will become Western Europe’s largest open-access gas storage facility when it is completed in 2015. Its storage capacity will be 4.1 billion cubic meters of gas, equivalent to the average annual gas consumption of 2.5 million Dutch households.

This new facility will give the Bergermeer gas field a second life, since the gas originally underground has been completely depleted. Located between Alkmaar and Bergen...]]> Mon, 05 Nov 2012 19:09:08 +0100 LEIDEN, The Netherlands ─ Oct. 30, 2012 ─ Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE: AVY), a global leader in labeling and packaging materials and solutions, today broke ground in the Leiden Bio Science Park in Oegstgeest on a new head office for its European Materials Group. The site is located approximately 30 minutes outside of Amsterdam.

The groundbreaking ceremony was co-hosted by the company’s development partner, OVG Real Estate, and was attended by local and regional dignitaries, including Guido Landheer, director top priority sectors of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, and Els Timmers-van Klink, mayor of Oegstgeest. It...]]> Mon, 05 Nov 2012 19:01:42 +0100
The World Trade Center Twente is currently in the process of setting up the Expat Center Twente. The pilot phase has started on July 1st 2012 and last until January 1st 2013. The aim of the Expat Center Twente is to realise a fast and smooth introduction of expats and their families and helping them to get settled in the Twente region.

Once the co-operation with the local authorities and the Dutch immigration office is arranged, the Expat Center will offer a one- or a two-stop procedure for all the documents that expats need upon their arrival. Furthermore, it will...]]> Fri, 02 Nov 2012 11:08:40 +0100
Sistema JSFC ("Sistema" or the "Company") (LSE: SSA), the largest publicly-traded diversified holding company in Russia and the CIS, today announces that it has signed a non-binding term sheet regarding the acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding shares in the share capital of Argos Group Holding B.V. ("Argos" and together with its subsidiaries and participations, the "Argos Group"), the largest independent group in the Western European downstream oil market, combining storage and distribution with the international trade in and sale of mineral oils and biofuels.

The contemplated transaction is subject to (i) completion of due diligence and the...]]> Thu, 01 Nov 2012 15:24:41 +0100 The Hague – Employers face restrictions on recruiting staff from outside the EU next year. A work permit will only be valid for one year. Furthermore, if the employer was ever convicted for violating labour legislation, the permit may be refused.

The government agreed to this proposal which was put forward by State Secretary for Social Affairs Paul de Krom last Friday. According to the government it is undesirable for employees from outside the European Union to be recruited while, in the Netherlands half a million workers on benefits could be doing that same job. Therefore, conditions will be adjusted...]]> Thu, 01 Nov 2012 11:02:24 +0100 BERLIN – Germany is dealing with a growing shortage in skilled workers. This number will have risen to 3.5 million in the year 2025.
The German UWV warns in the German media; In order to put a halt to this development, the influx of eastern European workers has proven to be completely insufficient, up to now. Opening the borders for eastern Europeans has not had the desired effect, according to the manager for the Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Raimund Becker. Many job-seekers opted for Great Britain instead of for Germany. Between May 2011 and May 2012, 100.000 eastern European skilled workers...]]> Fri, 26 Oct 2012 09:49:24 +0200
The main reason that companies use video interviewing is to save costs and time as it is a very convenient way to do first round screening of candidates without them coming to the office.

But, for international companies, who are recruiting international...]]> Thu, 25 Oct 2012 10:50:01 +0200
AMSTERDAM – Employees working from home are often ignored by their employer when it comes to promotions. Businesses still appear to consider office attendance to be of great importance.

Thinkstock
Research performed by the London Business School confirms this. Researcher Daniel Cable compared the chances of being promoted of outworkers and ‘traditional employees’. It turns out that managers consider employees actually working in the office are more ‘reliable’ and more ‘productive’, regardless of the quality of their work. Visibility creates the illusion of worth, according to the research. People leaving the office last at the end of a working day...]]> Thu, 18 Oct 2012 17:05:40 +0200
Thanks to a new app for mobile phones and tablets is should become easier to to report discrimination at work.
In fact discrimination is much more common than appears out of the resistered complaints and reports of discrimination. It is very importan to keep on registeresing such cases in order to to take action against discrimination.

Minister Leers (Immigration, Integration and Asylum), has launched the app last week. The application was developed on behalf of the National Trade Association of Anti-Discrimination Agencies (LBA). Leers gave a 14,000 euros grant to promote web banners, posters and cards and to make it...]]> Thu, 18 Oct 2012 11:01:39 +0200
AMSTERDAM- Dutch employers are flexible when it comes to working hours. Almost 75 per cent believe that employees also work outside the nine to five office hours.

This became evident from research commissioned by Mozy and performed under 100 Dutch managers and 101 Dutch employees. Two thirds of Dutch managers don’t mind if employees show up later at the office. Globally, the accepted time for tardiness is approximately 32 minutes. In the Netherlands however, 54 minutes is acceptable. A visit to the dentist or family doctor is usually the reason why workers start later closely followed by transport problems. 70%...]]> Fri, 12 Oct 2012 09:56:53 +0200
According to the findings of the Heidrick and Struggles Global Talent Index  The Netherlands is the 7th most open country in the world in terms of the inward and outward flow of talent. Yes, the survey showed that The Netherlands is very open to hiring foreign nationals to add diversity to its workforce. This makes The Netherlands a great destination for candidates from all over the world – be that the Americas, Asia, Africa or Australasia to start an international career.

So, there are many great reasons to come the Netherlands for work, which makes it a popular and competitive destination...]]> Wed, 10 Oct 2012 18:38:22 +0200

12 institutions in the world top 200 in the rankings

Dutch universities rank significantly high in the world according to the recently released Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2011-2012. The Netherlands has 12 institutions in the world top 200 in the rankings - the most representatives of any country other than the UK and US. And this year every single Dutch university improved its position.

The Netherlands, Germany and Belgium have emerged as strong performers in Europe. The three European countries buck a clear trend of overall decline for Western universities against rising investment in world class universities in...]]> Sat, 06 Oct 2012 00:37:34 +0200
For years The Netherlands has had the reputation of being a generous welfare state, but in some cities like Rotterdam this is changing: the jobless are now put to work to earn their keep.

In one of the city's old neighbourhoods, Jose da Cruz is cleaning the street as part of an innovative scheme that demands eight hours of cleaning a week in return for a wage from his new "boss" -- the Rotterdam municipality.

In exchange for picking up the rubbish, the unemployed like Da Cruz -- who have reached the end of obligatory Dutch state-funded unemployment benefits --...]]> Thu, 04 Oct 2012 18:59:11 +0200
The proposal which alters the health insurance act and several other acts which reduce absence through illness and absence of unemployed disabled workers, was accepted by the Upper House yesterday.
Unemployed disabled workers are employees who: do not, or no langer have, an employer, such as workers on sick leave who are entitled to benefits, temps on sick leave and employees on sick leave whose contract end during the time the employee is ill. are employed but have an elevated risk of becoming ill due to, for instance, pregnancy or because they are organ donors. With this proposal, the government wants to...]]> Fri, 05 Oct 2012 09:11:23 +0200
Victims of workplace aggression more often report a poor state of health than their colleagues who do not face aggression at work. They are also more dissatisfied with their job and are more often attempt to find another job, in particular, if they have to deal with aggressive behaviour from superiors or colleagues.

One third of employees victims of aggressive behaviour in the workplace

One in three employees in the age category 15-65 became victims of aggression in the workplace last year. External aggressive behaviour by customers, patients, pupils or passengers occurred most frequently. Nearly one quarter of employees faced...]]> Wed, 03 Oct 2012 10:19:38 +0200 The so-called top sectors include more than 260 thousand businesses. Together, they accounted for more than one third of total output value in 2010. Two thirds of spending on innovation projects by the Dutch private sector occurred in these top sectors.

Higher innovation costs

Nine sectors were labelled as top sectors. Top sectors occupy an important position in the government’s policy towards the private sector. Statistics Netherlands has selected some forty indicators to monitor these businesses in the future. The first results are presented in this article.
The survey shows that the nine top sectors included nearly one quarter of...]]> Wed, 03 Oct 2012 10:15:21 +0200 Students rate Maastricht University as the best specialist university in the Netherlands. This was the outcome of a survey entitled De beste studies 2012 (‘the best study programmes in 2012’) conducted by Elsevier in partnership with research institute ResearchNed. Of the Maastricht University programmes included in the survey, nine of the sixteen bachelor’s degree programmes were rated above average by the students, and six of the eight master’s degree programmes were among the Top 3.


Bachelor’s degree programmes
Sixteen of Maastricht University’s bachelor’s degree programmes were evaluated, most of them by both students and professors. Nine of those programmes were...]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:19:08 +0200 Jorien van Wezel and Laura Stenacker have a combined 25 years’ experience in the field of multi-lingual recruitment in the Netherlands. With the founding of Wezel & Stenacker Recruitment Services in 2011, they have combined this experience with an extensive network to provide a new approach to recruitment solutions.
In an interview with Together Abroad they spoke about the changes they have witnessed over the years, the challenges of working in today’s turbulent job market and the evolution of the modern candidate.
How has the employment landscape changed for candidates and companies during your time in recruitment?
Laura: When I...]]> Fri, 28 Sep 2012 06:56:50 +0200
Following the successful opening of ICBC (Europe) S.A. Amsterdam in 2011, ICBC, the City of Amsterdam, and the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency have strengthened their cooperation to assist Chinese companies in their ongoing global strategies....]]> Mon, 24 Sep 2012 14:34:17 +0200
AMSTERDAM – New businesses start of small and usually remain that way. Even after five years, most starting entrepeneurs don’t have any staff.
This became evident from research performed by Panteia/EIM, they interviewed entrepeneurs who set up business in the first half of 2008. On commencement, only 4 per cent of these entrepeneurs had employees on their pay roll. In 2012 it rose to 13 per cent. The number of employers is not expected to grow any further because for most entrepeneurs this was never their objective. 60 per cent of these entrepeneurs have one or two employees working for...]]> Thu, 27 Sep 2012 06:57:29 +0200 Fortune Magazine:Eindhoven has what it takes to be new Silicon Valley

Listed as one of best new cities for Innovation

Eindhoven is one of the best new cities worldwide for business innovation, according to a recent article in Fortune magazine.

