CV, Not Resume
In the Netherlands, employers ask for a CV, not a resume.
The two words describe slightly different documents in American hiring culture, but in Dutch job ads “CV” is simply the standard term for the document that lists your education, work history and skills.
Using the word “resume” on a Dutch application will not hurt you, but the document itself needs to follow local conventions if it is going to get read.
What a Dutch CV Looks Like
Dutch CVs tend to be one to two pages, reverse-chronological, and more detailed on personal information than an American resume.
It is common to include a photo, date of birth and nationality, especially outside international companies.
List language levels explicitly (native, fluent, intermediate) since Dutch employers weigh English and Dutch ability directly against the role.
Keep formatting plain and consistent; recruiters scan dozens of these a day.
Always Send a Cover Letter
A Dutch application is expected to include a tailored cover letter alongside the CV, not the CV alone.
Reuse language from the job posting itself where it genuinely applies to your experience, since that is how a recruiter or an applicant-tracking system confirms a match.
A generic, unedited cover letter sent to multiple employers is easy to spot and is treated as a weak application.
Working With a Recruiter
Recruitment agencies fill a large share of Amsterdam vacancies, including many roles that do not require Dutch language skills, which makes them a practical route for newcomers.
Agencies typically ask for a CV or online profile first, but following up by phone or email afterward makes a stronger impression than applying online and waiting.
Tailor the CV to each agency’s specialism if you can; a firm that places finance or tech roles wants different signals than a generalist one.
How to Choose a Recruiter in Amsterdam covers how to pick one that fits your sector and experience level.
The NGO and Nonprofit Route
Amsterdam and The Hague host a large concentration of Dutch and international NGOs, including organizations such as Greenpeace, Oxfam Novib, Doctors Without Borders and UNICEF Netherlands, alongside intergovernmental bodies like the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
Many of these organizations hire internationally and post vacancies directly on their own sites rather than through general job boards.
A CV aimed at an NGO role should foreground relevant volunteer work, language skills and any experience with development, humanitarian or advocacy work, since hiring panels in this sector read for mission fit as much as technical skill.
Working for a Nonprofit or NGO in Amsterdam: Where to Look goes through where these organizations post their openings.
Before You Apply Anywhere
Before sending a single application, it helps to understand how the Amsterdam job market is actually structured for English speakers, which sectors hire internationally and which require Dutch fluency.
Finding A Job In Amsterdam: What To Do First lays out those first steps in order.
Getting the CV format right and picking the correct route in -- recruiter, direct application or NGO -- matters more in the Netherlands than in many other countries, because Dutch hiring processes are comparatively formal and paper-based at the first stage.
