Our ideal candidate: What criteria do our recruiters select on?

Our selection criteria

At Care Force, we carefully select our candidates based on a range of criteria that we know contribute to to sustainable recruitment. In this article, we will provide you with insight into the essential criteria that our recruiters evaluate when considering candidates.

1. EU-EER nationality: Having an EU-EER nationality is important because it enables our candidates to work in the Netherlands without having to obtain a work permit or visa.
2. EU-EER recognized diploma: Within the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA), agreements have been made on the recognition of medical diplomas. If a medical diploma is recognized in the country of origin, it can in principle also be recognized in other EU or EEA countries. Our candidates must have a recognized diploma from an EU-EER country because this ensures that they have received a high-quality education that is comparable to the standards in the Netherlands and can be mediated within a reasonable time. The process of recognizing a medical diploma outside the EU is complex and can take several years.
3. Relevant work experience: Work experience demonstrates whether a candidate has the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in their role. We carefully review the work experience of each candidate to ensure that it is relevant to the position for which they are applying. In some cases, the number of years of work experience is also relevant for the duration of the internship (in Belgium) and whether the BIG registration can be applied for based on work experience (at least 2080 working hours in the past five years).
4. Personal situation: Our ideal candidate has no partner, children, and/or pets. The more obligations and/or responsibilities in the country of origin, the longer it takes for a candidate to choose to actually live and work in another country.
5. Good command of the English language: A good command of the English language can be beneficial when learning Dutch, as there are some similarities between the two languages. They share the same origin and have many words that are similar to each other. Additionally, English-language resources such as books and online courses can be useful for learning Dutch. Finally, a good command of English can also help in understanding Dutch grammar, which can be complex for non-native speakers.
6. Ability and willingness to learn Dutch: Mastering the Dutch language is essential because it is the language most spoken by patients and colleagues in the healthcare sector in the Netherlands, but also because registration in the BIG register (Professions in Individual Healthcare) requires proficiency in Dutch.
7. Motivation: Motivation is essential because it demonstrates a candidate's commitment to their role and to the healthcare sector in the Netherlands. We look for candidates who are passionate about their work and driven to make a positive impact.
8. Financial Preparedness: We expect candidates to be financially prepared, as this demonstrates that they are serious about relocating to the Netherlands and are willing to invest in their future. Having some savings is also necessary to start a new life, such as paying a deposit and furnishing an apartment/house.
9. Support from Family and Friends: We look for candidates who have a supportive social network to help them through the transition, to rely on in difficult times, and to help them keep their eyes on the bigger picture.
10. Salary Expectations and Employment Conditions: We believe in good, realistic employment conditions and we look for candidates who share this belief. We want our candidates to be satisfied with their salary and employment package, as this contributes to their overall satisfaction and success at work.

At Care Force, we are looking for more than just a list of qualifications and experience. We are looking for candidates who are dedicated, motivated, and willing to invest in their future.

If you meet our criteria and are passionate about working in the Dutch healthcare system, we would love to hear from you.