How to Write a Resume for Jobs in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has one of the most open job markets in Europe. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, and The Hague host thousands of international companies. Many of them hire in English. But even when the language barrier is low, the expectations around your resume are distinctly Dutch.

If you are applying for jobs in the Netherlands , whether you are relocating, already living there, or applying remotely , your resume needs to match what Dutch employers expect. Here is how to get it right.

The Dutch Resume at a Glance

In the Netherlands, a resume is typically called a CV. It is usually one to two pages long. Two pages is the standard for anyone with more than a few years of experience.

Dutch employers value clarity and structure. They do not want flashy designs or long-winded descriptions. They want to understand your background quickly and move on. Think of it as a reflection of Dutch directness , get to the point.

Language: Dutch or English?

This depends entirely on the job. If the listing is in English, write your CV in English. If it is in Dutch, write in Dutch. Simple as that.

For international companies , especially in tech, finance, and logistics , English is almost always acceptable. But if you are applying to a Dutch government role, a local SME, or a position that involves customer-facing work in Dutch, you will need a Dutch-language CV.

One thing to avoid: do not write your CV in Dutch if your Dutch is not strong. A poorly written Dutch CV hurts more than a clean English one. Employers notice.

Personal Details: What to Include

Dutch CVs typically start with personal information. This is more common here than in the US or UK. You will usually include:

• Full name
• Phone number
• Email address
• City of residence (full address is not necessary)
• Date of birth
• LinkedIn profile URL

Date of birth is still commonly included in the Netherlands, though it is becoming less standard at international firms. You will not be penalized for including it. Nationality is sometimes listed, especially if you need to indicate your right to work in the EU.

Photos are optional but common. If you include one, make it professional , a simple headshot with a neutral background. No selfies, no vacation pictures.

Profile Summary

Start your CV with a brief profile summary. Two to four sentences. This should tell the reader who you are professionally, what you bring, and what you are looking for.

Keep it specific. Experienced marketing professional with 6 years in B2B SaaS, focused on demand generation and content strategy. Looking for a senior role at a growth-stage company in the Randstad area. That works. It is clear and tells the reader something real.

What does not work: Dynamic and passionate professional seeking new challenges. That is filler. Dutch hiring managers will skim right past it.

Work Experience

This is the core of your CV. List your roles in reverse chronological order , most recent first.

For each role, include the company name, your job title, the dates you worked there, and a short description of what you did. Use bullet points. Focus on what you accomplished, not just what your responsibilities were.

Dutch employers appreciate concrete results. If you increased revenue, cut costs, improved a process, or led a project , say so. Use numbers when you can. Managed a team of 8 is better than managed a team. Reduced onboarding time by 30% is better than improved onboarding.

Keep descriptions concise. Three to five bullet points per role is enough for recent positions. Older roles can have less.

One Dutch-specific note: contract work and temporary roles are extremely common in the Netherlands. There is no stigma attached to listing interim or contract positions. Just mark them clearly.

Education

List your degrees in reverse chronological order. Include the institution, the degree, and the dates.

If you studied outside the Netherlands, consider adding a brief note about equivalence. Dutch employers may not know how a Bachelor of Commerce from Australia compares to a Dutch WO or HBO degree. The Nuffic credential evaluation (called a diplomawaardering) can help here, and it is worth mentioning if you have completed one.

For recent graduates, education can go higher on the CV. For experienced professionals, it sits below work experience.

Skills

Include a skills section, but keep it relevant. List technical skills, tools, software, and languages. Do not list soft skills like teamwork or communication , those should come through in your experience descriptions.

Language skills matter in the Netherlands. List every language you speak and your proficiency level. If you speak Dutch at any level, include it. Even basic Dutch (A1 or A2) signals effort and willingness to integrate.

For tech roles, list programming languages, frameworks, and tools. For finance, mention specific software like SAP, Oracle, or Bloomberg. For marketing, list platforms like HubSpot, Google Analytics, or Salesforce.

The BSN and Work Permits

Your CV is not the place for your BSN (citizen service number). Never include it. It is sensitive personal data and should not be shared in a job application.

If you need a work permit or visa sponsorship, it is generally better to mention this in your cover letter or bring it up during the interview rather than on the CV itself. However, if the job listing specifically asks about work authorization, a brief note is fine.

