Just Ask: Answers to your questions about the job market

The job market is uncertain and in constant flux. It is a social theme that teaching and research staff and scientists are working on every day. We provide evidence-based solutions for this changing job market. Our education prepares students for the work floor and, as an employer, we offer our employees scope for talent development.

What do our students and staff want to know? Watch the video here

Experts provide answers

What are the most important skills and competencies that students can develop to be well-prepared for the job market?

Tamar Jonkman, Head of Student Career Services: “Developing career skills happens in four phases: 

• Knowinging yourself
• Orienting yourself on the job market
• Preparing for the job market
• Applying for a job

First of all, it is important to know yourself well. When you develop and use reflective skills, it is easier for you to answer questions about yourself like ‘Who am I?’, ‘What do I want?’ ‘What do I think is important?’, but also ‘What can I do?’ and ‘What do I want to contribute to?’.”

“As soon as you can answer these questions, you can focus on the next step in developing your career skills: the orientation phase. You can do so by checking out sectors and organizations that would suit your interests. An internship can help you in the orientation process. Gaining work experience will give you insight into whether or not an organization is a good fit for you. In this phase, it is important that you actively search for chances and opportunities. You can do so, for instance, by approaching an alumnus of your program or visiting career events. Networking skills are useful here. Making an elevator pitch about yourself can help.”

“Next, you need to prepare for the step towards the job market. In this phase, it is essential that you make a sound resume and that your LinkedIn profile is up to scratch. In the last phase, the application phase, it is crucial that you prepare well for an interview. You can do so, for instance, by answering interview questions, so have some idea what you can expect. Developing skills to make sound assessments can also come in very useful.”

What opportunities are available for international students on the Dutch job market?

Tamar Jonkman: “There are diverse opportunities for international students in the job market, especially in the tech sector. There are also various regional internationally oriented organizations that are looking for international talent, for instance, Coca-Cola, Capgemini, Bosch, and Tilburg University.”

“Your chance of landing a job in the Netherlands as an international student increases if speak Dutch and if, during your studies, you have gained additional work experience through an internship, a board year, or volunteer work. The Language Center and Student Career Services can help you. In the Career Portal, you can find suitable vacancies for students and graduates.”

Speak to one of the Career Services officers to find out what would fit you best!

Could Tilburg University offer more courses and training in practical skills to increase student employability?

Education at Tilburg University is based on the Tilburg Educational Profile, that is based on three pillars: Knowledge, Skills, and Character. Tilburg  University students and alumni distinguish themselves from those of other universities because, in their curriculum, a lot of attention is paid to character building. Examples include developing social, creative, and innovative skills. Entrepreneurship and social responsibility are also stimulated as part of the Educational Profile. As a result, our students are well-equipped to further develop their talents, increase their knowledge, and contribute to society.

Student Career Services offers help in developing personal and career skills. Tamar Jonkman: “Each person is unique and so every person’s needs in this area are also different. Student Career Services offers guidance in the development of career skills, depending on what a student needs. Speak to one of the Career Services officers to find out what would fit you best!”

Contact Student Career Services

What if you are critical of what your employer does, but you like your work?

Researcher Johan Graafland, specializing in economic philosophy and business ethics: “In that case, you have three options. You can choose not to work for an employer whose values conflict with yours. You can also opt to stay with this employer and not express your criticism but to take the responsibility to help other people and contribute to society in your personal life. Your last option is to continue working for this employer and seize every opportunity to impact the company’s culture and values.”

“If wrongdoing or misconduct within the company is involved that could also harm others, it is important that whistleblowers observe a number of due diligence requirements to protect the interests of the employer and of themselves. First of all, it must be a matter of involving serious damage to public interests. Internal problems must be raised internally. In addition, it must be clear that the interests the whistleblower claims to be protecting are actually threatened. The interests the whistleblower seeks to protect must outweigh the harm caused by disclosure. Whistleblowing is a last resort, after the whistleblower has exhausted all internal opportunities for raising the matter. Finally, a whistleblower must not act out of self-interest: their motives must be pure.”

If an employer takes due account of the values of individual workers and is willing to help realize them, employees feel seen and acknowledged, will continue longer with the same employer, and perform and feel better at work

What is the importance of purpose-driven work?

Philosopher Bert van de Ven: “If you explicitly feel the need or obligation to help other people, it is probably better for you not to work for a self-centered, profit-driven company. There are enough alternatives for people with moral ambitions. Rutger Bregman has recently published a book on the subject, entitled Moral Ambition . There are also companies that are less exclusively focused on shareholder interests. You will have to search for the company with the right purpose that fits your own ideals.”

Endowed Professor Evelien Brouwers: “As part of our research, we study work and health in terms of wellbeing and values: the things that a person finds truly important. We use the Capability approach as a theoretical framework, its leading principle being that it is important for people’s wellbeing that they can essentially be and do what they consider valuable, and that they have a choice in this. Suppose it is really important for employees that they can pick up their child from school or provide informal care for a sick parent. If an employer structurally ignores this deep-felt wish, this can lead to stress, which can result in absence and premature departure. However, if an employer takes due account of the values of individual workers and is willing to help realize them, employees feel seen and acknowledged, will continue longer with the same employer, and perform and feel better at work. It is the key to better sustainable employability, but the impact of this idea has been limited in practice.”