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Country resume guides

Resume and CV guide for Netherlands

How resumes and CVs are written in Netherlands: typical length (1–2 pages), photo expectations, date format (DD-MM-YYYY), education conventions and a builder configured for the Netherlands market.

Netherlands employers usually ask for a CV — commonly written as “CV”. What that document looks like locally differs from the generic advice you will find elsewhere, so the details below describe practice in Netherlands specifically.

At a glance

  • Document: CV (CV)
  • Typical length: 1–2 pages
  • Date format: DD-MM-YYYY
  • Phone format: +31 6 12345678
  • Photo: generally left out
  • Page size: A4 (210 × 297 mm)
  • Most common language of application: nl

Length expectations in Netherlands

Two pages is plenty; shorter is usually better.

Photos

Usually omitted. Competence is weighted over appearance.

Professional summary

Be direct: what you do, how long, and what you want next.

Education

State the level (MBO/HBO/WO) as well as the subject.

Work experience

Keep bullets factual and avoid sales language.

Format and delivery

A4 paper, day-month-year dates, and the 4-digit + letter postcode format.

Common sections used in Netherlands

  • Summary
  • Experience
  • Education
  • Skills
  • References

General career guidance based on common practice — not legal, immigration or hiring compliance advice. Expectations vary by employer, industry and seniority.

Build for this market

Pick Netherlands in the builder and the date format, address order, phone guidance and page size adjust accordingly. Section headings stay in your chosen language.