Go Netherlands! It is a disadvantage not to speak Dutch if you are working freelance
- Career Center
- Le 9 septembre 2022
Audencia's Career Center and Alumni teams are delighted to to bring you “Go Netherlands!”, the guide to working in the Netherlands.
Following the success of the guide to working in France for internationals, this new edition focuses on a country that is a destination of choice for Audencians. Members of its thriving community of students and alumni say they choose the Netherlands for its economic stability, work-hard-play-hard lifestyle, multiculturalism and for being a country where English is often the working language.“Go Netherlands!” is a valuable resource for students considering a career in the Netherlands after their studies. Starting with HR professionals’ top tips and debunking the myths and realities of the workplace, Go Netherlands! also showcases the experiences of more than 20 alumni who have aced the challenge of finding a job and settling in the Netherlands.
This week, discover what Xuan Khuat Duy from France has to say.
About Xuan:
- Graduated from the Grande Ecole programme in 2005
- Currently working as: Senior Manager at Deloitte Digital in Amsterdam
- Native language: French
- Other languages spoken: English, Spanish
- Level of Dutch: it should be better than it is!
- Been living in the Netherlands: since 2015
Xuan's key message: “It is a disadvantage not to speak Dutch if you are working freelance."
My biggest challenge
Not having the right profile on paper! After three years in Amsterdam, I wanted to explore something new and different in the marketing field: marketing for good, tech, or innovation. I left my salaried job to look for something in line with my ambitions. I went freelance. My assignments were in line with what I had in mind, and I was learning a lot and working like mad, but I felt a bit lonely, as I prefer working in a team. When the opportunity at Deloitte came up, I thought I matched well but not 100%. Doing a case that went well was a turning point in the recruitment process, which took 5 months.
My advice & top tips
You should be aware that at work there is a greater awareness of productivity and managing your time efficiently. Meetings are business-oriented and are not for debating but moving forwards. There is no overtime and after 6pm, there are far fewer people in the office. There is less categorising than in France and there are more opportunities to change fields, so you are perhaps more in control of your career.
Quirky & cultural
Amsterdam suits students and families alike. It is cultural and liberal and has very few rules (but you have to respect them). The Dutch are more progressive, more open to change and adopting new behaviour that often means that Amsterdam is a test city for new types of business.
And finally
I live next to the biggest market in Amsterdam on Albert Cuypstraat so I've started cooking again. The Netherlands is a great place for foodies - countless restaurants of all origins, in my case French and Vietnamese cuisine.
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Audencia's Career Center and Alumni teams are delighted to to bring you “Go France!”, the guide to working in France. Following the success of the first guide in 2019, this new updated edition revisits advice from HR professionals, input from intercultural experts and shares yet more experiences of working in France for internationals. Alumni say they choose France for its corporate culture and impact-driven working environment but also for its croissants! “Go France!” is a valuable resource for students staying in France after their studies at Audencia. This week, discover what Diana Garcés from Colombia has to say. About Diana: GRADUATED FROM THE MSC FAM PROGRAMME IN 2018 FROM COLOMBIA CURRENT POSITION MANAGER AT CAFÉ LOS ANDES IN PARIS NATIVE LANGUAGE SPANISH DAILY WORKING LANGUAGES FRENCH AND SPANISH OTHER LANGUAGES SPOKEN PORTUGUESE FRENCH LEVEL ADVANCED (B2/C1) LIVING IN FRANCE SINCE 2017 Diana's key message: “The only way you can really fail is by not trying." My biggest challenge Renewing my ’titre de séjour’ (residency permit/ visa) all the time and understanding the tax system. Being independent, away from my family, doing things for myself, adapting to a completely different environment. Myths and realities MYTH That you must have a perfect command of French. I know many people who speak English at work and who are learning French in their spare time. Nevertheless, I recommend that people learn French if they intend to continue working here. REALITY I find there are more formalities when addressing people compared to American English. They also like to plan ahead, which I think is great. My advice & top tips Be curious and always open to opportunities. Show a genuine interest in France and French culture. Try to be friends with French people, get out of your comfort zone (being surrounded only by people like you), look for opportunities, and attend different kinds of events. Quirky & cultural The French pay attention to detail and like to do things well. I find this very inspiring. Also, I love the fact that most French people recognise the value of things, the effort behind the products they buy. They support small producers and artisanal means of production. And finally The French can be quite strict and inflexible in their way of doing things. In Latin America we tend to be the opposite. Also, I feel that they complain a lot and are rarely satisfied with whatever is happening. Take the time to appreciate the little things while eating, talking to people or watching a movie. Follow this link to read Go France in full:
