Volunteering

Volunteering gives you hands-on experience in a Dutch workplace setting. You develop new skills, strengthen existing ones, and get a feel for how organisations in the Netherlands operate. It is also one of the most natural ways to practise Dutch in everyday situations and get to know local culture from the inside.

Dutch employers value candidates who show initiative and stay active during career transitions. Volunteer experience fills gaps in your CV, gives you concrete examples to use in interviews, and signals that you are engaged with your new environment rather than waiting on the sidelines.

Volunteering is a networking experience as it introduces you to new people and organisations, expanding your professional circle. These connections often lead to valuable insights, collaborations, or even direct career opportunities which would otherwise stay hidden. 

Finding a job in a new country takes time and can be frustrating. Contributing to a cause you care about gives you structure, social contact and a sense of purpose during that period. Whether you are based in The Hague, Rotterdam, Delft or Leiden, there are organisations nearby that welcome international volunteers.

Supervisors and colleagues can become references, and a strong recommendation from a respected local organisation carries real weight when you are new to the job market here. Doing good work in a volunteer role builds your local credibility and gives future employers someone to call.