CV Format in Netherlands

Every company you are eyeing in the Netherlands will require you to brief them about your work experience in a few sheets of paper we commonly know in the corporate world as Curriculum Vitae. Although you may have already made one for another company back in your home country, customizing your CV for Netherlands companies can also get you ahead of the competition.

Don’t bother translating your CV to Dutch. English is the language for business in the Netherlands and they do accept CVs in the said language. Here are the necessary parts that should be present in your CV:

Parts of your CV	Content
Heading	With or without a heading is okay. But should you prefer one, just type in ‘Curriculum Vitae.’ It is important that you include a photo in your CV. Take note to make its size visible enough for your employers. Don’t put a photo unless you are asked.
Personal Information	This should contain your full name, contact details with international dialing codes, email address, nationality, and even your gender unless it is obvious in your name. Dutch CVs don’t require photos, in this case, you may need to indicate your gender.
Professional Experience / Work History	This is where your employer focuses, make sure you have a consistent structure that includes your job title, the name of your employer, dates, and a brief discussion of your job description in chronological order (most recent first). Keep it simple, direct and relevant to the current job application. Include part-time or voluntary work that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Educational Background & Trainings Attended	List your educational background from your most recent education attainment first. You may also include the seminars and trainings you took under this portion. Avoid irrelevant information that may not be value-adding to your application.
(Optional) Other Personal Information or Hobbies	Some employers may extend interest in knowing other activities you may be doing to enhance skills that you may use at work. Feel free to list down relevant hobbies, voluntary works, memberships in networking groups, and other extra curricular activities you may be into.
Skills	List down your skills and competencies that can help you fulfill your job in their company.

Just take note, keep your CV brief and relevant to the job you are applying for. Keep it neat and have it printed on high-quality paper. Below are samples of CVs in Netherlands you may want to check out:

If you have taken education from other countries, it will be a great help to mention it. Give emphasis on the qualities they may require of you and write in the third person in singular form. Also, make sure your CV doesn’t go beyond two A4 pages long. Lastly, do attach a cover letter in the language your employer would be comfortable reading!