If you are a business or technology professional looking to take the next step in your career, the Shuter Smith team can assist you in finding your perfect position. We help job seekers at both ends of the career spectrum to locate rewarding opportunities on either permanent or fixed-term/project-based roles or specialist contract assignments. Our flexible and responsive approach enables us to match the needs of both candidates and clients alike.
“Thank you for your great support so far, which I have not received from any other job consultancy yet. I really appreciate the entire process that Shuter Smith is following”.
We typically handle assignments in sales & business development, marketing & digital, information technology, procurement, supply chain, engineering & science, talent management & acquisition, human resources, operational excellence, risk & compliance and business support. Our talent specialists are passionate about their work, well connected and results driven. We always look to add that personal touch in all our dealings and you can be sure we will go the extra mile to bring about a successful outcome for you.
“I couldn’t thank you more for your support, patience and professionalism throughout this process. It is very rare when a recruiter cares that much about its candidates and does follow ups constantly as you did”.
Luis – Spain
We work proactively on your behalf
Whether you have seen a specific advertised role, are already actively looking and available or simply considering your options, we would like to hear from you? You don’t need to wait for that perfect role to appear as not all positions are advertised, and for in-demand skills we can work proactively on your behalf. We will always let you know if and how we can help you.
“So, I would like to thank you for noticing my profile and for your professional skills. I wish there were more people like you in the recruitment sphere. I really liked how you communicate and guide a candidate through a process and was really captivated by this approach”.
Andrei – Netherlands
How we work
To get the best from our collaboration, we ask that you take note of the following:
Understand your career goals
Our goal is to fully understand your career goals and work expectations during an initial intake session.
We always respect your privacy
We will treat your CV confidentially and will never forward it to our clients without your prior consent.
You won’t miss an opportunity
Your CV profile will be added to our skills pool, and you will hear from us when a potential opportunity arises.
We’ll be with you step by step
We will maintain close contact with you during every stage of the interview process.
We’ll be your guide throughout
We will discuss with you the details of any offer you receive and guide you through the hiring and onboarding process.
Providing a seamless transition
If you are moving from an overseas location, we will ensure that key information is shared with you to bring about a seamless transition.
We’re transparent and we talk straight
We strive to work in a transparent manner with open communication and by keeping you continually updated throughout the process.
Communication is the key
We ask that you keep us posted on your job search progress so that we can continue to work on your behalf.
With the demand for the best talent as high as ever, put your job search in the hands of Shuter Smith International to ensure maximum attention and recruiting success.
Below is a list of frequently asked questions by candidates. If your query isn’t satisfactorily answered, then please don’t hesitate to contact us directly.
Job search
During the Covid pandemic, companies have continued to hire new staff and job opportunities remain in abundance. One major change we have seen is that most first interviews take place via telephone or video call however, if you are invited to attend a face-to-face meeting you can be reassured that our client will have followed all necessary Covid protocols for their staff and any external visitors.
Working on a temporary contract
You should speak with your employer/sponsor in good time, normally 8 to 10 weeks before expiry of your permit, so that they can take the necessary actions to extend your permit.
We work with freelance consultants, and we would be happy to add you to our expert talent pool for future contract opportunities.
As a temporary staff member in the Netherlands, you are seconded to the client who is responsible for supervising and managing your day-to-day work. Shuter Smith is responsible for your employment contract, holiday and sick pay administration, pension, payroll and contract arrangements and extensions. Throughout the assignment period, we are your interface for all matters relating to your temporary employment.
You will operate on the so-called phase system, and this will be fully explained to you at the time an opportunity arises. We will also provide you with as detailed information booklet setting out all aspects of your contract and working arrangements and the personal details we require to set up your contract. Temporary contracts can be applied in both part time and full-time work situations, and you can expect paid holiday leave and special leave benefits.
As a temporary worker, you can enjoy the benefits of job flexibility, the chance to work on a variety of assignments across a diverse range of industry sectors whilst building and expanding your knowledge and experience.
