Employee and @ Employer

28 April 2026 - News For many internationals in the Maastricht Region, finding the right job can feel confusing and sometimes frustrating. We spoke with Sandrine de Goede, founder of Open Dutch Doors, about how to better understand the Dutch job market-and how to move forward with confidence. What are the main challenges that international professionals face when looking for work in the Netherlands? Language is often mentioned first. Even though many people in the Maastricht Region speak English with varied proficiency, employers still often ask for Dutch at a certain level. However, I think the bigger challenge is how internationals present themselves. They have strong experience, but it is not always clear to Dutch employers how this fits their specific needs. It is about making your value as an employee and as a person visible and understandable. Many internationals already have strong skills. Why can it still be difficult for them to find the right job? Internationals often have great soft skills, such as flexibility and perseverance. These are very valuable, but they are not enough on their own. Employers also want to see clear, practical skills. You need to explain what you can do in a specific role and why that matters to the employer. It is about connecting your experience to what the company is looking for. I work with a structured approach. First, we define a clear direction -what industry, what role, and which employers. Then we build a strategy around that. I help clients with their CV, their LinkedIn profile, interview preparation and where to look for jobs. This structure helps candidates feel more in control and less overwhelmed. It also builds confidence and reduces self-doubt. You often talk about "Dutchifying" a CV. What does this mean in simple terms? It means making your CV clear and easy for a Dutch employer to understand. In the Netherlands, employers value work experience more than education, so this sh...