How to Write a Dutch CV in 2026

The Netherlands has one of Europe's most internationally oriented job markets, and the Dutch CV reflects that: concise, direct, and substance-led. Dutch employers value clarity over embellishment. A well-structured, honest, and unpretentious CV will consistently outperform an elaborate one in the Netherlands.

Format and Length

Length: One to two pages. One page is perfectly acceptable for professionals with up to seven years of experience. Two pages are appropriate for senior professionals and specialists. Dutch hiring culture is famously direct — if the content does not justify the length, it will be noticed.

Photo: Common but optional. A professional headshot in the top-right corner is still seen on the majority of Dutch CVs. Some international employers based in the Netherlands (particularly tech companies and US multinationals) prefer no photo. Check the company's career page culture before deciding.

Language: If the role is in Dutch, submit your CV in Dutch. If the posting is in English or at an international company, English is appropriate. Many Dutch professionals maintain both versions.

Personal Information

Contact details: Full name, city and postal area (not full street address), phone number (begin with +31 for international applications), professional email, LinkedIn URL. Do not include BSN (Burgerservicenummer — the Dutch equivalent of a National Insurance number), and do not include marital status or religion. Dutch privacy norms are among the strongest in Europe (GDPR originated in EU law that the Netherlands rigorously applies).

Date of birth: Commonly included in the Netherlands, typically in the personal details section. Unlike in the UK and US where this is avoided for discrimination reasons, it remains standard in Dutch CVs.

Driving licence: Note if you hold a Dutch rijbewijs (category B or otherwise). Relevant for roles requiring travel.

CV Structure

Personlijk profiel / Profieltekst (Personal profile): Three to four sentences describing your professional background, expertise, and what makes you effective. Dutch candidates tend to be measured rather than effusive here — claims of being "an energetic team player with a passion for excellence" land poorly. Specific and honest descriptions earn respect: "Datagedreven product manager met 9 jaar ervaring in e-commerce en SaaS. Gespecialiseerd in A/B-testen, OKR-beheer en het schalen van agile teams."

Werkervaring (Work experience): Reverse chronological. Each role: company name, job title, city, dates. Follow with three to five bullet points per role in Dutch (or English). The Dutch labour market values outcomes — liefst met cijfers (preferably with numbers). Use active verbs: leidde, verbeterde, implementeerde, verhoogde.

Opleiding (Education): Reverse chronological. Dutch qualifications use the HBO/WO framework: HBO (hoger beroepsonderwijs) is applied higher education; WO (wetenschappelijk onderwijs) is university education. A Master's at a WO university (TU Delft, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Erasmus) is referred to as a Master of Science (MSc) or Master of Arts (MA). Include your graduation year and institution name.

Vaardigheden (Skills): A short list of tools, software, programming languages, and relevant competencies.

Talen (Languages): Dutch employers particularly value language skills. Standard Dutch/English bilingualism is assumed in most professional roles. German, French, and Mandarin are significant additions depending on the industry.

Stage Placements (Internships)

Dutch higher education integrates internships (stages) deeply — HBO and WO programmes require them. If you are a recent graduate, your stage experience is valued as genuine work experience and should be listed fully.

LinkedIn in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has among the highest LinkedIn penetration rates in the world. Your LinkedIn profile will be reviewed alongside your CV in virtually every professional hiring process. Keep your profile current, bilingual if your target market warrants it, and consistent with your CV.

Cultural Tone

Dutch workplace culture is informal and non-hierarchical compared to Germany or France. "We" achievements are valued alongside personal ones. Avoid the American style of personal boasting; instead, show impact in the context of team goals. However, unlike some cultures, Dutch directness means you should still be specific and concrete — vague claims of being "a passionate professional" will raise a Dutch eyebrow.

Key Mistakes to Avoid

• Providing your BSN number — sensitive personal data that should never appear on a CV
• Submitting in English to a Dutch-language role without a Dutch version
• Omitting dates (month and year) from work history
• Using HBO vs WO qualifications incorrectly — know which tier your institution falls into
• Overlong CVs with padding — Dutch employers are direct and this will be noticed