I have 5 years experience as a public health analyst, and my husband is a transport engineer but wants to work in sustainability.
Netherlands - 9 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I don't think that's a problem. Certainly because you can speak English and Dutch is a lot like English, certainly the basis.
2 :
The dutch speak better english than the english,so you will not have a problem here.
3 :
My uncle is highly skilled (in IT) and got quite a bit of well-paid contract work, but his little Dutch has definitely got in the way. Consider learning a lot before you go as you might not have time or money available to learn once you get there. However if your employer is willing to let you work in English for an extended period of course you'd be fine! Have a look for jobs available at the moment, and see what they ask for.
4 :
It would help if you told us if you (both) have a EU nationality... That matters a lot as far as needing/being able to get a work permit. In general, you're pretty much expected to speak Dutch to find a job in the Netherlands, with exceptions. The IT business is definitely one of those exceptions. I'm not sure what a public health analist does exactly, but if it involves analysis of public health it's likely that it will involve working with Dutch texts and perhaps Dutch people. I'm also not quite sure exactly what a transport engineer working in sustainability would do, but my guess is that it would also involve working with Dutch text and Dutch people.
5 :
I think you can find something but it can be hard. Maybe when you find something they'll want you to learn Dutch and maybe (if it's a large company) they'll even pay your course? Maybe you can try something in Tourism as a start-up and in the meanwhile learn some Dutch and if you see that you're Dutch has improved, look for a better job that suits you best.
6 :
Yes there are possibilities. Your best chance would be with an international company that has offices in The Netherlands. The business language will then be English (It is in my job) and you can learn dutch in between. However, it is not easy at the moment - due to the economic scare.
7 :
One option I'd say apply at the NATO base or Army base. It's a requirement to speak English there. Then there's lot of tax free benefits
8 :
It should be no problem. Of course there are quite a few jobs where Dutch just is neccesary, but lots of positions can be done with just English as well. If you want to work as a professional, I think you'd have a higher chance with the large firms, because they usually already employ foreign workes so are used to non-Dutch speakers.
9 :
If you have no legal standing to work, such as EU citizenship, married to a Dutch citizen etc. you need permission to work and your potential employer must prove to the government why you should be hired instead of someone who lives there. That can be a problem unless there is a skill shortage in your field. With the economy in a slowdown, that could be a big problem unless you have very rare and required skills. If you have the skills, the language in many cases does not matter or, at least is secondary. I did it in the late '90s at the height of the DOT.COM boom. They needed IT people and I was able to get a job and a visa fairly easily. I still know a bunch of people in the industry there, and knowing what they are going through with the economic slow down (layoffs etc) I would not expect to get a visa today - there are lots of local people available. What you should do is contact some employers and see what they say about your skills. If you get some interest, it may then be time to engage an immigration lawyer to help you.
