In my previous article, I shared how to navigate through the first challenges and accomplishments when it comes to choosing if to move or not to Amsterdam or the Netherlands.
If this is the first article you are reading, you can always check the #1 post of this series.
In this post, I will share what I have learned about:
- The work-life balance in this country.
- Dealing with unexpected challenges like layoffs—with tips on how legal professionals can support you.
- The power of networking and how to explore career opportunities in international companies.
Work-Life Balance in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is renowned for its emphasis on work-life balance. But why and how did this become so strong in this culture?
Employees typically enjoy a 40-hour workweek, with generous vacation time and flexible schedules. This allows for ample time to pursue hobbies, spend quality time with family, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Navigating this balance can be a smooth transition for those accustomed to a more intense work culture in other countries like …
It’s important to keep in mind that this is not a universal rule and every company I have been working for so far had a different approach.
While I was working at CloudKitchens as a Tech Recruiter I was joining calls after the normal 9 am to 5 pm working schedule as my colleagues at the time.
Overall, I learned from my talks with friends and other employees that this may vary and that the work-life balance in the Netherlands is generally quite good, with flexible schedules and ample vacation time.
However, it’s important to note that individual company cultures can be different, and it’s wise to research the specific expectations of any potential employer.
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for overall well-being and productivity, and the Dutch approach can serve as a valuable model for other countries to emulate.
While I was checking for the main sources about this topic I found the following:
- Eurostat: In 2023, the average EU-level working week lasted 36.1 hours. This varied across the EU, from 32.2 hours of work in the Netherlands to 39.8 hours in Greece.
Source: Eurostat
- OECD Better Life Index: Work-life balance focus on the Netherlands
Source: OECD
Dealing with Unexpected Challenges like layoffs
It seems that is becoming the new norm nowadays in the tech sphere.
During my time as a full-time Recruiter for Cloudkitchens in 2022 and Tesla in 2023, I was spending some time every morning checking platforms like Trueup.io to read about recent layoffs and which departments were impacted by the companies’ decisions based in EMEA, to reach out to for work opportunities.
Layoffs and job uncertainties can be daunting, I was dealing with it and this is how I had to manage my situation just 6 months after I moved to the Netherlands:
- To understand what a Settlement Agreement is and how to negotiate a better one.
- To choose a lawyer that is partially paid by the company and for every extra hour, it was on me.
- Promptly react to moments like this in life where your normal routine is impacted.
Seeking guidance from employment lawyers can help professionals understand their rights and explore options for severance, unemployment benefits, and negotiations to avoid your case is going to be reviewed by a judge at UWV.
Perplexity search link about the UWV’s different scopes.
My learnings after this experience
I needed to learn how to effectively navigate unforeseen challenges such as redundancies. Understanding my rights and the options available to me, such as negotiating a beneficial transition agreement, helped me get through this period of uncertainty more peacefully.
I would strongly advise anyone in a similar situation to seek the support of an experienced lawyer to protect their interests.
You can check the following links with useful information for expats:
- WS Advocaten: Layoff advice for expats and employers in Amsterdam
- List of lawyer’s studios in the Netherlands specialised in labour and employment law.
- Five ways to get free legal advice in Amsterdam.
The power of networking and how to explore career opportunities in international companies
This is one of the most important topics I am glad to talk about on my website.
I firmly believe that the network of people I met during my career so far is the most valuable asset I can invest my time, resources and attention, regardless of the place in which I live.
Amsterdam is full of networking events and opportunities to meet talents working in different fields and sectors.
Participating in these events is an excellent way to expand one’s network, discover new opportunities, and connect with professionals from other sectors. Having a strong network is essential for navigating the job market, especially in an international context like the Dutch one.
Maintaining meaningful relationships and cultivating new contacts can open the doors to interesting positions in multinational companies, fostering stimulating and rewarding professional growth.
I found the D2 collective as the most valuable community for me in Amsterdam so far because is focused on the tech scene and since the first event I attended one year ago, I felt that the project created by Erica and Nastie was the most solid one I was attending since I moved to Amsterdam.
At that moment in my career, I was going through one of the most important recruiting processes of my life so far for a role as Recruiter in the Energy and Storage, Supercharging and Powerwall business unit.
Reaching the business case stage was the most important step and I remember how precious and helpful my former colleague Lavinia Bucur shared with me her opinions, tips and tricks on how to manage the initial prompt.
To create the final presentation I was supposed to present at the final step I decided to use again Beautiful.ai as a presentation tool.
You can take a look at my presentation by clicking here.
I was able to get to the offer stage and in January 2023, I started another great working and life experience where I met incredibly talented people.
All of them were working tirelessly to reach goals, to impress managers and to generate value in the organization.
Working side by side with these professionals, I learned the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, being proactive, and constantly seeking new growth opportunities.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties, I discovered that focusing on developing my skills has taught me not to give up in the face of adversity, but to seize every opportunity to improve and learn from the mistakes I made during that experience.
Even if I am not part of that organisation anymore now, I can see how big the impact of that year was on me.
What I have learned from this experience?
Every company has specific rules of conduct to respect both written and unwritten.
I have been working since 2019 for US companies so far and I have realised that the management style, the hierarchical structure and the top-down decision style are most of the time present.
From the first moment you interact with the people in these multicultural organisations, you realise how important it is to become an effective communicator: it requires strong interpersonal skills.
Becoming a corporate communicator, able to express ideas clearly and adapt to diverse environments, is crucial for success. Actively listening, being open-minded, and building trust-based relationships can help one thrive in these dynamic, international work environments.
Continuous learning and a flexible mindset are assets that enable professionals to contribute effectively and capitalize on the richness of multicultural collaboration.
Final thoughts
The journey of working and living in the Netherlands is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and personal growth.
What stands out most is the delicate balance between professional challenges and personal development. Work-life balance isn’t just a concept here, but a lived experience that allows professionals to thrive both in and outside of their careers.
Key takeaways from this second article include:
- Embrace flexibility: the Dutch work culture demonstrates that productivity isn’t about long hours, but about meaningful engagement.
- Build meaningful connections: Networking is more than collecting business cards. It’s about cultivating genuine relationships that can support you through career transitions, unexpected challenges like layoffs, and professional growth opportunities.
- Continuous Learning: Life is this, a continuous learning experience. The most valuable skill in today’s dynamic work environment is the willingness to learn, communicate effectively, and remain open to diverse perspectives and working styles.
I hope this second post will be useful for those who reached this point and if you think a friend of yours should read it, share it with them.
Thank you!