DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Career
Dutch news & articles
How to make a successful career switch
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

It may seem daunting, making a career switch. But it doesn’t have to be. Undutchables Recruitment Agency gives us some tips on how you can make switching careers a little easier.

Related Stories

Get that job: Identifying and leveraging your transferable skillsGet that job: Identifying and leveraging your transferable skills
Do you speak German or French? You’re in high demand in the NetherlandsDo you speak German or French? You’re in high demand in the Netherlands
Job interviews in the Netherlands: A guide for internationalsJob interviews in the Netherlands: A guide for internationals
Your guide to working with a recruitment agency in the NetherlandsYour guide to working with a recruitment agency in the Netherlands
Advancing your career: What to considerAdvancing your career: What to consider
6 Tips: What to do after a job interview6 Tips: What to do after a job interview
How to get your foreign qualifications recognised in the NetherlandsHow to get your foreign qualifications recognised in the Netherlands
Making the most of Dutch public holidays in 2021Making the most of Dutch public holidays in 2021
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemapRSS feeds
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairsWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Get that dream job!

How to make a successful career switch

Paid partnership
Jun 7, 2021
Paid partnership

A career switch may seem daunting if you have worked in the same industry for years and years. Change can be scary. Often self-doubt creeps in: “What if I am no good at...?”. It requires a lot of energy, time and perhaps even a financial commitment as well. So, how can you make this whole process a little easier and less stressful? Here are a few tips!

Write down your accomplishments and tasks

The first thing you should do is to write down all the things you have accomplished during your current career. What are the things you are proud of? Also, write down everything you have done on the job. Once you have written down all of your accomplishments and tasks, you will have a clear overview of what you have done and what you are good at. This is especially helpful when you are composing a new CV or a cover letter. Moreover, if you want to switch careers, but you are not sure of the direction you want to go in, you can use this list of accomplishments and tasks to guide you towards your new path.

 

 

Identify your transferable skills

If you have done the above, it’s time to look at your list and see which of your skills are job-specific and which ones will be useful for other positions as well. We call these transferable skills. Perhaps you were a team leader, or maybe you have a great eye for detail. Both of these things can come in handy in many a career. For example, if you were a (good) team leader, you should have good communication skills, relationship-building skills, and the know-how to solve a problem or two. All of these skills are sought after in other careers.

 

 

Learn new skills

Transferable skills are great, but sometimes you will need some extra job-specific skills. And perhaps the new career you are eyeing requires you to have certain skills you do not possess - yet! Once you have identified which skills you are lacking, it’s time to invest some time (and perhaps money) into acquiring said skills. Follow a course, look for an opportunity to learn on the job, get a mentor and / or watch video tutorials. There are ways to learn new skills for every budget.

Network, network, network

Now, networking might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but there is no denying it works well when it comes to your career. Meeting the right people can make all the difference! Start by connecting with like-minded people and industry leaders on platforms such as LinkedIn. Ask them if they are willing to share some advice on the industry you are looking to break into. Do some research and find out if there are any important industry events you should attend to make some valuable new contacts.

And don’t forget about your “old” network! Let them know you are looking for a career change. They might know some key people in the industry.

Do a good job now

This may seem like a no-brainer, but don’t slack off on the job you have, even if you've lost interest in your current career. You will want to make a good first impression on your next boss or clients, and positive references could help with that. Besides, your old network may be able to help you out with your new career trajectory, so you don’t want there to be any bad blood.

Are you looking to make a career switch? Undutchables Recruitment Agency is the pioneer in the recruitment of international business sector personnel in the Netherlands. Find your new dream job now!
Get that dream job!