The magazine profiles the city’s tech region, known as “Brainport.” More than 100 companies and institutes, and 8,000 researchers, developers and entrepreneurs work in this area. Almost half of all Dutch patent applications originate there.

Eindhoven’s Brainport region also received recognition last year, when nonprofit think tank the Intelligent Community Forum named it the “World’s Smartest Region.”

San Francisco’s Silicon...]]> Mon, 24 Sep 2012 14:31:55 +0200 The Hague – The government wants the elderly to keep working for a longer period. It is looking to postpone retirement and make it more attractive for businesses to employ workers over the age of 65. It is also looking to relax the laws of dismissal.

This is stated in the2013 Social Affairs budget plans of Minister Henk Kamp and State Secretary Paul de Krom. These measures are based on the Spring Agreement (Lenteakkoord) formed by VVD, CDA, D66, GroenLinks and the ChristenUnie after the Rutte cabinet fell last April. Retirement age will be postponed by a month next year....]]> Fri, 21 Sep 2012 10:11:59 +0200 On Wednesday October 3, 2012 the official opening of the Expatdesk Utrecht will take place. In September 2011 the founding partners started their discussion about the setup of an Expatdesk in Utrecht. Based on the professional experiences of the Founding Partner the time was there to start a central point in the City of Utrecht for expatriates and international companies.

The mayor of Utrecht will officially open the Expat Desk Utrecht

Check the vacancies in Utrecht here

Read the article Opening Expatdesk Utrecht...]]> Wed, 19 Sep 2012 21:52:59 +0200
Global freight forwarder and logistics provider, Damco, is moving its headquarters from Copenhagen, Denmark to The Hague, Netherlands. The move, which should be completed in Q1 y 2013, brings Damco closer to the heart of the European logistics community and supports its strategy to become a Top-5 industry player in the years to come.

“In The Hague, we will be closer to many of our customers, our main air and sea carriers, Europe’s biggest transportation hubs, as well as our competition and the kind of additional international logistics experience we’ll be looking to hire as we continue to grow,” says...]]> Fri, 14 Sep 2012 12:13:59 +0200 Emerald Kalama Chemical LLC, a division of Ohio-based chemical company Emerald Performance Materials LLC, is building a site to manufacture environmentally friendly materials at its plant in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The new site is due to become operational in the third quarter of 2012 and will be located at the plant Emerald acquired from DSM NV in 2010.

“With the acquisition of the Rotterdam facility, expansion in Europe is a logical choice for us,” said Edward Gotch, President of Emerald Kalama.

“Such expansion enables us both to address the market’s needs and to capitalize on our ability to integrate the...]]> Fri, 14 Sep 2012 12:12:26 +0200 London - Four Dutch universities are in this year's top 100 of the prestigious QS rankings. According to the British institute, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is the best university in the Netherlands. The UvA is in 62nd position, one spot up from last year.

The University of Leiden was the strongest riser in the ranking: from 88th place to 75th. After that, Utrecht University follows in 85th place and the Erasmus University of Rotterdam (EUR) in 99th.

Source: QS Topuniversities 11 September 2012


...]]> Fri, 14 Sep 2012 12:08:55 +0200
KPN and Tech Mahindra have signed a five-year contract for development and support of over 150 applications in the operational IT systems of KPN NetCo segment.

KPN expects to make savings of at least Euro 200 million over the period of this partnership, the statement said.

"We see natural synergies between our two organisations which we believe are critical to build a lasting partnership," KPN Chief Strategy, Innovation and Technology Officer, Erik Hoving...]]> Sun, 09 Sep 2012 13:06:44 +0200
AMSTERDAM – On Monday 3 September 2012, Better Place announced that it is taking another step forward in Europe by bringing its award-winning electric car network solution, beginning with the launch of a marque electric taxi project at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The company also announced the appointment of Paul Harms as CEO of Better Place Netherlands. Harms previously served as CEO of Athlon Netherlands and as an Executive Vice President of Athlon Car Leasing International.

“We’re thrilled that Paul has joined the Better Place team to lead and expand this...]]> Sun, 09 Sep 2012 13:10:08 +0200 KJT Group, Inc. is pleased to announce it has established its first European office, in the Netherlands. KJT Group, a market research and evidence based consulting
company headquartered in Honeoye Falls, New York conducts domestic and global research for clients in complex markets such as the healthcare and sustainability industries.

“Expanding our presence into Europe at this time is a strategic imperative,” says President Kenneth J. Tomaszewski, PhD. “It is simply part of our commitment to deliver superior insights and service to our multinational and European based clients. With a rapidly increasing proportion of our research being conducted globally, a...]]> Fri, 07 Sep 2012 12:31:03 +0200 In the second quarter of this year, 57 thousand people had stopped looking for work, because they thought their chances of success were tiny. The increase relative to one year previously is 14 thousand. Lower educated women in particular were more pessimistic about finding jobs.

More than 900 people prepared to work for twelve hours a week or more

In the second quarter of this year, 929 thousand people wanted to work for twelve hours a week or more. Nearly half a million of them are defined as unemployed, i.e. they can soon start working and have actively been looking...]]> Fri, 07 Sep 2012 12:29:19 +0200 Companies with a good reputation which employ foreign staff are to be given access to immigration service systems so they can organise visas directly, immigration minister Gerd Leers said on Thursday.

'I am prepared to give companies which perform well the opportunity to write out their own visas by logging into the system,' Leers told BNR radio.

The visas could be given to non-EU nationals who meet standard criteria, such as a salary of at least €50,000.

Paperwork

The companies can save a lot of paperwork, 'but must accept the consequences if they bring in someone without the proper papers...]]> Fri, 07 Sep 2012 12:19:26 +0200 THE HAGUE – Every youth who has been without work for three months should be offered an internship, work-study programme or job by his or her local council.
Last Saturday, these plans were presented by the PvdA in order to combat unemployment among youths. The party has reserved 150 million euro in next year’s electoral platform for this purpose. Recent numbers of the CBS (Central Bureau for Statistics) show a sharp increase in unemployment among youths. According to Member of Parliament, Mariëtte Hamer, there is a ‘deafening silence’ in the cabinet when it comes to this issue. The obligatory work-study...]]> Wed, 29 Aug 2012 09:26:04 +0200 Foreign Investments Europe
Tonalite taken over by PlantronicsThe company Tonalite in Emmen, formally a division of Ericsson and later Sony-Ericsson, has been taken over by the American multinational Plantronics. Tonalite was incorporated in 2010 by a number of employees of what was formerly Sony-Ericsson in Emmen.


The team has many years’ experience in the development of wireless products, especially in the area of miniaturized Bluetooth stereo headsets. The Bluetooth technology was invented by Jaap Haartsen, who will continue to operate in the new organization together with other Tonalite people. The takeover follows on from an ongoing and successful partnership between...]]> Fri, 17 Aug 2012 10:15:12 +0200 WILMINGTON, North Carolina - Aug. 14, 2012 - INVISTA Specialty Materials is investing several million dollars at its two Terate® aromatic polyester polyols manufacturing sites located in Wilmington, N.C., and Vlissingen, Netherlands. These investments involve upgrades to boost global production volumes of the Terate® HT polyols product line to help meet growing global demand for INVISTA’s aromatic polyester polyols.

“Our customers are choosing our innovative Terate® HT polyols because these products offer advances in ease of processing and efficiency in rigid foam manufacture, as well as improved adhesion to various substrates, including cold adhesion for spray applications,” said Bill Trowell,...]]> Wed, 22 Aug 2012 08:37:52 +0200 Taiwanese TSMC takes 5% stake in ASML and joins ASML’s Customer Co-Investment Program for Innovation
ASML Holding NV announced that TSMC has joined its Customer Co-Investment Program for innovation, committing to invest EUR 276 million in research and development of next generation lithography technologies, which include Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technology and 450-millimeter lithography tools, over the next five years as well as EUR 838 million in a 5 percent ASML equity stake.

"One of the biggest challenges facing IC scaling today is how to effectively control the escalating wafer manufacturing cost," said Shang-yi Chiang, TSMC executive vice president and...]]> Fri, 17 Aug 2012 09:41:38 +0200
In July 2012 the US Bureau of Economic Analysis published the revised direct investment positions for 2010 and the preliminary figures for 2011. Positions in the Netherlands and the UK were the largest – 14.3 percent and 13.2 percent respectively of the total. For the third consecutive year, the position in the Netherlands was the largest – at $595.1 billion. Most of the position increase and 77 percent of the position in the Netherlands was accounted for by holding companies, which likely invested the funds in other countries.

In 2011 US investment abroad, valued at historical-cost (the book value of...]]> Fri, 17 Aug 2012 09:36:29 +0200 THE HAGUE – Despite rising unemployment figures and a decline in vacancies, some sectors are still in need of tens of thousands employees.
Commerce is the definite front runner, even though the number of vacancies has fallen sharply there were still well over 20,000 employees wanted in the second trimester of this year. CBS figures show that health care is also looking for 17,000 employees, the specialized commercial business sector (including employment agencies) needs 12,500 employees and the manufacturing industry is looking for 10,500 workers.
Vacancies
The number of vacancies in these sectors have also dropped sharply over the last...]]> Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:20:19 +0200 A new durable property will be built for German logistic service provider Rhenus Contract Logistics in Son, near Eindhoven. The company decided to choose this possibility because of the location near the A50 and A2 as well as the possibility to hire a custom built distribution center.

"A combination of commercial successes and optimizing business for our curent customers made us decide to look at the possiblities for expansion" Alphons van Erven, division director of Rhenus Contract Logistics explains.

New jobs
The new building is 55,000m2 large, and building will start after the summer. The first unit is expected to...]]> Fri, 17 Aug 2012 09:35:08 +0200
The change from decline to growth in June was mainly due to a substantial increase in investments in means of transport. In June, investments in cars were considerably up from one year previously. This is partly due to a change in tax legislation. The limits...]]> Mon, 20 Aug 2012 14:19:53 +0200 Chairman Dandy Yeh of Gigabyte Technology Inc. officially opened the new Gigabyte premises in Eindhoven during a special ribbon cutting ceremony together with Mayor Rob van Gijzel of the city of Eindhoven. Gigabyte established its first presence in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, in 2001 with assistance of BOM Foreign Investments, Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) and Brainport Development.

