Replying to Americans who have lived in Amsterdam

Hey guys,
My girlfriends and I are looking to move to Amsterdam for a year and I am looking for advice from anyone who has done this. My girlfriend will be going to school and I will be trying to find a job.I have a economics degree from a school in Chicago and do not speak dutch. So my questions are: 1)What work permits/visas will I need to be able to work in Amsterdam for a year+. 2) How difficult is it to find a job for expats that do not speak dutch.
Any help would be great