Bos attended the Christian Gymnasium in Zeist from June 1975 until July 1980 and applied at the Free University Amsterdam in June 1981 majoring in Political science and Economics obtaining an Bachelor of Social Science degree and an Bachelor of Economics degree in June 1984 before graduating with an Master of Social Science degree and an Master of Economics degree in July 1988. Bos worked as a human resource manager for Royal Dutch Shell from August 1988 until May 1998 in Pernis from August 1988 until September 1989 in Rotterdam from September 1989 until July 1991 in Bucharest, Romania from July 1991 until April 1993 in Hongkong from April 1993 until November 1995 and in London, England from November 1995 until May 1998.