The Dutch CV is written with a clear, objective style, in chronological order and usually in just 1 page (A4 format). It basically consists of just facts and numbers. The reasons why the candidate is looking for a job and his or her skills for the position should be mentioned in the cover letter, not the CV. CVs should be printed and written in the third person.

The following information should be included (in the same order):

1. Personal information.
2. Studies (subjects, but not grades).
3. Working experience (with exact dates).
4. Hobbies.

Dutch companies give great importance to hobbies and other activities. That’s why they should be mentioned in the CV. It’s best to relate them to the position the candidate wants (for example, team sports mean team spirit, etc.).

It’s recommended to make changes to the CV for different positions.

In the Netherlands, it’s becoming more frequent to use a CV with an American format when the candidate has got an important working experience and particularly for candidates using the services of hiring agencies.

This kind of CV is less structured and sometimes shorter than the typical one. However, it can also consist of 3 to 5 pages.

The main differences are its order is not chronological and the professional goal is included, at the beginning or the end. Dates may be included but what should stand out are the candidate’s skills and experience.

Source : empleo.universia.es (Spanish version).