Choose from a wide range of CV templates and customize the design with a single click.
Use ATS-optimised CV and resume templates that pass applicant tracking systems. Our CV builder helps recruiters read, scan, and shortlist your CV faster.
Use professional field-tested resume templates that follow the exact CV rules employers look for.
Create CV
Use professional field-tested resume templates that follow the exact CV rules employers look for.
Create CVBuilding a resume in Dutch is not just about translating your English CV. The Dutch hiring market has its own expectations, cultural nuances, and evaluation logic. If you don’t adapt to how recruiters and hiring managers in the Netherlands actually screen candidates, your resume will be ignored even if you are qualified.
This guide explains exactly how to build a Dutch resume (CV) that passes ATS systems, aligns with recruiter psychology, and converts into interviews.
The Dutch hiring market values:
Clarity over complexity
Honesty over exaggeration
Structure over creativity
Relevance over volume
Unlike the US market, Dutch recruiters are less impressed by overly aggressive self-promotion. They look for:
Realistic claims
Clear responsibilities + results
Cultural fit
Most medium to large Dutch companies use ATS systems.
They scan for:
Dutch keywords matching job descriptions
Standard section titles (Werkervaring, Opleiding)
Clean formatting
Logical career timeline
Failure patterns:
English-only resumes for Dutch-speaking roles
Missing Dutch keywords
Before writing your CV, define:
Functietitel (job title)
Sector
Ervaringsniveau
Type organisatie
A generic CV will not work in the Netherlands.
A high-performing Dutch resume includes:
Persoonlijke gegevens
Profiel
Practical contribution
If your resume sounds too “salesy,” it can actually hurt your chances.
Overdesigned layouts
Dutch recruiters are direct and efficient.
They evaluate:
Relevance within seconds
Practical experience
Consistency in career path
Realistic achievements
They are asking:
“Does this person actually fit the role, and can they integrate into the team?”
Hiring managers prioritize:
Reliability
Independence
Team contribution
Clear communication
They care less about hype and more about:
What you did
How you did it
What results you achieved
Werkervaring
Opleiding
Vaardigheden
Eventueel: Talen, Certificaten
Optional but common:
Foto (depending on industry)
Nationaliteit (sometimes included)
Your profile should be concise, factual, and impact-driven.
Weak Example:
"Gemotiveerde professional met ervaring in marketing."
Good Example:
"Resultaatgerichte marketing specialist met 5+ jaar ervaring in digitale campagnes, SEO en leadgeneratie. Verantwoordelijk voor 150% groei in online conversies binnen 12 maanden."
Why this works:
Specific role
Clear experience
Measurable results
Relevant keywords
Each role should include:
Functietitel
Bedrijfsnaam
Periode
Resultaatgerichte bullets
Avoid listing tasks without outcomes.
Weak Example:
"Verantwoordelijk voor klantenservice."
Good Example:
"Verbeterde klanttevredenheidsscore van 7.2 naar 8.9 door implementatie van een nieuw supportproces."
In the Netherlands, exaggeration is quickly detected.
Use:
Realistic percentages
Concrete improvements
Clear outcomes
Avoid:
Unrealistic claims
Vague impact
Translate keywords properly.
Example:
Project Management → Projectmanagement
Data Analysis → Data-analyse
Customer Success → Klantensucces
But do not overstuff keywords. Use them naturally in context.
Unless the job explicitly requires English, always write in Dutch.
Dutch culture values modesty.
Instead of:
"I am the best performing sales professional"
Use:
"Behaalde 120% van sales targets gedurende 3 opeenvolgende jaren"
Include only relevant details:
Naam
Contactgegevens
Woonplaats
Avoid unnecessary personal data unless requested.
Dutch recruiters prefer:
Clean layout
Clear sections
Logical flow
Every bullet should answer:
"What changed because of you?"
Dutch recruiters are highly sensitive to exaggeration.
Strong resumes:
Use realistic language
Avoid buzzwords
Focus on facts
Companies in the Netherlands value:
Teamwork
Direct communication
Reliability
Your resume should reflect these traits through your achievements.
Key differences include:
More acceptance of personal details
Slightly more descriptive experience sections
Less aggressive tone
More emphasis on stability
As a recruiter in the Dutch market, here is what stands out immediately:
Rejection triggers:
Overly generic CV
No measurable results
Language mismatch
Lack of clarity
Shortlist triggers:
Clear, structured CV
Relevant experience
Realistic achievements
Strong alignment with role
Kandidaat Naam: Jeroen van Dijk
Doelrol: Senior Projectmanager
Locatie: Amsterdam, Nederland
Profiel
Ervaren projectmanager met 10+ jaar ervaring in het leiden van complexe IT-projecten binnen internationale organisaties. Gespecialiseerd in procesoptimalisatie en stakeholdermanagement, met aantoonbare resultaten in kostenreductie en efficiëntieverbetering.
Vaardigheden
Projectmanagement
Agile & Scrum
Stakeholdermanagement
Procesoptimalisatie
Budgetbeheer
Werkervaring
Senior Projectmanager | TechSolutions BV | 2019 – heden
Realiseerde kostenbesparing van 25% door optimalisatie van projectprocessen
Leidde multidisciplinaire teams van 15+ personen
Verkortte projectdoorlooptijd met 30%
Projectmanager | DigitalWorks | 2014 – 2019
Succesvolle implementatie van IT-systemen voor 10+ klanten
Verhoogde klanttevredenheid met 35%
Opleiding
Master Bedrijfskunde
Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam
Certificaten
PRINCE2 Practitioner
Scrum Master
Always adapt your CV:
Match keywords from vacaturetekst
Highlight relevant experience
Adjust your profiel
This significantly increases your success rate.
Useful tools:
Grammarly (for English sections if needed)
LanguageTool (Dutch grammar)
LinkedIn (keyword research)
Before applying, check:
Is the CV written in correct Dutch?
Are results clearly measurable?
Is the structure clean and logical?
Does it match the job description?
Is it easy to scan in seconds?
Candidates who win interviews are not the loudest.
They are the most:
Clear
Relevant
Credible
Your Dutch resume should reflect that.
Upload CV
Import from Linkedin
