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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