Why Your LinkedIn Isn't Working in the Netherlands and How to Fix It

I see it all the time on LinkedIn: Open to work. And when we have a chat on DM I hear: "I've updated my LinkedIn. I'm open to opportunities. But no one reaches out."

I looked at their profile.

Headline: "Project Manager | Program Manager | Marketing Specialist | Change Agent | Team Leader"

That was the problem.

More Is Not Better. Specific Is Better.

Here's what I see constantly: international professionals trying to maximize their chances by listing everything they can do.

"I can do project management, program management, marketing, and team leadership."

As a recruiter or hiring manager, this doesn't sound appealing. It sounds unfocused.

We want to know: what are your one or two things?

Not ten things. One or two.

The Search Test

Try this right now. Go to LinkedIn search and type "project manager."

You'll see there are over 100,000 people in the Netherlands using that title. That's a good title. It exists. It's searchable. It's clear.

Now try typing "creative person in marketing."

That title doesn't exist. No one searches for it. You're invisible.

More is not better. More specific is better.

If you try to appeal to everyone, you appeal to no one.

The Biggest LinkedIn Mistakes I See

After 25+ years working with international professionals, here are the patterns I notice:

1. Too Broad, Not Specific Enough

People list 4-5 different job titles because they think it increases their chances.

It doesn't. It makes recruiters move on.

Pick one role you want. Make that your headline. Everything else should support that story.

2. Underselling Yourself

I hear this all the time: "I don't want to sound arrogant."

This is social media. It's your professional pitch. You're not bragging. You're being honest about what you're good at.

Many international professionals, especially from cultures that value modesty, struggle with this. They think stating their achievements sounds self-promotional.

But here's the truth: it's very hard to be arrogant if you're simply being honest and fair about what you've done.

People know this is LinkedIn. They expect you to present your best self.

Don't undersell yourself. Be clear about your value.

3. The Wrong Photo (Or No Photo)

Your photo is the first thing people see.

Too formal? (Stiff corporate headshot in a suit)
Too casual? (Vacation photo, cropped group shot)
No photo at all?

All of these hurt your chances.

In the Netherlands, authenticity matters. Show your face. Look approachable. Smile if that feels natural to you.

Think: "This is the person I am at work when I'm confident and engaged."

4. No Clear Story

Your profile should answer: Who are you? What do you do? What value do you bring?

Most profiles I see read like a list of job duties. "Responsible for X. Managed Y. Delivered Z."

That's not a story. That's a task list.

Your LinkedIn should tell people why you do what you do, what makes you different, and what you're looking for next.

The Dutch LinkedIn Reality

Here's something most international professionals don't know:

The Netherlands has the highest LinkedIn usage per capita in the world.

85% of new hires in the Netherlands happen through LinkedIn.

That's not an exaggeration. That's reality.

And here's what else: even if you apply through a company website, the hiring manager will look at your LinkedIn first.

Your LinkedIn is more important than your CV.

Which is why the next thing I'm going to say matters: Stop randomly sending Your CV to Companies!

This is something many internationals do that doesn't work in the Netherlands.

You find a company you like. You send them your CV. "Just in case you have openings."

Here's the problem: they can't keep your CV for three years (GDPR). They don't know what to do with it. You're creating work for them, not helping.

Dutch hiring culture works differently. Companies post roles. You apply. Or recruiters find you on LinkedIn.

Random CV emails? That's not how it works here.

Use your LinkedIn to be visible. Make sure when someone searches for your role in your city, you show up.

That's the game.

What Makes a Profile "Dutch Market Ready"?

After coaching hundreds of international professionals, here's what I've learned works:

1. Be Specific About What You Want

Not "open to opportunities in various fields."

But: "Looking for a Product Owner role in tech, preferably in Amsterdam or Utrecht."

Clarity beats flexibility.

2. Own Your International Background

In the Netherlands, people want to work with authentic people who are truly themselves.

If you're from another country, you bring a different culture with you. You took a journey to get here. That's part of your story.

Don't hide it. Embrace it.

"Originally from India, now based in Amsterdam. Brings 8 years of software engineering experience and a fresh perspective on cross-cultural collaboration."

That's an asset, not a handicap.

