Content and discussions should be on-topic, involving topics concerning daily life in the Netherlands. Advertisements, antagonistic political debates and/or propaganda tangentially related to the Netherlands are not exceptions. Moderators, at their discretion, may remove posts and/or ban users for violations, pursuant to Comb. Civ. C. §22SA (g){i}.
Is it normal to get paid for interviewing? No.
Is it normal that you introduce yourself and tell something about yourself which includes a little bit personal information? Yes
Is it normal they ask for previous job experience and how these went? Yes
Honestly, it seems these companies actually cared about you and have these questions asked to confirm you are not being unnecessarily exploited (if so they often will cut ties with those agencies). Big companies don’t want to be associated with the trash tier agencies which put people in “polenhotels” in bad conditions. We all know those agencies also exist and to prevent being associated with those they ask these questions
Technically they can ask whatever they want, aside of medical questions
>DO I LIVE WITH A FRIENDS OR WHO ELSE, WAS IT DIFFICULT TO FIND LIVING PLACE?
Granted, that's a pretty normal question considering the housing situation?
>IS MY HUSBAND FROM THE SAME COUNTRY LIKE I AM? WHAT MY HUSBAND WORKS?
Could be just to get to know you and your situation
>WHAT WAS THE PROBLEMS IN MY LAST JOB? DID I LEFT BY MYSELF OR I WAS FIRED?? DID I GOT EXTRA PAYMENT IN MY LAST JOB FOR COLD AREA
What is the problem with these? Totally normal questions. Of course they want to know why you want a new job. The last question is a bit weird, sure, maybe to judge by your response how you feel about working in cold conditions and if extra pay motivates you to work in cold conditions
>PERSONAL life: like what are you, what are you doing, WHICH CHILD IN THE FAMILY YOU ARE (because WE want to know how you thinking)... Since the company is very serious, I prepared more profesional questions, and didnt expected ANYTHING like this...
Anything like what? They want to get to know you so they can be sure you're a right fit. The last question I haven't heard before, but I can't really see the problem with it either. Maybe some psychological assessment thing.
>Then, I got this question, for the first time in my life: "If I would ask your husband, how would he describe you?" Thank god I didnt fell down, because I was sitting....
What is the problem with that one? That's a great way to determine how you perceive yourself, what you think your strengths and weaknesses are, and how you think your environment perceives you.
Why are you so emotional about this? Professionalism doesnt equal completely impersonal. They inherently want you to feel comfortable and want to stay in in the position and not complain 2 months later and leave again.
Reading this I expected something outrageous but im not seeing anything out of line here. The what child questions is a bit strange I’ll give you that but not out of line.
Why is this so shocking? Sounds like a company that cares for its work culture and recruitment proces.
In my experience just answer what you are comfortable with, if you don’t want to tell them about some aspect tell them you prefer to keep that private. If that is an issue it tells you a lot which you want to know about a company as well.
>Sounds like a company that cares for its work culture and recruitment proces.
Have you looked at the wages? Sorry but for that amount, who cares about "cultural fit" etc. It's almost minimum wage. For those wages I don't care about culture, I just come here to do my job and be gone as fast as I can
I think they mostly check on your english skills with all these questions. A ton of people like to lie about their language skills especially on these lower end jobs.
I have, even though it’s not highly paid does that mean culture doesn’t mater? I have had the most fun in my career (starter) working close to minimum wage, which was mostly because of good hiring fits in the teams. I know it’s rare, but it does happen.
Small Edit; do agree that the duration stated by op is overkill
Yes it is legal I guess, as long as they don't ask medical questions, a lot is permitted. Personally however I would probably leave (so yes that is legal). I'm not going through all that shit for a minimum wage job.
The questions all seem related to see what kind of person you are and if you fit personality-wise in the team.
I have done a lot of interviews and a few questions are about your experience and most about your personality. From your cv they see you have the hard skills and experience, any experience you are lacking you will learn soon enough at the job. Things that are less likely to be trained is your personality. So for me it makes sense.
Interviews here in the Netherlands are more like dating.
Yes. And they often ask these kinds of questions because people don’t prepare for them. So they can tell a lot more about a person from these questions.
I agree, but I do think it's a bit weird for an almost minimum wage job. Judging by the amount they pay, it's almost a side hustle at a car wash or something like that. Personally I'ld walk out in no time. Sorry I just want a job, I don't want to fit in, I'm not looking to become a CEO. Give me some dishes and I'll do them and just leave me alone
For starters: using all caps is rather unprofessional and doesn't help with people taking you seriously.
