How recruiters in the Netherlands scan your CV
Recruiters mainly ask: can this candidate perform the role in our language environment? Your CV should answer that in the first screen.
Be explicit about English fluency, current Dutch level, and collaboration context in previous roles.
A clear language-positioning line often improves callbacks more than cosmetic CV changes.
Recommended CV layout and section order
Use this order: contact details, summary, work experience, education, skills, and optional certifications/languages.
One page is ideal for early-career candidates; two pages are acceptable for strong, role-relevant experience.
- Keep section headings clear and dates consistent.
- Place highest-impact bullets in your most recent role.
- Use clean typography and spacing for ATS and recruiter readability.
Write stronger summary and achievement bullets
Avoid generic claims like "hard-working team player." Replace them with action and outcome statements.
For experienced candidates, focus on business outcomes, process improvements, and ownership scope.
- Reduced turnaround time by redesigning workflow and removing handoff delays.
- Improved quality by introducing clear review checkpoints and escalation rules.
- Increased delivery predictability through weekly planning and milestone tracking.
Example bullet structure
- Action: what you changed or built.
- Scope: team, process, customers, or budget affected.
- Outcome: measurable result or visible quality improvement.
Keyword and ATS strategy
Mirror the vacancy language in your summary, experience, and skills. This improves ATS pass-through and human scan relevance.
For English applications in the Netherlands, keep language clear and simple while still matching local role terminology.
- Use role terms from the vacancy plus clear language indicators (English C1/C2, Dutch A2/B1/B2).
- Include collaboration and communication outcomes to prove real-world effectiveness.
- Avoid vague statements like "basic Dutch"; use specific level and learning progress.
Final pre-apply quality check
Before submitting, verify that your CV is tailored to this specific vacancy, not a generic copy.
Small edits in title wording, top bullets, and keywords can materially improve interview conversion.
- Role fit is obvious in first two lines.
- Each recent role includes outcome-focused bullets.
- Language, terminology, and file naming are fully professional.
Quick checklist
- ✓Language levels are explicit and credible.
- ✓Target role fit is visible despite Dutch-language constraints.
- ✓Top bullets demonstrate collaboration in multilingual contexts.
- ✓Vacancy terminology is mirrored in summary and experience.
- ✓CV remains concise, ATS-safe, and role-specific.
- ✓Any visa/work permit context is stated clearly when relevant.
- ✓Final version is tailored per vacancy, not generic.
FAQ
Can I get hired in the Netherlands with limited Dutch?+
Yes, especially in international teams. You need clear role fit, strong outcomes, and transparent language-level positioning.
Should I mention Dutch level if it is low?+
Yes. Honest, specific levels plus active improvement plans build more trust than vague claims.
Which roles are more open to English CVs?+
Many tech, data, product, and international customer-facing roles, depending on company setup and team language.
What is the biggest mistake?+
Hiding language context. Recruiters prefer a clear, realistic language profile with strong role evidence.
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