As a current investor BOM remained in close contact with Gigabyte, both in Eindhoven and at Corporate Headquarters in Taipei, offering assistance wherever needed. In 2005 this resulted in the expansion of their facility at Verdunplein in Eindhoven. Early 2010 Gigabyte indicated to...]]> Fri, 17 Aug 2012 09:30:37 +0200 Russian gas giant Gazprom has opened a sales office in Den Bosch with the aim of capturing 15% of the business market within five years reports "Het Financieele Dagblad" last Thursday.

After establishing sales offices in Germany, Ireland, France and UK, the Netherlands is the fifth European country where Gazprom now has a sales presence. If ambitions will be realised it's expected the office in Den Bosch will grow to 50 to 75 employees in the next 5 years.

The city of Den Bosch, in the province of Brabant, is a central location in the Netherlands. It's also home to...]]> Fri, 17 Aug 2012 09:28:54 +0200 Brabant top performer in the Netherlands: IBM GLobal Location Trends report 2012

Last Thursday IBM published the provisional results for the Netherlands in IBM's Global Locations Trends Report 2012. Annually IBM Global Services publishes their analyses of foreign investments trends in the world. The provision result for the Netherlands indicate a new record in number of projects, 342 compared to 280 in 2010. The announced investments would create 6.400 new jobs, an increase of 22% compared to 2010 with 5.200 jobs.

The provinces of North- and South-Holland attract the majority of all investments (all together 209 project), but the strongest...]]> Fri, 17 Aug 2012 09:25:17 +0200 Global orthopaedic products company Bioventus LLC (Durham, NC) has announced plans to establish its international headquarters near Amsterdam.

The company’s international operating company, Bioventus Coperatief U.A., recently signed a letter of intent to lease 7,200 square feet of office space in the South Tower (Zuidtoren), a high rise building in Hoofddorp. The office is expected to open in November. Bioventus’ International Headquarters is expected to open in November following the build-out of the facility. The office will house employees supporting finance, customer care, operations, marketing, sales and human resources

The international headquarters will house various divisions, including finance, customer care, operations,...]]> Thu, 16 Aug 2012 20:29:15 +0200 Over half a million people unemployed
AMSTERDAM – Today, over half a million Dutch people are out of work, the highest number since 1996.
These figures were presented by the CBS (Central Bureau for Statistics), this amounts to 6.5 per cent of the Dutch labour force. For over a year now, each month the number of unemployed people is rising. This is due to the fact that people lose their jobs and people already out of work do not find new jobs quite as easily. In 2004 and 2005, unemployment figures were high but now for the first time, those...]]> Thu, 16 Aug 2012 20:26:35 +0200 This is the fourth quarter in succession that the number of job vacancies has decreased. The number of vacancies has not been this low since 2004. The decrease occurred across nearly sectors of the economy. In the care sector, financial institutions, education and agriculture the number of vacancies is stable.

Changes in the number of unfilled vacancies are the result of the number of new vacancies minus the number filled. In the second quarter of 2012, 179 thousand vacancies fell open, 31 thousand fewer than twelve months previously. In the first quarter the decrease in new vacancies was still 28...]]> Thu, 16 Aug 2012 20:24:32 +0200

According to the first, preliminary estimate conducted by Statistics Netherlands, the economic growth in the second quarter of 2012 was 0.2 percent relative to the first quarter, but economic growth was 0.5 percent down compared to the second quarter of 2011. The number of working days was the same in both quarters.

Marginal growth for second consecutive quarter
The 0.2 percent growth relative to the preceding quarter was the same as in the first quarter. The marginal growth in the first half of this year was preceded by contraction in the latter half of 2011. Despite this marginal growth, the...]]> Thu, 16 Aug 2012 20:25:35 +0200 •Sales non-food sector down slightly
•Turnover growth in consumer electronics
•Higher turnover in food, drinks and tobaccAccording to the most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands, retail sales in June 2012 were up by 1 percent on June 2011. Prices were 1.9 percent higher, while the sales volume contracted by 0.9 percent.

Turnover in the non-food sector declined very slighty in June. Turnover generated by DIY shops home furnishing shops, and textile supermarkets was lower than a year ago, as was the case in May.

Clothes stores also missed out as far as turnover was concerned. On the other hand...]]> Mon, 13 Aug 2012 16:20:17 +0200 In July, 725 businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses) in the Netherlands were declared bankrupt, an exceptionally high number on a monthly basis. The number of bankruptcies has soared in the first seven months of 2012: 4,475 businesses and institutions went bankrupt, nearly 30 percent more than in the first seven months of 2011.

As the number of businesses declared bankrupt in a particular month is closely related to the number of days courts are in session, it may vary considerably from month to month. Therefore, the three-month moving average is a more reliable indicator. The three-month moving average stood...]]> Mon, 13 Aug 2012 16:19:08 +0200 The volume of the exports of goods grew 4 percent in June relative to twelve months previously. In May Dutch exports had increased by nearly 9 percent.The volume of imports grew nearly 3 percent in June, which is also less than in May when imports were up by 6 percent. Volume figures have been adjusted for the number of working days.

The value of exported goods totalled 35.9 billion euro, i.e. up nearly 8 percent from twelve months previously. The value of imports rose by nearly 6 percent to 32.1 billion euro, resulting in a trade surplus of 3.7 billion...]]> Mon, 13 Aug 2012 16:17:25 +0200 Lost or stolen laptops are a growing concern to all organisations. The major issue when this occurs is ensuring the information contained on the devices is secure. There are many solutions available to encrypt data on laptops however with the growing sophistication of criminals who target this information, these solutions have proven to be ineffective.

Wave approaches the problem in a totally different way with a solution that is:
• More secure using industry standard technology
• Does not affect the performance of a laptop which many current solutions do
• Up to 40% cheaper to install and manage over...]]> Thu, 09 Aug 2012 11:08:14 +0200 Company’s First European Data Center Located in Amsterdam

Washington-based Daptiv, a provider of project portfolio management (PPM) software, has announced the opening of its first European data center located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

The new data center will accommodate customer demand for the company's SaaS-based PPM software.

Daptiv is also expanding its presence in the United Kingdom and has opened an office in London. The office is comprised primarily of sales, support and professional services personnel and allows the company to better serve its growing customer base in the UK.

Source: www.IPAWorld.com

...]]> Wed, 08 Aug 2012 09:17:29 +0200 C.H. Robinson Europe expands to Rotterdam with temperature controlled transportation office
Rotterdam was chosen for its strategic location thanks to its harbor that plays a key role in the import and export of goods on the continent

Brussels, (June 17, 2012) - Temperature controlled transport is one of the fastest growing business segments for the company on the European continent. The new office will offer expert services in this field and is meant to facilitate future expansion of temperature controlled logistics services across the continent.

Rotterdam was chosen for its strategic location thanks to its harbor that plays a key...]]> Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:51:10 +0200 Expansion with Holland office to lead Corum’s Tech M&A activities in the Benelux area


Washington-based Corum Group Ltd, a provider of M&A (Mergers & Acquisitions) services for software and information technology companies, has announced the opening of its office in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Working from the new office, Jon Scott, Senior Vice President, will lead Corum’s Tech M&A activities in the Benelux area.

About Corum Group Ltd
Corum Group Ltd is a provider of mergers & acquisition services, specialising in serving software and information technology companies worldwide.

Source: IPAWorld.com

...]]> Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:49:57 +0200 The WestHolland Foreign Investment Agency and Leiden Bio Science Park proudly announce that EnVivo Pharmaceuticals will establish its European office in Leiden. The choice for Leiden Bio Science Park further underscores the international reputation of the Life Sciences cluster in Leiden.

The decision was made following an extensive analysis of potential locations for EnVivo to establish a European office for its operations. The proximity of Schiphol airport was an important advantage. The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) in Boston and The Hague, together with the WestHolland Foreign Investment Agency (WFIA) and the Leiden Bio Science Park foundation, assisted and advised...]]> Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:47:18 +0200 If you are from the EU/EEA (but not from Bulgaria or Romania) or from Switzerland, you are free to work without restrictions.

If you are from Bulgaria or Romania, or from a country outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland, there are some restrictions if you want to take a job next to your studies. You need a permit and you can only work for a maximum of ten hours a week or, instead, you can work full-time during the summer months June, July and August.

Work permit application
Your employer needs to apply for a work permit for you. The organisation...]]> Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:18:04 +0200 Each year VU University organizes a career event for international students interested in starting a career in the Netherlands. During this event you are informed about career perspectives after obtaining an academic degree, PhD-positions, networking possibilities and practical advice on grants, immigration, residency and application procedures in the Netherlands.

Incorporated in this event is a career fair. Here, employment agencies and international businesses interested in attracting international young professionals and researchers present themselves and share their expertise. Moreover, a number of supporting organizations is present to answer your questions, such as the Dutch immigration service, VU Career Information Center and...]]> Tue, 07 Aug 2012 12:10:25 +0200  AMSTERDAM – A law which was passed not long ago may impose enormous risks on self-employed workers hiring other self-employed workers.
Freelance platform PZO warns about 36,000 euro fines for not registering properly. The Waadi law, (the law on workforce allocation by intermediary) was amended on the first of July in order to deal with mala fide employment agencies. But the PZO claims that the law is set up so that it leaves too much room, self-employed people hiring other freelancers also fall under this law, according to a spokeswoman interviewed by NUzakelijk.nl. “We were informed by an entrepreneur about...]]> Mon, 06 Aug 2012 10:07:26 +0200 The prestigious title of European Capital of Culture in 2018 will generate € 160 million for The Hague, according to an independent study by the Amsterdam-based Bureau voor Economische Argumentatie (BEA). The study was commissioned by Den Haag 2018 and the Municipality of The Hague to find out how the title would benefit the city’s economy.

In its report ‘Den Haag 2018, op waarde geschat’, the agency concludes that every euro invested by The Hague will generate 4 euros in return.


