Go Netherlands! At Business France our goal is to satisfy French clients & Dutch partners
- Career Center
- Le 29 juillet 2022
Annick Chevalier
Senior Trade Advisor, Business France - Amsterdam
Annick has 13 years of experience working with French companies in the industry, transport and renewable energy sectors. Her bicultural profile and her knowledge of the Dutch and Luxembourg business environment are highly valued in her role. Annick shares some first-hand advice about the job market in the Netherlands.
Business France is the government agency for the internationalisation of the French Economy. It has 1,500 employees worldwide and 15 employees in the Netherlands. Some 30% of the employees are international or binational. The working languages are French, Dutch and English.
The work culture
Our office in the Netherlands is deeply marked by our double culture, we aim to combine the best of both. Indeed, our goal is to satisfy both our French clients and Dutch partners, and this means being able to follow the implicit business rules of each country.
We also believe in the Dutch way of thinking: what matters is getting your job well done on time, not the number of hours spent behind your desk. Resourcefulness and adaptability are our key values.
My advice & top tips
We look for candidates graduating from “Grandes Ecoles”, interested in international business. We also like students who have had previous experiences abroad. If they are half Dutch or speak the language, then it’s a dream come true! Openness and curiosity are the qualities we seek from candidates. During an interview in the Netherlands, make sure to give concrete examples of times when you adapted quickly, overcame obstacles or juggled multiple projects: this is what recruiters will expect from you! Also, don’t be afraid to go for it, to talk about your initiatives and ideas: they will always be welcome.
Myths & realities
- Speaking good English is important, it truly is the language of business.
- Always get straight to the point is very important.
- Punctuality and efficiency are key; this is certainly no myth. This also means being very concrete and giving explicit and tangible information during an interview or when talking to a colleague or a customer.
- In interpersonal relations, Dutch people tend to be less formal than the French. For example, it is common to be on first-name terms with everyone. They will also not hesitate to admit if they dislike anything or disagree with you. This may seem a bit direct and confusing at first, but again; it’s all about efficiency and frankness.
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Go Netherlands! If you speak the language, you can access the culture
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 Iratxe Gradaille from Spain has to say. About Iratxe: Graduated from the MSc European & International Business Management (EIBM) programme in 2011 Currently working as: Brand Manager LatAm - Nutricia Worldwide at Danone in The Hague Native language: Spanish Other languages spoken: English, French Level of Dutch: intermediate Been living in the Netherlands: for 8 years Iratxe's key message: “If you speak the language, you can access the culture." My biggest challenge After living and studying in different countries, it was the moment to settle down and start a real career. Having a Dutch boyfriend, the Netherlands was a great place to give it a try! My biggest challenge was securing my first job which took me three months. Being a native Spanish speaker opened the door to me. Then, I found another position at Danone. Again, Spanish proved a plus. I started in the supply chain and after two years, I managed to move to marketing to follow my “dream” career. My advice & top tips In almost all contexts, from offices to feedback, the Dutch work culture is very open and flat. One day you can be sitting next to a director and the next day an assistant. Be prepared for direct but respectful feedback; it helps you to be more efficient. Make the most of the Dutch flexibility and working conditions (responsibilities, salaries, etc.) I am very grateful for my life here and how much I have grown both professionally and personally. Overall, companies are attentive to your career aspirations and you have regular conversations about your development. They treat you well so that you stay with the company. Quirky & cultural What I have found interesting in my work is that when a pregnancy is announced, celebrations are a big deal (maybe it’s because I work in the baby food industry)! However, overall, colleagues and managers are supportive in all your personal achievements and I find there’s less of a gender gap compared to other countries. And finally I miss Spanish food so when I go back to Spain to see my family, I fill my suitcase with ham and cheese! Read your copy of "Go Netherlands" here
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