A Dutch job interview (sollicitatiegesprek) is often less formal in tone than you might expect — first names and je instead of u are common, and it may open with a little casual conversation — but the content is direct and practical: a short self-introduction, your qualifications and past experience, why you want this particular role, how you work in a team, and — especially if you are new to the Netherlands — questions about your right to work and your Dutch level. Dutch interviewers generally value concrete examples and honesty over polished self-promotion: describing what you actually did, with a real result, and saying plainly what you do not know yet tends to land better than a list of enthusiastic adjectives. You will also usually be expected to have questions of your own. Asagno's job-interview roleplay puts you through exactly this with an AI interviewer, at your level, in text or voice, then gives you a full report — objectives met, language mistakes with corrections, and phrases that would have landed better — so you rehearse before it counts.
What you'll learn
- A short, structured self-introduction: name, background, relevant experience, why this role
- Talking about past jobs and results naturally in the perfect tense: "Ik heb ... gewerkt", "Ik heb ... geleid"
- Answering "Waarom wilt u bij ons werken?" (why do you want to work here) specifically, not generically
- u or je: start with u, and follow the interviewer's lead if they switch to je
- Questions it is normal — even expected — for you to ask the interviewer
- AI interview roleplay at your level, with a full report of mistakes and better phrasing
A stronger way to answer a common question
Weak: "Ik ben erg gemotiveerd en ik leer snel." (I am very motivated and I learn fast.) Stronger: "In mijn vorige baan heb ik een team van drie mensen geleid en de omzet met 15% verhoogd." (In my previous job I led a team of three people and increased revenue by 15%.) Specific, past-tense, measurable — this is what interviewers in the Netherlands respond to.
A good question to ask at the end: "Hoe ziet een gewone werkdag eruit in deze functie?" — "What does a normal working day look like in this role?" It shows real interest and gets you information you actually need.
Frequently asked questions
What level of Dutch do I need for a job interview?
It depends entirely on the role and employer — many international and technical workplaces in the Netherlands interview in English, while most customer-facing roles and Dutch-speaking teams expect at least B1–B2. Check the job listing or ask before assuming.
Will I be asked about my residence status?
Very likely — employers in the Netherlands are responsible for checking that you are allowed to work there before you start, so questions about your residence permit and identity documents are normal and expected, not a red flag. This is general guidance, not legal advice; if your permit has conditions, it helps to be able to explain them simply in Dutch.