đź‘‹
Dutch-Style CV Guide
When I sent my first CV, I got no responses. Dutch CVs are completely different! No photo, minimal personal info. Sharing what I learned after 50+ applications.
1CV Format
Order: 1) Name and contact 2) Professional summary 3) Work experience 4) Education 5) Skills 6) Languages. Hobbies are debatable.
2What to Write, What Not
DON'T: Photo, birth date, marital status, BSN. DO: Concrete achievements, tools/technologies, certifications, language levels.
3ATS Optimization
Use keywords from job posting, avoid complex designs, use standard section headers.
4Cover Letter
3-4 paragraphs: Opening, why this company, why you, closing. Start with 'Dear Hiring Manager'.
5LinkedIn
Recruiters actively search. Professional photo, write what you do in headline, tell a story in About section.
đź’ˇRose's CV Tips
- 1 page ideal, max 2 - nobody reads 5 pages
- NO photo - to prevent discrimination
- Customize CV for each application
- Use numbers: '20% sales increase' > 'increased sales'
- List language levels
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I add a photo?
No! Photos aren't included on Dutch CVs. Put it on LinkedIn.
Should I include birth date?
No, to prevent age discrimination.
Is cover letter required?
For most jobs, yes. Write a custom one for each.
What format?
PDF. Filename: FirstName_LastName_CV.pdf. ATS-friendly clean format.