In this episode of Expat podcast the Netherlands, I talk with Elsa Tranquillo — an Italian professional who’s been living in the Netherlands for several years and knows the job-search reality here firsthand. Through her own experiences applying, interviewing, and navigating the Dutch market, Elsa shares practical, valuable advice on what really makes a difference when you’re trying to land a role.

We dive into the nuances behind Dutch hiring culture, how to position your story in a way that resonates locally, and the small shifts that can dramatically improve your chances — from networking with intention to making your CV and LinkedIn feel “Dutch” without losing who you are. She also shares her own experience with self-discovery that came along with living and working in new country. If you’re looking for grounded, actionable tips to move your job search forward and how to develop yourself in the meantime, Elsa delivers.

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At Your Move to the Netherlands, we support expats in building a happier, more effective and more confident life in the Netherlands.

Whether you’re preparing to move, already settling in, or trying to find your way in Dutch work culture, we offer a range of courses, coaching and practical support. We help you navigate daily life, understand the Dutch way of working, find a job, develop your career, and integrate in a way that feels natural and empowering.

www.yourmovetothenetherlands.nl

[email protected]

In this episode, Michel Daenen speaks with McKenna Mahacek. Her Dutch story beautifully combines creativity, courage, and finding your place in a new country.

Some of you may remember a very special moment during the Michel Daenen's book launch of Expatfactor. While the audience watched a dancer move on screen, many didn’t realize they were witnessing a live performance.

McKenna was dancing in a green screen setup, being filmed in real time — and only later did the audience discover that the dancer they had been watching on screen was performing live, in the main hall.

In this podcast, McKenna shares what that unique experience was like for her, and how she experienced being part of such an unexpected and magical moment.

Beyond that, McKenna talks about her journey from the USA to the Netherlands four years ago, how she transformed her passion for dance from a hobby into a profession, and how dancing has helped her build connections with people from all over the world — especially in Amsterdam.

Through dance, community, and creativity, she has truly found her place in a new country 

More info on McKenna you find on https://www.mckennamahacek.com

McKenna's insta is https://www.instagram.com/fledglingdancersamsterdam/

This is a 2 minute video of the book launch of Expatfactor, in which you see a short clip of McKenna dancing, together with guitar player Jan Snellen: 

https://youtu.be/M_w-QN2_uMQ

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Information on Your Move to the Netherlands you can find on 

https://yourmovetothenetherlands.nl

More background about the podcast host Michel Daenen you find here: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michel-daenen/

If you’ve listened before, you know that our episodes are normally in English. But every now and then, there’s a conversation that deserves to be shared in Dutch — just as it was spoken. Today’s episode is one of those moments.

And I really want to encourage you to stay with us, even if Dutch isn’t your strongest language yet. Think of it as a gentle listening exercise: you’ll hear natural Dutch, pick up new words and rhythms, and get a feel for how people truly speak in everyday life in the Netherlands. This episode may help you to build your confidence.

In this conversation, I speak with Joyce van der Heide, a Dutch woman who spent many years living abroad as the partner of her husband who was posted around the world for a multinational company. She has a wealth of experience as an expat partner, and she shares her insights, stories, and lessons learned with honesty and clarity.

I hope you enjoy this episode — in Dutch — and that it will inspire you on your own journey in the Netherlands.

If you’re new here I want to let you know that at Your Move to the Netherlands, we support expats in building a happier, more effective and more confident life in the Netherlands.

Whether you’re preparing to move, already settling in, or trying to find your way in Dutch work culture, we offer a range of courses, coaching and practical support. We help you navigate daily life, understand the Dutch way of working, and integrate in a way that feels natural and empowering.

And because we work with a wide network of specialists, organisations and partners, we can guide you with many different questions — from career and culture to practical challenges and personal development.

If you’d like to learn more, you’re very welcome to visit our website or connect with us.

I hope today’s episode inspires you, and I look forward to having you with us next time, in English.

www.yourmovetothenetherlands.nl

[email protected]

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Information about Joyce: 

Joyce van der Heide

www.joyce2journey.nl

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Music I Use: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music

License code: 7JJ25CVO3GLNSDPD

Artist: : Benjamin Tissot

In this episode of Expat Podcast the Netherlands, Michel Daenen has a conversation with Carolina and Alvaro Olivares. The couple lived together with their three daughters in Peru. 

When their oldest announced her ambition to study in the Netherlands, they decided to stay together and move with the whole family. They arrived about a half year ago and all family members enjoy Dutch life very much. 

