Before you throw yourself into a career, it is a good idea to explore what it is that you want and need, and where your talents lie. The greater the clarity you have about these matters, the easier it will be to find your way in a constantly changing labour market.  

See the pages on self-knowledge for more information.

The UvA provides various tools with which you can enhance your self-knowledge. 

Your skills and experience are what distinguish you in the labour market. You develop these during your studies, internships and side jobs, for example. In addition, the UvA, your faculty and study associations offer workshops, courses and other facilities to help you to develop professional skills.

Gaining experience

There are various ways to develop professional skills:

• Join the board or a committee of your study association. 
• Become a member of the faculty student council.
• Do an internship. 
• Look for a study-related side job through UvA Job BoardExternal link, or view this document listing other job vacancy sites (pdf) to find a vacancy.
• Take the Entrepreneurship minorExternal link to learn how to develop your own business.
• Take part in a workshop to develop your skills. You can find an overview on the Career orientation section of the Training, workshops and groups page.

Insight into your current skills

You can gain more insight into the skills you have already developed by completing this competency testExternal link. You can then discuss the results with a career coach from the Career Centre.

Before you start working, it is advisable to get an idea of the possibilities on the labour market, as well as what does or doesn't appeal to you. Your network can help you with this. Follow your enthusiasm. It is also important to look for contacts and connections, for example in your own network.  

Start by allowing yourself a period of non-committal orientation instead of applying for jobs right away. Take the time to investigate the possibilities so that you can approach job applications armed with more knowledge and focus. You could also look for a part-time job that leaves you enough time for this.  

Careers adviser 

A careers adviser will help you explore the sectors that interest you. Make an appointment with the careers adviser to discuss your situation. 

Make use of your network 

Do not underestimate the power of your network. 70% of jobs for the highly-educated are filled via an organisation's or employee's own network rather than through posted vacancies. A good start to learning more about the world of work is to talk to people about their work. See if there is anyone in your family or circle of friends that you can talk to about their work and the choices they have made.  

The workshop on networking will provide you with tips and advice about using your connections to find work. Find out about this and other workshops on the Career orientation section of the Training, workshops and groups page. 

What are alumni doing? 

You can learn a great deal from what alumni from your degree programme are doing. What type of work did they do immediately after studying? And after that? Through LinkedInExternal link it is relatively easy to get in touch with alumni from your degree programme. Some degree programmes also organise events where you can meet alumni from your programme. 

The UvA websiteExternal link contains useful overviews of places where alumni from your programme are currently working. 

Career prospects on the site for prospective students 

You will find general information on the career prospects associated with your Bachelor's programmeExternal link or Master's programmeExternal link at www.uva.nl. 

Career events  

Many of the career events at the UvA are organised by study associations, and often focus on a specific field of study. So check with your study association if they have any events.  

In addition, the UvA Student Careers Centre organises a range of events for Bachelor’s and Master's students from all degree programmes: 

• The UvA Career Day takes place every year in November. It hosts inspiring speakers and offers a wide range of career workshops. You can also have your CV reviewed and receive coaching from professionals.
• The International Talent Event Amsterdam (ITEA) affords insight into the international labour market in Amsterdam. There, you can get acquainted with all kinds of international companies, attend interesting lectures, participate in workshops and talk to career coaches.
• The Beta Career Event (BCE) is an annual career event taking place in Amsterdam. This event is organised by and for ambitious science students and young professionals from various disciplines. With a wide range of companies, varying from start-ups to multinationals, the BCE presents an outstanding opportunity to make contact with companies and investigate career prospects.
• During the UvA Career Networking Events international UvA alumni talk about their experience of finding a job in the Netherlands after graduating. This event is therefore particularly relevant for international students wishing to work in the Netherlands.

Once you have discovered where your interests lie and what your strengths are, and have developed skills and explored the labour market, it is finally time to apply for a job. 

Job application tips 

The UvA has many tips with regard to job applications – from preparing and sending your application to the actual job interview.  

Go to the page with job application tips.

Finding vacancies 

There are various online job banks where you can find vacancies. The UvA also has an online job bank: UvA Job BoardExternal link. LinkedInExternal link is another place where you can find vacancies that match your background.