Country guides / Netherlands
Dutch CV Format Guide 2026
What does a Netherlands cv look like in 2026?
In 2026, a Netherlands cv is 1–2 A4 pages; 1 preferred if it fits. Photo: Traditional but declining; skip it for tech/international. Personal details: DOB still common, increasingly omitted. Dates: 03-2020 – heden. Language: English widely accepted; Dutch for local firms.
Dutch CVs are direct and factual: the culture distrusts overselling. One to two A4 pages, plain statements of what you did, a hobbies line, and increasingly no photo at international employers.
This guide covers exactly how a Netherlands cv should look in 2026: the right length, whether to include a photo, which personal details belong on it, the date format, and the mistakes that get applications rejected. When you are ready, the free GlobeResume Netherlands resume builder applies every one of these rules for you.
Netherlands CV rules at a glance
| Rule | Netherlands convention |
|---|---|
| Length | 1–2 A4 pages; 1 preferred if it fits |
| Photo | Traditional but declining; skip it for tech/international |
| Personal details | DOB still common, increasingly omitted |
| Dates | 03-2020 – heden |
| Language | English widely accepted; Dutch for local firms |
| Tone | Sober and factual, no superlatives |
How to write a Netherlands CV: 5 steps
- Set up the Netherlands layout. Start from a Netherlands-correct layout (1–2 a4 pages; 1 preferred if it fits). The free GlobeResume builder loads it automatically when you pick Netherlands.
- Add the expected personal details. Include exactly what Netherlands recruiters expect. The convention: DOB still common, increasingly omitted. Add a professional photo near the top.
- Write your experience with local date formats. List roles in reverse-chronological order and write dates as "03-2020 – heden".
- Order the sections the Netherlands way. Follow the section order shown below, so the document reads the way local hiring teams expect.
- Check the do's and don'ts, then export. Review your cv against the checklist on this page and download it as a clean PDF.
What to put in a Netherlands CV
A Netherlands cv is typically built from these sections, in this order:
- Profile
- Work Experience
- Education
- Skills
- Certifications
- Languages
- Interests
What makes it specifically Netherlands:
- A professional photo near the top of the page.
- Your date of birth.
✓ Do
- Be direct: plain facts, concrete results
- Keep it short; Dutch recruiters skim fast
- Include a hobbies/interests line; it's customary
- State Dutch/English proficiency clearly
- Apply in English confidently at international companies
✕ Don't
- American-style self-promotion ("world-class", "guru")
- Overly designed layouts
- Leaving language skills out
- Long paragraphs of prose
- Inflated titles; modesty is credibility here
💡 The Dutch value 'doe maar gewoon' (just act normal). A CV that overstates reads as untrustworthy, not impressive.
Netherlands CV FAQ
- How long should a Netherlands cv be?
- 1–2 A4 pages; 1 preferred if it fits
- Should a Netherlands cv include a photo?
- Traditional but declining; skip it for tech/international
- What personal details go on a Netherlands cv?
- DOB still common, increasingly omitted
- What date format should a Netherlands cv use?
- 03-2020 – heden
- Which language should I write my Netherlands cv in?
- English widely accepted; Dutch for local firms
- Can I build a Netherlands cv for free?
- Yes. The free GlobeResume builder applies every rule on this page automatically, previews your cv live, and exports to PDF. No login or signup is required, and everything runs in your browser, so your data never leaves your device. Paid plans add watermark-free downloads and editable Word (.docx) export.
Build your Netherlands CV
GlobeResume's free Netherlands resume builder does the formatting for you. Pick Netherlands, fill in one form, and it lays out your cv with the correct length, sections, date format, photo and details, previewed live and ready to download as PDF or Word. It runs entirely in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.
No sign-up. The builder pre-loads every Netherlands convention from this guide.