International CVsJun 21, 2026

Belgium CV format: language, photo and Belgian resume rules

Prepare a Belgium CV for Dutch, French or English roles with clear personal-data choices, local language fit and recruiter-friendly evidence.

Belgium CV format guide

Belgium is a multilingual CV market. Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels differ in language expectations, public employment services and employer habits. The biggest mistake is sending one English CV everywhere without Dutch or French localisation.

Quick format comparison

Item	Recommended approach	Why it matters
Document name	CV, adapted by region and language market.	The label should match the local recruiter expectation.
Length	Usually one to two pages unless the role is academic, federal, senior technical or dossier-based.	Length affects scan speed and first impressions.
Photo	Photo is optional; omit it for international or bias-sensitive applications.	Photo expectations vary, but privacy-safe international practice is usually stronger.
Personal details	Do not include national registry number or sensitive identity details.	Sensitive details can create bias or privacy risk before they help.
Structure	Profile, recent experience, achievements, education, skills, languages and local eligibility.	The first page should prove fit before listing everything.
File format	PDF unless the employer system asks for another format.	PDF keeps the layout stable after upload.
Cover letter	Cover letters are useful when changing region, language market, sector or seniority level.	A short letter can explain context the CV cannot show.

Local rules that change the CV

Make a language matrix visible near the top for Brussels and international roles.
Use Dutch for Flanders and French for Wallonia where the advert is local-language.
Do not assume English-only is enough outside international employers.

Personal information: include, omit or move to the form

Field	Recommended handling	Reason
Phone and email	Use one professional email, phone number, city or region, LinkedIn and portfolio where relevant.	Recruiters need contact and location context, not a personal dossier.
Photo	Photo is optional; omit it for international or bias-sensitive applications.	Avoid making appearance a screening factor unless the employer explicitly requires it for a lawful reason.
Age, birth date and family	Omit unless a trusted official form requires it later.	These details rarely prove ability and can increase bias risk.
Address	City, region or country is enough for most applications.	A full street address is usually unnecessary before offer or onboarding.
ID numbers	Do not include national registry number or sensitive identity details.	Identity documents belong in secure onboarding or regulated employer forms, not the public CV.
Salary	Avoid current salary. Expected salary should appear only if requested, preferably in a form or short note.	Salary history can weaken negotiation and is not proof of fit.
Work rights	State work rights or permit status at a high level when it affects eligibility.	It answers recruiter concerns without exposing documents.

What recruiters need to see first

Application type	Evidence to show	Where to place it
Flanders	Dutch language, local employer terms and VDAB-style keywords.	Put this in the profile, first two experience entries and skills section.
Wallonia	French CV wording, regional mobility and sector vocabulary.	Put this in the profile, first two experience entries and skills section.
Brussels	Multilingual work level, EU/international exposure and commute fit.	Put this in the profile, first two experience entries and skills section.

Education, hobbies and volunteer work

List degrees, professional qualifications, language levels and regionally recognised credentials.

Volunteer work is useful when it proves leadership, service, community trust, language ability, event delivery or sector commitment. Hobbies should be brief and professional, and only included when they add evidence for the role.

Cover letter guidance

Cover letters are useful when changing region, language market, sector or seniority level.

A good cover letter for Belgium should not repeat the CV. Use it to explain why this employer, why this role, why you can work in this market, and one or two proof points that connect your background to the advert.

AIResume field mapping

AIResume field	How to use it	CV rule
Job preference	Write a target role and sector, not only a broad category.	A precise headline helps both ATS and human review.
Experience	Put years in the profile only when achievements support it.	Years alone are weak without proof.
Current salary	Keep hidden from the CV.	It is negotiation data, not selection evidence.
Expected salary	Use only when the employer asks, outside the main CV body if possible.	It prevents the CV from becoming a salary document.
Education	List degrees, professional qualifications, language levels and regionally recognised credentials.	Only include education that helps the recruiter judge fit.
Hobbies and volunteer work	Use only as evidence of service, leadership, community, languages or sector commitment.	This turns optional sections into proof, not decoration.

Source links and further checking

How to use AIResume

Create one international master CV, duplicate it for Belgium, remove risky personal details, localise the headline and first-page evidence, then export a PDF unless the employer requests another format.