Job interview

How to pass a job interview in the Netherlands

A job interview can feel stressful, especially when you are looking for work in a new country. The good news is that Dutch interviews are usually fairly direct and practical.

Recruiters want to understand your experience, motivation and whether you fit the position and the company. Preparation matters much more than trying to give the “perfect” answer.

💼 Job interview at a glance
DO	WHY
Research the company	Shows genuine interest and preparation
Prepare examples	Concrete examples are stronger than vague claims
Arrive on time	Punctuality is important in Dutch work culture
Ask questions	Shows you are evaluating the job as well
Be clear and direct	Direct communication is common in the Netherlands

Dress appropriately for the interview

Your clothes should match the job and company culture. For an office, finance or professional role, smart business clothing is usually a safe choice. For technical, logistics or practical work, clean and presentable clothes may be more appropriate.

You do not need to overdress, but it is better to look slightly more professional than too casual.

Try to make the best impression at your job interview

Prepare before the interview

Do some research before attending the interview. You should understand what the company does, what the position involves and why you are interested in working there.

read the vacancy again
visit the company website
check recent projects or news
prepare examples from your previous experience
prepare a few questions to ask at the end

You do not need to memorise the entire company history. Focus on information that helps you explain why the role interests you.

Job interview questions.. Stay calm — Job interview questions. Stay calm

What to bring to the interview

a copy of your CV
the job description
the names of the people interviewing you
notes about the company
a few questions you want to ask
a notebook and pen if you like taking notes

For an online interview, test your microphone, camera and internet connection beforehand and choose a quiet place with a neutral background.

How to make a good personal impression

Be friendly, professional and natural. You do not need to pretend to be more outgoing than you are, but you should show interest in the role and communicate clearly.

Arrive a few minutes early, greet the interviewer politely and maintain comfortable eye contact. Avoid interrupting and listen carefully before answering.

Dutch interviews often favour direct communication, so clear and honest answers usually work better than exaggerated or overly polished responses.

Common job interview questions

You do not need to prepare dozens of scripted answers. Instead, think about a few strong examples from your experience that you can adapt to different questions.

❓ Common interview questions
QUESTION	HOW TO APPROACH IT
Tell me about yourself	Give a short summary of your experience and why this role fits your next step
Why do you want to work here?	Mention something specific about the company, role or sector
What are your strengths?	Choose strengths relevant to the job and give an example
What is a weakness you are working on?	Choose something genuine and explain what you are doing to improve it
Can you work under pressure?	Give a concrete example of a deadline or difficult situation
Why did you leave your previous job?	Keep the answer professional and avoid speaking badly about your previous employer
Why should we hire you?	Connect your experience directly with the requirements of the vacancy

Use examples instead of general answers

If you say that you are organised, flexible or good under pressure, support it with an example.

A simple structure is:

Situation: briefly explain what happened
Task: explain what you needed to achieve
Action: explain what you did
Result: explain what happened in the end

This is commonly known as the STAR method and can help keep your answers clear and focused.

How to answer salary questions

If the interviewer asks about your salary expectations, it is better to prepare a realistic range before the interview.

Research salaries for similar positions and take into account your experience, hours, responsibilities and the complete benefits package.

You can also ask the employer what salary range has been budgeted for the position.

Do not invent or inflate your current salary. Keep the discussion focused on the value of the new role and your expectations.

If you are new to the Netherlands

Employers may ask about your plans in the Netherlands, particularly if the position requires long-term training or continuity.

You can simply explain your situation honestly: whether you have moved permanently, how long you plan to stay and whether you already have the right to work in the Netherlands.

If you are still looking for work, see our guide on how to find a job in Rotterdam.

Questions you can ask the employer

The interview is also your opportunity to decide whether the company and position are right for you.

What would a typical working day look like?
What are the main priorities for the first few months?
How large is the team?
Which languages are normally used at work?
What training opportunities are available?
How is performance evaluated?
What are the next steps in the recruitment process?

After the interview

Before leaving, thank the interviewer for their time and ask when you can expect to hear about the next step.

A short follow-up email later that day or the following morning is optional, but it can be a professional way to thank them and confirm your interest in the position.

If you receive an offer, do not accept it without reading the conditions carefully. See our guide to employment contracts in the Netherlands.

Final job interview checklist

✅ Before your interview
CHECK	DONE?
Read the vacancy carefully	✓
Research the company	✓
Prepare 3 or 4 examples from your experience	✓
Prepare questions for the interviewer	✓
Check the location or video link	✓
Choose appropriate clothes	✓

Things to arrange when moving to the Netherlands