During the interview, Carolina and Alvaro discuss the challenges they encountered while preparing for their move. They also share valuable insights on how to create a fulfilling life in the Netherlands.

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Are you curious about our courses, coaching and support before or after your move to the Netherlands? Then have a look at ⁠www.yourmovetothenetherlands.nl⁠ or contact us at [email protected] 

In this episode of Expat Podcast the Netherlands, Michel Daenen has a conversation with Lara Ferreira. Lara is originally from Brazil. She lived in the UK and Sweden before she chose to relocate to the Netherlands as she loves the Dutch way of life. 

She feels at home in Amsterdam and after a career in the corporate world as marketing expert, she took the courage to start her own company Mindful Experiences and now helps expats to refind balance in their lives. 

In this podcast she shares her experience as an expat and gives valuable tips for international people who would like to start their own company in the Netherlands. 

 More information: www.instagram.com/mindfulexperiences_

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Are you curious about available support before or after your move to the Netherlands? Then have a look at ⁠www.yourmovetothenetherlands.nl⁠ or contact us at [email protected] 

In this episode of Expat Podcast the Netherlands, Michel Daenen has a conversation with Soyinka Majumder. Soyinka is a big data specialist.

The Dutch company Thuisbezorgd.nl connected with him through LinkedIn and offered him a job.

This opportunity led him and his wife Rimi to relocate from Delhi to Amsterdam. With an open-minded approach, they successfully adapted to life in the Netherlands.

They purchased a lovely home and even became parents. Their son became their Dutch language teacher.

In this interview, Soyinka first discusses his specialized work in big data. He then shares valuable advice on how to be happy and successful while living abroad.

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Are you curious about available support before or after your move to the Netherlands?

Then have a look at ⁠www.yourmovetothenetherlands.nl⁠ or contact us at [email protected] 

In this episode of Expat Podcast the Netherlands, Michel Daenen has a conversation with Siddharth Gupta. Siddharth had a successful career in India when his wife got a job offer in the Netherlands.

When that offer turned into a permanent contract, they decided that Siddharth would leave it all behind and move to the Netherlands as well, so they could live together.

A journey with ups and downs started for him when things did not work out as planned. In this interview Siddharth shares openly his experiences as being an expat spouse in the Netherlands and gives tips for how to move forward in difficult times. 

Are you curious about available support during or after your move to the Netherlands? Then have a look at ⁠www.yourmovetothenetherlands.nl⁠ or contact us at [email protected] 

In this episode of Expat Podcast the Netherlands, Michel Daenen has a conversation with Christopher McCabe. Chris is an American attorney who has been wondering about moving to the Netherlands for quite some time. To make sure relocating is a good decision he made a preview trip to Amsterdam. This interview was recorded during that trip when Chris had just been in the country for 10 days. He speaks detailed about his first impressions of the Dutch capital and all the things he had been experiencing since he arrived at the airport. Finally, he shares his decision about his future steps. 

Are you curious about available support during or after your move to the Netherlands? Then have a look at ⁠www.yourmovetothenetherlands.nl⁠ or contact us at [email protected] 

In this episode of Expat Podcast the Netherlands, Michel Daenen has a conversation with Ida Fischer, who lives in the Netherlands with her Dutch husband and 3 children. 

Ida grew up in the Rocky Mountains of Montana in the USA. After deciding to settle in the Netherlands with her family, she felt out of place and struggled to adapt. Unable to relocate, she embarked on a personal journey that not only deepened her understanding of the Dutch landscape and culture but also led to significant self-discovery. In this interview, she shares her experiences and insights from her journey.

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Would you like to know more about Ida’s journey? Follow her on Instagram via @dutchmountainproject

Are you curious about available support for expats in the field of living and working in the Netherlands? Then have a look at www.yourmovetothenetherlands.nl⁠ or contact us at [email protected] 

And please subscribe to this chanel so you will be notified when there are new episodes of Expat Podcast the Netherlands. 

In this episode of Expat Podcast the Netherlands, Michel Daenen has a conversation with Erika Kataveli, who lives in the Netherlands since May 2023. Erika is from Greece and moved to the Netherlands to work in sales for the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University. Her first year in the Netherlands has been a challenge. Not because she did not like the country, contrary. But because she had to take care of so many things and had some major setbacks. She used it as fuel for personal growth. Also, she learned much about what it takes to have a good start as an expat in the Netherlands. In this interview she shares her story and gives valuable advice for newcomers to the country. 

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Are you curious about available support during your move to the Netherlands? Then have a look at ⁠www.yourmovetothenetherlands.nl⁠ or contact us at [email protected]