FAQs
What is Tech Expat?
Tech Expat is a specialized career coaching and mentorship platform designed to help international professionals successfully navigate the Dutch tech market. We empower expats with local hiring insights, resume re-engineering, ATS optimization, and strategic interview and negotiation prep to help them land roles they love in the Netherlands.
Who runs Tech Expat?
Tech Expat was co-founded by Pompina Singh, a senior tech Product Manager, and Mario Dagrada, an Engineering Executive leading teams of hundreds. Having navigated their own moves to the Netherlands and built thriving careers in top cybersecurity and tech firms, they understand that relocating is about far more than just updating a CV.
Over the years, they have mentored and guided multiple ambitious young professionals—helping them rebuild their confidence, overcome imposter syndrome, and stay motivated through the uncertainties of job hunting in a new country. Beyond strategic career advice, they provide the genuine support, encouragement, and insider clarity needed to turn a daunting transition into a rewarding new cha
pter.
How can I reach out to Tech Expat?
You can reach out by filling out the contact form on our website, connecting with us directly on LinkedIn, or sending us an email at info@techexpat.nl or phone message +31 6 49830225. We respond to all inquiries within 24 hours to set up an introductory call.
What areas can Tech Expat help me with?
We offer end-to-end career guidance tailored to your specific needs, including:
- CV and cover letter re-engineering for ATS optimization and Dutch recruiter standards.
- LinkedIn profile makeover and recruiter visibility strategies.
- Job application and warm networking playbooks.
- Live mock interviews and behavioral story frameworking.
- Dutch compensation structure analysis and salary negotiation.
I am a student, can I still reach out to Tech Expat?
Absoluty. Whether you are nearing graduation or actively looking for your first post-study role or orientation year (zoekjaar) opportunity, we help you translate your academic background and international experience into market-ready applications that appeal to Dutch employers.
I am on a dependent visa—how can Tech Expat help me?
Having full work authorization via a dependent visa is actually a huge advantage in the Netherlands! Many employers love hiring candidates who don't require immediate visa sponsorship. We help you position your background confidently, articulate your work rights to recruiters, and bridge any career gaps smoothly.
I am not in the Netherlands yet. How can Tech Expat help me?
Landing a job in the Netherlands from abroad requires a very specific approach, especially when seeking Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) sponsorship. We help you target companies certified to sponsor visas, refine your profile to stand out against local candidates, and guide you through remote interview expectations.
I am currently employed but want to change jobs—can Tech Expat help me?
Yes! Transitioning while employed requires a discreet, strategic approach. We help you evaluate whether your current contract terms (like non-compete clauses or notice periods) affect your move, optimize your profile for passive recruiter outreach, and secure a higher-value role without risking your current stability.
I am unable to land any job interviews. What should I look into?
If you aren't getting callbacks, the issue usually lies in top-of-funnel optimization:
- ATS Compatibility: Your resume might be getting filtered out automatically by Applicant Tracking Systems before a human sees it.
- Dutch CV Formatting: Local recruiters expect clean, outcome-focused resumes that highlight impact, core tools, and relevant metrics clearly.
- Application Strategy: Cold-applying to hundreds of roles on public portals yields low conversion. We help you shift toward warm outreach and direct hiring manager engagement.
I am getting interviews, but I can't convert them into job offers. What's going wrong?
Getting interviews means your profile is strong on paper, but your mid-to-late funnel execution needs tuning:
- Cultural Alignment: Dutch hiring culture highly values direct communication, concise storytelling, and cultural fit over exaggerated sales pitches.
- STAR Framework: You may need to structure your project experiences more clearly around Situation, Task, Action, and measurable Results.
- Strategic Questioning: Asking insightful questions about team dynamics, product roadmaps, and company culture at the end of interviews makes a massive difference.
I was offered a temporary contract (bepaalde tijd). Should I join?
In the Netherlands, it is standard practice for employers to offer a 7-month, 1-year, or 2-year temporary contract before moving to a permanent contract (onbepaalde tijd). A temporary contract is completely normal and legally protected under Dutch labor law. However, you should evaluate the trial period (proeftijd), notice period, and performance review milestones before signing.
What networking events in the Netherlands should I look into?
Building a local network is one of the fastest ways to land a job here. Great starting points include:
- Tech Meetups & Hubs: Local Meetup.com groups focused on Product Management, Software Engineering, Agile, and UX design across Tech Leap hubs, Amsterdam, Eindhoven (Brainport), Utrecht, and Rotterdam.
- Industry Conferences: Events like Amsterdam Tech Week, High Tech Campus Eindhoven events, and Women in Tech Netherlands.
- LinkedIn Networking: Engaging with local talent acquisition managers and team leads through thoughtful comments and warm direct messages.
How long does it usually take to land a job in the Dutch tech market?
On average, a focused job search in the Netherlands takes between 2 to 4 months, depending on your seniority, visa status, and market demand. Having an optimized CV and targeted outreach strategy significantly shortens this timeframe.
Do I need to speak Dutch to work in the tech industry in the Netherlands?
For the vast majority of international tech companies, scale-ups, and corporate headquarters (especially in tech hubs like Amsterdam, Eindhoven, and Utrecht), the primary business language is English. While learning basic Dutch is great for daily life, it is rarely a dealbreaker for tech and product roles.
Can I get help with salary negotiation and understanding the 30% ruling?
Yes! Understanding gross vs. net salary, vacation allowance (vakantiegeld), performance bonuses, pension contributions, and tax benefits like the 30% ruling can be complex. We help you evaluate overall offer packages so you negotiate effectively and secure competitive market compensation.
What is the difference between a single coaching session and the monthly retainer?
A single session (€150/hr) is ideal for a quick CV audit, mock interview prep, or specific contract review. The monthly retainer (€480/month) is a continuous partnership offering step-by-step guidance, unlimited strategy calls, real-time application feedback, and ongoing chat support until you secure your goal.