Mastering the Dutch job interview: What expats need to know

As an expat applying to work in a different country, it’s crucial to adapt your applications to the country’s recruitment customs and working culture. In the Netherlands, although English is a common business language, there are still various things you’ll want to consider and adapt to in your bid to impress the hiring manager. 

So, how can you prepare for an upcoming Dutch job interview to put yourself in contention for the role? Let’s take a look at some top tips! 

Prepare for direct questions

One of the traits the Dutch are most known for is their directness. There’s a good chance your interviewer will tell you exactly what they think. If they spot any discrepancies on your CV, they’ll come straight out and ask you about it. If there are any doubts about your qualifications or suitability for the role, expect to be asked some tough questions.

Similarly, you should be ready to answer any awkward or direct questions with the same honesty and openness. Your interviewer will respect your directness and is likely to pick up on any evasiveness or vague, generic responses that avoid revealing anything about your qualities or working style. 

Treat the interview as a formal process

Dutch workplaces are often fairly informal environments with relaxed dress codes. However, you should treat your interview as a formal process. This means dressing accordingly, arriving early, shaking hands with the interviewer or interview panel, making plenty of eye contact and acting confidently but not arrogantly.

Dutch interview processes might involve a single interview or multiple stages, but whichever stage you’re at, you should expect the interview itself to be a formal affair. When deciding what to wear, research the company culture to determine exactly how formally to dress.

For traditional industries, a suit and tie for men, and a shirt, blouse, formal slacks, and a blazer for women, are ideal. If you’re applying for a more forward-thinking, modern or creative company, smart-casual attire should suffice. 

Brush up on the company and wider industry

Dutch employers will expect you to do your homework before your interview. This means researching the company and ensuring you have a strong understanding of the wider industry and Dutch economy.

As an expat, you’ll need to match up to locals in terms of your knowledge of Dutch industry, and interviewers are likely to probe for your understanding of how business works in the Netherlands. As such, find out all you can about the company itself, including its mission and culture, and be prepared to talk about how the organisation fits with your own values.

Showcasing an understanding of unique aspects of the Dutch economy and business landscape will also impress your interviewer. 

Emphasise your teamwork credentials

The Dutch place great value on teamwork. They even have their own specific term, “polderen”, for the uniquely Dutch process of consensus-based decision-making. This term dates back to the historic process by which Dutch communities worked together to reclaim their land from the sea. As such, Dutch interviewers will expect you to demonstrate your teamwork skills in your job interview.

Before your interview, think about examples from your career when you’ve collaborated with others, and how you can show how you made an impact. If you’re a junior candidate, you could also draw on experiences from outside the workplace. These might include participating in a team sport, volunteering, or taking part in group work while studying.

Whatever your examples, think in advance about how you’ll present your teamwork credentials, but be careful not to over-prepare, as this can make your answers feel rehearsed and unnatural. 

Bring ideas to share

Another consequence of the Dutch attitude towards teamwork and collaboration is a relatively non-hierarchical approach to the workplace, where everybody’s views are valid and welcome. As such, interviewers might expect you to come prepared with some ideas for how you’d approach certain types of work or challenges you’re looking forward to tackling in the role.

Thinking about how you can bring your ideas to the table, and the impact they might make for the organisation, will show your initiative, proactive mindset and willingness to contribute within a team environment. 

Be ready for multiple interview rounds

The Dutch recruitment process follows a fairly formal, traditional structure, and the job market can be extremely competitive. As such, it’s a good idea to be prepared for an extended process and not be surprised or offended if a recruiter or hiring manager asks you to attend multiple interview rounds.

This is just following due process, and it could mean you’re part of a highly competitive field of candidates, and the organisation is following due process to ensure they make the right hire at the end of it all. 

Show confidence, but with modesty

The famous Dutch directness means that self-confidence and professionalism are key qualities that will help you thrive in an interview setting and in the workplace. Interviewers will expect you to answer questions with confidence and authority, demonstrating professionalism and mastery of your field.

However, it’s important not to let this confidence spill over into arrogance. Overconfidence can make you appear less professional, less of a team player, and less appealing as a colleague. Be confident, but always with a mindset of modesty and humility, and you’ll fit in well with your Dutch interviewers and your future Dutch colleagues.