Improving your Employability

By deciding to enroll in a Duisenberg school of finance Master's programme, you are clearly choosing for a successful career in finance. Even before starting your Master’s at Duisenberg school of finance, you can pursue activities that will strengthen your position in the labour market.

Prepare Yourself Early On…

• You can further develop yourself and build your resume by doing an internship the summer before coming to DSF. Building additional financial experience will interest recruiters and hiring managers that you will meet later on.
• Build your network by already joining DSF on LinkedIn and Facebook. Meet and network with people in your desired field. Also, connect with DSF alumni about their current jobs and employers. Maybe they will lead you to something or someone! Always be prepared to talk about yourself, your accomplishments, and your past studies and/or work.
• Clean up your digital footprint. Potential employers will Google you, so take the time to do it yourself and see what information or photos appear. Set all social networking profiles to private. Also, if you do not have one already, create a professional e-mail address to use in your job search – a variation of your name is best.
• Invest in some smart casual and business clothes to polish off your professional appearance.

…and During your Studies at DSF

• Be sure to take the CareerLeader Assessment offered by the CRC and revise your CV according to the suggested DSF format prior to the Introduction Days in August.
• Develop practical job skills, in addition to acquiring knowledge. DSF’s DLP provides you with opportunities to build additional job skills, where you can gain more experience in public speaking, writing, problem-solving, interviewing, professionalism, and other important job skills. You can always look for additional ways to practice these skills outside of the classroom as well. 
• Research and do your ‘homework’ on companies and industry trends in your area of focus, when preparing for your internship or job application. Visit websites of DSF’s sponsors. Read corporate profiles, e-interviews with professionals in your chosen field, industry association newsletters, magazines and journals. Being up-to-date on the latest industry trends may give you the information or special contact to give you the inside edge.

Working in the Netherlands

English and Dutch Language Skills
Excellent English skills are a must in internationally-oriented positions. Make sure to polish your English skills, both written and in speech.  

In the Netherlands, you may also need to have Dutch language skills. Some companies offer in-house training and/or offer to pay all or part of your Dutch lessons. If not, however; here are some places where you can take lessons. Of course, depending on the job you seek, other languages can also be useful!

To help you prepare you for a career in the Netherlands, Duisenberg school of finance hosts a ‘Dutch language and culture for financial professional’ course on campus. In this unique language course you build up a vocabulary of 1000 words in 12 weeks. You can register for this course upon arrival in Amsterdam.

Exclusively for DSF Students:
12 two-hour weekly, on campus classes in small groups (max 12 people)
Fee: € 295,- (price includes course materials)
Registration for this course upon arrival
Click here for more information.

Information Session on Wednesday 24 August at 17:15 
Read more

There are many other options for Dutch language courses in Amsterdam and elsewhere, but here are some of the more popular:

http://www.intt.uva.nl/
http://www.learndutch.com
http://www.bltc.nl/
http://www.easydutchplus.com/
http://www.trainingdutch.com/
http://www.nti.nl/taalcursussen/nederlands/dutch-for-foreigners.aspx

What to Expect in the Dutch Learning and Work Environment
As with any culture, there are different customs and practices to learn and adapt to. In general, learning, productivity and individuality are strongly valued in Dutch society – both in class and in the office.

Open communication and directness are ‘typically Dutch’ characteristics, both socially and in the workplace. The typical Dutch workplace tends to be informal and is less hierarchical than in some countries. Furthermore, active participation and self-initiative are essential, so be daring to give honest feedback, even if it is a little critical. Be tactful. Thoughtful suggestions are heard and appreciated. Asking questions is encouraged.

Know the Dutch Work Visa Requirements
The Netherlands welcomes talented individuals and the Dutch financial industry is likely to be very interested in you, as a potential employee. The Dutch government has work permit regulations allowing graduates from Dutch universities to get a change in visa status and to stay in the Netherlands for a period of 1 year to search for a job.

The purpose of your stay from ‘study’ may change to ‘seeking work as a highly skilled migrant’. During this year, you are free to take up any job, traineeship or placement to gain valuable work experience. You must, however, secure a permanent job at a company, which is eligible to employ highly skilled migrants. More information on this topic can be found on: www.nuffic.nl/international-students/preparation-stay/staying-inholland/working-after-your-study (source: www.nuffic.nl). If you are offered a job by a company in the Netherlands, that company will typically assist you in obtaining a different permit. However, you are responsible for knowing the status of your permit. An extension can be requested in special cases.