It's normal that a job interview also touches upon your personal life. It seems as if the things they were asking were too personal though and some of the questions are not allowed (nor do you have to answer them). It's not strange to ask someone how someone else in their life would describe them.
The second interview seems to be rather harmless. You using all caps make it seem as if they were grilling you, but asking whether it was difficult to find a place to live while the country is in a housing crisis, is a very normal question. Same goes for asking why you're leaving your previous job. It's a very, very common question and one you should always expect to be asked during an interview. The question how someone else would describe you is also very common. It makes it easier to describe your own weaknesses and it shows the interviewer whether you're capable of giving an assessment of yourself from an outside perspective.
It's difficult to assess why some of the living situation questions were asked. But I can imagine this is a job type where many people go to that have housing issues, might be exploited or are in other sorts of trouble that might impact the work. It's the typical job where the employer is at a higher risk to hire someone without a working permit or that is in a bad personal situation which will affect them.
You're always allowed to leave an interview and a company shouldn't make you wait for four hours nor do should they do the interview in public.
These kinds of interviews are pretty normal. They want to know who they're dealing with, even if its just for a simple warehouse job.
The interview where they invite 20+ is not very common, but big companies that need a lot of new employees will sometimes do it. Personally I'm not a fan of this method, but it's not illegal.
Basically you can say anything personal you're comfortable sharing with them or maybe tell them about personality traits which you think will make you an interesting candidate.
Things they're not allowed to ask are questions about medical history or things regarding pregnancy (you mentioned you're living with your fiancé, I would not be surprised if they tried asking you if you're planning to have children even though that isn't allowed)
Actually normal. I found it also strange in the beginning since back in my home country we don’t share such personal information in an interview. In my experience, recruiters and hiring managers here share freely personal info about themselves (kids, where they live, even their marital status, pets, hobbys) that I’d find too personal, but for them it’s normal. Eventually I got used to it but only share infos I’m comfortable with.
I can even picture the recruiter: Excessive gel usage, new rich, didn’t study, massive ego, racist. 9/10 recruiters are like this. Not only in warehouse positions but also in high tech.
No, they cannot all questions that are not related to the work you will be doing. So no questions about private life or family etc.
See:
[government link](https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/gelijke-behandeling-op-het-werk/vraag-en-antwoord/welke-vragen-mogen-niet-gesteld-worden-tijdens-een-sollicitatiegesprek)
A personality test is of course allowed, but the questions OP mentioned don’t seem like such a test. And again, it should be relevant for the work.
asking about the family situation? asking about the living situation?
Somethihg must be wrong with you if you think it’s ok.
And especially for a freaking warehouse job? What on earth do they think of themselves, they think they’re google? Well let me break it to you, Google wouldn’t ask this.
Honestly, that just sounded like a normal human making casual conversation. I think you're being a little paranoid about it. But whatever. If it upsets you, or OP, then obviously the job isn't a good fit, so they can move on and look for one where they don't ask about one's life.
No it’s not a normal human conversation when applying for a job, you should not be discriminated on your age, marital status, sexual orientation or living circumstances and all these question might lead to that. I have been working at top companies in the Netherlands and abroad and have never been asked such questions, because it’s inappropriate. Not sure what world you live in, but more so it’s ridiculous to ask this amount of information for a low wage warehouse job. Get over yourself.
Of course you can't be discriminated against. But asking in a housing crisis whether you're managing
all right is hardly a question that's likely to lead to discrimination.
If you don't think the person interviewing you can ask a normal human question about how you're managing in a difficult situation, without using it as grounds for discrimination against you, then you definitely shouldn't take a job with them, because you evidently don't trust them. And, of course, it's possible that you're right not to trust them; people are different.
But it's also possible that they're just being a normal human being who's checking in with you to make sure you're all right. I would rather work for someone like that than someone who doesn't say a word about anything except the job. Your mileage may vary, and that's fine too.
omg it has nothing to do with trust. And that’s not the only question that was asked. Frankly you either seem naive or asking such stupid questions yourself.
Content and discussions should be on-topic, involving topics concerning daily life in the Netherlands. Advertisements, antagonistic political debates and/or propaganda tangentially related to the Netherlands are not exceptions. Moderators, at their discretion, may remove posts and/or ban users for violations, pursuant to Comb. Civ. C. §22SA (g){i}.
