The Dutch CV mirrors Dutch professional culture: direct, compact, and allergic to self-promotion. One to two pages, a short persoonlijk profiel at the top, and facts over adjectives — calling yourself a "visionary leader" reads as embarrassing rather than impressive in the Netherlands. Personal details like date of birth and nationality are still commonly included, a photo is optional but normal, and for some roles the line "Rijbewijs B" (driving licence) genuinely matters. English-language CVs are widely accepted in the Randstad's international job market.
Quick facts: the Netherlands CV
| Length | 1–2 pages max |
|---|---|
| Photo | Optional, common |
| Personal details | DOB/nationality common |
| Tone | Direct, zero fluff |
| Language | Dutch or English |
| ATS screening | Used at large employers |
The rules Netherlands recruiters expect
- 1–2 pages maximum
- Photo is optional but common
- Date of birth, place of birth, and nationality are commonly included
- Persoonlijk profiel (personal profile) at the top, 3–4 lines
- Dutch tone: direct, concrete, no fluff or superlatives
- Include Rijbewijs (driving licence) if relevant to the role
- Language skills with levels
- Sections: Persoonsgegevens, Werkervaring, Opleiding, Vaardigheden, Talen
Mistakes that get Netherlands applications rejected
American-style superlatives
"Dynamic visionary" gets a Dutch eye-roll. State what you did and what changed.
Over two pages
Dutch directness extends to length — long CVs read as unable to get to the point.
Omitting language levels
In a bilingual market, employers want to know exactly how good your Dutch and English are.
Hiding nationality/visa situation
For non-EU candidates, employers need to know about the visa sponsorship question early.
Skip the manual reformatting. Upload your current CV, pick Netherlands, and AlterCV rewrites it in the exact local format — rules above included — with a live ATS score.
Applying to other countries too?
Every market has different rules — that's the whole point of AlterCV. Related guides: Germany Lebenslauf format · United Kingdom CV format · France CV format — or browse all 15 country formats.