Looking for work in the Leiden region

July 31, 2023 | Leiden International Centre

The Netherlands has long been an attractive destination for internationals searching for the next step in their career, with an excellent work-life balance and many career opportunities in a wide range of industries. Some internationals relocating to the Leiden region have made the choice to do so because they have found work here, but what about if you have made the choice to move to the Leiden region but haven't yet been successful in your job hunt? Where should you begin to look, and how?

According to research conducted in 2023 by Work in Rotterdam - The Hague and The Hague International Centre, the most in demand jobs (those with the most vacancies posted) in Leiden in 2022 were Software Engineer, Client Manager, and Online Marketer. In South Holland (a region that includes cities such as The Hague, Leiden, Rotterdam, Delft, and Zoetermeer), the most in demand jobs were Software Engineer, Cyber Security Engineer, and Project Leader. Of course, although these are the most frequently posted job vacancies, they are by no means the only jobs available in this region. There are a wide variety of other positions also available in a range of different sectors and companies.

If you're looking for some new opportunities and adjusting to the Dutch job market, EURES (European Employment Services) can help you on your way. This network promotes working and recruiting across borders by providing jobseekers with information and advice on finding work. In addition to vacancies, their website also contains useful information about living and working in the Netherlands.

There are a number of steps you can take to improve your chances of a successful job hunt. One of the most important is to make sure that the CVs and motivation letters that you are sending out include all the relevant information about you as a potential candidate, and that they are suitable for the type of job you are applying to. You can discover more about CVs and motivation letters below.

Job Portals

There are a wide number of different job portals and platforms that you can use to search for work in the Leiden region. These range from more general ones such as Indeed or LinkedIn to more specific ones such as AcademicTransfer (which posts job listings for both academic and non-academic staff in education and research institutions in the Netherlands). There are also job portals that are region specific, or discipline specific. One example of a region specific job portal is Work in Rotterdam - The Hague, which focuses on job vacancies in the wider Rotterdam, Leiden, and The Hague region.

These job portals and platforms can provide you with an overview of different vacancies that may be suitable for you, but it's always important to check the application deadline on the listings (as sometimes employers may forget to take down vacancies posted on websites other than their own). Not all employers have the same preference for the application procedure, either - a job might be posted on Indeed, or LinkedIn, but the vacancy may specify to apply via email or directly via the company's website.

You can find a list of different job portals below!

Uitzendbureaus/Recruitment Agencies

If you are not sure where to begin with your job search, then using a recruitment agency ('uitzendbureau' in Dutch) can be helpful. Recruitment agencies work with a large number of different companies, so they have good insight into a range of different vacancies that may be of interest to you. Moreover, they can assist you with locating not only suitable jobs but also may offer advice on your CV and interviews. If you are not sure where to begin with your job hunt in the Leiden region, then working with a recruitment agency can make your experience less stressful. It often also produces more results than if you search for jobs alone.

Working with a recruitment agency does not guarantee that you will find a job, but it can improve your chances by giving you expert advice and offering you the opportunity to discover vacancies that you might not otherwise have known existed. Before deciding to work with one, make sure to do your research on the different recruitment agencies available in your area, and, if possible, gather some feedback about each one from others that have used them. This can ensure that you choose a recruitment agency that best matches you and your career.

You can find a list of several different recruitment agencies at the bottom of our Finding a Job page.

Networking

Attending different networking events, volunteering, or signing up for workshops and short courses (some of which are free) can have a positive impact on your job search. Not only do you get the chance to meet others in the Leiden region, and further afield, but you also can add extra skills or experience to your CV along the way. It also gives you the opportunity to become more familiar with the Dutch working culture, which can help you when writing CVs and motivation letters, as well as during job interviews.

Plus, many jobs are found through word of mouth - whether because someone knows of a suitable vacancy or because someone can recommend a particular employer to you. Hearing first-hand experiences about working with different companies gives you more insight into the organisations and their strengths and weaknesses, beyond what you might see on a company website. This may help you to discover new organisations, or have a more nuanced perspective on companies that you are already aware of.

Attending Local Company Events and Visiting Venues

Although using job searching platforms and recruitment agencies are great ways to help you with your job hunt, sometimes dropping by a place the old-fashioned way can also be useful. This could mean just stopping by to get to know the location better (especially if you are interested in working at particular museums, art galleries, hotels, and restaurants). Exploring the workspace as a visitor or customer can also give you insight into the way the place operates, which is helpful to know later on if you are invited to a job interview. Showing up to a job interview with some familiarity of the organisation shows employers that you take initiative and are motivated to learn more about their company.

Museums and restaurants are just two examples of organisations that are open to the public on a regular basis. Many organisations also have public events (for instance, NGOs may host different panels, themed events, or workshops). If you have the time, taking part in some of these can give you an edge in your job application as well as a better idea of whether this is a company that you would like to work for.

Allowances

During your job search, it may be the case that you will need to be careful with budgeting whilst you look for the next step in your career. Fortunately, the Dutch government offers assistance to those with a lower income, which many job-seekers find helpful to apply for. For example, although in the Netherlands it is mandatory to have Dutch health insurance if you are registered as living here (with very few exceptions), you can, in certain situations, apply for a healthcare allowance. This is important, because regular health insurance packages start at approximately 130 euros a month, and they can become more expensive if you choose to add on more comprehensive coverage. If you earn less than 38,520 euros a year in a single income household (or 48,224 euros a year in a dual income household) you might be able to apply for something called 'zorgtoeslag', or healthcare allowance.

This allowance is not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. Zorgtoeslag is given to you each month to help you pay for your Dutch health insurance, and, depending upon how much you earn and which health insurance package you have chosen, the allowance can either cover your entire health insurance package, or a portion of it.

There are also other allowances available in the Netherlands that you may be eligible for. These include rent allowance and childcare benefits, amongst others. You can learn more about the different types of allowances on our 'Benefits & Social Security' page below.