only show blogs for


Orientation year: guide for international graduates in the Netherlands

Orientation year 2024: guide for international graduates in the Netherlands

An Orientation Year (or zoekjaar, in Dutch) is what allows international students to live and search for a job in the Netherlands for up to 12 months.

Recruitment and AI

Navigating recruitment in the age of AI

AI is changing how companies find and hire people. AI tools make recruiting faster and more efficient, taking over tasks that used to take a lot of time and effort. But using AI in hiring also comes with challenges. In this post, we’ll look at the pros and cons of using AI in recruitment.

EXPLAINED-30% RULING

Explained: The NEW 30% ruling 

If you were recruited from outside the Netherlands, you are likely familiar with the concept of the ‘30% ruling.’ In 2024, the Dutch government introduced several key changes to the 30% ruling. To help businesses and expats understand what these changes mean for them, we are going to use this article to explain the NEW 30% ruling.

Guide to wages in the Netherlands (updated 2024)

Wages in the Netherlands can baffle internationals regarding how it is calculated or how much tax is deducted from the “gross amount”. Not to mention, the minimum wage, social premiums, and extra benefits typical in the Netherlands is unique. We ...

Overcoming Homesickness: 5 Coping Strategies for Expats Living Abroad 

Overcoming homesickness: 5 coping strategies for expats living abroad 

At Octagon, we understand the challenges expats face when adjusting to life in a new country, particularly the Netherlands. As expats ourselves, we are committed to easing this transition for our clients and their employees. Recognising that homesickness is a ...

Negotiate your Salary in the Netherlands

5 Tips to negotiate your salary in the Netherlands 

Understanding the Dutch labour market and effectively negotiating your salary can be both exciting and intimidating. We know that salary negotiations in the Netherlands have distinct nuances, influenced by cultural and professional factors. To help you navigate this process with ...

RECRUITMENT IN 2023 AND WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2024

Recruitment in 2023 and what to expect in 2024 

To start the new year on the right foot, we want to share an overview of the Recruitment industry’s highlights in 2023 and offer some insightful predictions for what lies ahead in 2024.  Let’s talk about 2023 numbers!  Let’s start ...

Key changes in Dutch employment law

5 key changes in Dutch employment law and regulations 2024 

Heading into the new year, 2024 brings some important changes in Dutch employment law and regulations which impact both individuals and businesses. In this article, we will delve into five key updates that come into effect in 2024.   1. Tax-free ...