I have friends that I am hopefully moving in with over in Belgium in a few months but I was curious to find out how I would find work in Antwerp? Does anyone know how an English speaker would go around getting a job in the city? Internet sites, newpapers etc...?
Belgium - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Horrid place; try nearby Brussels for more opportunities! It has the major advantage of being francophone for the most part! Who wants to learn Flemish unless you really have to??!
2 :
You could start by learning Dutch. It will improve your chances to land a job. Because unless you have special qualifications, it's likely going to be very difficult to find one or they will be minimum wage/horrible hour jobs. Job sites available in English: http://english.monster.be/ http://www.stepstone.be/en/ Other job sites: Jobs specific to antwerpen: http://jobs.gva.be/ Flemish regional agency responsible for activating job seekers: www.vdab.be General job site: www.vacature.be Other tips is to register yourself at interim offices in Antwerpen.
3 :
Depends on what kind of work you look for. But first of all you need to know if you are allowed to work at all in Belgium. Check this site of the Belgian government: http://www.belgium.be/en/work/ If you have a work permit and all other papers, I think a good start are the agencies for interim jobs. You find offices of different agencies over the city. Take a walk at the Frankrijklei to see some of them. The sites are in Dutch but in the offices they will help you in English.
4 :
You're not saying if you are a trades person or an office worker. And I take it you are an EU national... Bear in mind that in Belgium they expect you to have a diploma for just about everything. The latest they are talking of in a diploma in chip frying! If you do have qualifications you could get them equalised to Belgian equivalent, it might help you get a better job. http://www.google.co.uk/#q=buitenlandse+diploma+gelijkstelling&fp=4287dfd63891046d&hl=en, click on the first link for more info although it is only in Dutch. If you have no qualification, GCSE or even A-level you will most likely be looking at production work, horeca (catering) or another menially low-paid job and agencies probably would be your best bet. Also bear in mind there is no casual work in Belgium other than seasonal in horticulture/agriculture. If you are a trades person and have a skill to sell you might find it easier to get a decent paid job and it would be worth checking the VDAB site. For the rest most of their vacancies require 'Goed Nederlands' with very few that will accept 'Beperkt Nederlands'
5 :
A. Which nationality are you and in consequence are you allowed to work in the EU? B. Be advised that for all executive positions you need to speak fluent Dutch, French and English. If you can throw in German and or Spanish so much the better. C. As Taaner writes the place to look for OUTSOURCING jobs is the Frankrijklei, but unless your name is Beckham I seriously doubt about your possibility for a job.