3. Write Like a Human, Not a Robot

"Passionate leader driving innovation and excellence across global teams."

That's LinkedIn-speak. Everyone writes like that. It means nothing.

Try this instead:

"I build software that solves real problems. Currently working on fintech solutions at [company]. Looking to join a team that values clean code and user-centered design."

See the difference?

4. Use Keywords That Exist

Remember the search test? Use job titles and skills that people actually search for.

If you're a UX designer, say "UX Designer" not "Creative Problem Solver in Digital Spaces."

Make it easy for recruiters to find you.

The Authenticity Balance

Here's something I see especially with professionals from Asian cultures:

They try to be more direct because they think "the Netherlands is direct."

But forcing directness when it doesn't feel natural just doesn't work. You end up sounding like you're trying too hard.

Here's my advice: be yourself first.

Your story comes from your cultural background, your family, your journey. That's your foundation.

Then you can decide how far you want to adapt to Dutch behavior.

If you're from a culture where directness isn't the norm (like many Asian countries), take it easy on trying to be direct in your LinkedIn profile.

It's better to learn how to receive Dutch directness than to force yourself to deliver it.

I've seen many examples of people trying to sound Dutch and just not being successful. Authenticity wins.

The Three Phases to find your dream job using LinkedIn

At The Happy Expats, we've built our Boost Your Career program around this exact challenge.

Here's how it works:

Phase 1: What's Your Story?

Before you write anything, you need to know:

• What are you good at?

• What's your background?

• What makes you who you are?

In the Netherlands, people want to work with authentic people. If you're from another country, your journey to the Netherlands is part of your story. Don't hide it.

The more you know about yourself—what makes you happy, what you like to do, what you're good at—the better chance you have of becoming a highly appreciated and productive employee.

Phase 2: Put Your Story Into Your Profile

This is where you take all those reflections and turn them into your LinkedIn profile.

This is your pitch. This is how you show yourself to the outside world.

We help you craft a profile that's authentic to you and works in the Dutch market. We also give you tools to update your CV. And yes, we use ChatGPT to help you write clearly and confidently.

Phase 3: Find the Right Companies

How do you find companies you'd actually want to work for?

Think about location, sector, company culture. We teach you how to research companies, reach out strategically (not with random CVs), and build a network that actually helps.

What Participants Say

Stacey Hsiao:
"What I liked most was being able to schedule a 1-on-1 session with the coach and get personalized feedback. I came away feeling more motivated, with more clarity and concrete steps for job searching and much more secure about my direction. This program offers practical advice for internationals looking for a job in the Netherlands."

Katie Wu:
"The program gave me practical methods I could apply immediately in my job search — from identifying my strengths to improving my CV and LinkedIn profile. I feel my path is a lot clearer now, and I've built a stronger foundation of knowledge on how to approach the job market professionally.

Aiva is a considerate and supportive coach who really cares about each participant. She takes time to answer every question thoroughly and pays attention to every detail. You can truly feel that she wants you to succeed."

Why This Matters Now

85% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find candidates.

If your profile isn't working, you're invisible to 85% of opportunities.

That's not a small problem. That's your career.

The good news? It's fixable.

Most people just don't know what works in the Dutch market. They copy what they see on American LinkedIn. Or they try to list everything they can do.

But once you understand the game—be specific, be authentic, own your story—everything changes.

Within 2-3 weeks, you can have a LinkedIn profile that fits you and works in the Netherlands.

Ready to Fix Your LinkedIn?

If your LinkedIn isn't getting responses, if recruiters aren't reaching out, if you're not sure what you're doing wrong—let's fix it.

Our Boost Your Career program helps international professionals in the Netherlands: ✔ Discover your unique strengths and story
✔ Build a LinkedIn profile that stands out
✔ Learn how Dutch hiring actually works
✔ Find companies that fit
✔ Prepare for interviews with confidence

Three options:

• Group Program (€497): Learn with others, 3 live sessions

• Individual (€797): 1-on-1 coaching, fully tailored

• Full Service (€1297): Complete support from profile to onboarding

Learn more and choose your package by clicking on the button that will lead you to our webpage.

Your LinkedIn is your career currency in the Netherlands.

Make it count.