Extra visitors
If The Hague is appointed European Capital of Culture in 2018, this will draw a large number...]]> Mon, 06 Aug 2012 09:41:18 +0200 Germany is the main trading partner of 17 of the 27 EU countries. The main trading partner of Germany is the Netherlands.

Main trading partner often nearby
Germany is the main trading partner for no fewer than 17 EU countries. This is due to its central location in Europe, the enormous size of the German economy and the large number of neighbouring countries.

The EU countries for which Germany is not the main trading partner are: Portugal (main trading partner is Spain), Malta (Italy), Latvia (Lithuania), Ireland (UK), Spain (France), Estonia (Finland), Cyprus (Greece), Finland and Lithuania (both Russia). In...]]> Thu, 02 Aug 2012 23:21:12 +0200 AMSTERDAM - The automatic periodic wage increase makes 55-plusers unattractive to hire.
Employees should be rewarded for their performance and not their age, advocated D66 MP Koser Kaya Monday in a note. The MP recognizes that experienced workers are more productive than those without experience, "but the current cost of 55-plus takes them off the market." They would get more chances if they are rewarded for their performance. The government should set a good example. "If the social partners refuse to work on pay for performance, the politics can decide to declare collective agreements not generally binding." Source: Novum...]]> Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:22:07 +0200 AMSTERDAM - For the third time in a row London has been selected the most popular city to work. New York and Singapore ended on the second and third place. Global Talent Mobility Intelligence Group has questioned 162,000 people from 66 different countries. The preference of Dutch respondents who are willing to work abroad, deviates from the international choice. Dutch prove a stronger preference for European cities compared to respondents from other countries.

London and New York shared first place with Dutch. Barcelona, Brussels and Berlin share second place. Amsterdam ends at 23 position of the most popular cities to...]]> Tue, 31 Jul 2012 11:16:43 +0200 Although currently 6.3 percent of the workforce is unemployed, the research firm expects a lack of personnel in technical, medical care and transportation occupations. It involves a total of nearly 450 thousand jobs, of which about 250 thousand in SMEs.

Employment in the industry will have a limited increase. Especially the aging population creates demand for labor. In the period 2010 to 2020, about 1 million workers retire. The proportion of older people is above average in agriculture, healthcare, industrial and transport sectors.  Source: NuZakkelijk...]]> Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:16:58 +0200 Last year, 48 percent of employees in the health care sector had to cope with workplace aggression, versus 33 percent of all employees. Women were harassed more often than men, because they are more frequently employed in sectors where the number of external contacts is high.
Many customer contacts, more aggressive behaviour
Employees who have many contacts with patients, visitors, customers or pupils relatively often experience workplace aggression. In the sectors health care, public administration (e.g. the police), education and hotels and restaurants, aggression committed by external perpetrators is indeed more common. Last year, 24 percent of all employees faced...]]> Tue, 24 Jul 2012 15:58:30 +0200 AMSTERDAM - Employers Organisation ABU and the unions have reached agreement on a new collective agreement for temporary workers. The collective agreement has a term of five years. That left the organizations said in a joint press release Thursday.

The most important clause in the new agreement is that the wages of all agency workers should be based on the salary that the hiring comany pays to its own employees.
Recruitment agencies may still determine the wages only for those employees who have permanant contractw u the the recruitment agency and for employees who have been long term unemployed or...]]> Tue, 24 Jul 2012 15:41:00 +0200 A total of 4112 businesses have been declared bankrupt in the first half of 2012. These bankruptcies affect at least 28473 employed people.
The number of bankruptcies has risen by 26% compared to the same period in the previous year. The attendant job loss has risen by 28%. This has become clear from figures from the company register of the Chamber of Commerce.

Biggest blows
Financial holdings suffer the biggest blows. 495 companies within this line of business have been declared bankrupt. Together with construction companies (230 businesses) and organization and consultancy agencies (80 businesses) it forms the top three...]]> Thu, 19 Jul 2012 17:10:34 +0200 Many of you, dear readers, might not have a clue of what getting a tourist visa means for a person that doesn’t hold a EU, USA or Canadian passport. Well, it is a nightmare. I guess it varies by nationality, but I’m Colombian and unfortunately we have quite a negative reputation associated with drug trafficking, therefore international travel policies are harsh on us. The average bureaucratic procedure requires a long series of letters, stamps and certificates that demand time, money and specially energy. The appointments at embassies and consulates have never made me feel comfortable at all, there is something...]]> Tue, 17 Jul 2012 12:32:50 +0200 The volume of exports of goods increased by nearly 9 percent in May relative to twelve months previously. The growth rates of Dutch exports in April and March were nearly 6 and over 3 percent respectively. The volume of imports grew by nearly 7 percent in May, just as in April. The substantial growth of imports and exports was mainly due to an increased trade in mineral fuels. Volume figures have been adjusted for the number of working days.

July’s Exports Radar mainly shows downturns. In the previous months, circumstances for Dutch exports had also deteriorated.

The value of exported...]]> Fri, 13 Jul 2012 09:23:25 +0200 Josien Deknatel is the founder of Kickstart Language School She earned her teacher training in the Netherlands, but her teaching career has taken her to special places, and then back home to Holland. Her expat experiences have shaped her teaching and the core values of Kickstart

“Moving to a new country and getting used to a different culture and language is not an easy process,” says Josien. “I know because I’ve been there.”

Josien started teaching Dutch in London in the early 1990s at Linguarama and other language schools, plus two adult education colleges. Her teaching skills later carried over...]]> Thu, 12 Jul 2012 13:54:16 +0200 THE HAGUE – In future, flex workers will receive sickness benefit for a shorter period.

The Dutch Lower Chamber will probably agree on a proposal put forward by Minister Henk Kamp of Social Affairs on Thursday. The proposal contains plans to economize the benefits for this group. This became clear in last Tuesday’s debate with the Minister. The term for flex workers’ sickness benefit is two years, the same term as for employees working under a permanent contract. Soon, the term will be defined by the number of years an employee has worked and the amount of his or hers...]]> Wed, 11 Jul 2012 16:24:32 +0200 THE HAGUE – An experiment in which cooperating businesses support employees who might be losing their jobs in finding new careers proves to be successful. Out of 650 employees whose jobs were hanging in the balance, 340 have started out somewhere else. It mainly concerns older workers.

Thinkstock
Minister of Social Affairs Henk Kamp communicated this to the Dutch Lower Chamber last Tuesday. The preliminary report shows the results of nine experiments which were started last year. These experiments are initiatives from trade unions and employers’ organizations. Helping companies find other work for employees in fear of losing their jobs...]]> Mon, 09 Jul 2012 19:13:04 +0200  
According to the latest figures released by Statistics Netherlands, inflation remained stable in June. Just as in May, consumer prices were on average 2.1 percent up from one year previously. •Fresh vegetables and holidays have upward effect on inflation
•Airline tickets have downward effect on inflation
•Eurozone inflation rate stable Prices of fresh vegetables and package tours abroad were respectively 2.2 and 5.8 percent higher in June than in June 2011.

Airline ticket prices, on the other hand, had a downward effect on inflation. They fell by 5.2 percent relative to June last year. On balance, the inflation rate in...]]> Fri, 06 Jul 2012 14:38:16 +0200 DEN HAAG - Flexwerkers krijgen voortaan minder lang een uitkering wanneer ze ziek worden.

De Tweede Kamer stemt donderdag waarschijnlijk in met een wetsvoorstel van minister Henk Kamp van Sociale Zaken om de regeling voor deze groep te versoberen. Dat bleek dinsdag tijdens een debat met de minister.
De duur van de ziekteuitkering voor flexwerkers is nu nog 2 jaar, net als bij werknemers met een vast contract. Straks wordt de termijn waarop zij een uitkering ontvangen die gebaseerd is op het laatstverdiende loon bepaald door het aantal gewerkte jaren. Daarna volgt een veel lagere uitkering, gebaseerd op het minimumloon....]]> Thu, 05 Jul 2012 13:29:25 +0200
DEN HAAG - Een proef waarbij samenwerkende bedrijven werknemers die werkloos dreigen te worden naar een nieuwe baan begeleiden, is succesvol. Van de 650 werknemers van wie hun baan op de tocht stond, zijn er al 340 elders aan de slag. Het gaat vooral om ouderen.

© Thinkstock
Minister Henk Kamp van Sociale Zaken heeft dat dinsdag aan de Tweede Kamer geschreven. Het gaat om een tussenrapportage van negen experimenten die vorig jaar van start zijn gegaan. Ze zijn een initiatief van vakbonden en werkgeversorganisaties. Bedrijven helpen met ontslag bedreigd personeel aan ander werk, zonder tussenkomst van uitvoeringsinstantie UWV.
Ze...]]> Thu, 05 Jul 2012 13:28:03 +0200 In primary and secondary schools classrooms are getting more crowded, as the number of pupils per teacher is increasing by 4%, said the junior Education minister Halbe Zijlstra in a parliamentary briefing on 3rd July.

Even though the number of pupils per class in falling, the number of teachers is decreasing disproportionately, reports DutchNews.nl. According to the HBO college council, applications for teacher training college was down by almost 11% compared to last year.

A spokesman for the council was reported by the website saying that these results are not surprising, since the entry requirements for the training have become...]]> Wed, 04 Jul 2012 12:53:59 +0200 AMSTERDAM – In recent years, the Dutch labour market has grown due to a record number of foreign investment projects.
This was shown in a global investment climate analysis from Consultancy Company IBM published last Thursday. In 2011, The Netherlands recruited 342 investment projects, the highest number of projects ever realised in one year. According to IBM this generates 6400 jobs, an increase of 22 per cent compared to the 5200 jobs generated in 2010.
China
Most of the companies settling in the Netherlands are American, representing 104 projects and 2600 jobs. In second place we find the United Kingdom...]]> Mon, 02 Jul 2012 13:57:33 +0200 Big Nerd Ranch will grow its renowned software development, teaching and corporate consulting business from a new Amsterdam headquarters. Its offerings will be backed by the strong brand known globally for its Nerds, their technical knowledge and teaching talent, and their monastic-retreat style of training.

