According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, the percentage of working Ukrainian newcomers in the Netherlands increased by 11% from July 1 to November 1, and 45% of them were employed on November 1. These people fled Ukraine because of the Russian invasion, and the total number of Ukrainian newcomers in the Netherlands is estimated at about 65,000.
By: Anna Bilenka and Petra ter Doest
At the same time, Open Embassy notes another common request during the action research: when experience or training in Ukraine is not applicable to the local labor market.
For example, in Ukraine, one of the regular participants in the Ukrainian community KOLO, which builds and develops Open Embassy , was a successful sports journalist, working with the Ukrainian language and in the local market. After moving to the Netherlands, the woman took a job as a sales consultant in a local clothing store to support herself financially and build social connections, although this did not solve the problem with her profession.
Another example of another participant in the KOLO community is a young woman who worked as a doctor in Ukraine for 10 years, providing a wide range of services from client registration to consultations and treatments. Such an approach in the medical field is not typical in the Netherlands, and since the woman does not yet speak Dutch, she cannot find work, which negatively affects her mental health and quality of life.
We asked our resident Linkedin and professional identity expert, Petra ter Doest, for advice on what can be done to apply broad work experience to the Dutch job market or to adapt experience and make it more relevant. Here are some tips useful for anyone just entering and learning about the Dutch job market:
The importance of a sharp professional identity on LinkedIn
As professionals with diverse experiences and interests, it may seem advantageous to display them all on LinkedIn to increase your chances. However, a broad approach can weaken your professional identity, making it difficult for others to quickly understand your abilities and interests.
In today's fast-paced Internet communications, it is crucial to attract and hold attention. In the Netherlands, where the job market is highly specialized, a sharp definition of yourself is even more important. Employers want to know exactly what tasks you can perform before they invest their time in reading your profile. Therefore, a clear and focused professional identity is essential for success on LinkedIn.
Strategies to focus your professional identity on LinkedIn
Determining a focus for a LinkedIn profile can be challenging. To gain clarity, ask yourself two essential questions:
- What professional experiences will add value to my current life stage? These may include language skills, business experience, specific skills and more.
- What are the requirements of the Dutch job market for the skills and experiences I possess?
Focusing on professional identity does not mean neglecting other important aspects of your life. It's a matter of how you organize your information on a LinkedIn profile and resume. You can portray your personality authentically by adding images and text that reflect your interests and experiences outside of work.
It is crucial to distinguish between information that is directly relevant to your focus and information that is less relevant. You can do this by zooming in and out. If information is relevant to your main title, provide details about where, when and how you gained your knowledge and expertise. If information is not directly relevant, tell less and give a bigger picture.
For example, if you are an expert in HR and if you volunteer with disabled children, list it as volunteer work instead of work experience. You can still mention it in your resume to show your commitment to the community.
By using these strategies, you can create a LinkedIn profile that effectively showcases your professional identity while remaining authentic to your broader interests and experiences.
Creating an effective main title for your LinkedIn profile
Your main title on LinkedIn should consist of a role and domain that reflect your current career goals. For example, "English teacher" or "Recruiter in IT." Adding keywords that highlight your level and expertise can help distinguish your profile from others in the same field.
For example, a main title such as "Marketing Manager" can be supplemented with specific keywords such as "Brand Development" and "Data Analysis" to showcase your specializations. It is crucial to make sure your main title is forward-looking and reflects what you want to do now, rather than what you have done in the past.
*To change your job title, click on "Me" in the top bar, select "View Profile," and click on the edit pencil. Then scroll down to the "header" box and edit your title accordingly. If you follow these guidelines, you can create an appealing headline title that accurately reflects your professional goals and highlights your unique skills.
Profile photo
Make sure you have a high-quality photo, preferably with enough pixels, that exudes a friendly and relaxed demeanor while looking directly at the camera. It is crucial to maintain eye contact with potential contacts in an open and sympathetic manner. Avoid sunglasses or hair that covers your face. In addition, dress appropriately for the position you aspire to. Pay attention to lighting and choose a neutral background, such as a white wall, for optimal effect.
Ask someone to take several photos so you can choose the best one. Along with your name and job title, your photo is one of the most important parts of your page.
Header image
Images can significantly increase the value of a Linkedin profile by conveying important information about yourself to others. The header, which occupies the space at the top of the profile, can be enhanced with a background image of 1584 by 396 pixels. It is essential to choose images that are relevant to the professional identity.
For inspiration, you can search online for relevant keywords and images. You can also incorporate multiple visual elements into one image by creating a collage.
In the "Featured" section of your profile, you can upload links to external websites, posts on LinkedIn, photos and PDFs, to give your profile a dynamic and personal touch. The rectangular format of the featured section is fixed.
To customize your background image or header, look for the edit pencil on the right side of the blue area at the top of your profile page. To activate the "Featured" section, click the blue "Add Profile Item" button, select "Featured" and then choose "Featured."
Summary / About
Create a comprehensive and well-organized summary of your professional identity in three paragraphs. The first paragraph should serve as an elaboration of your main title and highlight the roles you can fulfill. Explain why you find this work important and what unique contributions you can make, and outline your core competencies and skills.
The second paragraph should address the specific reasons why you excel in your field, detailing the sources of your expertise and the methods by which you acquired it. Consider where you honed your skills and describe how you acquired them over time. This will give potential employers a good idea of your background and qualifications.
In the third paragraph, it is important to show your range of skills and personal qualities. Consider including examples of your involvement in volunteer work or other civic activities, and highlight the ways in which you have demonstrated your commitment to community and social responsibility. Provide a clear focus and avoid long or overly complex sentences. Draft your summary in a word processing program for optimal clarity and ease of reading, and make sure each paragraph focuses on one topic for maximum readability. Finally, format your summary with plenty of white space to improve readability.
- How do I change the 'About' section? Scroll to the 'Info' block, then click on the edit pencil on the right.
- How do I activate About for the first time? Go to the big blue 'Add Profile Item' button at the top of your profile. Choose 'The Core' and then 'Add Info'.
Lessons from the Dutch and Ukrainian communities
- The importance of prioritizing career fulfillment.
We hope this information was helpful in tailoring your LinkedIn profile to the local job market. It is important to remember that every job market is unique, and it is essential to understand the rules to get noticed.
Another personal thing: look for a job that will give you real satisfaction in the long run. This is what counts and it is also taken into account during job interviews. This is something that we Ukrainians do not always easily understand, but it is a good opportunity to learn from Dutch society.
If you have any questions or suggestions regarding cooperation for the Ukrainian community Kolo in the Netherlands, please contact anna@openembassy.nl.
Photos: by S O C I A L . C U T, Jurica Koletić, LinkedIn Sales Solutions, Christina
