If you’re searching for an IT career move that has prospects, excitement, rewards and plenty of downtime, then look no further than the Netherlands. With an evolving tech scene that is set to become the envy of the world, the Netherlands is attracting the top IT talent and now is the time to take advantage.
For Evolution, the Netherlands tech scene was becoming too big and too popular to ignore, which is why we’ve expanded our reach to include IT recruitment services in the tulip capital of the world. So, for those IT candidates wondering just what working in the Netherlands is like, let us fill in the gaps with some of our successful candidates’ favourite features.
If you want to be amongst some of the world’s latest emerging tech, then you’ve come to the right place. The Netherlands is being pivoted as the growing tech capital to watch out for, and we’re not surprised. The country is leading the way in technologies including AI, FinTech, VR and nanotechnology, and more is to come. The Amsterdam Science Park incubator (an ode to Xerox PARC), is set to see major works of research and commercialisation of new technology over the coming years, alongside the planned world-class AI Hub that will make the Netherlands the leading AI authority. No wonder Amsterdam is ranked the best city to work in tech in Europe!
If you’re longing for the days when start-ups were start-ups, the Netherlands won’t disappoint. Last year in Amsterdam alone, €322 million was invested in start-ups – meaning plenty of funds to further invest in research, development and IT candidates. Whether it’s making an impact in the days of co-working spaces or fuelling the scale-up stage following crowdfunding and institutional investments – the opportunities to be involved at the beginning of emerging companies are vast.
If big names are more your scene, there are plenty to choose from, all looking for the top IT job seekers. Amsterdam alone is home to more than 578 IT companies, 170 of which have their HQ there. Natives include Booking.com, TomTom, WeTransfer, The Next Web and Philips, while expats include Uber, Salesforce, Cisco, Google and Amazon. All recognise the significant potential of the technological advancements this side of Europe and have put their offices where their mouths are, creating job opportunities across a variety of industries. And, with the top companies employing more than 70% non-Dutch employees, you’ll be in international company too.
Whether you’re looking for a business that’s after your talent, or you want to work with and learn from the best, the Netherlands is attracting the world’s top IT talent and it isn’t set to stop. Job opportunities are plentiful, with x26 IT job vacancies per worker. The most in-demand IT jobs include developers, software engineers and data scientists, with it taking on average more than 12 weeks for companies to fill vacancies. The significant pace of growth has led to an increased demand for senior IT talent, but if your skills aren’t quite there yet, don’t worry; the strong start-up scene has ample opportunities for junior IT professionals.
Frustration by the lack of tools to complete a job is not a complaint often heard in the Netherlands. Amsterdam boasts some of Europe’s fastest broadband speeds and is renowned for the early adoption of technology. It is also ranked fourth in the world for app invention and development, and with €322 million of start-up investment received last year, there are plenty of funds to provide the tools required to excel.
For those with a passion for continued professional development, the Amsterdam School of Data Science offers more than 250 programmes, from experts in Google, Facebook and Philips. There are also endless meetups and hackathons, including the Holland FinTech Meetup, Holochain Hackathon, Global Goals Jam and Girls Code. And, those eager to impart their skills and knowledge to inspire the next generation of IT professionals can get involved with the countless initiatives bringing technology to the classroom.
All of these perks come with the added benefit of attractive salaries and low living costs. Plus, with the average commute being one of the shortest across Europe and a strong emphasis on downtime, the Dutch motto ‘pay well, live well’ is well practiced. This is definitely a country with attractive perks, and the 30% foreign tax break also helps.
Amsterdam is the world’s healthiest city and the Netherlands as a whole ranks first in the world for work-life balance. It’s well connected to the rest of Europe (via land, water, rail and air) and has stunning scenery, impressive architecture, welcoming communities, real charm, lots of cheese, and some of the world’s best breweries.
If nothing else, working in the Netherlands tech scene right now is exciting, inspiring and invigorating. There’s plenty to celebrate and get involved with, with this year alone welcoming the first Forbes’ Under 30 Summit Europe, the Startup in Residence programme, the arrival of Google Brain, and the TechStars start-up support programme.
To make the Netherlands dream a reality, contact us today about taking your IT career Dutch; you won’t regret it.
