6 tips on how to say goodbye to job hunting forever

Job hunting in the Netherlands can feel like an uphill battle, especially for expats. It is often said that you need to apply to at least 200 jobs just to get a few offers. Sounds like a nightmare, doesn’t it? But it doesn’t have to be this way.

If you opt for a proactive and strategic approach, you can position yourself as a standout candidate and avoid the frustration of endless job searches.

Here are six practical steps to help you build a strong professional presence, expand your network and create opportunities that come to you rather than the other way around.

1. Redesign your LinkedIn profile

Have you seen your colleagues enabling that green “Open To Work” badge on LinkedIn?

About 50 million people use LinkedIn to job-hunt weekly. Unfortunately, building your online visibility once you’re out of a job is too late, because there’s little time to show your network how amazing you are. Building relationships takes time.

That’s why building your online visibility before you need it is the key to staying ahead.

Start by optimising your LinkedIn profile for the roles you’re targeting. Ensure every position you’ve held includes a clear description of your responsibilities and achievements. A well-crafted LinkedIn profile isn’t just a resume - it’s your personal brand.

2. Post regularly on LinkedIn

97,6 percent of LinkedIn users don't post regularly. What’s more, most people who do, only post about promotions or certifications. While these updates have their place, they don’t showcase your expertise or personality, which is key to maintaining a relationship with your network.

Rather than posting a certificate, make a post on why you took this or that certification, what you have learned and what you can do now. It will provide much more insight into your experience and your personality, which will foster better connections.

Sharing your thoughts, experiences, or insights on LinkedIn is a great way to stay visible and engaged with your network. It doesn’t have to be time-consuming - start with one or two posts a week, but do it consistently. After that, you can evaluate whether it’s worth continuing and at what pace. Remember, consistency is more important than frequency.

3. Document your journey

With the rise of online platforms, the world has changed. Now, we all have digital avatars (sometimes more than one). This gives you an incredible opportunity to reach people beyond your personal circle. To make the most of this, be clear about who you are and how you can help others.

As you progress in your career, remember to collect a portfolio, photos of you in action and testimonials from colleagues or clients. You can showcase these on LinkedIn and your personal website. This not only highlights your skills but also gives potential employers a clear picture of who you are and what you offer.

Think of yourself as a brand and your career as the story you’re telling. Documenting your professional journey - through a portfolio, personal website, or even a LinkedIn article - can help you stand out and get noticed before you start job hunting.

4. Explore volunteering opportunities

Volunteering is a great way to gain experience, build connections and give back to your community. Dutch recruiters often consider volunteering as job experience.

Whether related to your field or a cause you care about, volunteering can open doors to new opportunities. It’s a chance to show your skills in real-world settings, which is valuable if you’re new to the Netherlands or changing industries.

The relationships you build through volunteering can also lead to unexpected career opportunities.

5. Attend offline events regularly

Networking is a powerful tool in your job search. When I first moved to the Netherlands, I joined every relevant community and attended many events. Over time, I built a strong professional network that opened doors I didn’t even know existed.

The beauty of networking is that you only need to do the heavy lifting once. Afterwards, you’ll have a community of like-minded professionals to lean on.

Aim to attend at least one event a month - or if you’re feeling ambitious, one a week. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you meet people from companies you want to work for and how it can transform your career prospects.

6. Focus on building human connections

In a world obsessed with online metrics - subscribers, impressions, views - it’s easy to forget the importance of genuine human connections. The truth is, you don’t need to be interesting to get people’s attention; you need to be interested.

Start by visiting offline events where you can meet like-minded people and add them to your network. Reach out to people in your niche or industry on LinkedIn to build connections.

Connecting with people you don’t know can be challenging. Always add a personal note when sending a connection request. Explain why the person caught your attention. Most people want to grow their network, so there’s a good chance they will accept your request.

After they accept, thank them and maybe invite them for a cup of coffee. Focus on building human connections. It’s better to have a network of under 1.000 people who know and trust you than a network of 10.000 who don’t because they don’t know you. Small, human details matter.

Trust is the foundation of any professional relationship, and it’s what will help you sell your skills and services to a company.

Being proactive makes a difference

Job hunting doesn’t have to be a nightmare. By taking these steps, you can shift from a reactive approach to a proactive one, where opportunities come to you. It’s not about sending out hundreds of applications - it’s about building a strong professional presence, nurturing your network and creating a career that aligns with your goals.

Start small, stay consistent, and remember: every connection you make and every post you share brings you one step closer to saying goodbye to job hunting forever.