Landing a Dutch job usually starts with two documents: a CV and a sollicitatiebrief (cover letter). Both follow local conventions that differ a little from other countries. Here is how to write the ones that get you to the interview.
The CV: concise and structured
A Dutch CV is short (1-2 pages) and clearly sectioned. As application guides note, include:
| Section | Dutch |
|---|---|
| Contact details | persoonlijke gegevens |
| Short summary | profiel / persoonlijk profiel |
| Work experience (reverse order) | werkervaring |
| Education | opleiding |
| Skills | vaardigheden / competenties |
| Languages | talen |
| (Optional) interests | hobby’s |
Two cultural notes: a photo and date of birth are common but optional, and you do not state marital status, religion, or a national-insurance number. List werkervaring and opleiding in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
The sollicitatiebrief (cover letter)
The sollicitatiebrief (also motivatiebrief) is a focused half-page to one page that says why this role and why you, with concrete examples, not a re-list of your CV. Structure:
- Open: Geachte heer/mevrouw (or a name), referencing the vacature.
- Why you want the role and the company.
- Why you fit, with one or two concrete achievements.
- Close: Met vriendelijke groet, + your name.
This builds directly on writing formal emails with Geachte/Beste and is the written cousin of the Dutch job interview. For study applications, the same skill powers a master’s motivation letter.
Dutch or English?
It depends on the job:
- International companies / English-language roles: an English application is usually fine.
- Dutch-facing roles: expect Dutch.
Match the language and tone of the vacancy. Newcomer career guides like IamExpat and the Rijksoverheid work pages cover application norms and your right to work, and Onze Taal has guidance on the formal openings and sign-offs.
The vocabulary
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| de vacature | vacancy |
| solliciteren | to apply |
| de sollicitatie | the application |
| de werkervaring | work experience |
| de opleiding | education |
| de vaardigheden | skills |
| bijlage | attachment |
You typically apply per e-mail or via a portal, attaching your CV and brief as a bijlage (often PDF).
Where it connects
The application pairs with the Dutch job interview, talking about your job, a master’s motivation letter, and getting your foreign diploma recognised to back up your opleiding.
The bottom line
A Dutch application is a concise CV (1-2 pages: profiel, werkervaring, opleiding, vaardigheden, talen; photo optional, no marital status) plus a tailored sollicitatiebrief (why this role, why you, Geachte heer/mevrouw to Met vriendelijke groet). Apply in Dutch or English to match the vacature. Tailor both to each job, and you will get past the first filter.
Learn it in five minutes a day
Learn Dutch For Expats is an app, available on the App Store, that teaches the job-application vocabulary, CV, sollicitatiebrief, werkervaring, opleiding, vaardigheden, in five-minute lessons built on real applications, so your CV and cover letter fit Dutch conventions.
Frequently asked questions
What goes on a Dutch CV?
Keep it concise (1-2 pages): persoonlijke gegevens (contact details), a short profiel or persoonlijk profiel (a few lines summarising you), werkervaring (work experience in reverse chronological order), opleiding (education), vaardigheden (skills), talen (languages), and optionally hobby’s. A photo and date of birth are common but optional in the Netherlands, and you do not include marital status or religion. Tailor it to the specific vacature (vacancy).
What is a ‘sollicitatiebrief’?
A sollicitatiebrief (also motivatiebrief) is the cover letter accompanying your CV. It is a focused half-page to one page explaining why you want this specific role and why you fit it, with concrete examples, not a repeat of your CV. Open with Geachte heer/mevrouw (or a name if you have it), reference the vacancy, make your case, and close with Met vriendelijke groet and your name. Tailor it to each job.
Do I need to apply in Dutch, and can I include a photo?
It depends on the job: many roles, especially at international companies, accept English applications, while Dutch-facing roles expect Dutch, so follow the vacancy. A photo and date of birth on a CV are normal in the Netherlands but entirely optional, and leaving them off is fine. You should not state marital status, nationality details beyond work eligibility, or religion. When in doubt, match the language and tone of the job posting.
What is the best app to learn Dutch for job applications?
Learn Dutch For Expats, an app available on the App Store, is the best pick because it teaches the application vocabulary you need, CV, sollicitatiebrief, werkervaring, opleiding, vaardigheden, vacature, in five-minute real-situation lessons, so your Dutch CV and cover letter match local conventions and get you to the interview.
