Find a job with a recruitment agency in Europe – Expat Guide to Belgium

Find a job in Europe using a recruitment agency

So you want to find a job in Europe using an employment agency? Perhaps you’ve already been ‘headhunted’ via your LinkedIn profile or personal website, but the approach came to nothing. David suggests reaching out to an overseas employment agency specializing in your profession.

“Many agencies differentiate themselves into sectors. A good agency will also avoid the ‘cookie cutter’ approach. We’ll invest time getting to know both the client and the candidate, and work hard to find the right match,” he explains.

“And if we can’t meet the candidate in person, we meet them online via video to get to know them. It’s a really well invested 20 minutes.”

Why use a recruitment agency?

There are many advantages to finding a job in a European country with a recruitment agency. Bottom line is that they probably know the local job market far better than you do. They should know their clients and the type of candidate (beyond just skills and experience) they typically look for.

An agency should therefore know what it takes to get you to the interview stage and beyond (that is their raison d’être, after all). This might include offering advice on tweaking your CV or interview techniques, which may be quite different to what you’re used to – the chatty, witty repartee which works wonders in Dublin, for example, may fall on deafer ears in Frankfurt.

“As an international agency handling recruitment in Germany, Switzerland and France, we know how important it is to develop a thorough understanding of business etiquette and culture in each country,” David explains.

Do your homework on the agency (look for testimonials, perhaps), as well as research the prospective employer – what it’s like to work there (Glassdoor is useful for candid employee reviews), benefits, career progression potential, and the work culture. A good agency should (within reason) know their client sufficiently well to answer your questions directly.

International agency vs. local specialist

There are inherent advantages to finding a job in Europe through a large international recruitment agency. They will typically have many expat placements under their belts, and many clients that employ expats on their books. A large overseas employment agency should know the formalities involved in hiring non-EU nationals (work permits, etc.) in each country. They might also have the inside track on jobs which are not (and may never be) in the public domain. And if you get an offer, they may be able to help negotiate your package with the employer.

A local agency would likely have less experience dealing with expats – and if you don’t know the local language, you might be at a significant disadvantage with their clients. But on the plus side, you might have specific expertise on the location: think banking or finance in Switzerland or Luxembourg, engineering, oil or gas in Rotterdam.

Weigh up the pros and cons when looking for work in Europe using an employment agency.

Expert tips for expats

Europe is diverse, and there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to your job hunt. But there are some trusty tips which, says David, apply to most markets.

“Language skills are important. Unless it is an international firm, most employers in Europe need English plus another language as a pre-requisite.

“Many employers also still value longevity in jobs. If you have job-hopped, justify why –  you may have a very good reason, but know your CV inside out.

“It’s a candidate-led market at the moment. People have choices. Workplaces are increasingly saying: ‘how can we get the best out of you from the time you’re in the office.’ It isn’t about doing a certain number of hours a day. So, on your CV, emphasize your contributions and achievements, even if it was for only a year!”

“We’re also seeing an increase in hybrid roles: for example, a position which combines PA and finance functions, or PA and project tasks.”

Leading international recruitment agencies in Europe

As one of the world’s biggest economic blocs employing more than 200 million people (according to the European Commission), Europe has a well-developed recruitment agencies network. Candidates looking to find a new job in Europe with an agency typically engage specialist international recruiters.

• Tiger Recruitment specializes in PA/secretarial positions, from graduate administrators to executive assistants, across Europe.
• Adecco is one of the big names in the industry with offices throughout Europe and globally, as is Hudson, a talent management specialist.
• Laurence Simons, which caters to legal and compliance recruitment, has European offices in London, Amsterdam, Geneva, Paris and Frankfurt.
• Approach People Recruitment claims to be one of the top five most socially-engaged staffing agencies, and in Europe operates from Paris, Lyon, Dublin, Barcelona and Geneva.
• Volt focuses on engineering, IT, life sciences, telecoms and data/analytics with offices in Belgium, France and the UK.
• Seuss Recruitment, meanwhile, specializes in pharma and biotech roles.
• European Recruitment claims to be an award-winning agency specializing in ‘niche technologies’ including artificial intelligence, virtual reality/graphics, semi-conductors and web technologies.
• HR Globally Talent, with expertise in engineering, IT software, life sciences and finance/accounting, is another leading agency in Europe.

Find a job in the Netherlands using a recruitment agency

Expats looking for a job in the Netherlands through a recruitment agency have their pick of agencies who cater for non-Dutch speaking roles. Finding a job in the Netherlands using a recruitment agency is popular because it can typically advise and assist with formalities, including Dutch work permit regulations, help you assess your Dutch contract and wage, and even offer guidance on Dutch business culture and Dutch contracts and employment law.

Find a job in Germany using a recruitment agency

Finding a job in Germany using a recruitment agency is an excellent induction into one of Europe’s most robust job markets. But where to start? Check out the German Yellow Pages under ‘Arbeitsvermittlung’ for agencies. There are several international recruitment agencies operating in Germany, many of which list specialist jobs for foreigners. A good German recruitment agency will help you navigate German business culture, as well as requirements for visa and residence permits, if required.

• Tiger Recruitment is a London-based recruitmentagency specializing in PA and secretarial recruitment, and places candidates across mainland Europe, including Germany.
• StepStone is one of the leading agencies in Germany (and Europe).
• Contacts & Management helps international companies in Germany fill roles.

Find a job in Belgium using a recruitment agency

Recruitment agencies in Belgium tend to specialize. The principal agencies are listed (in English) in the Belgian Golden Pages. A recruitment agency can help expats understand Belgian business culture and the unique work environment, where both French and Dutch styles – inherently very different – are commonly used. A recruiter will also advise on work permit and visa requirements in Belgium.

·         Tiger Recruitment is a London-based recruitment agency specializing in PA and secretarial recruitment, and places candidates across mainland Europe, including Belgium.

·         Adecco, a large international agency, is also worth checking out.

·         Manpower Belgium has offices in Brussels and other cities in Belgium.

Find a job in Switzerland using a recruitment agency

Private recruitment agencies in Switzerland, called Arbeitsvermittlung or agence de placement, are a popular first port of call for expat job seekers. Not part of the EU, Switzerland has slightly different regulations and requirements for job seekers than its EU neighbours. A recruitment agency with a local presence will be able to advise on specifics of the work culture in the country, as well as work permits.

• Tiger Recruitment is a London-based recruitment agency specializing in PA and secretarial recruitment, and places candidates across mainland Europe, including Switzerland.
• Swisslinx offers executive, technology and finance recruitment.
• Manpower and Adecco are two other leading international agencies in the country.

Finding a job in Europe using a recruitment agency will give you a great shot at success in unfamiliar territory. Indeed, using an employment agency in Europe could well be the best career decision you’ve ever made!