Reaching for European business
Big Nerd Ranch announced it is opening its first international office to serve growing demand for its technical training and consulting services. Initially, the office will be staffed by five Nerds, with current projections forecasting that the team will double in size within a year.

Big Nerd Ranch
Big Nerd Ranch...]]> Fri, 29 Jun 2012 11:36:03 +0200



Page Personnel has been active in recruitment since 1994 and is now offering its services in 22 countries. How has the company evolved, particularly since its start in The Netherlands in 2002?
Page Personnel is part of the Michael Page Group, and specifically recruits for positions up to 45k per year in operational and junior management roles. While Michael Page exists in The Netherlands for 25 years now, we will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary this year.
Page Personnel The Netherlands started its activities 10 years ago when a director and consultant from Michael Page were approached to set...]]> Thu, 31 May 2012 10:38:48 +0200 THE HAGUE – Employees are more often given the chance to opt for fringe benefits, such as more days off, extra wages, training compensation or a supplementary pension.
A small minority of Dutch businesses offers their employees the possibility to create their own fringe benefit package. Other businesses have indicated to be planning this too. This became clear from research by employers’ organization AWVN performed under its members. The most important reason for employers to offer more options is to satisfy their employees better. Over three quarters of businesses state this is their motive. Larger businesses (over 500 employees) rate...]]> Wed, 27 Jun 2012 11:14:38 +0200 THE HAGUE – More flexible dismissal regulations will increase labour productivity by 0.4 percent, or an annual 2.5 billion euro increase in affluence.
Minister Henk Kamp of Social Affairs wrote this in a letter to the Lower Chamber. Minister Kamp has sent the Chamber the details of the plans to relax dismissal regulations stated in the ‘Lenteakkoord’ (Spring Agreement) by the VVD, CDA, D66, GroenLinks and the ChristenUnie. The cabinet is in agreement. According to minister Kamp these measures will make it easier for older workers to move on to another job. Now, they are often stuck in their current...]]> Wed, 20 Jun 2012 09:51:28 +0200 AMSTERDAM – Men do not cling to a structured work environment as much as women. This is why the new way of working is more suitable to them.
This conclusion was drawn by a publisher of personality tests after they had interviewed nine hundred respondents. “The work place at home is usually less structured than at the office”, according to psychologist Olaf Korsten of test publisher Talentlens. “This is an advantage to men”. The fact that men are better at handling the more flexible circumstances of working at home is also caused by the reason that they find personal independence...]]> Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:53:27 +0200 AMSTERDAM – Nine out of ten Dutch businesses are not planning to hire new staff in the next three months.
This was shown by employment agency Manpower’s labour market barometer. Only a small number of businesses expects the number of employees to increase within their company. The managing director for marketing of the employment concern Haiko van der Pool stated, “After two years of slight positive to neutral employment expectations it is becoming clear that the Dutch labour market is looking at some precarious summer months”.
Source: Novum...]]> Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:52:19 +0200 The Hague – At no point in the last six years have there been more people out of work against their will than during the beginning of this year. In the first quarter of this year there were 883,000 people looking for a job for at least 12 hours a week.

Yet nearly half of them, 399,000 people, are not able to start straight away or is not looking for a job actively. This group usually consists of mothers and relatively younger people (up to the age of 45). This became clear from numbers published last Monday by the CBS...]]> Fri, 15 Jun 2012 10:08:59 +0200 The new WTC is centrally located in the Beatrix quarter close to the A12 highway connecting The Hague with the rest of the Netherlands. The Hague central train station is also nearby connecting the WTC with Schiphol international airport within 30 minutes and Rotterdam The Hague Airport within 20 minutes

International business in The Hague...]]> Fri, 15 Jun 2012 08:09:11 +0200 CSM, Royal DSM and Delft University of Technology join forces to invest in bio-research

On May 15th The Bioprocess Pilot Facility (BPF) in Delft was officially opened. In this facility process development research can be facilitated in the entire field of biomass pre-processing, biomass pre-treatment, fermentation and downstream processing.

The BPF is an open access facility where other companies, universities, knowledge institutes etc. can execute their scale-up research on bioprocesses. The setup of this facility starts with equipment already existing on the site of DSM, which will be brought in into the Joint Venture where CSM, Royal DSM and Delft...]]> Fri, 15 Jun 2012 08:07:06 +0200 APM Terminals selects new location for The Hague Headquarters at ´De Kroon´

APM Terminals has signed a lease agreement for a new world headquarters at the De Kroon office building in The Hague. The company will lease 3,500 m² office space for an initial duration of ten years, with occupancy set for Q4 2012.

APM Terminals chose the site based on its city center location, providing employees, clients and business partners easy access to The Hague’s business district, hotel accommodations, restaurants and cultural activities. Equally important, was the ideal proximity to Central Station and frequent, direct, express train service to...]]> Fri, 15 Jun 2012 08:04:43 +0200 The Hague – The Netherlands performs well economically but in the field of competition and innovation it finds itself in Europe’s middle bracket. This became clear from a report from TNO research institute published last Friday.

Even though the Netherlands still invests in the development of the knowledge economy, the number of people working in the field of innovation has dropped below the EU average. An unfavourable development is especially seen in the technology and science labour market. Comparatively speaking, few students, and especially women, opt for science subjects. What is also remarkable, is that foreign companies foot the bill...]]> Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:43:42 +0200
On 7 June 2012, the World Trade Centre The Hague was officially opened. The SANEC office is now part of WTC The Hague, located in office building Prinsenhof, part of The Hague New Centre. Minister under resignation Liesbeth Spies, mayor Jozias van Aartsen and chairman of WTC The Hague and SANEC Frans Engering, had the honour to officially open the WTC.

The organisation of WTC The Hague hosted a spectacular opening. After the guests of honour pushed the button, fireworks and abseiling stuntmen with green smoke ushered the opening of the WTC. A large number of representatives from the national...]]> Mon, 11 Jun 2012 16:25:26 +0200 THE HAGUE – The Council of State places critical remarks on the levies in the Budget agreement of the VVD, CDA, D66, GroenLinks and the ChristenUnie. According to the agreement, employers will have to pay a non-recurrent levy over incomes higher than 150,000 euro.
In the agreement a levy of 16 percent is taken out over the 2012 wages. It is not clear to the Council of State, the cabinet’s most important advisor, why companies should foot the bill for this levy instead of the ones receiving the high incomes. In the advice published on Monday, the Council asks the...]]> Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:52:32 +0200
LEADING JAPANESE HELMET MANUFACTURER OGK KABUTO ENTERS EUROPEAN MARKET

OGK KABUTO, the leading Japanese helmet manufacturer, and Mr Pam de Vries, former Ducati Motor Holding Director, have established a joint venture to bring KABUTO motorcycle products into the European market. KABUTO is the number one helmet Brand in Japan.

OGK KABUTO, located in Osaka, Japan, has a long-term objective to grow into a global player in the helmet industry, with the ambition to establish as an international market leader. As the European market is of great importance the company has joined forces with automotive professional, Mr Pam de Vries.

OGK...]]> Wed, 06 Jun 2012 21:52:30 +0200
Former corn plant converted

US agricultural commodities trader Cargill has officially begun production of bioethanol in a former corn plant in Bergen op Zoom, located in the southern part of the Netherlands.

The factory will process biomass by extracting starch into ethanol. Since 1987, Cargill has been producing starch and glucose for the food industry in that plant.

According to general manager Alain Dufait, the new production is a good example of innovation that contributes to the bio-based economy.

Source: Cargill press release, 1 June 2012
...]]> Wed, 06 Jun 2012 21:48:47 +0200 Celebrating exceptional expats, employers and newly arrived headquarters in the Netherlands

June 6, Nyenrode Business University: At an event last night at Nyenrode Business University, Emmy Coffey McCarthy, eBuddy, and Kuwait Petroleum were announced as the winners of Expat of the Year, Expat Employer of the Year, and Newly Arrived HQ of the Year respectively at the Expat Awards 2012.
The event was hosted by Paul Brown of WorldwideBrokers and included speeches by Bas Pulles and Serv Wiemers of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA). The Awards garnered over 2,500 votes from the public, on which the shortlists were based,...]]> Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:06:02 +0200 A couple of months ago, in a moment when I was feeling hopeless but determined to find a job regardless if it was something that I was passionate about or not, I applied to vacancies for jobs that don’t require academic qualifications such as cleaning offices and delivering post. Once again I was rejected: I didn’t have experience as a cleaner (naively I thought that keeping my house tidy and shiny was enough) and I was not able to speak Dutch. I remember a remarkable phone conversation with the hiring manager of the post service that drained away my determination....]]> Mon, 04 Jun 2012 09:25:20 +0200
The number of flex workers is growing continually. Between 2001 and 2011, the share of flex workers grew from 13 to 18 percent. Most flex workers are young. The economic situation strongly affects the number of flex workers.

Employment flex workers follows economic cycle
In the period 2004–2007, the economy boosted and the number of flex jobs grew substantially. The economy contracted in 2009 and the number of flex workers was reduced. When the economy is performing poorly, employees with flexible contracts are the first ones to lose their jobs, but the number of flex jobs declined less rapidly than...]]> Tue, 29 May 2012 10:22:26 +0200
IMD today announced the findings of its annual World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY). The WCY rankings measure how well countries manage their economic and human resources to increase their prosperity. •Top 3 are Hong Kong, US and Switzerland
•Holland moves up from 14th to 11th position
•Foreign investment, rising exports, low youth unemployment and lack of red tape have boosted Dutch position
•US competitiveness remains the key to global recovery

May 31, 2012

The most competitive of the 59 ranked economies in 2012 are Hong Kong, the US and Switzerland (see overall rankings table below). Despite all its setbacks, the US...]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2012 08:58:12 +0200
Analysis May:
The economic situation at the end of May was worse than at the end of April. This is mainly due to declining confidence among consumers and manufacturers, slumping household consumption and the poor situation on the labour market. Just as in April, the heart of the scatter in the Business Cycle Tracer is located in the recession stage. Thirteen of the fifteen indicators are currently below the level of their long-term average.

