In our previous blog, we talked about CV layout and why readability matters more than overly creative design. But once your CV is easy to scan, the next question becomes: what actually makes this candidate valuable?
Your CV skills and achievements are what separate you from other candidates – but for many expats, this is the hardest part to get right. A CV is not just a summary of where you have worked. It is also a reflection of how you work, what you contribute, and what kind of impact you have in a role. And when it comes to CV skills and achievements, this is where many CVs still fall short.
Responsibilities explain the role, not the value
A lot of CVs focus mainly on daily tasks. Things like answering customer inquiries, managing schedules, supporting projects, or coordinating communication. And while these responsibilities are important, they do not automatically show how well someone performed in the role.
That is where achievements make the difference.
Think about it from a recruiter’s perspective. When they are comparing two candidates with similar backgrounds, the one who shows impact is almost always more memorable than the one who lists tasks. Tasks tell a recruiter what the job involved. Achievements tell them what you specifically brought to it.
A stronger CV goes one step further by adding context and impact. Instead of simply saying “handled customer inquiries”, you can make it more meaningful by adding the volume of requests you managed, improvements in response time, contribution to customer satisfaction, or support during peak periods.
Even without exact numbers, impact can still be shown. Things like improving a process, supporting a team during a difficult period, taking on additional responsibility, or training a new colleague already help to clarify how you contributed beyond your job description. The goal is not to exaggerate – it is simply to give enough context that a recruiter can actually picture you in action.
Why this changes how your CV is read
These details help translate experience into something more concrete. Two candidates can have similar roles on paper, but present them in very different ways. One focuses on tasks. The other focuses on outcomes. And in practice, that difference changes how a profile is perceived.
It also makes the conversation easier later on. When your CV already shows the impact you had, it gives recruiters and hiring managers a natural starting point for interview questions. You are not just telling them what you did – you are already showing them why it mattered.
A CV becomes easier to assess when it shows not only what someone did, but also how effectively they did it. That is why getting your CV skills and achievements right changes everything about how your profile is perceived.
Skills as context, not repetition
For expats, the skills section is often where things become a long list of everything someone can do. Software tools, languages, methodologies, soft skills – all of it thrown together in the hope that something sticks.
But more is not always better.
A focused selection works much more effectively. Think about the role you are applying for and ask yourself which skills are actually relevant to it. Three or four well-chosen skills that connect directly to your experience will land better than a list of fifteen that feel disconnected.
Your skills should support your experience – not repeat it. If your bullet points already show that you managed a multilingual team, you don’t need to separately list “team management” and “multilingual communication” in a skills section. The experience speaks for itself.
This is especially important for international profiles. Skills like language abilities, adaptability, working in multicultural environments, or navigating new systems quickly are all genuinely valuable in the Dutch market. But they become much stronger when they are clearly connected to your experience rather than listed in isolation.
A word on soft skills
Soft skills are one of the trickiest parts of any CV. Everyone lists them, which means they have largely stopped meaning anything on their own. “Good communicator”, “team player”, “problem solver” – these phrases appear on almost every CV a recruiter reads.
That doesn’t mean soft skills aren’t important. It just means the way you present them matters.
The most effective approach is to show soft skills through your experience rather than listing them separately. If you managed a project across three countries under a tight deadline, that already demonstrates organisation, communication, and adaptability without you having to say so directly. Let the examples do the work.
And perhaps most importantly – be honest with yourself. If you prefer working independently and thrive in the background, do not list “excellent leadership skills” just because it sounds impressive. Recruiters will ask about these things in an interview, and if your answers do not match what your CV suggests, it creates doubt. The goal is not to present the most impressive version of yourself on paper. It is to present the most accurate one – so that when you do land the role, it is actually a good fit for you too.
Using job descriptions as a reference point
A practical way to refine your CV is to look at job descriptions on LinkedIn. Instead of guessing what companies might be looking for, you can use real job ads as a reference. Most of them clearly outline the skills, tools, and experience expected for a role.
If you already have some of these skills, it can be useful to reflect the same wording in your CV — as long as it stays accurate and natural. This is not about copying keywords. It is about understanding the language companies use and making sure your CV speaks in a similar way.
Over time, this helps your profile feel more aligned with what recruiters are actually searching for. And for expats who are still learning how roles are described in the Dutch market, it is one of the most practical tools available.
Next up: the finishing touches that bring everything together
Once your experience, structure, and achievements are in place, there are still a few final details that can make your CV feel complete and professional. In our next blog, we’ll look at the finishing touches – from references to small formatting checks – that often make the biggest difference in how polished your CV feels.
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