Getting Hired in the Netherlands With No Experience Is Still Realistic in 2026
One of the most common concerns among young jobseekers in the Netherlands is whether any employer will actually hire someone with a completely empty CV. The reassuring answer is yes — retail, hospitality, warehousing, and customer service employers across the country continue to run structured onboarding and training programmes specifically because they expect to hire people without prior work experience, not despite it.
This guide covers the industries most open to no-experience candidates in the Netherlands, what these roles typically pay, and what actually helps your application stand out when you don't have a work history to point to.
Industries That Hire Without Experience
These sectors consistently offer the largest number of genuinely no-experience vacancies across the Netherlands.
- Retail — supermarket and shop-floor roles (Albert Heijn, Jumbo, and similar chains regularly hire without experience)
- Hospitality — kitchen assistant, café, and service roles
- Warehousing and logistics — picking, packing, and general warehouse roles, especially around distribution hubs
- Customer service and call centres — inbound support roles for telecom and utility companies
- Cleaning and facilities — commercial cleaning roles across offices and public spaces
- Delivery and courier work — flexible, app-based delivery roles requiring minimal onboarding
Ads
What Actually Gets You Hired When You Have No Work History
Employers hiring no-experience candidates evaluate a different set of signals than they would for an experienced hire.
- Clear availability — being specific and flexible about the days and hours you can work
- A short, genuine motivation for wanting the specific role, rather than a generic application
- Any transferable experience from school, sports, or volunteering, even if informal
- Basic Dutch or English communication skills, depending on the customer-facing nature of the role
- A simple, honest CV that doesn't try to inflate non-existent experience
Information last reviewed: 27 September 2026. Pay ranges, eligibility, and selection stages below are estimates compiled from publicly available postings, not from a single dated official notification — actual figures vary by location and change over time. Confirm current vacancies, exact pay, and eligibility directly with the employer before applying or submitting any documents.
No-Experience Roles and Typical Pay
The figures below are general hourly ranges based on typical entry-level pay in the Netherlands in 2026; actual pay depends on the employer, your age, and the applicable collective labour agreement (cao).
| Role | Typical Hourly Pay (EUR) | Common Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Supermarket/retail assistant | €12.50 – €14.50/hr | None — training provided on the job |
| Kitchen assistant/café staff | €12.50 – €14.00/hr | Basic food hygiene, often taught on site |
| Warehouse assistant | €13.00 – €15.50/hr | Ability to do physical, repetitive tasks |
| Call centre representative | €13.50 – €16.00/hr | Clear communication, basic computer skills |
| Delivery/courier work | €12.00 – €16.00/hr | Bicycle or scooter, valid ID |
Ads
Where to Actually Find These Openings
The most reliable postings come from established job boards and direct employer career pages, not informal social media ads.
- Indeed.nl and LinkedIn — filter by "geen ervaring" or "entry level"
- NationaleVacaturebank and Werk.nl (UWV's own job listings)
- Major supermarket and retail chains' own careers pages, which post high volumes of entry-level roles
- Uitzendbureaus (staffing agencies) like Randstad, Adecco, and Tempo-Team, which specialise in placing candidates without prior experience
Signs a "No Experience" Job Ad Isn't What It Claims
No-experience listings are a common target for scams because applicants are less likely to question unusual requests. Watch for these patterns.
- Any request for payment for a "starter kit," uniform, or training before your first shift
- Promises of unusually high pay for very simple tasks, with no real interview process
- Requests for your full bank details or ID copies before a formal offer
- Vague job titles with no clear employer name, only a generic contact form or messaging app
How to Build Momentum Once You Land the First Role
A no-experience job is often the starting point — a few habits make it easier to move up from there.
- Ask for a written reference after a few months in the role
- Take any free on-the-job training offered, even if the role feels temporary
- Keep track of your responsibilities so you have concrete examples for your next application
- Ask about internal transfers or more hours once you've built a track record with the same employer
Final Thoughts
No-experience jobs in the Netherlands are genuinely available in 2026 across retail, hospitality, warehousing, and customer service, and the fastest way in is usually a clear, honest application focused on availability and attitude rather than an inflated CV. Sticking to established job boards, employer career pages, and recognised staffing agencies — while treating any upfront payment request as a red flag — keeps the search both realistic and safe.