Successful Networking

The First Step To Finding A Job In The Netherlands

Networking is the way to find a job in the Netherlands, but networking can be seen as an art or a science most people need to learn about and practice regularly. Networking to find a job in the Netherlands can be especially challenging for those coming from abroad and struggling to find their way in a foreign application culture. Professional career support is very common in the Netherlands; it varies from group workshops providing more general information to in-depth individual trainings and coaching.

Powered by this knowledge, Connect International and International Welcome Center North (IWCN) have offered the “Networking to Work in the Netherlands” workshop exclusively to Connect members. On 4 November 2015, 17 people gathered at the IWCN for this workshop given by career professional Annette Rauh. Annette’s company, Annette Rauh Coaching & Consult, is one of the Service Partners of the IWCN.

The participants represented 13 different nationalities and many different professional backgrounds, ranging from fashion to travel, real estate, engineering, research, accounting, HR, etc. Some were graduating Master’s or PhD students, others were “trailing spouses” or people looking to start a new venture in the Netherlands. It was a truly diverse and talented international group!

During this informative and interactive workshop, participants learned how to assemble an effective “elevator pitch” concerning their key talents and competencies, their added value and their call to action point, and then put the theory into practice. Once the pitch was set, Annette discussed the different types of networking and when they should be used, how to go about achieving a networking talk with someone (as a successful and specifically Dutch way of getting a job), and finally discussed some cultural differences in business etiquette and networking. With this training, participants were far better prepared to effectively engage in the labor market in the Netherlands.

As an added bonus, at the end of the workshop, participants were given entry tickets to visit the Promotiedagen van het Bedrijfsleven Noord-Nederland, a company showcase at the Martiniplaza, to try out their newly acquired networking skills during the exposition. Annette was on hand to encourage them and give a bit of advice when necessary. The goal was for each person to come away with at least one new “warm” contact, which is the starting point for building a successful network, and we’re pleased to say that everyone achieved or exceeded that goal. All in all, this workshop turned out to be a useful and successful event and a worthy investment in one’s own career opportunities.