Spouse job moving to Amsterdam. I'm worried about job opportunities

Member since 29 June 2021

CuriousTravelerNew member29 June 2021 16:01:39

Hello there,
(sorry for the long read..but wanted to cover everything as concisely as I could)

We are American citizens and my wife's job is moving to Amsterdam. They have offered her a position abroad, albeit with a 20% pay cut and we have a short timeline to make a decision, the deadline is rapidly approaching...2 wks from now. While this does seem like quite the opportunity but I am worried about the prospect of me finding a job in Amsterdam. I work in IT Service Management.

Her job does offer spousal relocation services with a recruiting agency but they won鈥檛 even start 鈥渨hat are my spouse chances of getting a job鈥� conversation until my wife agrees to work in Amsterdam, which is frustrating because we鈥檇 like to know my prospects for a job in my field before being contractually locked into something for 3 years.

I鈥檝e searched on LinkedIn and noticed quite a selection of jobs require fluency in dutch or german. I am worried about moving there and not being able to find a job in my field. After some research, I鈥檝e read that there are some layers to finding a job as a foreigner in Amsterdam such as companies abroad must prove they tried to offer the job to a local before giving the job to a foreigner.

At this point, I am a bit discouraged about this opportunity and feel this may not be the right decision but I want to get as much information as possible before making a decision. I鈥檝e reached out to 2 recruiters so far and they pointed me to LinkedIn and indeed.聽

Would it be a crazy decision to move before getting a job? What are some of your experiences searching for a job in Amsterdam that you wish someone would have told you about?

See also

Working in Amsterdam - Guide
Recruitment Agencies in Amsterdam - Business
Information about job opportunities - 2 Replies
Inquiry About Seasonal Work Opportunities in the Netherlands - 1 Reply
Orientation year visa and moving with spouse - 4 Replies
Reg: Suggestion on Salary and moving to Amsterdam - 1 Reply
Moving to Netherlands on Search Year Visa with my Spouse - 5 Replies

Cynic UK/Netherlands Expert

Member since 15 September 2015

CynicUK/Netherlands Expert29 June 2021 16:23:16

8078

Hi and welcome to the Forum.

Depends.聽 If you continuing to work is essential, then you need to consider the facts you have outlined in your OP.聽 Nobody has offered you a job and it is a fact that any resident already in the Netherlands is going to be given preference over yourself for similar work, it's Dutch law.聽 To get a decent job anywhere, you need 4 things:

Relevant qualifications
Relevant experience
Speak the local language
Luck

The more you can tick off, the more chance you have of getting that job; you do the math.聽 If you've spoken to 2 recruiters already and their response was to point you to LinkedIn, then considering how they make their money is to recruit people, doesn't bode well and perhaps you already have the answer.聽 However, there is nothing stopping you from reaching out to your peers already in Amsterdam now and asking the questions and then make your decision a few days down the line.

If your wife's job is moving to Europe and there is nothing else she can do internally, then perhaps she should consider declining the move and starting again Stateside.

Not sure if I've helped, but I wish you both the best in the future.

Cynic
Expat Team

CuriousTraveler New member

Member since 29 June 2021

CuriousTravelerNew member30 June 2021 02:10:38

Thank you for the response and feedback! I will continue to do as much as possible before the deadline but like you said, we will have to do the math of the makes sense.

biatrindade Member

Member since 16 January 2024

biatrindadeMember16 January 2024 10:10:12

Hello, @CuriousTraveler!

I am curious to know if you decided to move to Amsterdam in the end. I'm facing a similar situation; my husband is English, and he received a great opportunity in the Netherlands. I can go with him under a spouse visa, but I'm afraid I won't find a job that easily.

Did it work out for you in the end?

Thanks!