Recruitment agencies

Get professional help finding a job in Amsterdam

Between job search engines and personal networking, there’s a lot you can do to find a new job in the Netherlands on your own. However, contacting a recruitment agency is often a good idea too, as they help fill many vacancies at local companies. They’re often the first to know about new roles, they can put you in touch with the right people and provide insider advice to help you prepare for an interview.

Finding work in the Amsterdam Area – helpful tips

Larger recruiters tend to cover multiple industries, but smaller agencies often specialise in specific sectors such as finance, tech or engineering, so don’t overlook them.

While submitting a CV or creating a profile can often be done online, don’t forget to reach out in person, too. Calling or emailing an agency’s office can help you make a good impression while letting the team know what you’re looking for in your next role.

IN Amsterdam partners for job seekers

• Aquent: a leading creative, digital and marketing recruitment agency
• EURES: an EU network offering recruitment services and providing information and advice as well as job searching through the European Job Mobility Portal
• In2motivation: this service offers training on mindset, motivation and communication for both individuals and companies
• KIT Intercultural Professionals: a coaching service focusing on helping people from different cultures find their feet in the local labour market
• Ravecruitment: an Amsterdam-based agency providing payroll, relocation and recruitment solutions
• Undutchables Recruitment Agency: pioneers in the recruitment of internationals in the Netherlands
• IamExpat: a community-driven online platform providing resources for the local needs of English-speaking internationals residing in the Netherlands, including advice on careers, education and housing.

See all IN Amsterdam partners.

Golden rules for applications through recruitment agencies

Here are some golden rules to remember once you’ve made the decision to work with a job agency:

• Make sure you have an up-to-date CV in English that fully reflects your skills, education, work experience and personal profile. Try to keep it as succinct and relevant as possible. If you’re applying for a specific role, tailor your CV to it, for example by including keywords from the job description.
• Always include a cover letter with your job application and customise it for each role, explaining why you’d be a great match for the position. Again, it’s a good idea to include specific keywords from the job description.
• Follow up if you haven’t heard back within five days.
• Stay flexible and be ready to attend interviews as opportunities emerge, but try to remain patient while your agent searches for the right job.
• Keep your agent informed of any personal developments that might affect your availability.

Recruitment agencies and online databases

• Abroad Experience: International recruitment in the Netherlands.
• Adams Multilingual Recruitment: Specialises in matching multilingual and near-native English speakers with job opportunities in the Netherlands in positions including finance, accounting and legal, IT, sales and marketing, HR, and logistics and supply chain.
• Blue Lynx: International recruitment agency with several offices in the Netherlands.
• Expatica Jobs: a resource with detailed guides on working in the Netherlands as well as a job board.
• Hays: As one of the largest recruitment specialists in the world, Hays places qualified candidates in permanent, temporary and contract roles across numerous industries.
• Language Matters: Agency specialising in multilingual recruitment, with offices in Amsterdam and London.
• Michael Page International: Global recruiters for interim and permanent roles in finance, banking and financial services, consultancy and project management, sales and marketing, IT, legal, tax, engineering and manufacturing, HR, procurement and supply chain, and healthcare and life sciences.
• MJ People: Specialised in the recruitment of hospitality professionals at the management and executive level.
• Monsterboard: an online job board with a site focussing on the Dutch labour market.
• Page Personnel: Specialists in recruitment and interim solutions for starters, middle management and operational vacancies in finance and accounting, secretarial and management support, sales and marketing and sales administration and supply chain.
• Octagon Professionals: HR services firm offering international recruitment services.
• Projob: Agency offering HR services as well as recruitment with a focus on international candidates in the Netherlands.
• Randstad Multilingual Recruitment: Specialises in the recruitment of multilingual candidates for a variety of roles and industries.
• Together Abroad: a multilingual job board and a career coach service offering expat spouse/partner support and outplacement assistance.
• Unique Multilingual Amsterdam: Recruiters of professional staff with diverse language skills, Unique specialises in administrative, commercial, financial and secretarial roles.
• Walters People: Specialists in the recruitment of temporary and permanent financial positions and business support roles across the Netherlands.