In the course of May, new data have become available for all indicators except for the number of bankruptcies. As a result, the distribution of the...]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2012 08:47:00 +0200
Within the eurozone, the Dutch goods trade surplus is by far the largest compared to other euro countries (147 billion euro in 2011). The goods trade surplus with countries beyond the eurozone is much lower.

Quarter of GDP
The total value of goods exported by the Netherlands to other euro countries amounted to 294 billion euro last year . The value of imports from these countries was 147 billion euro, resulting in a trade surplus of 147 billion euro, i.e. nearly one quarter of the GDP.

Neighbouring countries contribute most to trade surplus
The 147 billion euro trade surplus is...]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2012 08:39:47 +0200
Please introduce yourself and GDCC
My name is Clarissa Baldwin and I am the Recruiter and Trainer here at GDCC. GDCC is a Global Data Collection Company that conducts market and opinion based research all over the world. We conduct computer aided telephonic interview surveys in a variety of subjects such as IT, finance, healthcare, etc. We have a 160 capacity in Rotterdam and we accommodate surveys in around 18 different languages with a focus on the main European languages. We also operate 40-seat capacity with our partnership venture in Malaysia QPA-GDCC from where we cover the Asia-Pacific region.


What...]]> Thu, 31 May 2012 11:02:16 +0200 The three main Dutch student organisation went to court on Monday with the aim of changing government plan to introduce a fine for those students who stay behind in their study.

According to the government proposal, which has already being voted by the majority of the Senate and the Tweede Kamer, students who take too long to complete the degree are to pay €3,000 fine every extra study year they take to complete their Bachelor.

This law would be retroactive: the fine would also apply to students who are already enrolled in University and have accumulated a delay. This point...]]> Thu, 24 May 2012 18:37:35 +0200
The investment made in research and development by chemical and biotechnical company DSM is a strong impulse for the Dutch knowledge economy. The investment of one hundred million euro will yield hundreds of extra jobs.
World’s Best
‘This causes the Netherlands to remain high in global ranking when it comes to agro food, chemical industry and energy’, according to the minister Verhagen of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation. DSM’s decision shows that the Netherlands is the place for innovative business.
Tax Reduction for Innovative Businesses
DSM profits from the investment because of the tax reduction for innovating businesses at the...]]> Thu, 24 May 2012 11:26:08 +0200
So we hear all the time and everywhere about the importance of networking. I do believe in its relevance, specially in a case like mine that I’m not only trying to find a job but also to grasp and get involved with this place that is now my ‘other’ home (last time I went ‘back home’ to visit my family it felt weird, when filling out the immigration paper I got in the airport, to write under the country of residence field ‘The Netherlands’, followed by providing a Dutch address).

It’s definitely not going to happen much if I just...]]> Thu, 24 May 2012 09:32:30 +0200 AMSTERDAM – The Netherlands has climbed three steps on the global ranking list for employees wanting to work on an international level.
The recently published Global Talent Mobility Survey shows that the Netherlands is on the 11th place. Well over 162,000 people from 66 countries were interviewed by The Intelligence Group. In total, 19 percent of employees (382 million workers) with international ambitions prefer the Netherlands over other countries. Interviewees are able to state several preferred countries. According to researchers this increase is especially due to a number of well known Dutch multinationals and the pull of cities like Amsterdam...]]> Wed, 23 May 2012 13:01:56 +0200 LUXEMBURG – People earning the highest incomes pay the most income tax in Sweden, Denmark and Belgium, followed directly by the Netherlands and Spain.
This became clear from numbers published by the European Statistical Office Eurostat on Monday. In Sweden, Denmark and Belgium, workers earning the most pay respectively 56.6, 55.4, and 53.7 percent in taxes. Dutch and Spanish workers pay 52 percent. Workers on high income in the 27 European Union countries pay an average of 38.1 percent income tax. Company Tax is slightly higher in the Netherlands (25 percent) than the European average (23.5 percent). Company Tax in...]]> Wed, 23 May 2012 12:48:36 +0200 It will be made easier for companies to axe employees and severance pay will take a considerable plunge.
This information comes from the ‘Lenteakkoord’ (Spring Agreement) of political parties VVD, CDA, D66, GroenLinks and the ChristenUnie which was leaked to national newspaper ‘De Telegraaf’.

According to the five parties, dismissal should be checked after the fact instead of in advance, which is the case currently. This means that businesses will not have to ask permission for the dismissal of an employee with the benefit authority UWV or the cantonal judge (magistrate). After an internal hearing, the fired employee can make...]]> Wed, 23 May 2012 10:15:57 +0200 What was the motivation for starting the Undutchables?
More than 16 yeas ago me my friend Judith started this venture in an Amstelveen attic. She had worked in London as a recruiter and had observed how multilingual job agencies were very common there. When she returned to The Netherlands she started to work with a company that used to be one of her clients. This company focused on working with multilingual professionals but had trouble finding them and there was not an agency at that time doing this kind of business in The Netherlands. So we decided to give it...]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 22:43:16 +0200 Over the last ten years, the number of self-employed increased with over 200 thousand.  This growth is attributed entirely to writing self-employed without staff. Their number grew to 728 thousand persons in 2011, while the number of self-employed with staff remained stable at about 350 thousand people.

Almost 1.1 million self-employed persons

The total number of self-employed persons in the workforce to 65 years took in the period of 2002-2011 867 thousand to almost 1.1 million persons.
Also under active over-65 age group, the number of self-employed persons: 28 thousand of persons in 2002 to 47 thousand in 2011.

Especially...]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 11:26:17 +0200 The share of university student receiving a bachelor’s degree within 4 years has risen in the last few years. Women are graduating faster than men. Graduation rates are rising for science disciplines in particular.

Half of students have a bachelor’s degree within 4 years
Nearly half (49 percent) of first year university students in study year 2007/’08 had received their bachelor’s degree within 4 years. This is 9 percent points more than students staring university in 2004/’05. One possible explanation for this improvement is the introduction of the binding study advice at Dutch universities. In addition, the bachelor-before-master rule may...]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 11:20:50 +0200 AMSTERDAM – Two thirds of employees still do not know how much they will lose should the tax-free travel expenses be axed next year.
This became clear from research performed by the financial department of the ING published last Thursday. One in nine (11 percent) interviewees think they will probably be working at home more frequently. Half of the interviewees is of the opinion that the government should contribute to costs involved in commuter traffic. The tax-free travel expenses, which allows employers to reimburse 19 cents per kilometre tax-free, will be axed next year. In the future, employees will lose...]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 00:01:19 +0200
On average, students will graduate with a debt of some €17,500 Nibud calculates, based on research among 3,000 hbo college and university goers. But many have no idea under what conditions they have borrowed the money - some 50% have no idea what interest they have to pay over the loan.

In addition, one in five students do not claim help...]]> Mon, 21 May 2012 14:35:00 +0200
THE HAGUE – Every person receiving benefits must speak Dutch. This was stated by the VVD in a government proposal which will be submitted by Member of Parliament Cora van Nieuwenhuizen next Tuesday.
The VVD is of the opinion that people on social security should be able to speak Dutch at least as well as those integrating into Dutch society. According to the proposal, social security payment will be reduced to 80 percent should there be a reasonable suspicion that the person involved does not speak Dutch. After 6 months that percentage becomes 60 percent and if, after a period of...]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 09:54:27 +0200 There should be more focus on women in business organizations. Women make up an important part of the world economy but they are not doing well on the Dutch labour market. This appeal was made by a number of women today, the day after Mother’s Day.

The financial crisis is extra hard on women, according to initiator Annemie Schuitemaker. ‘Women are in a predicament and this is caused by a number of related reasons. The fact that childcare is becoming more and more expensive which puts pressure on women for instance. Research performed by the Commissie Gelijke Behandeling (the equal...]]> Mon, 21 May 2012 23:40:45 +0200 Consulting and research firm Great Place to Work announced for the 10th time the list of best employers in the Netherlands. More than 100 companies participated in the survey that measured and evaluated employers based on issues such as working conditions, development opportunities, rewards and leadership.

And the winner is…
The list is split into 3 categories: Large & Multinational Companies (LMNC with more than 250 employees), Medium Sized Enterprises (MSE with between 50 and 250 employees) and Small & Young Enterprises (SYE between 20 and 50 employees). Employees that participated in the survey had to answer questions like: how do the...]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 18:50:11 +0200 AMSTERDAM – The right job can play an important role in a person’s sense of happiness. A staggering 87 percent thinks that the right job adds to, or even determines their sense of happiness. This is shown by research performed by Monster under 2972 visitors to their website.
Well over half of the Dutch interviewees say that they believe that the right job is very important to their sense of happiness. Almost a third says that they believe it is somewhat important, and 17 percent state they only work in order to be able to pay the bills. German workers...]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 12:36:41 +0200
AMSTERDAM – Employees are dismissed more and more often because of statements and outbursts made public through social media.
According to an article by service provider Arag published in the AD last Monday. Research shows that one in three employers check their employees’ behaviour on Twitter and Facebook. A spokesperson says in the article, “It is quite easy for an employer to find out through Twitter or Facebook what his or her employees get up to in their spare time.” The Arag report shows that one in three employers check their staff’s behaviour. 10 percent of them even do this...]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 12:32:13 +0200
AMSTERDAM – Employers do not offer their workers enough room to improve their position within the organization. This became clear from research performed by Effectory , over 300,000 workers were interviewed.
57 percent of workers score their possibility to better their position with a unsatisfactory mark and the opportunity for promotion scored 4.9 on average. In addition, there is also too little focus on career development (5.6) and educational training (5.0). According to Effectory’s managing director, Guido Heezen, this is due to low budgets for staff training and promotion is often not in the equation at all.

Creative
According to...]]> Fri, 11 May 2012 09:20:00 +0200
The UWV (Uitvoeringsinstiuut WerknemersVerzekeringen/JCP Jobcentre Plus) offers several ways of starting one’s own business while still being entitled to benefits. You will, however, have to make an appointment with your job coach before you start actual preparations for your own business. Please note: if you should register with the Chamber of Commerce before conferring with your job coach, your benefit payment will be terminated.

