The Curriculum Vitae (CV) is the first and probably the most important step in finding a job in the Netherlands. Here's how you should put together a Dutch CV so that it meets the expectations of a hiring manager.
Get help from a CV pro
If you need some extra help creating the perfect CV or need a second opinion, you can always get the help of a CV pro. There are various companies who offer CV advice and help, such as:
How to write a CV in the Netherlands
A CV is more than just your profile; it is a marketing tool. You should not think of it as a typicality that is required by prospective employers but as a "sales brochure". Besides, if the recruiter offers you the opportunity of an interview, a well-built CV will trigger a conversation around your profile and increase the probability of getting hired.
Of course, there's no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to your personal profile, but most CVs in the Netherlands follow a standard structure:
1st section: Personal information
The first section should contain all of your relevant personal information. Make sure to include the following:
- First and last name
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Contact details
- Passport-size photo
2nd section: Education
In the second section, you should detail your education (including both secondary and higher education). As well as including the name of your university, the programme you studied, and your final grade, you could include specific modules or areas of study that are relevant to the position you're applying for. Plenty of people also include the title of their thesis.
3rd section: Work experience
You should then list your previous work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent position. For each position, list the company name, your job title, employment period, and main tasks or responsibilities. You could include some key achievements at each company, but don't go into too much detail - that's what your cover letter is for. Also, don't be tempted to list your entire work history; stick to the positions that are most relevant to the job you're applying to.
If you have little or no full-time work experience, then you need to emphasise on academic projects you participated in and relevant courses you took. Part-time occupations, summer jobs and volunteer work is a good way to demonstrate your capabilities and accomplishments.
Final section: Other skills, achievements or relevant experience
Finally, you can use the final section to list any other skills, achievements or relevant experience you have that you haven't already mentioned. This could be language and computer skills, training programmes you have completed, or interests and hobbies.
While Dutch recruiters highly value extracurricular and leisure activities, you should include only those that are relevant to the job you are applying for (e.g. being good in team sports shows that you have good team spirit).
Do I need to include references or proof of qualifications?
In the Netherlands, it is not usually necessary to include copies of diplomas, employer references or other official documents with your CV. You will be asked to submit them at a later stage.
Tips for writing a Dutch CV
In a nutshell, a CV is a representation of past accomplishments and skills. However, the same applies to all other candidates and thus, the following tips should come in handy:
- Write an appealing CV. Pay extra attention when choosing letter fonts and avoid dense writing. Use bullet points instead of long paragraphs.
- In general, it is advisable to adjust your CV for different job applications. Try to make its content as relevant to the job description as possible.
- Recruiters scan numerous CVs for the same position, so an appealing CV must not exceed two pages. In fact, a single-page CV should do the trick.
- A CV only mirrors facts and figures. Your motivation for the role, aspirations, suitability for the job and qualifications should be reflected in your cover letter.
- Listing all projects, courses and training programmes you have completed may not be practical or even useful; mention the most relevant information only.
- If applicable, mention your military service and describe your main duties as well as your ranking. Military experience can trigger discussions about your personality and pressure handling.