If you’re an expat living and looking for work in the Netherlands then there are some vital differences you should know about in regards to your job applications. In the Netherlands, as with most places in Europe, the norm is a CV rather than the resume which is commonly used in the United States amongst other countries. If you’re used to writing resumes, then this article will help you understand the crucial differences and additions your resume will require to make it into an impressive European-style CV that will help you secure a decent job in the Netherlands.

Length

The most obvious difference between a resume and CV is the length. While resumes are supposed to display your career headlines in a clear and concise way fitted on one page and tailored to the role you are applying for; a CV, while it should still be a summary rather than every detail of your work experience and academic career, can be a longer and more complete document of 1-3 pages long.

Contents

Aside from your work experience, contact details and skills list that are all commonly included on both CVs and resumes. A European-style CV usually includes additional info on your academic career and training, evening going back as far as secondary school in many cases (although if you have been out of school for a while don’t focus on this). Resumes tend to focus mainly on professional achievements, rather than the academic, so here are some of the key things you should discuss on your CV.

  • Work experience: companies, roles, employment periods, main tasks and references
  • Unpaid/voluntary experience
  • Educational background: universities, majors, courses, thesis, achievements, certifications and grades
  • Professional development and training
  • Hobbies, interests, sports and a little about your personal approach to work. Keep in mind that Dutch recruiters often place higher value than most on extracurricular and leisure activities if they are related to skills required for the role e.g. team sports can show your ability to work well with others and pull together as a team
  • Personal info including your name, nationality, contact details and a link to your LinkedIn profile (if you have one)
Layout

When considering the layout of your CV, for most job roles you should start with your skills and then focus on your work experience, listing your jobs and experience working backwards chronologically. It’s a good idea to break up your descriptions into bullet points to make everything as clear and comprehensible as possible.

Function

For those coming from the US a CV is pretty much used for the same purposes as a resume and is simply the word used in Europe. However, it is worth mentioning that for academic and research-based roles a CV is used as a more comprehensive academic diary, rather than a resume which is more of a work experience summary. So, depending on the roles you are applying for, your CV may be required to be a very different type of document.

Have your CV checked

Before you begin sending out your completed CV to prospective employers it is always a good idea to get it checked over by someone you trust. This could be a recruiter who’s been helping you find work, a friend in a similar line of work or an old boss, family member or colleague. In addition, there are numerous online tools and spell checkers that can help a great deal.

Although CVs and resumes often fulfil the same purpose, if you don’t have a CV you will be required to adapt or rewrite your resume to give you the best chance of landing your dream job. Luckily, for those of you with a resume already, converting it into a CV is usually not too difficult and, as CVs can be longer, you should find it easier to write more details and elaborate on what makes you the best person for the job. Check out this article for more differences between a CV and a resume.

Recently Posted on XPat.nl

If you’re an expat living and looking for work in the Netherlands then there are some vital differences you should know about in regards to your job applications. In the Netherlands, as with most places in Europe, the norm is a CV rather than the resume which is commonly used in the United States amongst … Continue reading "The Difference Between a Resume and a CV"
It is that time of year again; the new and annually-updated version of The Holland Handbook is here and ready to be enjoyed! Not only that, but this is the 24th edition! More than twenty years ago, a modest group of three people sat around a table to discuss the possibility of creating a handbook … Continue reading "The Holland Handbook 2024"
Taxes are always complicated. If you have moved to the Netherlands from another country, they can be especially confusing! Many expats carry out business, and therefore earn an income, internationally. This makes what they get taxed on, and by whom, a complex matter. To figure out your own personal tax liability, your residency status and … Continue reading "Dutch Taxes"
The 30%-ruling is a tax advantage, created for employees who are posted or recruited from abroad, to work in the Netherlands. The purpose of this advantage is to cover all the various costs they incur, as a result of moving their lives oversees to. This can be a real blessing to expats! In order to … Continue reading "Dutch 30%-ruling Tax Facility"
Following the legendary previous 8 editions of The UnDutchables, the 9th edition of this all time best seller (more than 300,000 copies sold since 1999) is now available in the Netherlands. The UnDutchables takes an in-depth humorous look at Dutch life, quirks and character. With subjects varying from coffee drinking habits to child rearing, from … Continue reading "The UnDutchables 9.0"
Hello there, future Dutchie! Do you plan to move to Amsterdam or somewhere else in our beautiful country to work or live there? And are you going to stay for more than 90 days? Then you are in the right place! Because when you move to the Netherlands, there are some things you need to … Continue reading "This is your checklist for moving to the Netherlands"

The Holland Handbook 2024

It is that time of year again; the new and annually-updated version of The ...

Dutch Taxes

Taxes are always complicated. If you have moved to the Netherlands from another country they ...

The UnDutchables 9.0

Following the legendary previous eight editions of The UnDutchables, the 9th edition of this all ...

Making the most of your Dutch home

Whether you are renting, staying in a long-term AirBNB or have just bought a ...

Gift giving in the Netherlands-all ...

If you feel like skipping your birthday, you may be in for a challenge when ...

10 things you will find in every Du ...

The Dutch are very fond of houseplants, the more the merrier! You will find the ...

Obtaining a Mortgage as an Expat in ...

Obtaining a mortgage as an expat in the Netherlands can be a complex process, as ...

Help me move to the Netherlands!

Obviously, the decision to move to the Netherlands is not one to be taken lightly ...

The Impact of Technology on Educati ...

Education is unending and pivotal in society. Technology is one of the most dynamic entities ...

Five Renovation Tips to Increase yo ...

Learn how much home renovations cost – and which repairs increase the home value, and which ...