Applying for a job in Belgium: how does it work?
31.05.2019
Applying for a job in Belgium: how does it work?
As Europeans, Polish people are free to come live and work in Belgium based on the ‘free movement of workers’ principle. And with Belgian companies searching far and wide for skilled workers, people looking for opportunities abroad should definitely consider this tiny nation in the heart of Europe. Are you ready to apply for one of these jobs? Here’s what you can expect:
The recruitment process – how do I get the job?
Before you can start your new job, you have to go through several phases, both in Poland and Belgium. This is how our recruitment process works:
1. Preliminary screening by our Polish recruitment agency
When you apply for a job in Belgium via Link2Europe, you will first be contacted by our Polish recruitment partners. This interview can take place in person or by phone, and will consist of a series of basic questions, such as:
- What is your previous working experience?
- Can you provide references from your former employers?
- How good is your knowledge of English?
- Why do you want to work abroad?
- Are you available on short notice?
2. Follow-up screening by a business coordinator
The Polish recruiters make a first evaluation to see if you fit the bill. If you do, they’ll send your contact details and CV over to our Belgian team. One of our business coordinators will then contact you for an in-depth interview, , during which we go over your CV together and discuss your motivation. It’s always a good idea to prepare for this interview by writing down why you want this job, what motivates you, and what experience and skills you can bring to the table. If they believe you’re the perfect person for the job, your CV is forwarded to the company.
3. Meet with your new employer
After your CV has landed on our client’s desk, he or she will ask for a face-to-face meeting or a Skype interview. Depending on the project, how urgently they need someone and how specialized the job is, they can choose to hire you right away or request a final personal interview. Once you’re hired, you will generally be expected to start in one or two weeks, but everything depends on the specific job and your availability.
Congratulations, you’re hired! What’s next?
When you and your new employer have agreed on a starting date, it’s time make your travel arrangements. Upon your arrival in Belgium, we invite you to our offices for an info session – breakfast included! There, we bring you up to speed on the specifics of Belgian labor law. We also focus on the practical aspects: your contract, pay, benefits etc. This session usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours.
After that, we’re off to visit the company you’re going to work for. You will meet your new boss and colleagues and learn your way around your new workplace. They will also share day-to-day practicalities with you: who your manager is, what time you start, how much time you have for lunch and so on.
Our last stop is your new home. We select our housing based on convenience, making sure it is as close as possible to your workplace. Additionally, we provide you with a bicycle for free and offer you the possibility of renting a car if you do not have one of your own.
Starting a new job and life in a foreign country can be quite daunting. By relying on an agency like Link2Europe, you can rest assured that everything is taken care of and all your questions will be answered. Ready to make the leap? Check out our job offering! https://link2europe.pl/en/job-offers/
-
03.04.2024Seven interesting facts about the Netherlands that might surprise you
Let’s explore them! The Netherlands is one of the most famous and well-recognised countries in the world – and that goes without saying. The Netherlands is also very well known to Poles – after all, hundreds of thousands of our compatriots reside permanently or temporarily in the country of tulips and windmills. Few people realise, […]
-
22.12.2022This is the new version of Us
We are pleased to announce that after 14 years of existence, we have changed the name of our agency from Link2europe to Link2work. Our reorganization is due to a change in the ownership structure of the company. Therefore, only the name and e-mail address have changed, while all other data remains unchanged. This evolution of […]
-
27.03.2020Corona Crisis in Belgium
The beginning The Corona crisis appeared at the worst possible moment for our company. The tire change season was about to begin and we were expecting 60 tire fitters to arrive in the second half of March. Everything was buttoned up. Several fitters arrived and started to work in the second week of March before […]
-
14.02.2020Belgians agree to differ: where do Flemings and Walloons diverge?
It’s more than the language that sets Flemings and Walloons apart. When you first move to Belgium, it might be interesting to learn a thing or two about the peaceful boundary between the regions of Flanders and Wallonia. You will find it easier to live and work among both groups once you know their particularities. […]
-
31.01.2020Great opportunities for tyre assemblers in Belgium!
Poles often emigrate for work to other countries, one of them is Belgium, which is a very attractive job destination. It is a small country located between the Netherlands and France, it is still struggling with a lack of specialists in various industries. One of these is the automotive industry. Belgian car mechanics workshops are […]
-
09.01.2020Hospitals in Belgium: what to expect?
Ending up in a hospital bed while you are abroad can be quite upsetting. It’s better to know in advance where you can go to find the right help, what it will cost you, and what else you can expect. Whether you need standard medical treatment or emergency assistance, this information could be lifesaving. Choosing […]
-
04.12.2019What makes a good CV and how to nail a job interview
When it comes to finding a job in Belgium, it’s all about first impressions. You definitely want your resume to stand out and open the door for a job interview. In today’s job market it is vital to know how to ‘sell’ yourself. Easier said than done, right? These useful tips will help get you […]
-
29.10.2019Getting to Belgium: comparing your transportation options
Finding your way to Belgium is far from a trek through Nepal. But before moving here, it’s important to explore the many roads to the nation of waffles, Trappist beer and great career opportunities. From plane and train to automobile, you have plenty of options – and we explore their ins and outs in this […]
-
18.10.2019Public holidays and paid leave in Belgium: what, when, and how
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. That’s why, as a worker in Belgium, you are entitled to different types of paid leave, including numerous public holidays. Here’s what you can expect, so you can schedule your time off as efficiently as possible. Public holidays in Belgium Belgium has 10 public holidays […]
-
07.10.20196 things every foreigner should know about Belgians
What’s to know? They eat fries all day long, have beer running through their veins and love to watch cycling on the weekends. Well, there’s more to it than meets the eye. When living in Belgium, it’s helpful to keep these 6 things in mind. 1. Take your time Belgian people are notoriously known for […]