For EU/EEA citizens, there is nothing to worry about , you have the right to work in the Netherlands without a permit. For non-EU nationals, the 30% tax ruling and the highly skilled migrant visa (kennismigrant) are the most common routes. Mentioning that you are eligible for or already hold kennismigrant status can be a plus.

Cover Letters

Many Dutch job applications still require a cover letter. It is called a motivatiebrief. Even when it is not required, including one is considered good practice.

Keep it to one page. Address it to a specific person if possible. Explain why you are interested in the company, what you bring, and why you are a good fit. Dutch cover letters are typically more formal than in the US, but they should not be stiff. Be professional and genuine.

Do not repeat your CV in the cover letter. Instead, highlight one or two achievements and connect them to the role. Show that you have read the job description and understand what they need.

Formatting Tips

Dutch employers do not expect fancy designs. Clean, readable formatting wins.

Use a standard font , Arial, Calibri, or something similar. Keep font sizes between 10 and 12 points. Use consistent headings. White space matters.

Avoid columns and complex layouts if you are applying through an ATS (applicant tracking system). Many Dutch companies use systems like Greenhouse, Workday, or local platforms like Recruitee. These systems parse your CV automatically, and unusual formatting can cause problems.

Save your CV as a PDF unless the application specifically asks for Word. PDFs preserve your formatting across devices.

What to Leave Out

Dutch CVs are straightforward. Leave out anything that does not help the employer evaluate you as a candidate.

Do not include a list of references on your CV. You can provide them when asked. References available upon request is unnecessary , everyone knows that.

Do not include your full address. City is enough. Do not include your BSN, passport number, or marital status. These are not relevant and sharing them creates privacy risks.

Avoid including hobbies unless they are directly relevant to the role or demonstrate something meaningful. Member of the Amsterdam rowing club since 2019 says something about commitment and fitness. I like reading and traveling does not add value.

Salary and Notice Period

Some Dutch job applications ask for your salary expectations upfront. This usually goes in the cover letter or in an online application form , not on the CV.

If you are currently employed in the Netherlands, you likely have a notice period (opzegtermijn) of one month. Some contracts have longer periods. Employers expect this and plan around it. You do not need to mention it on your CV, but be prepared to discuss it.

Networking in the Netherlands

The Dutch job market relies heavily on networking. Many positions are filled through referrals before they are ever posted publicly. This is especially true for senior roles and positions at smaller companies.

LinkedIn is the primary professional networking tool in the Netherlands. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and consistent with your CV. Many Dutch recruiters will check your LinkedIn before even reading your CV.

Attend industry events, meetups, and conferences. The Netherlands has an active professional community, especially in tech, design, and sustainability. Join relevant groups. Reach out to people directly , the Dutch are generally open to networking and informational conversations.

Tailoring Your CV for Each Application

This matters everywhere, but it especially matters in the Netherlands. Dutch employers can tell when you have sent a generic CV. Tailor your profile summary and adjust your bullet points to match the job description.

Look at the keywords in the job listing. If they ask for stakeholder management, make sure that phrase appears in your CV , but only if it is genuinely part of your experience. If they mention specific tools or methodologies, include them.

This is where a tool like Sira can save you real time. It analyzes job descriptions and helps you align your CV with what each employer is looking for. Instead of rewriting from scratch every time, you can quickly adjust and make sure nothing important is missed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A few things that trip up applicants in the Netherlands:

Too long. Three or four pages is too much. Even senior executives typically stick to two pages. Edit ruthlessly.

Too vague. Responsible for marketing activities tells the reader nothing. What did you actually do? What changed because of your work?

Inconsistent dates. Dutch employers pay attention to gaps. If you took time off, that is fine , just account for it briefly. A year-long gap with no explanation raises questions.

Wrong language. Applying in English to a Dutch-language listing (or vice versa) is an immediate red flag. Match the language of the job post.

Ignoring the ATS. Many applicants do not realize their CV is being scanned by software before a human sees it. Use standard headings, avoid tables and text boxes, and include keywords from the job description.

Final Thoughts

Writing a CV for the Dutch job market is not complicated, but it does require attention to local norms. Keep it clean, keep it honest, and keep it relevant. Dutch employers value substance over style.

Take the time to tailor each application. Use a clear structure. Be direct about what you have done and what you are looking for. And if you want to make sure your CV is optimized for the specific role you are targeting, give Sira a try , it is built to help with exactly that.

Good luck with your search. The Netherlands is a great place to build a career.