We all know that looking for housing can be a huge pain, from looking for room, to sending the perfect email, to then having to wow at a viewing or kijkavonds. The whole experience can be exhausting and that’s why we are starting this new series, to perhaps make this experience we all have to go through a little less daunting.
What are Kijkavonds
Kijkavonds – If you have been looking for housing in the Netherlands for a while you have probably come across this word. If you’re anything like me you have probably put the word in Google Translate and got the translation “Looking Evening” and then wondered what you were going to be looking at. If we break it down a kijkavond in essence is an interview you have with either the landlord or more commonly with the rest of the residents of the apartment or house.
Now you might think you have mastered the art of interviewing have gotten multiple jobs before, but let me assure you, Kijkavonds are nothing like your regular interview.
It’s all about the ‘VIBE’
After reading the online AD and sending the email you should have a better sense of what the people holding the kijkavond are looking for, is the frat bros looking to party, the girlies who want to have wine and gossip (my kind of vibe), is it a group of gamers looking the annihilate the world in a game of COD (not the fish, I know I was confused too) these people are usually looking for someone who fits a certain criterion and usually the first factor is this so-called vibe. Now of course this isn’t mandatory and if you don’t there are two things you can do, Lie and try and wow them with your own vibe. You might be asking “WHY?” it usually comes down to the people not just wanting a housemate but a potential friend.
Talk Talk Talk
Now your next question might be “What do I talk about at kijkavonds” (or it might not be, I don’t know you), now this is the only instance where people want to hear you talk about yourself non-stop. A good first step is usually to have an introduction, ask the people for their names and something about them, and make sure you are attentive use the things they tell you and use it as an opportunity to relate and bond. For example “I did ballet for 10 years” to which you could reply with “No way me too I’d love to sit and share memories about it sometime” very simple although you should make sure you don’t go into too much detail if there are other people in the interview as you need to get to know them too.
Next proceed with telling them something about yourself, such as hobbies, what you do in your free time, what you’re studying, if you work, the usual things. Now based on the aforementioned “Vibe” pay attention to if the people in your house seem outgoing and love hanging out together and generally tend to be more communal than most, then they might not react positively to a person who would say they like staying in their room when they’re free and being alone.
