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.
Free tools that pair with this format
- ATS Keyword Checker — see which JD keywords you're missing.
- Resume Length Checker — verify your CV hits this country's length norm.
- Resume Action Verbs — 200+ verbs sorted by impact.
- PPP Salary Calculator — compare your offer's real value across countries.
Ready to build one?
Score your current CV against this country's ATS rules and any job description for free. Score my CV free or explore all 15 country formats. For general guidance, see our free resume builder and the career blog.