How to get a job in Amsterdam?

levvy · Post by **levvy** » Thu 4th Dec 2008 09:30 pm

Hi guys, hope this isnt just a clone of another topic but I did search. I'm wanting to live in Amsterdam for a little while as a change of pace, quite happy to do it just for a few months and stay longer if it suits me. I've read a few sites on how and what to do for this, I've even applied for a few jobs but I'm just really wanting some advise on the matter.

I'm from the UK so it seems working there is simple enough, how is accomodation there? Would I most likely have to get a place out of town and commute? Also would Coffeeshops be likely to take on someone who knows only English? I think they like having a bit of diversity with their staff, and being Scottish that might help.

I'm hoping I will get a response to one of the jobs I apply for so I can go over for an interview for a few days, and while I'm at it do another job hunt. A Coffeeshop is really where I'd want to work (since obviously i'd love to smoke weed all day and be paid at the same time) but I love the city so much I'd be happy doing anything. Whats the best way to get into the CS "career"? Shoul I just ask at anyone I find if they are looking for work or is there any recruitment papers/websites that tend for this (all the jobs I see online are... a bit more legit)

Kinda long post ;/ but cheers guys. Would love to hear from someone whos doing this or done this before who can maybe help me out.

Ingwey Gooblebogger · Fri 5th Dec 2008 08:56 am

Howdy levvy.

I peruse some NL job web sites (note: the UN, NATO, and other international organization often have jobs for English speakers. The UN jobs, in NL, are usually in the Hague, so that would mean a commute.)

Here are a few links

http://www.un.org/english/

http://www.icc-cpi.int/home.html&l=en

http://www.un.org/icty/pratical-e/index.htm

Another web site I used to find out about life/work/etc in the Netherlands is NL Planet/Harlem Shuffle. That link is below:

http://www.haarlemshuffle.com/

I hope this helps.

levvy · Post by **levvy** » Fri 5th Dec 2008 09:20 am

Thanks buddy

but I don't really see myself working for the UN or NATO lol but I'm going to check through these. thanks again.

nehctik · Post by **nehctik** » Fri 5th Dec 2008 08:18 pm

I know the Flying pig Beach hostel needs staff or did, check the flyingpig website and forum mate

http://www.flyingpig.nl

levvy · Post by **levvy** » Fri 5th Dec 2008 11:01 pm

cheers for that, gonna email them but it looks like they just really want some of the guys who will be staying to do some odd jobs for them, dunno if theyd be able to get me fulltime work but thanks tho

Ingwey Gooblebogger · Fri 5th Dec 2008 11:21 pm

Hey levvy.

What skillsets do you have?

The large international organizations don't just have diplomat (or "suit and tie") jobs, but rather a plethora of diffferent types of jobs. They have jobs for folks with IT skills, finance/business skills, language skills, lawyers, researchers, and so on. They also have jobs for drivers. cleaners, groundskeepers, and so on. Many of the latter jobs are field service level, meaning that they hire mainly locals for those gigs, so you would need to be in living in Holland when you apply for them.

I think it will be somewhat difficult for you to land a long-term store clerk, bar/budtender, or similar type of gig, if you do NOT speak Dutch. Thousands of ex-pats apply for those gigs and if you are unilingual, then that puts you at a disadvantage.

You could try temp agencies which might be able to get you temporary gigs. I would do research into those firms, since some folks think they are rip offs.

I would suggest checking out Harlem shuffle and post questions about your employment prospects in the 'Dam. They also have some links to Dutch employment sites and that might give some idea of what is out there.