Practice a Job Interview in Dutch
A Dutch job interview is the highest-pressure conversation most learners ever have: formal register, complex grammar, professional vocabulary, and the unspoken cultural rules of the country you're interviewing in. This scenario walks through the full interview arc — greeting and small talk, the 'tell me about yourself' answer, behavioural questions, salary discussion, and asking smart questions back. You'll practise the formal Dutch register, the verbs for past achievements ('I led, I delivered, I improved'), and the body of professional vocabulary that turns hesitant answers into confident ones.
Sample Dutch conversation
Goedemorgen! Gaat u zitten. Bedankt dat u bent gekomen. Kunt u beginnen met iets over uzelf te vertellen?
Good morning! Please take a seat. Thank you for coming in today. Can you start by telling me about yourself?Natuurlijk! Ik heb marketing gestudeerd en werk nu drie jaar in het vakgebied.
Of course! I studied marketing and I've been working in the field for three years.Drie jaar ervaring, dat is mooi. Wat was uw hoofdverantwoordelijkheid in uw vorige functie?
Three years of experience, that's great. What was your main responsibility in your last role?Ik beheerde social media-campagnes en analyseerde de resultaten.
I managed social media campaigns and analyzed the results.Wat zijn volgens u uw grootste sterke punten?
What would you say are your greatest strengths?Ik ben een sterke communicator. Ik werk goed samen met verschillende soorten mensen.
I'm a strong communicator. I work well with different types of people.
What you'll learn
- Greet interviewers with the right formal register
- Deliver a 60-second 'tell me about yourself' in Dutch
- Answer behavioural questions with concrete examples
- Discuss salary and benefits without awkwardness
- Ask smart questions about the role and team
Frequently asked questions
What's the most important phrase in a Dutch job interview?
The professional 'Pleased to meet you' opener and a strong 'Thank you for your time' closer. Both are formal in Dutch and signal respect.
How do I talk about salary in Dutch without it being awkward?
There's a soft formula — 'What's the salary range for this role?' — that's professional and direct. The scenario rehearses the negotiation language too.
How formal should my Dutch be in an interview?
Very formal — use the formal 'you' throughout, full sentences, and avoid contractions. The scenario models this register consistently.
What questions should I ask back in a Dutch interview?
Ask about team structure, growth opportunities, and what success looks like in 90 days. We include sample questions in Dutch in the scenario.