Free Dutch CV Template for Expats

Click any field on the CV below to edit it, then hit "Save as PDF." Here's what Dutch recruiters actually care about.

What they expect

  • Photo — Optional. Some Dutch recruiters still expect one, but more companies are dropping it for anti-discrimination reasons. If you include one, keep it professional. If you skip it, no one will hold it against you at most international companies.
  • Personal details — Nationality, city, work permit status. Feels odd if you're from the US/UK, but it's standard here.
  • 1-2 pages max — Under 5 years experience? One page. More than that? Two pages, never three.
  • Profile statement — 2-3 lines about who you are. Recruiters scan this first and decide whether to keep reading.
  • Languages section — Even A1 Dutch is worth mentioning. It shows you're making an effort.

The 5 mistakes to avoid

  • Not adapting to the local format — A CV that looks like it was written for a different country signals you haven't done your research. Small details matter.
  • Wrong format — US resumes and UK one-pagers look foreign here. Use a Dutch layout like this one.
  • Skipping the motivatiebrief — Most Dutch applications need a separate cover letter. A real one, not "please find attached."
  • Vague bullet points — "Responsible for sales" says nothing. "Grew revenue by 25% in 6 months" gets interviews.
  • Ignoring LinkedIn — Recruiters here check your LinkedIn before they read your CV. Make sure they match.
Pro tip: Always send your CV as a PDF. Name it CV-Firstname-Lastname.pdf — not resume-final-v3-UPDATED.docx. And yes, recruiters really do judge you for this.
Maria Silva
Marketing Manager — Digital Strategy & Content

Profile

Marketing professional with 7 years of experience in digital strategy, content marketing, and team leadership. Moved to the Netherlands in 2024. Experienced across Latin American and European markets, with a track record of growing organic traffic and building high-performing content teams. Looking for a role where I can bring a data-driven, international perspective.

Work Experience

Senior Marketing Manager
TechCorp — Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Led a team of 5 across content, email, and performance marketing
  • Increased qualified leads by 40% through a restructured content funnel
  • Managed a monthly budget of $50K across Google Ads and Meta
  • Launched the company blog, growing organic traffic from 2K to 18K monthly visits in 14 months
Marketing Specialist
StartupHub — Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Ran end-to-end email campaigns for a 30K+ subscriber base
  • Improved open rates from 18% to 32% by A/B testing subject lines and send times
  • Coordinated go-to-market launches with product and sales teams
Marketing Intern
Creative Agency Co — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Managed social media for 8 client accounts
  • Built weekly performance reports in Google Analytics

Education

BSc Marketing & Communications
Universidade de Sao Paulo — Sao Paulo, Brazil
Google Analytics Certification
Google
Dutch Language Course (A2)
Taalhuis Amsterdam