How job interview coaching helps you perform at the required language level

Language requirements in Dutch job interviews are often assessed in context rather than as isolated skills. Candidates may be expected to operate smoothly across English and Dutch and respond clearly under time pressure. This means that a formal B1 or B2 level does not always translate into strong interview performance: answers can be accurate yet unfocused, hesitant, or difficult to follow. Preparation that focuses specifically on how language is assessed in interviews—rather than on general language study.

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What level do I need?

One of the most common sources of confusion for job seekers in the Netherlands is language expectations. Many candidates ask the wrong question:

“Do I need English or Dutch?”

The more accurate question is: “What level of English and Dutch is expected for this role—and how will that be tested in the interview?”

Across most professional jobs, employers generally assume solid English (typically B1–B2) as a baseline, while B1 Dutch is increasingly treated as an integration threshold in client-facing, regulated, or mixed Dutch–international teams. Even when vacancies don’t spell this out, interviews often do—through language switches, small talk in Dutch, and close attention to how clearly and confidently you communicate.

English: widely required, rarely optional

English is not a formal legal requirement for most jobs in the Netherlands, but in practice it is widely expected. For many professional roles:

• Interviews are conducted partly or entirely in English
• Internal documentation, meetings, or reporting are in English
• Teams are international, even when the company is Dutch

As a result, employers generally assume that candidates can:

• Explain their role and experience clearly in English
• Answer structured interview questions without hesitation
• Participate in discussions, not just understand them

In CEFR terms, this usually means B1–B2 as a practical minimum, with B2 preferred in business, technical, and client-facing roles. “Perfect English” is seldom required—but unclear, hesitant, or disorganised communication is often noticed during interviews. 

Dutch: not universal, but increasingly expected at B1

At the same time, many roles in the Netherlands now explicitly require Dutch at B1 level, even when English is used regularly at work.

This is especially common in:

• Client-facing roles
• Public and semi-public organisations
• Healthcare and education
• Regulated sectors
• Companies with mixed Dutch and international teams

B1 Dutch does not mean fluency. It signals that you can:

• Function independently in everyday workplace situations
• Participate in informal team communication
• Handle practical matters without constant support

Employers increasingly treat B1 Dutch as an integration threshold, not a communication luxury.

Interviews often test both, but in a communicative way

Even when a vacancy mentions only one language, interviews often reveal broader expectations. Common scenarios include:

• An interview starts in English, then switches briefly to Dutch
• Questions are asked in English, but small talk happens in Dutch
• A hiring manager checks whether Dutch is “good enough for now”
• English is used to assess structure and clarity under pressure

This means candidates are often evaluated on how they operate across languages, not just in one.

There is no single rule—only patterns

There is no universal language rule in the Dutch labour market. Expectations vary by sector, company size, and role. However, several patterns are consistent:

• English is assumed in many professional interviews
• Dutch at B1 is increasingly expected outside fully international teams
• Communication skills are assessed even when language is not listed as a core requirement

According to labour market insights and recruiter reporting in the Netherlands, including Nationale Vacaturebank, language and communication mismatches remain a common reason for unsuccessful hiring processes—not because candidates lack qualifications, but because employers see higher risk.

The practical takeaway for candidates

If you are preparing for job interviews in the Netherlands:

• Expect to be evaluated in English, Dutch, or both
• Assume communication skills will be assessed, even indirectly
• Treat language as part of interview preparation, not a separate issue

You do not need perfect English or fluent Dutch to get hired. But you do need to communicate clearly, confidently, and professionally at the level the role requires. That expectation is now a standard part of the Dutch hiring process.

Are you preparing for job interviews in the Netherlands? 

Our Job Interview Coaching in English helps professionals prepare clearly and confidently for interviews conducted in English or bilingual settings.

"English and Dutch Levels for Job Interviews in the Netherlands (2026)" was written by Brenda de Jong-Pauley, MA, Director, The English Center. Brenda is an American expat who's lived in Amstelveen since 2009.