PDF Guides
Job Application PDF Preparation for the Dutch Job Market
Dutch job boards and employer application portals — from LinkedIn and Indeed to a company's own careers page — almost always expect a CV (and often a motivation letter) as a PDF. It keeps the layout fixed no matter what device or software the reader opens it with.
Why PDF over Word
A Word document's layout can shift depending on the fonts installed on the reader's computer or the software they use to open it. A PDF looks identical everywhere — what you export is exactly what the employer sees.
How to prepare your CV and motivation letter
The cleanest result comes from exporting directly from the document you wrote it in.
- Export directly to PDF from Word or Google Docs, rather than printing to PDF or scanning a printed copy
- Check both documents open correctly and the formatting looks right before submitting
- Compress a document if it's unexpectedly large — a CV template with a background graphic can bloat the file well beyond what's needed
- Combine your CV and motivation letter into a single PDF if the application only accepts one attachment
Frequently asked questions
Should I combine my CV and motivation letter into one file?
If the application only allows one attachment, yes — merge them into a single PDF with your motivation letter first, followed by your CV, or whatever order the employer requests.
Will a large CV file cause problems with an application portal?
Some portals have upload size limits, and a design-heavy CV template can unexpectedly exceed them. Compressing before submitting avoids the issue.
Is my CV uploaded to a server when I convert or merge it here?
No. Both tools run entirely in your browser, so your documents never leave your device before you submit them yourself.