Olivier Somers

Thinking about moving to the Netherlands for work? It’s an exciting journey, but let’s be real—it’s not always easy. Here are some tips to help you navigate the process and stay motivated: ✅ Find a good recruitment agency – Look for one that specializes in your field (IT, finance, engineering, etc.). They know the market and can connect you with the right employers. ✅ Be patient & stay positive – The job hunt can take time, and rejections happen. Keep learning, keep applying, and don’t take it personally. ✅ Learn some Dutch – Many jobs are in English, but knowing Dutch helps with integration, networking, and daily life. Even basic phrases make a difference! ✅ Understand visa requirements – If you need sponsorship, check the list of recognized sponsors (IND website) and target companies that can hire internationals. ✅ Build your network – Connect with professionals on LinkedIn, join industry events, and reach out to expat communities. A referral can open doors! ✅ Know your worth – Research salaries, benefits, and work culture. The Netherlands has strong workers' rights—don’t settle for less! It might take time, but it’s worth it! If you’ve already made the move, what helped you the most? #Netherlands #JobSearch #ExpatLife

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🚨 The Dutch job market is facing a critical labour shortage, and companies that don’t adapt risk being left behind. That's why recruitment strategies are becoming increasingly important. Not only for attracting talent but also for retaining talent. Here’s what today’s employees value most in a workplace: 1️⃣ Purpose over hierarchy: People want to work for a cause, not just a boss. Employer branding should highlight purpose and impact. 2️⃣ Competitive compensation: Financial stability and growth opportunities matter more than ever, especially for younger generations. 3️⃣ Work-life balance: Flexibility and well-being aren’t perks anymore; they’re expectations. Remote work and healthy balance are essential for attracting and retaining top talent. 💡 The takeaway? Companies that align with these values will stand out in today’s tight job market. 👉 How is your company planning to attract and retain talent in 2025?

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𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐩, 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭. Belgium - and Antwerp in particular - has long been a powerhouse for Europe's industrial economy. The region is a strategic hub for the chemicals, oil & gas, energy, and infrastructure sectors, offering vast potential for technical innovation and sustainable growth. With one of Europe's largest ports, a world-class logistics network, and a skilled workforce, Antwerp provides the ideal foundation for delivering customised workforce solutions. Here's what our local presence means for our partners: ✔️ Tailored staffing strategies ✔️ Deep understanding of local regulations and market dynamics ✔️ Faster turnaround and direct, on-the-ground support NES Fircroft is committed to powering progress and connecting leading businesses with top-tier talent to deliver complex projects that shape the future of Europe. Read more in our press release: https://lnkd.in/eTj_PYED #NESFircroft #Belgium #WorkforceSolutions

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From South African Warmth to Dutch Directness... How to Nail Your Communication in the Netherlands Picture this: You’re a South African expat, fresh in the Netherlands, ready to charm your new Dutch team with your signature warmth. You say, “𝘓𝘦𝘵’𝘴 𝘴𝘺𝘯𝘤 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘯,” expecting a friendly nod. Instead, you get… a blank stare. Why? Because in Dutch work culture, 𝘃𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 = 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺 𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿. Dutch teams thrive on clarity, not courtesy. As South Africans, we’re masters of diplomacy, saving face, softening suggestions, keeping it warm. But in the Netherlands, that can backfire. Here’s what I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) about switching gears: 👉 Polite vibes can seem unclear: “𝑳𝒆𝒕’𝒔 𝒔𝒚𝒏𝒄 𝒔𝒐𝒐𝒏” → “Tuesday, 10:00, 20 min, to lock in the budget.” 👉 Soft suggestions signal indecision: “𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏?'' → “This misses the brief. Fix points A and B by Wednesday.” 👉 Overpromising effort confuses: “𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆” → “I’ll deliver by 16:00 tomorrow. If I hit a snag, I’ll flag it.” Here’s the secret: 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐲, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲. It’s like a well-timed braai: everyone knows what’s cooking and when it’s ready. Master this, and you won’t just fit in, you’ll soar in Dutch workplaces. So tell me, what’s one phrase you’ve used that totally got lost in translation? Drop it below and let’s brainstorm a Dutch-style upgrade together. 💪 #DutchWorkCulture #CareerTips #FromSouthAfricaToTheNetherlands #Communication #EngineerYourDutchLife

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📢 Strong Hiring Intentions in the IT Sector in Belgium for Q2 💻🚀   According to the latest Experis Tech Talent Outlook, 49% of technology industry employers plan to increase their workforce by June 2025, while only 14% expect reductions. As a result, the Net Employment Outlook stands at +35%, up 6 points from the previous quarter and 17 points year-over-year.   📊 Despite an uncertain economic environment, companies continue to invest in digital transformation. However, the challenge remains: 74% of IT employers in Belgium struggle to find qualified talent to meet the growing demand in AI, cybersecurity, and other strategic areas.   💡 "The IT sector continues to hire actively, but the gap between supply and demand for specialized skills remains a major challenge," explains Cédric Vandendael, Director of Experis Belgium. With a +35% NEO, Belgium stands 9 points above the EMEA average and aligns with global trends. 🌍   👉 Experis Belgium is here to help companies navigate this journey and secure the talent they need. As a global leader in IT professional resourcing and managed services, we connect the power of people and organizations to drive flexible solutions that adapt to evolving technologies and skill demands.   📌 Check out our Experis Tech Talent Outlook infographic with survey results from 41 countries. https://lnkd.in/eijTAegY    #Experis #TechTalentOutlook #ITJobs #HiringTrends #DigitalTransformation #TechCareers   

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New to Talent Acquisition or Recruitment? Struggling with finding the right profiles online? Let me introduce you to a new tool: #BooleanSearch In this post, I’ve broken down: • What Boolean search is • Easy-to-use operators • Real examples you can copy • Where you can use it Swipe through the carousel 👉 Save it for your next search session. #RecruitmentTips #BooleanSearch #TalentAcquisition #HiringHacks #LinkedInTips

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🔒 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 Confidentiality in hiring isn’t just a “nice to have” — it’s the foundation of trust between clients, candidates, and headhunters. Recently, I came across a case where a confidential search was leaked into the market by an experienced group of headhunters. The Result?  • Damaged brand and personal reputations • Strained relationships • Disrupted business operations • Jeopardised careers • Lost opportunities In a competitive talent space, sensitivity and discretion are not optional — they’re 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹. For me, this means: ✅ Protecting client/candidate identities until the right stage ✅ Managing information flow with precision ✅ Ensuring every discussion happens in a trusted, safe space Trust is hard to earn, but it can be lost in a single careless moment. #Hiring #Confidentiality #Trust #Headhunting #Talent #Leadership #ExecutiveSearch

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