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Career Services
With the information on our website, there’s a lot you yourself can do to improve your job hunt in the North - but sometimes, you just need a little help. Below, we’ve compiled international-friendly career services in the Northern Netherlands.
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When we talk about career services, we refer to services, workshops and career advice that helps you take the next step (or a new step) on the job market.
There are lots of general services out there, but we only list those that are in the North, and that we know are international-friendly.
- Our own Job Hunt Advice: register/log in to your Jobseeker Dashboard to access this free service (for expectation management: we have few weekly timeslots and they book up very quickly!)
- TalentPerron: free guided tour to discover how your skills match various high-opportunity professions in the North.
- Some recruitment agencies also offer interview training if you enroll with them—definitely enquire about the possibilities.
- Werkcentrum offers free career coaching, also in English, for residents of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe.
Check out more career service providers further below that are either paid or which have limited availability (e.g. only accessible to students of a particular institution).
Job Hunt Advice
Make it in the North offers free 1-on-1 advice sessions to internationals who reside in the Northern Netherlands.
We'll sit down together with you and discuss what your (best) opportunities are to find work in the North, based on your CV, cover letter and any questions you bring.
Further international-friendly career services
UNIVERSITY OF GRONINGEN'S CAREER SERVICES
Students and researchers at the University of Groningen get free access to services offered by the main Career Services office, and sometimes also specialised services within their own faculty. Find all of them below:
- Main Career Services: workshops, CV critiques, cover letters, linkedin, mock interviews
- Graduate School's Career Perspective Series for PhDs: workshops, courses, career events
- Faculty of Arts: workshops and career event
- Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences: workshops
- Faculty of Economics & Business: workshops and career events
- Faculty of Law: internships, career coaching, skill development
- Faculty of Spatial Sciences: workshops, job search support
- Faculty of Philosophy: career day
- University College: internships, career day, job orientation support
- Campus Fryslan: career events
THRIVE COACHING & CONSULTING
Thrive Coaching & Consulting empowers highly skilled and motivated internationals to navigate the Dutch job market and build meaningful careers, with a focus on the northern Netherlands.
Founded by Qing Gong, an experienced career coach and international professional, Thrive combines firsthand experience with professional expertise. Having faced the challenges of job searching, career transitions, and networking in the Netherlands, Qing understands what it takes to succeed—and she’s here to help you do the same.
Our services:
✅ Career Counseling – Gain clarity on your strengths, goals, and next steps.
✅ Job Application Training – Create compelling cover letters and excel in interviews.
✅ Networking Coaching – Build valuable connections and tap into hidden job opportunities.
Thrive's service is available in English, Chinese, and Dutch.
Qing Gong Career coach
Student Career Hub at NHL Stenden
Introduction
The Student Career Hub (SCH) at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences is a student-led initiative designed to support students in their transition from education to employment. It responds to the gap between students and the labour market by offering accessible career guidance, strengthening connections with employers, and developing practical job-search skills.
This project is particularly important as many students often lack the knowledge, network, and confidence needed to successfully navigate the Dutch job market.
The initiative provides support in areas such as:
• CV and motivational letter guidance
• LinkedIn profile development
• Internship search support
• Guidance on finding part-time jobs
• Connecting students with regional employers and opportunities
What problem does it solve?
The SCH addresses the disconnect between students and the labour market. Many students lack practical knowledge on how to present themselves professionally, write effective CVs and motivation letters, or navigate internship and job opportunities, particularly within the Dutch context.
For international students, this challenge is even greater due to cultural differences, limited networks, and unfamiliar recruitment processes. At the same time, employers in the Northern Netherlands struggle to connect with motivated and diverse student talent.
The SCH solves this by providing accessible, student-centered support through walk-in consultations, workshops, and direct employer connections. It simplifies the career preparation process, increases awareness of regional opportunities, and empowers students with the skills and confidence needed to successfully enter the workforce.
What are the main results?
- Increased student awareness of career opportunities in the Northern Netherlands
- Built an initial network of regional employers
- Established regular walk-in career support services
- Created a foundation for a scalable and sustainable career support model
- Identifying local businesses that may be open to hiring international students