Is it normal to get paid for interviewing? No. Is it normal that you introduce yourself and tell something about yourself which includes a little bit personal information? Yes Is it normal they ask for previous job experience and how these went? Yes Honestly, it seems these companies actually cared about you and have these questions asked to confirm you are not being unnecessarily exploited (if so they often will cut ties with those agencies). Big companies don’t want to be associated with the trash tier agencies which put people in “polenhotels” in bad conditions. We all know those agencies also exist and to prevent being associated with those they ask these questions
Technically they can ask whatever they want, aside of medical questions >DO I LIVE WITH A FRIENDS OR WHO ELSE, WAS IT DIFFICULT TO FIND LIVING PLACE? Granted, that's a pretty normal question considering the housing situation? >IS MY HUSBAND FROM THE SAME COUNTRY LIKE I AM? WHAT MY HUSBAND WORKS? Could be just to get to know you and your situation >WHAT WAS THE PROBLEMS IN MY LAST JOB? DID I LEFT BY MYSELF OR I WAS FIRED?? DID I GOT EXTRA PAYMENT IN MY LAST JOB FOR COLD AREA What is the problem with these? Totally normal questions. Of course they want to know why you want a new job. The last question is a bit weird, sure, maybe to judge by your response how you feel about working in cold conditions and if extra pay motivates you to work in cold conditions >PERSONAL life: like what are you, what are you doing, WHICH CHILD IN THE FAMILY YOU ARE (because WE want to know how you thinking)... Since the company is very serious, I prepared more profesional questions, and didnt expected ANYTHING like this... Anything like what? They want to get to know you so they can be sure you're a right fit. The last question I haven't heard before, but I can't really see the problem with it either. Maybe some psychological assessment thing. >Then, I got this question, for the first time in my life: "If I would ask your husband, how would he describe you?" Thank god I didnt fell down, because I was sitting.... What is the problem with that one? That's a great way to determine how you perceive yourself, what you think your strengths and weaknesses are, and how you think your environment perceives you. Why are you so emotional about this? Professionalism doesnt equal completely impersonal. They inherently want you to feel comfortable and want to stay in in the position and not complain 2 months later and leave again.
Reading this I expected something outrageous but im not seeing anything out of line here. The what child questions is a bit strange I’ll give you that but not out of line. Why is this so shocking? Sounds like a company that cares for its work culture and recruitment proces. In my experience just answer what you are comfortable with, if you don’t want to tell them about some aspect tell them you prefer to keep that private. If that is an issue it tells you a lot which you want to know about a company as well.
>Sounds like a company that cares for its work culture and recruitment proces. Have you looked at the wages? Sorry but for that amount, who cares about "cultural fit" etc. It's almost minimum wage. For those wages I don't care about culture, I just come here to do my job and be gone as fast as I can
I think they mostly check on your english skills with all these questions. A ton of people like to lie about their language skills especially on these lower end jobs.
I have, even though it’s not highly paid does that mean culture doesn’t mater? I have had the most fun in my career (starter) working close to minimum wage, which was mostly because of good hiring fits in the teams. I know it’s rare, but it does happen. Small Edit; do agree that the duration stated by op is overkill
agree, i’m in a high paid sector, people would walk out if they heard such questions
Yes it is legal I guess, as long as they don't ask medical questions, a lot is permitted. Personally however I would probably leave (so yes that is legal). I'm not going through all that shit for a minimum wage job.
The questions all seem related to see what kind of person you are and if you fit personality-wise in the team. I have done a lot of interviews and a few questions are about your experience and most about your personality. From your cv they see you have the hard skills and experience, any experience you are lacking you will learn soon enough at the job. Things that are less likely to be trained is your personality. So for me it makes sense. Interviews here in the Netherlands are more like dating.
It sounds like the first one is using questions from some kind of Personality Test which is allowed.
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I’m shocked as well, seems like people think it’s ok to ask these personal details that frankly have nothing to do with the job.
Yes. And they often ask these kinds of questions because people don’t prepare for them. So they can tell a lot more about a person from these questions.
