Navigating the World of Business Dutch: Do You Really Need to Speak Dutch to Work in the Netherlands?
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You may have read the previous articles in this series about business Dutch, but you catch yourself thinking that everyone in the Netherlands speaks English, right? So, I don’t need to study Dutch to get a job there, right? Well, sure, many Dutch and Flemish people speak English. And you actually can work in the Netherlands without speaking Dutch. However, it is still a really good idea to study Dutch to improve your chances of building a sustainable career here that you’ll actually enjoy in the long term. In this article, you’ll learn why.
Your career opportunities will increase if you speak Dutch
Not only will it be much easier for you to secure a job in the first place when you speak the local language. But it is also more likely that when you have a job at a certain company, you will be promoted to a higher-paying role with more responsibility. Why? Because a lot of career and growth opportunities stem from your ability to connect more deeply and foster relationships with co-workers and people in your industry.
Whether we like it or not, research suggests that likeability in itself has a significant effect on your career development. And people who make an effort to speak the local language are simply perceived as more likeable. Which brings us to the next point:
It will be easier to fit into a company culture and social situations if you speak Dutch
For many reasons, this point and the previous point are intrinsically interconnected, as your position in company culture has a direct effect on your career opportunities in the company. Why? If you speak the local language, you’ll be able to read between the lines of what is said and much more, both in formal and informal conversations.
While we’re at the subject of informal conversations; they are an essential aspect of Dutch business culture. Whether you can make jokes with co-workers during your coffee breaks influences how much people like, trust and want to collaborate with you on future projects. As a final note, when you connect more with co-workers you actually enjoy yourself more in your job. So, it’s a win-win for you to learn Dutch if you plan to work in the Netherlands.
Conclusions
As mentioned earlier, you don’t have to speak Dutch to work in the Netherlands. As plenty of people speak English quite well, and in larger cities, you could quite easily get a job in the hospitality industry or even in an international business environment. However, if you don’t speak Dutch, you will be missing out on a few important things, namely:
- opportunities to connect more deeply with co-workers and make friends,
- understanding and getting ahead in the company culture,
- feeling a sense of belonging and integration,
- new growth and career opportunities
In essence, you will miss out on a lot of the things that make work worthwhile and meaningful. My advice? If you’re planning to work in the Netherlands or Belgium, invest some time into learning the language. If you already have a job there but don’t speak Dutch, simply making an effort to learn, however imperfectly, could benefit you in many ways.
I hope you enjoyed reading this blog! If you want to learn more about working in the Netherlands and Belgium or want to learn the ins and outs of business Dutch, check out the entire series via this link.
Until next time!
Marieke, OLS Community Manager – Dutch