How do you make a good CV?
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A CV is a summary of your experience, education and talents. Employers in the Netherlands use a CV to determine who they invite for an interview. In this article you will read tips on how to make a good CV.
A good CV has 6 sections
1. Personal information
Put this at the top of your CV:
Name
Place of residence
Telephone number
Email address
Languages
Write what languages you speak. For example:
Dutch
English
Arabic/Ukrainian
2. Personal profile
Write 2 to 4 sentences about yourself. Say who you are, what you can do, what kind of work you are looking for. Use the personal profile mainly to show what your strengths and preferences are.
Customise this text for each job posting.
Example 1: I am a motivated employee with experience in logistics work. I work accurately and arrive on time. I can cooperate well and work independently.
Example 2: In recent years, I have had multiple experiences in production work. I am reliable and have great concentration. I like to use my knowledge and skills to do the job well.
3. Work experience
List your work experience here, including work from your country of origin. Start with your last job. For each job, write:
Company or organisation
Country (if the work was not in the Netherlands)
Period
Role and a brief explanation of your duties
4. Education and courses
List your education and courses, including those taken abroad. Start with the last course.
Have you taken a course in the Netherlands, such as civic integration or language classes? Please include this as well.
5. Skills and competencies
These are the things you are good at. They may be tasks, but may also be social skills.
Examples:
Language skills: Dutch, Arabic or English
Digitally proficient
Collaboration
Reliable and flexible
6. Other activities: Hobbies and volunteer work
Hobbies are not required. Volunteer work is important though and is always allowed on your CV. Examples:
Volunteering in a community centre
Helping with activities for children
Playing sports in a team.
This is what a good CV looks like
A good CV is clear and has a good structure. Note the following points:
The CV should be a maximum of 1 to 2 pages
Use clear headings
Write short and clear sentences
Check your CV for spelling errors
What should you not do in your CV?
Avoid these mistakes:
An unstructured or untidy CV
Too long a CV with too much information
Unclear or incorrect information
An unprofessional email address
Getting started with your CV
A good CV is short, clear and well structured. Your CV shows who you are, what you can do and what experience you have. Use the six sections and customise your CV for each job opening. Check your CV for errors and make sure you have clear information.