Working in the Netherlands
The 30% reimbursement ruling (also known as the 30% facility) is a tax advantage for highly skilled migrants moving to the Netherlands for a specific employment role. When the necessary conditions are met, the employer can grant a tax-free allowance equivalent to 30% of the gross salary subject to Dutch payroll tax.
Foreign nationals who have been recruited from abroad for a position in the Netherlands may be eligible for the 30% tax ruling. In order to be eligible, you have to be in an employment situation. For those who work as self-employed, it is not possible to claim the 30% ruling.
If you have already been working in the Netherlands for some years, you can still apply but previous years will not be taken into account and will be deducted from the remaining term that you can receive the 30% ruling. It is usually done as a joint request with your employer.
You will need to open a Dutch bank account before you commence work. For this, you will need a valid passport or ID, residence card and your BSN number. The bank may also request a copy of your employment contract or a recent salary statement. Most of the leading banks such as ABN AMRO, ING, Rabobank have easy-to-follow online registration pages for this process.
Basic health insurance in the Netherlands (basisverzekering)
The basic package in the Netherlands is compulsory and provides the same basic health coverage across all insurers, as it is set by the government. The employers make a compulsory payment towards the income-related insurance contribution of their employees
Basic health insurance costs around 100 euros per month and covers things such as:
Appointments with your doctor (huisarts)
Stays at the hospital, surgery and emergency treatment (ziekenhuis)
Ambulance services and patient transport (ambulancevervoer)
Medicine prescriptions (medicijnen)
Blood tests (bloedonderzoek) · Dental care for children under 18 years (tandarts)
Limited dental care for adults over 18, restricted to dental surgery, dental x-rays
Mental health care (geestelijke gezondheidszorg)
Appointments with medical specialists such as dermatologists, allergists or internal specialists (medisch specialist)
Pregnancy, birth care and midwifery services (zwangerschaps- en geboortezorg)
Maternity care (kraamzorg)
Handicapped care (gehandicaptenzorg)
Aged care (ouderenzorg)
Nursing on location (wijkverpleging)
Some therapeutic services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy and diet advice
Physiotherapy (fysiotherapie) for chronic disorders, covered from the 21st treatment onwards
Health insurance is compulsory for all people who live or work in the Netherlands (The Health Care Insurance Act 2006 – Zorgverzekeringswet). Expats from outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland who arrive in the Netherlands must take out Dutch health insurance within four months of receiving their residence permit, even if they have an existing foreign policy. EU, EEA or Swiss nationals who are working in the Netherlands must take out Dutch health insurance within four months of registering at their city hall.
If you do not take out basic Dutch health insurance within four months, and the government becomes aware that you are not covered, then you will receive a letter from the CAK asking to you to sign up for health insurance within three months. f you do not get health insurance within that period, then the CAK will issue you with a fine (426,24 euros in 2021).
If you still haven’t taken action after six months, then you will receive a second fine for the same amount.
If you still haven’t obtained health insurance within nine months of the first letter, then the CAK will register you with an insurer on your behalf and they will deduct the monthly premium from your salary.
Everyone living in the Netherlands must have a citizen service number, normally referred to as a BSN (burgerservicenummer). Anyone born in the Netherlands will receive one automatically, but international newcomers need to apply for a BSN as soon as they arrive. A BSN is required for a variety of administrative procedures in the Netherlands, for example, you will need one in order to work, open a bank account, arrange health insurance, visit a doctor or hospital, or apply for benefits. If you leave the Netherlands and later return, you’ll keep the same citizen service number when you re-register with the municipality. You automatically receive a BSN number when you register at a Dutch municipality (a gemeente) – all you need to do is visit your city hall and ask to register. You should do this within 5 days of your arrival if you are planning on staying for more than 4 months.
There are no costs involved with registering and receiving a BSN directly via your local municipality.
