As an expat living in, or hoping to move to, the Netherlands, it is important to consider whether you should alter your CV to match the Dutch job market. There are no hard and fast rules about this, though it is important to note that there are more advantages than disadvantages to doing so.
Depending on where you are from, the Dutch CV may be slightly different or drastically different to what you are used to. Now, for all of our American readers out there, a CV in the Netherlands is known as a resume in the States. So there is no need to panic – with a few tweaks your resume will be up to the Dutch CV standard in no time!
Firstly, and this makes a Dutch CV quite different to that of many other countries in Europe, there is no need to include a photograph of yourself. In fact, according to an article in Science, including one might actually work against you (as it could be considered bad form). As well as this, personal details only need to be kept to the bare minimum: full name, current email address, home address, phone number, and Skype details if applicable. As an expat, it is also useful to include your nationality, the languages you are fluent in, and whether you hold a valid work permit. This ensures that the recruiter does not have to chase up these details or, worse, disregards your application entirely due to the lack of them.
From there, as with most resumes worldwide, a Dutch CV lists all relevant work experience in reverse chronological order. It is also important to include all educational qualifications and any relevant training courses you have completed (also in reverse chronological order).
The Dutch CV is a 1-2 page document that is direct and modest – there is no need to use ‘power words’ to sell yourself, which is a common feature of American resumes. Neither is there a need to include a motivation on your CV; this should be left to your cover letter. In keeping with this direct method, the best way to conform your CV to Dutch standards is to use bullet points when listing your prior responsibilities and tasks. This allows you to describe your work experience in short, snappy sentences without verbose or flowery language. However, Dutch recruiters do like to see leisure activities and civic responsibilities listed on your CV, as it gives a broader overview of who you are.
The advantages to conforming your CV to the Dutch market are that you have included all relevant information Dutch employees are looking for, and have also shown that you are willing and able to adapt to Dutch culture. The disadvantages of doing so are that you may not be able to include information you are used to providing and which potentially gives you an edge over other applicants. While it is common practice to remodel a CV to match that of the new country, it all comes down to this question: Will your CV be of poorer quality if you conform to the standard Dutch model? If the answer is yes, you may be better off using your current CV. However, in most cases, adjusting your CV to the Dutch market will work in your favour.
Kaylia Payne
References
http://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2005/02/dutch-first-impressions-cover-letters-and-cvs-netherlands