Starting up and retaining your benefits
The UWV has come up with a fantastic arrangement for people, who whilst retaining their benefits, want to set up their own company. You will need your UWV job coach to...]]> Wed, 09 May 2012 10:00:31 +0200
AMSTERDAM – Traditional collective pension funds should be replaced by compulsory individual savings accounts. The current system is far too unclear.
So stated by Lex Hoogduin, professor in monetary economics and former central banker with the Nederlandsche Bank, in an interview for NRC Handelsblad. According to Lex Hoogduin the current pension agreement should be replaced with a better alternative. According to the professor’s plans, all Dutch people will have a savings account holding all savings aimed at for instance their pension or housing. Source: NRC Handelsblad....]]> Thu, 03 May 2012 11:11:40 +0200
AMSTERDAM – Next year, the agreed rise of the high btw (VAT) tariff will cost each household approximately 15 euro each month.
The following year this amount will increase to approximately 27.50 euro. An economist working for the ING bank confirmed the news last Saturday in Het Parool. Comprehensive financial service ING has, at the request of this newspaper, calculated the consequences of this raised btw tariff (this tariff will be levied on most products and services). “Because most people will not be receiving a rise in pay in the coming years, almost everyone will be effected the higher prices”,...]]> Thu, 03 May 2012 10:57:14 +0200
AMSTERDAM – Employers do not have the right to view an employee’s medical file should he or she be off sick. They can however ask a judge to have an independent doctor to view the file.

The magazine Medisch Contact wrote this in an article after it was pronounced by the European Court of Human Rights. The French company Eternit had instituted legal proceedings against the French government. Eternit lodged a complaint with the ECHR because it had not been allowed to view the medical file of an employee suffering from lung cancer. This meant that the company had no...]]> Thu, 03 May 2012 10:43:04 +0200 AMSTERDAM – More than half (55 percent) of all employees are trying to make a career switch due to the economical crisis.
About a third (30 percent) of all employees declare that they are considering a career switch should the opportunity occur. However, for 15 percent of employees, the economical crisis has no influence on their career. These numbers became apparent from global research under over 4600 visitors to the career portal Monster/Monsterboard.nl.

Differences between countries
The results show that employees in Europe, North America and Asia largely agree with one and other. More than half of all respondents in...]]> Thu, 03 May 2012 10:26:42 +0200 How many interviews have you had till now? Still no job offer? Do you feel that it gets worse with each meeting? Well, you might be right. Interview gets old after a while and without even realizing you might be sabotaging yourself. It’s high time to change your approach.

The interviewer doesn’t know how many interviews you have been on. All they care about is the conversation you are involved in at the moment. The recruiters are often forced to sit across from someone tired and worn out from knocking on doors. If the recruiter suspects that you may be...]]> Wed, 02 May 2012 16:09:18 +0200

The Netherlands ranks high as a proper place where to start a company. What do you find are the advantages of setting a business here?
When I came to the Netherlands, in 1991, there was a time of recession. So I did not set up a business because it was easy to do so, but because I saw a gap in the market, which was for international recruitment companies. I had always worked in recruitment, and I noticed Holland was not very international back then. It was not easy to set the company, as Holland has a lot of rules...]]> Tue, 01 May 2012 14:55:58 +0200 The German mail-order firm Neckermann is getting rid of its paper catalogue and from now on will only sell via the internet. As a consequence of this new policy, 1400 of the 2500 jobs will be axed. This was announced by the company last Friday.

“The future lies in the internet for mail-order firms. It is a development that just cannot be ignored. Too much of our funds are now being spent on paper. This is stopping us from developing our website, www.neckermann.de”, according to the company. 80 percent of all orders are already placed online. During the first quarter...]]> Wed, 02 May 2012 12:32:56 +0200
AMSTERDAM – Europe wants to put a stop to the so-called PO Box companies.
Soon, foreign companies will not be allowed to just set up business on paper in the Netherlands because of the favourable tax climate. This means the Netherlands will miss out on approximately one and a half billion euro in tax income and thousands of jobs will be lost, according to the AD of last Friday. Large companies such as Google and IKEA but also rock bands such as U2 and The Rolling Stones have these PO Boxes in the Netherlands. In total there are approximately twenty...]]> Sat, 28 Apr 2012 10:48:39 +0200 FNV (Federation Dutch Labour Movement) wants permanent contracts after one year

AMSTERDAM – Every employee should automatically be offered the right to a permanent contract after having worked for the same employer for a year, according to the FNV.
The trade union stated so last Wednesday preceding the hearing on flexible labour and security in the Dutch Lower Chamber. The FNV, who so far mainly focussed its efforts on employees working with permanent contracts, is now looking to improve the position of flex workers. Catelene Passchier, the labour conditions coordinator for the FNV, is very concerned about the increasing number...]]> Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:01:06 +0200
The happiest countries in the world are all in Northern Europe (Denmark, Norway, Finland, Netherlands). Their average life evaluation score is 7.6 on a 0-to-10 scale. The least happy countries are all poor countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (Togo, Benin, Central African Republic, Sierra Leone) with average life evaluation scores of 3.4. But it is not just wealth that makes people happy: Political freedom, strong social networks and an absence of corruption are together more important than income in explaining well-being differences between the top and bottom countries. At the individual level, good mental and physical health, someone to count on,...]]> Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:33:44 +0200 • Nearly all provinces showed economic growth in 2011
• Marginal decline in Zeeland due to downturn in chemical industry
According to the latest figures released by Statistics Netherlands, nearly all provinces achieved economic growth last year. North Brabant, Utrecht and Flevoland enjoyed the fastest economic growth, but in the province of Zeeland the economy contracted marginally.

The economy improved by 2.1 percent in North Brabant. The growth rate for Flevoland and Utrecht was 2 percent. The economic growth rates in these provinces were far beyond the nationwide average of 1.2 percent. Manufacturing industry contributed most to the economic growth...]]> Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:25:18 +0200
Lufthansa is launching a new route to Rotterdam The Hague Airport. From 1 October 2012, the twice-daily service will be operated from Munich. “With this new service we will offer our customers convenient connections to the economic region centred around Rotterdam and The Hague. These cities will also have direct links to other destinations in Europe and worldwide via our Munich hub,” says Thomas Klühr, Member of the Lufthansa German Airlines Board, Munich & Direct Services.

Rotterdam, which has a population of 600,000, is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and is the world's third-largest port. The airport is also...]]> Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:55:59 +0200 Have you notice how relatively easy is for a recent graduate to get an internship in The Netherlands, in comparison to how hard is to find a JOB (yes in capital letters, just to emphasize the distinction)? At least that is the impression that I have after months of drifting thought the finding-a-job process. I don’t restrict my job searching to job listing websites and recruitment agencies, I also visit companies’ websites because is very common that they have their own vacancy page where you can find job posts that are not anywhere else advertized. And while I often come...]]> Mon, 23 Apr 2012 08:16:45 +0200
AMSTERDAM – In the Catshuis (the official residence of the prime minister), negotiators for VVD, CDA and PVV are discussing the possible change to or even the end of the tax-free mileage allowance for employees.

This was stated in an article published in the AD last Wednesday. Several different alternatives have been put to the CPB (Central Plan Bureau). Today, employees still receive 19 cents per kilometre from their boss but this amount may drop to 14 cents. According to the negotiators this is a realistic proposition, landing them 500 million euro. Putting a complete end to mileage allowance has...]]> Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:22:40 +0200 STRATBOURG – The European Commission urges the Netherlands to open up its labour market fully to Rumanians and Bulgarians.
Employees from all 27 EU-countries should be treated equally. This is one of the many proposals put forward by the executive committee of the European Union last Wednesday in order to save the European labour market. The Netherlands does not stand alone in this matter. There are a total of nine EU countries that will not allow Rumanians and Bulgarians to work without a work permit. This is also the case in Germany.

Minimum wage
A plea for setting a minimum...]]> Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:20:08 +0200
We leave our homeland in hope of a better live, a promise of a great future and persistence to make it abroad. Sometimes life throws us curveballs and doesn’t matter how much you would like to control your fate, we can only control how we react. Sacrifices. We all make them at crucial times of our lives. Some of us do it on a daily basis and the lucky ones can only read about it thanking god it isn’t them.

I always thought that leaving my country and moving to the Netherlands will make it easier for me to find...]]> Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:25:54 +0200
A survey of the world’s largest importers and exporters of 2011 shows that the Netherlands was the fourth largest exporting country, worth 660 billion dollars, preceded by China (1899 billion dollars), the USA (1481 billion dollars), Germany (1474 billion dollars) and Japan at (823 billion dollars).
The Netherlands was the seventh largest importing country (597 billion dollars). This list was headed by the USA (2265 billion dollars), followed by...]]> Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:06:17 +0200 In addition, employers should not infringe employees who apply for parental leave. In order for the Netherlands to follow European guidelines, the government will adjust the working hours Act. Employees wishing to adjust their working hours will have to put in their request with their employer three months prior to their parental leave ending . The employer will have to decide on the matter no more than four weeks before the term ends. 
Source:NUzakelijk  ...]]> Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:04:48 +0200 In between of the ups and downs of my job hunting the idea of starting my own business has been constantly present. People around me have also been very encouraging about it; I even got as a present for my last birthday a book with ‘100 sales ideas’. I keep a little notebook where I write all my entrepreneurial thoughts and possible business projects but I still haven’t managed to figure out what exactly my company should offer and sell. With the aim of taking-charge of this fuzzy dream instead of waiting for the ‘great idea’ to come, I decided...]]> Tue, 17 Apr 2012 08:57:44 +0200
Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn - those media can help you find a new job or harm your e-image. The internet is not only a place to look up a candidate, but it has become a place where you can recruit one. Head hunters work in the virtual sphere to find the...]]> Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:00:39 +0200 You know, the kind of folks who take responsibility and then take action, who don’t wait for a problem before they look for a solution.
The wish that employees would act more like owners is so commonplace it is viewed as one of those “just the way it is," human nature problems.
I'd like to suggest, however, that this can and will change when owners and managers first change their own thinking and expectations.