Expats from within the EU, the EEA (the EU plus Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway) or Switzerland do not need a work or residence permit for the Netherlands, as citizens of these nations have the right to freedom of movement and work within each other.
There are different types of work permit:
GVVA or Single Permit
Highly skilled migrant permit (HSM)
Orientation year (zoekjaar) permits for expat graduates
Entrepreneur Permit
EU Blue Card
Family members:
If you have a partner or relative who has permission to live and work in the Netherlands, you may also be able to get a residence permit for the purpose of family reunification, which would give you the same rights as your family member. If they have permission to work, you may be exempt from needing a separate work permit.
Once you have been in the Netherlands for more than five years:
After living in the Netherlands for more than five consecutive years on a residence permit, it may be possible to obtain permanent residence status. This gives you the right to work for any Dutch employer or as a self-employed worker without the need for a work permit. Your residence document will state that you are free to work in the Dutch labour market without a work permit (Arbeid vrij toegestaan. TWVis niet vereist).
The Immigration and Naturalization Service is the part of the Ministry of Justice and Security that is responsible for the implementation of the aliens policy. This means that the IND assesses all applications from foreign nationals who want to stay in the Netherlands or become a Dutch citizen
The Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) is the part of the Ministry of Justice and Security that is responsible for the implementation of the aliens policy. This means that the IND assesses all applications from foreign nationals who want to stay in the Netherlands or become a Dutch citizen.
Every non-EU citizen who wants to work in the Netherlands has to obtain a valid work permit. The prospective employer may request the permit. A work permit is valid only for the employer who makes the request and ceases if / when the employee leaves their job. There is no ‘general’ work permit for the Netherlands.
You should speak with your employer/sponsor in good time, normally 8 to 10 weeks before expiry of your permit, so that they can take the necessary actions to extend your permit.
Are you currently considering an international move or maybe you have recently arrived in the country, if so, we would like to hear from you?
With its long successful tradition in worldwide commerce, the Netherlands applies the same open-minded principles to making its society work for both natives and newcomers. Thanks to its coastal location, foreign adventures in colonial times, rich history and a tradition of socially conscious governments, the country has extensive experience in adapting to the needs of others.
Due to the comparably large number of jobs in the Netherlands, the local workforce is not sufficient to satisfy the growing demand. With English being a common business language in many international companies that are located here, this has created abundant opportunities for foreign nationals to pursue an international career and lifestyle.
Global businesses choose the Netherlands to set up their offices / European headquarters because the Dutch working environment is very open, multi-cultural and business-oriented, and the country can proudly boast one of the most stable economies in Europe.
Add to this a tax system which offers great economic incentives, makes the Netherlands an ideal destination for individuals and companies alike.
The Dutch way of living has to be experienced at least once in your life. There’s nothing quite like it!
Our commitment to diversity & inclusion
At Shuter Smith International, we are proud to call ourselves an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take any necessary measures to protect employees or candidates against discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender, national origin (ancestry), age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Shuter Smith International is committed to diversity and inclusion and actively promotes the consistent application of fair and respectful employment practices. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community including employees, clients, candidates, subcontractors, vendors and other business partners.
Information Links
If you have recently arrived in the Netherlands or are already settled here,
you may find the below links helpful to guide you through your Dutch experience.
The starting point with Shuter Smith is to receive a copy of your latest CV and motivation, which you can send via one of the methods shown.
Your CV and other information is important and will enable us to understand your career hopes and expectations. We will always gain your approval before forwarding it to our client’s and your privacy will be respected.
You can quickly send your CV
This is a quick and easy to complete form requesting your personal contact details. Your CV will then be assessed by our talent specialists against all available positions. We will contact you if there is immediate interest and, with your permission, your profile will be retained within our skills pool for future job openings.
You can apply for an advertised role shown on the jobs listing page of our website attaching your CV and motivation.
We will contact you if there is immediate interest and, with your permission, your profile will be retained within our skills pool for future job openings.