What details belong on a CV? And which to leave off
Name and phone number, you know that. But date of birth, full address, marital status? A practical checklist of what belongs on a Dutch CV and what you can safely cut.
Many CVs still contain details from a time when that was normal: date of birth, marital status, a full address, sometimes a photo. For a recruiter those rarely add anything, and sometimes they work against you. Below are seven items, from what always belongs on a CV to what you can leave off.
1. What always belongs: your name and how to reach you
Your full name, a phone number and an email address. Use a professional email address with your own name, not a nickname or birth year. A recruiter should be able to reach you within a few seconds.
2. Town yes, full address no
Your town is useful because it says something about commuting distance. A recruiter usually doesn't need your street and house number, and it's privacy-sensitive information on a document you send to many parties. If someone asks for it later, you can still provide it.
3. LinkedIn and portfolio: only if they're up to date
A clickable link to your LinkedIn profile is handy, because recruiters will look you up anyway. Just make sure your profile matches your CV. If you work in a creative or technical field, a link to your portfolio or GitHub is stronger than a long skills list.
4. Date of birth, nationality, marital status: usually not needed
In the Netherlands you don't have to put these details on your CV, and most employers no longer expect them. They can trigger unconscious bias that has nothing to do with your work. Only include them if the vacancy explicitly asks, or if it's relevant to the role, such as a work permit or driving licence. In our builder, address and date of birth sit under 'More details', completely optional.
5. Photo: better not
A photo isn't required in the Netherlands and works against you more often than for you. That's why our builder deliberately has no photo field. Read our separate article 'Photo on your CV: yes or no in 2026?' for the explanation and the exceptions.
6. What matters more and more: skills and certificates
Put your relevant skills in a short list and state your level for languages. If you work in a trade where diplomas and certificates count, such as engineering, construction or healthcare, VCA, first aid, a welding certificate or your driving licence belong prominently on your CV. That's exactly what the recruiter is looking at.
7. What you can cut: references, salary and 'Curriculum Vitae'
'References on request' is redundant, that goes without saying. Your salary expectation belongs in the interview or your letter, not on your CV. The heading 'Curriculum Vitae' at the top wastes space, because they can see for themselves that your CV is a CV. Keep hobbies only if they say something about the role, and high school doesn't need to be there if you studied further afterwards.
Fewer details, more room for what counts
Every detail you leave out makes room for something you're selling: your results and your skills. At CVontwerper you only fill in what's needed, without an account. Building and previewing is free, downloading as a PDF costs a one-time €2.
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