CV and Job Interview the Dutch Way: Short, Factual, Honest

A Dutch agency does not need a nicely written CV of several pages. It needs to see in two minutes whether you can do the job they are looking for someone for. The interview is also shorter and more direct than you may be used to at home. If you know the Dutch style, you have a much better chance of getting a call back.

The Dutch style in short

At work the Dutch are direct and practical. They do not value big words, they value facts. This is true for both the CV and the interview.

• Short: one page, two at most.
• Factual: what you did, where, for how long, on which machines.
• Honest: if you cannot do something, say so. They value this more than exaggeration.

How to build your CV

A good CV for a Dutch agency looks like this:

1. Personal details

Name, phone number (with the international code), email address, where you live now. If you have a driving licence, write the categories here. A photo is not required, but if you add one, keep it simple and neat.

2. Short introduction

Two or three sentences: who you are, what your trade is, how much experience you have, and when you can start. For example: "I am a welder, I work with the MIG/MAG process on steel structures. I can start in the Netherlands in two weeks."

3. Work experience

In reverse order, starting with your most recent job. For each job:

• from when to when,
• company name and country,
• job title,
• in 2-4 points, what you did exactly (machines, materials, processes, vehicles).

4. Papers and qualifications

Trade certificate, qualifications, driving licence, forklift or other licences, safety exams. These are very important to Dutch agencies, so do not hide them at the bottom of the page.

5. Languages

Be realistic. For example: "English: good, I can manage at work", "Dutch: basic". If you do not speak English, write that too, because there are jobs where this is not a problem.

What to leave out

• Long details about school if they have nothing to do with the job.
• Hobbies, unless they matter for the work.
• General sentences like "I am a team player, I work well under pressure". Everyone writes these.
• Exaggerations. If you only worked on a machine a few times, do not write that you are an expert.

Language matters too. If you can, write your CV in English, because many people working at Dutch agencies do not speak your language. Simple, short sentences are enough; what matters is that it is clear. If you are unsure, ask someone you know to check it.

The phone interview

Dutch agencies often do not start with a face-to-face interview, but with a short phone or video call. It can take just a few minutes. Sometimes they agree on a time in advance, sometimes they just call.

Some tips:

• Answer unknown Dutch numbers too, if you have applied somewhere. If you cannot answer, call back the same day.
• Talk from a quiet place, if you can.
• Keep your CV at hand, so you do not have to remember dates by heart.
• Take notes: pay, location, start date, the contact person's name.

What do they typically ask?

Question	How to answer
What did you do at your last job?	Be specific: machine, material, task, for how long.
How much experience do you have in this field?	Exactly how many years, without rounding up.
When can you start?	A realistic date that you can really keep.
Which languages do you speak?	Honestly, at your real level.
Do you have a driving licence, a car?	Yes or no, and which category.
Have you worked in the Netherlands before?	If yes, where and for how long.
Will you do night or weekend shifts?	Say in advance if something does not work for you.

In the Dutch labour market there are big shortages in many trades. According to the UWV, there are especially few people in technical jobs, for example electricians, mechanics and plumbers. If you have a trade like this, do not undersell yourself in the interview.

What should you ask?

The interview is your chance too. Ask about:

• the gross hourly wage, and roughly how much is left net,
• the hours per week,
• the housing: price, how many people share a room, is there a separate rental contract,
• travel,
• the exact start date and place.

If you do not get clear answers to these, ask them to send it to you in writing.

Typical mistakes

1. A CV that is too long. If they have to read three pages, the main points get lost.
2. Missing dates. Agencies want to see when and for how long you worked.
3. Exaggerating your language skills. It becomes clear on the first call, and it makes a bad impression.
4. Not answering the phone and not calling back. This way you are easily left out, because the agency calls the next applicant.
5. An unclear start date. If you say "maybe next month", they will rather choose someone else.
6. Not asking anything. This is not politeness, it is a risk: this way you do not find out what you are signing up for.

Where to start

Once your CV is ready, look through the job ads. On Eyesonworks.eu you can filter by trade, housing and net weekly pay, and you always reach the agency's original job ad, where you can apply directly. It is a good idea to apply to several places at once and compare the offers.

Keep a ready CV in PDF format on your phone too, so you can send it quickly when they ask.

In short

• A Dutch CV is short (1-2 pages), factual and focused on the actual job.
• Put your papers, qualifications and driving licence where they are easy to see.
• The phone interview is short: be reachable, answer specifically and honestly.
• Ask your own questions about pay, hours, housing and travel.
• One of the biggest mistakes is not calling the agency back.