1. VDAB, Actiris or Le Forem

The first thing you need to do is register as a jobseeker. You do this in Flanders with VDAB, in Brussels with Actiris and in Wallonia with Le Forem. Why should you do this? If you register as a jobseeker, you will be entitled to an integration benefit after one year. That 1-year period is the professional integration period. If you graduate in June, it will start on 1 August.

If you do not register, your vocational integration period starts later and you therefore have to wait longer for benefits. You will have to go through a number of steps at VDAB: draw up a CV and add it to your profile, search for vacancies, view job application tips, and so on. If VDAB notices that you do not carry out these steps, the VDAB consultants will contact you to find out how your job search is going.

2. Choose a health insurance fund

A health insurance fund will reimburse your medical expenses. When you go to the doctor, part of your consultation is reimbursed. But some health insurance funds also intervene in the case of glasses or dental costs. Each mutual health organisation has its own package of benefits. So don't choose just any mutual health organisation, but check out their benefits.

As soon as you start working, you are no longer a dependant of your parents. As a student, you were probably affiliated to a health insurance fund through your parents. Now that you are no longer a dependent, you are obliged to have your own affiliation in order. You only have to do this as soon as you start working or as soon as your professional integration period ends.

3. Look for your first job

Are you affiliated to VDAB and a health insurance fund? Then you can start applying for jobs. Not sure where to start? Start with your network: ask if your work placement is stilllooking for a colleague. Also think about your online visibility and create a profile on LinkedIn.

You can also actively search through job boards such as Indeed and Stepstone. But remember that not all vacancies are listed here. Some companies work with an HR partner such as Select HR. So be sure to register with companies like Select HR to find vacancies through them as well.

Why via an HR partner such as Select?

At Select HR, the consultants are personal coaches. They make sure you find a job that suits you. They do this by first getting to know you extensively: what are your future plans, what experience do you already have, what are your talents? Thanks to their experience, they can perfectly assess what kind of jobs suit you best. And they have a large network of interesting companies.

Would you like to meet such a coach? Leave your details here or take a look among our starter jobs.

4. What about holidays?

As a starting employee, you can take holidays. There is a separate arrangement for this. Are you under 25 and did you work for at least 1 month during the year you graduated? Then you are entitled to youth holidays. You must apply for this via the RVA. You will find the correct documents on their website, but be sure to check with your own personnel department at work.