Although old-fashioned dictatorial, top-down, work/responsibility relationships are slowly dissolving, many employer/employee roles...]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 09:02:33 +0200 I’m Laura, a visual artist with a Master in Arts. I came to The Netherland almost 3 years ago to pursue a Masters degree and after I finishing my studies I decided to stay (due to different reasons, but yeah, I admit it, love was the ultimate motivation). Since then I have found it difficult to find a position that matches my experience and aspirations.

Despite this, I have been extremely pro-active and have involved myself in many different activities, helping me to both expand my network and also create new opportunities for myself. I’m starting a diary to share with...]]> Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:57:10 +0200
9 thousand less open vacancies in the  private sector than a quarter earlier. With 6 thousand the greatest decline was in commercial service. This remains the sector with the most vacancies (73 thousand). In industry and construction there were 12 thousand and 5 thousand respectively. The number of jobs at the Government came out on 7 thousand. This is slightly...]]> Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:19:28 +0200 Brussels will for instance investigate whether foreign employees pay more tax money than their native colleagues. Furthermore, it will be looked into whether or not employees from other member states may claim the same tax deductions. According to the commission, fiscal obstruction is still the main barrier in creating an internal market. “The EU regulations are quite clear: all EU citizens should be treated equal in the internal market’, according to Member of the European Commission for Anti-Fraud Algirdas Semeta.

Core...]]> Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:52:06 +0200
Employment in the horticultural sector remains stable
Employment in the horticultural sector and its suppliers has remained fairly stable over the period 2005-2010. There were 125 thousand jobs in 2010 versus 126 thousand in 2005. The number of jobs in the horticultural sector fell by nearly 8 thousand; more than 6 thousand jobs went to companies supplying products and services, e.g. contract workers, machinery and equipment.

Many jobs...]]> Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:17:43 +0200 The concept of Liberal Arts and Sciences is an old one, dating back to the fifth Century. Back then, there were considered to be seven subjects: grammar, rhetoric, logic, music, arithmetic, astronomy, and geometry. Nowadays, bachelor courses of Liberal Arts and Sciences cover a wider area of subjects than the original seven, including law, economics, foreign languages, biology, history, and others, usually divided in the traditional tracks od Humanities, Social Sciences and Sciences.

One of...]]> Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:20:14 +0200 The main concern of the expats involved in the survey is the difficulty in learning the language, which most likely weights negatively on the criteria of integration. The sample of the survey was mainly composed by USA, UK and French expats, who generally have difficulties learning other languages. However, anybody leaving in the Netherlands...]]> Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:28:21 +0200 and safety firm, and its decision to pass confidential information about its clients on to employers. CBP, a privacy watchdog group, has called for an investigation and the company itself has vowed to being an internal probe into the situation.

According to Dutch law, only doctors employed by a company can ask why a worker is on sick leave. Zembla’s investigation reveals that Arbodienst has released private medical information to companies and that members of its call center staff...]]> Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:04:14 +0100 According to results of the annual research done by the NSWO ( Dutch Society for Sleep - Wake Research), a quarter of all interviewees sometimes use stimulants in order to perform better at work. The chairman for the NSWO Hans Hamburger says that it is clear that sleep and work have an effect on one and another. The survey shows that 30 percent of all interviewees regularly...]]> Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:13:01 +0100 An agreement needs to comply with three requirements for it to be a labour agreement: the employee himself carries out work for the employer; the employer pays the employee for the work carried out; there is an authority relationship between the employer and the employee. A labour agreement may be arranged either in writing or verbally. However, it is wise to have a labour agreement in writing. There are some advantages to having the labour agreement in writing because a number of rights and duties are then recorded....]]> Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:03:01 +0100
After rounding up my studies and getting all the residence paperwork done, I approached the quest for work systematically, registering...]]> Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:59:25 +0100
This year Madison Parker International, global recruitment consultants based in Voorburg, celebrate their ten year anniversary. We spoke to Ray Parker, founder and Managing Director about the changes in the industry since he started the business in 2002 and his thoughts on what the future holds for the company.

What motivated you to set up Madison Parker?

It had always been an ambition to have my own business and although I had previously experienced two start-up situations I found myself at the right time and place to realise this goal even though the global economies were reeling from the effects...]]> Wed, 21 Mar 2012 09:49:57 +0100
Linda Groener, the co-owner of the job board for internationals “Together Abroad”, says that for many companies a key business challenge is not the slow economy but talent shortage” Companies that innovate and export to emerging markets outside the European Union are...]]> Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:16:47 +0100
But what I have learned is that...]]> Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:36:23 +0100
The Council of State argues that Dutch citizens are not “less connected” to the Netherlands if they move...]]> Thu, 15 Mar 2012 13:32:20 +0100 Where jobseekers mainly refer to online recruitment sites (95%) and temping agencies (83%) when looking for work, SME entrepreneurs mainly use their own websites (65%) and their own private network (53%) when looking for staff. Jobseekers directly checking the website of a company is only found in seventh place according to the TNO (Dutch Organization for Applied Scientific Research) and employment agency Unique’s MKB Marktmonitor (SME Market Monitor) of 2011/2012. Social Media
Social media are used by...]]> Wed, 14 Mar 2012 18:54:22 +0100 Culture

At first, adapting to your new country may be challenging...]]> Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:23:27 +0100 AMSTERDAM – The European Union has plans to create jobs and encourage economic growth. This became clear from a document of the European Council, which was discussed during the Euro summit on Monday. This document is in the hands of Dow Jones Newswires.

Amongst other things, the EU is looking to combat youth unemployment and providing loans to small businesses by using unused EU funding. These funds could be used to combat unemployment by creating internships, training and education. According to the plans, EU member states which have the highest number of youth unemployment will be offered ‘large-scale support programmes...]]> Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:54:27 +0100 This became clear from research ordered by minister Henk Kamp (Social Affairs) into new labour instructions for the UWV when dealing with resignation requests. From September to December last year, 13 resignation requests for a total of 85 employees, were put forward to the UWV. In these cases employers wanted to switch over to temporary contractors, temporary workers and self-employed persons.
12 requests were denied because it had not been made reasonably clear that there would be...]]> Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:43:05 +0100 The findings come as a shock because a decline this severe is unprecedented. During previous economic downturns in the country, the number of contracts remained relatively steady.

A spokesman from the UWW, which serves as the Dutch government’s job center and benefits payment agency, told the Daily Trouw that the dramatic 97% drop “may have something to do with the continuing uncertainty hanging over the market but...]]> Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:58:21 +0100 More young Wajong benefit recipients
The number of under-27 Wajong (Income Provision Act for Disabled Young People) claimants has grown further in the first six months of 2011, but the number of completely disabled among Wajong recipients has declined.

75 thousand young people receive Wajong benefits
By the end of June last year, 75 thousand under-27s received Wajong benefits, i.e. nearly 4 thousand more than at the end of 2010. The increase relative to June 2007 is 25 thousand. The number of young Wajong claimants has risen for a considerable period of time now.

More young men than young women...]]> Sun, 04 Mar 2012 16:56:49 +0100 During last year’s final quarter TUI’s loss amounted to nearly 88 million euro, 89 percent more than the previous year.
Turnover dropped by 5 percent to over 3.4 billion euro. TUI also lost on their investment in container shipping company Hapag-Lloyd to the amount of 9 million euro.
Senior official Michael Frenzel expects a modest increase over the entire financial year’s result. The financial year ends at the end of September.

Nu.nl ANP
...]]> Thu, 01 Mar 2012 23:41:45 +0100
This was put forward by Kamp during a debate in the Lower Chamber. He is looking forward to the hearing on flexibility and security in the labour market being held this spring in the Chamber. Kamp announced that the cabinet will display ‘our opinion on flexible labour’, so that he will be able to discuss the matter further before summer....]]> Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:45:32 +0100 The regional differences between the export capacities of Overijsselse regions are limited, however Twente...]]> Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:55:41 +0100 The economy shrank with 0.7 percent in the fourth quarter compared to the previous year. Since the decline already amounted to 0.4 percent in the third quarter, the Netherlands is now officially in recession. A recession is in effect when the gross domestic product decreases two quarters running. According to the CBS, the decline is largely attributed to a further decline in household consumption. The economic growth for the whole of 2011 will amount to 1.2 percent.
Source NUzakelijk
...]]> Tue, 28 Feb 2012 08:06:25 +0100 This is stated in the report Labour Demand of the SCP (Social Cultural Plan Bureau) which was presented to chairman Bernard Wientjes of the employers union VNO-NCW last Tuesday.

Employers have, in the course of the years, built in more flexibility in their work force. In 2009, 13 percent of employees had a short or long running contract. Employees who have a temporary (longer than one year) contract are replaced...]]> Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:06:50 +0100
Stage A includes people working for temp agencies on a contract basis without regular terms of employment. In stage A, it is easier for both parties – employer and employee – to terminate...]]> Sat, 25 Feb 2012 00:30:04 +0100
Minister for Foreign Trade & Agriculture, Henk Bleker, is very content with these foreign investments: 'It shows that the Netherlands still has a favorable investment climate. Companies favor the Netherlands for its position as a stepping stone into Europe, its language and educational skills, as well as its fiscal climate....]]> Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:44:28 +0100
How can recruiters attract foreign workers?

You can start by communicating the advantages of working in the Netherlands. Most Dutch people speak English which makes is a lot...]]> Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:09:36 +0100
More immigrants from EU countries

Immigration numbered 160 thousand last year, i.e. 6 thousand more than in 2010. The growth is almost entirely due to immigration from other EU countries. With 64 thousand, of whom 19 thousand natives from Poland, four in every ten immigrants came from one of the...]]> Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:38:40 +0100 The unemployment within Western foreigners has also slightly increased, to 7.1 percent.

The marginal unemployment growth in the population with a non-western background was most obvious among over-25s. The rate among young people with a non-western ethnic background remained stable relative to 2010 at...]]> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:17:01 +0100 Employers’ organizations VNO-NCW and MKB-Nederland have stated this in a report which was written together with other organizations and Dutch businesses and sent to the government. A parliamentary debate on labour migration is scheduled for next Tuesday.

The employers’ organizations aim is to counter the recent negative reports on illegal work and bad housing for migrants.
“On balance, labour migration leans toward the positive and should not be determined by negative events. The solution is...]]> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:43:21 +0100