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Go France! I always seek a well balanced life through my daily routines
Audencia's Career Center and Alumni teams are delighted to to bring you “Go France!”, the guide to working in France. Following the success of the first guide in 2019, this new updated edition revisits advice from HR professionals, input from intercultural experts and shares yet more experiences of working in France for internationals. Alumni say they choose France for its corporate culture and impact-driven working environment but also for its croissants! “Go France!” is a valuable resource for students staying in France after their studies at Audencia. This week, discover what Carlos Gomez from Colombia has to say. About Carlos: GRADUATED FROM THE MBA PROGRAMME IN 2016 FROM COLOMBIA CURRENT POSITION SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER AT ECOVADIS IN PARIS NATIVE LANGUAGE SPANISH DAILY WORKING LANGUAGES ENGLISH, SPANISH AND FRENCH FRENCH LEVEL ADVANCED (B2/C1) LIVING IN FRANCE SINCE 2014 Carlos' key message: “I always seek a well balanced life through my daily routines." My biggest challenge Paperwork takes ages but if you follow the rules to the letter you might even enjoy the experience. Myths and realities MYTH That the French are less productive or work less than other EU countries! Efficiency is at the top of the agenda. It is not about working more but working smarter. REALITY Adaptation to change is always hard to get done in a French working environment. Plan the work and work the plan. Planning is at the centre of French culture. My advice & top tips Learn French, do a lot of networking, and give the small players a try (startups, scaleups). They are more open to international talent. Use your free time to enjoy life but also try to get a side hustle (project) to gain experience in France even if you are not paid for it. Be patient but strategic in how you spend your time. I recommend focusing on learning how the job market is evolving, up-and-coming companies and not necessarily the old established organisations. Quirky & cultural Looking for a balance in life is always at the forefront of French culture and I love it. And finally The emphasis they place on hierarchy and how roles and seniority are usually distinctly defined. This is not the case where I work but generally true of working environments. Similarly, for personal relationships, they are a bit reluctant to open up to people outside their circle but once you overcome that hurdle, you’ll have a blast. Follow this link to read Go France in full:
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Go France! The only way you can really fail is by not trying
Audencia's Career Center and Alumni teams are delighted to to bring you “Go France!”, the guide to working in France. Following the success of the first guide in 2019, this new updated edition revisits advice from HR professionals, input from intercultural experts and shares yet more experiences of working in France for internationals. Alumni say they choose France for its corporate culture and impact-driven working environment but also for its croissants! “Go France!” is a valuable resource for students staying in France after their studies at Audencia. This week, discover what Diana Garcés from Colombia has to say. About Diana: GRADUATED FROM THE MSC FAM PROGRAMME IN 2018 FROM COLOMBIA CURRENT POSITION MANAGER AT CAFÉ LOS ANDES IN PARIS NATIVE LANGUAGE SPANISH DAILY WORKING LANGUAGES FRENCH AND SPANISH OTHER LANGUAGES SPOKEN PORTUGUESE FRENCH LEVEL ADVANCED (B2/C1) LIVING IN FRANCE SINCE 2017 Diana's key message: “The only way you can really fail is by not trying." My biggest challenge Renewing my ’titre de séjour’ (residency permit/ visa) all the time and understanding the tax system. Being independent, away from my family, doing things for myself, adapting to a completely different environment. Myths and realities MYTH That you must have a perfect command of French. I know many people who speak English at work and who are learning French in their spare time. Nevertheless, I recommend that people learn French if they intend to continue working here. REALITY I find there are more formalities when addressing people compared to American English. They also like to plan ahead, which I think is great. My advice & top tips Be curious and always open to opportunities. Show a genuine interest in France and French culture. Try to be friends with French people, get out of your comfort zone (being surrounded only by people like you), look for opportunities, and attend different kinds of events. Quirky & cultural The French pay attention to detail and like to do things well. I find this very inspiring. Also, I love the fact that most French people recognise the value of things, the effort behind the products they buy. They support small producers and artisanal means of production. And finally The French can be quite strict and inflexible in their way of doing things. In Latin America we tend to be the opposite. Also, I feel that they complain a lot and are rarely satisfied with whatever is happening. Take the time to appreciate the little things while eating, talking to people or watching a movie. Follow this link to read Go France in full:
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