5/5review translated
“It was nice that I could upload my old CV, so I didn't have to type in all the details again. The system took it over well. On top of that, I can adjust the layout completely to my own taste.”
Esther, L
CorporateOctober 2026
Blog about job applications and your CV
Featured6 August 2026
Negotiating your terms of employment without awkwardness
Salary is just one part of the package. Here's how to prepare for the terms and conditions discussion and get the most out of it beyond your base salary.
19 September 2026
Writing a CV after 50: experience without looking dated
Your experience is your strongest card. But a CV that starts in 1994 makes an employer do the maths before they even start reading. Here's how to flip that around.
16 September 2026
Writing a CV with no work experience: what to include
An empty 'work experience' box feels like a problem. It isn't — you just have other things to show, and they belong in a different order.
10 September 2026
How long should a CV be? One, two or three pages
The rule is two pages, but the reason behind that rule matters more than the number. Here's how to know when one page is better and when three is acceptable.
5 September 2026
Tailoring your CV to the vacancy in ten minutes
Tailoring your CV for every job advert sounds like a lot of work. It isn't, once you know which three spots actually matter.
31 August 2026
Why is my CV being rejected? Four reasons
Twenty applications, zero invitations. It feels like a judgement on you, but it rarely is. These are the four reasons we see most often — and what to do about them.
30 August 2026
Working in the Netherlands as an EU worker: what to know
As an EU citizen you don't need a work permit and the Dutch job market is wide open to you. Here's what to arrange in advance, and the pitfalls you're better off knowing before you sign anything.
29 August 2026
How to make your CV stand out to employers
Recruiters don't read your CV from top to bottom—they scan it in a set pattern. This is what works in those first few seconds—and this is what makes you disappear into the pile.
25 August 2026
What should and shouldn't be on your CV? The checklist
Summary: • Photo: only professional, and not in countries like the UK or the US. • Stars and bars for skills are unreadable for ATS systems — use text labels instead. • A profile summary is fine, but keep it short and concrete — otherwise leave it out. • Date of birth and marital status no longer belong on a UK CV as standard. • "References available on request" is unnecessary unless specifically asked for.
6 August 2026
Applying for jobs abroad: adapting your CV
A CV format that works in the Netherlands can actually work against you in Germany or the US. Here are the differences by country, and how to adapt your CV accordingly.
6 August 2026
The story behind CV-Refresher
CV-Refresher was built by two people who reviewed CVs themselves on a daily basis. This is what stood out to them — and why they decided to do something about it.
6 August 2026
Not sure about a new job? What's holding you back
Three out of four Brits dream of a different job at some point, but most stay put. These are the doubts holding you back — and three small steps forward.
6 August 2026
Preparing for a job interview: walk in with confidence
Around 90% of the questions in a job interview can be anticipated in advance. With this four-step preparation, you'll walk in feeling confident.
6 August 2026
Writing a cover letter: 5 mistakes that halve your chances
Candidates who submit a cover letter are almost twice as likely to be invited for an interview. These are the five mistakes that ruin most letters.
6 August 2026
CV tips 2026: how to get past the ATS filter
Three-quarters of large Dutch employers filter CVs with AI before a human ever sees them. Here's how to make sure yours gets through that filter.
6 August 2026
Negotiating salary: don't leave money on the table
Sixty percent of employees never negotiate their salary. That costs an average of £3,000 to £8,000 a year. In four steps, learn how to get it right.
The library
This is where the application alpaca reads up on everything above. What should the next blog post be about?
Go on, click him. The books here are less steady than they look.