Over the past few years, I’ve witnessed incredible changes in the way European companies are embracing diversity and inclusion (D&I), and I have to say—I couldn’t be happier! As a Talent Acquisition Manager and Career Coach, I get excited every time I see businesses becoming more open to international talent. It feels like we're building something amazing together.
Embracing a Global Workforce
Europe is truly becoming the place to be for professionals from around the world. Companies here are no longer just talking about diversity—they're making it happen. And let me tell you, hiring people with different backgrounds and experiences has brought so much more energy and creativity into our workplaces. It’s like we’ve traded our traditional team "puzzles" for those 3D ones that take you forever to solve but look incredible when they’re done.
Unilever (EU HQ: Rotterdam, Netherlands & London, UK) is a fantastic example. They don’t just hire people from different countries because it looks good on paper—they actively seek talent from across 190 countries. They even have the Unilever Future Leaders Programme to develop top international graduates. Imagine that—one day you’re a student, and the next day you’re fast-tracking toward leadership in one of the biggest companies in the world. I don’t know about you, but that’s definitely better than starting out making coffee runs.
Legal and Policy Support for D&I
The EU itself is backing all of this up with some pretty amazing policies. Gone are the days of bureaucratic nightmares where international hiring felt like assembling IKEA furniture with no instructions. Countries like France and the Netherlands are making it easier than ever to bring in top talent from outside the EU.
Take France’s French Tech Visa, for instance. It’s like a golden ticket for tech talent around the world—no need for endless paperwork or confusing processes. Just talent and passion, and voilà, you’re in. And let’s not forget the Netherlands, where the Highly Skilled Migrant Program is making hiring international talent as smooth as Dutch cheese. These programs are opening the doors for top professionals to build a life and career in Europe, and it’s something I’m genuinely excited about. After all, we’re building the future of work here—and it’s going to be diverse, inclusive, and maybe even a little quirky (in the best way).
When I look at where we are today, I feel optimistic. Step by step we’re building a future that’s not just diverse but truly inclusive—a future where everyone, no matter where they come from, has a seat at the table!