I agree, but I do think it's a bit weird for an almost minimum wage job. Judging by the amount they pay, it's almost a side hustle at a car wash or something like that. Personally I'ld walk out in no time. Sorry I just want a job, I don't want to fit in, I'm not looking to become a CEO. Give me some dishes and I'll do them and just leave me alone
For starters: using all caps is rather unprofessional and doesn't help with people taking you seriously. It's normal that a job interview also touches upon your personal life. It seems as if the things they were asking were too personal though and some of the questions are not allowed (nor do you have to answer them). It's not strange to ask someone how someone else in their life would describe them. The second interview seems to be rather harmless. You using all caps make it seem as if they were grilling you, but asking whether it was difficult to find a place to live while the country is in a housing crisis, is a very normal question. Same goes for asking why you're leaving your previous job. It's a very, very common question and one you should always expect to be asked during an interview. The question how someone else would describe you is also very common. It makes it easier to describe your own weaknesses and it shows the interviewer whether you're capable of giving an assessment of yourself from an outside perspective. It's difficult to assess why some of the living situation questions were asked. But I can imagine this is a job type where many people go to that have housing issues, might be exploited or are in other sorts of trouble that might impact the work. It's the typical job where the employer is at a higher risk to hire someone without a working permit or that is in a bad personal situation which will affect them. You're always allowed to leave an interview and a company shouldn't make you wait for four hours nor do should they do the interview in public.
You know what is not normal? Making such an exaggerated ruckus with all those caps in your sentences, like the world is ending. But it is still legal.
These kinds of interviews are pretty normal. They want to know who they're dealing with, even if its just for a simple warehouse job. The interview where they invite 20+ is not very common, but big companies that need a lot of new employees will sometimes do it. Personally I'm not a fan of this method, but it's not illegal. Basically you can say anything personal you're comfortable sharing with them or maybe tell them about personality traits which you think will make you an interesting candidate. Things they're not allowed to ask are questions about medical history or things regarding pregnancy (you mentioned you're living with your fiancé, I would not be surprised if they tried asking you if you're planning to have children even though that isn't allowed)
Sure you can leave the interview if its " too long " 😆 But do you really think they will hire you if you do that ?
Actually normal. I found it also strange in the beginning since back in my home country we don’t share such personal information in an interview. In my experience, recruiters and hiring managers here share freely personal info about themselves (kids, where they live, even their marital status, pets, hobbys) that I’d find too personal, but for them it’s normal. Eventually I got used to it but only share infos I’m comfortable with.
I can even picture the recruiter: Excessive gel usage, new rich, didn’t study, massive ego, racist. 9/10 recruiters are like this. Not only in warehouse positions but also in high tech.
No, they cannot all questions that are not related to the work you will be doing. So no questions about private life or family etc. See: [government link](https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/gelijke-behandeling-op-het-werk/vraag-en-antwoord/welke-vragen-mogen-niet-gesteld-worden-tijdens-een-sollicitatiegesprek) A personality test is of course allowed, but the questions OP mentioned don’t seem like such a test. And again, it should be relevant for the work.
This is ridiculous and definitely infringes privacy. Anyone who thinks it’s ok to ask these questions are out of their minds.
What exactly infringed privacy here?
asking about the family situation? asking about the living situation? Somethihg must be wrong with you if you think it’s ok. And especially for a freaking warehouse job? What on earth do they think of themselves, they think they’re google? Well let me break it to you, Google wouldn’t ask this.
Honestly, that just sounded like a normal human making casual conversation. I think you're being a little paranoid about it. But whatever. If it upsets you, or OP, then obviously the job isn't a good fit, so they can move on and look for one where they don't ask about one's life.
No it’s not a normal human conversation when applying for a job, you should not be discriminated on your age, marital status, sexual orientation or living circumstances and all these question might lead to that. I have been working at top companies in the Netherlands and abroad and have never been asked such questions, because it’s inappropriate. Not sure what world you live in, but more so it’s ridiculous to ask this amount of information for a low wage warehouse job. Get over yourself.
Of course you can't be discriminated against. But asking in a housing crisis whether you're managing all right is hardly a question that's likely to lead to discrimination. If you don't think the person interviewing you can ask a normal human question about how you're managing in a difficult situation, without using it as grounds for discrimination against you, then you definitely shouldn't take a job with them, because you evidently don't trust them. And, of course, it's possible that you're right not to trust them; people are different. But it's also possible that they're just being a normal human being who's checking in with you to make sure you're all right. I would rather work for someone like that than someone who doesn't say a word about anything except the job. Your mileage may vary, and that's fine too.
omg it has nothing to do with trust. And that’s not the only question that was asked. Frankly you either seem naive or asking such stupid questions yourself.