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How To Write A Résumé in French Posted by Transparent Language on Mar 25, 2010 in Grammar , Vocabulary

Are you thinking about trying to get a job in a French-speaking country?  It would be a great language learning-experience, that’s for sure!  If you are, then you will need to know a few important things about writing a résumé for your prospective employer(s).

1. The first order of business? Résumé literally means “summary”, so you should never submit a résumé to a French-speaking employer. Instead, submit un C.V. (curriculum vitae). The word résumé has been adopted in English to refer to job application documents, but in French the common terminology is un C.V.

2. A proper French “résumé” (again, C.V.) requires a fair amount of  si tuation personnelle et état civil ( personal information). Oftentimes pictures and other extraneous information is needed more so than you may be accustomed to in other parts of the world. Examples of this are providing your  nationalité (citizenship) or s ituation de famille ( marital status).  For the latter, you may include célibataire (single), marié(e) (married),  divorcé(e) (divorced), or  veuf /veuve (widowed).  Âge (age) might also be useful, or simply your date de naissance (date of birth).

3. The contact information part is fairly simple, but critical. A well-written French C.V. has your numéro de téléphone (phone number) in as many varieties as possible — portable (cell phone, mobile); domicile (home phone); bureau (work phone) — as well as your adresse e-mail (email) .

4. The meat of your C.V. will include brief sections for e xpérience professionnelle (work experience), f ormation (education background), c onnaissances: linguistiques et informatiques (skills: languages and technology), your  p roject professionnel or o bjectif (career goals), centres d’intérêt, passe-temps, loisirs, activités personnelles/extra-professionnelles (i nterests, pastimes, leisure Activities, hobbies).

5. For describing your level of language mastery, it is always best to be honest. If you happen to get an interview, your employer wouldn’t want to be taken off guard so it pays to be conservative here. Below are some helpful qualifiers:

Maîtrise convenable, Bonnes connaissances: Intermediate:

Lu, écrit, parlé: proficient

Courant: fluent

Bilingue: bilingual

Langue maternelle: native language

6. I’ve found it’s useful on any C.V. to put your références (references/referees) and their  nom et coordonnées (name and position).

7. Since there are a plethora of ways to format your r ésumé in French-speaking countries, I’ve provided a link of some examples for your convenience.

Bonne chance!

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About the Author: Transparent Language

Transparent Language is a leading provider of best-practice language learning software for consumers, government agencies, educational institutions, and businesses. We want everyone to love learning language as much as we do, so we provide a large offering of free resources and social media communities to help you do just that!

very very helpful – thank you!

I really like the way this was put together. The inclusion of immediate English translations was useful. The link to examples was also a nice touch.

Keep on blogging.

Interesting things about how to write a resume

myfrenchresume.com:

My French Resume ( http://www.myfrenchresume.com ) translates and adapts your resume and cover letter to french standards. Get the free ebook “10 Innovative ways to find a job in France” !

Thanks a lot for your help. It is very useful!

That was very helpful

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Dive Into Expert Guides to Enhance your Resume

The French Resume

Get an effective French resume with this how-to guide

Learn how to write a French resume with our expert advice and templates.

First things first,  writing a resume  for a French-speaking position is not the same as crafting a standard American resume. Nor does the word resume even apply!

Résumé in French means summary  and when it comes to applying for a job in the French-speaking world, you will be required to  apply with a CV: a Curriculum Vitae .

Candidates who apply with a well-written  French resume  will often have the advantage .

The following guide will give you a few key pointers on  how to write a  French resume  to ensure your application makes it to the top of the pile.

French Resume Example

A sure-fire method of  creating a  French CV  that suits the requirements of the typical format  and content is by using a French resume example that demonstrates what areas are most important to highlight and how to structure the document correctly.

A good example can help you find useful  French resume  phrases  that can be worked into your own customized job application.

Take a look at the following example to get an idea of how a French resume looks:

Aurélie Gérard

[email protected] | 75008 Paris | +33 6 15 52 33 97

Commerciale avec plus de 5 ans d’expérience, apte à gérer toutes sortes d’opérations internationales. Dotée de grandes connaissances linguistiques et culturelles pour améliorer les relations avec les clients à l’étranger. Méthodique, organisée et productive.

Expériences

Commerciale

GR Design Agency (Paris, France)

Septembre 2015 – Présent

• Élaboration des devis pour les clients français et espagnols
• Gestion de 50 à 80 commandes par semaine
• Préparation des commandes en collaboration avec les services marketing et graphisme
• Suivi du transport
• Gestion des réseaux sociaux pour le marché français et espagnol
• Résolutions des litiges

Assistante commerciale

Le Marché Gourmand (Nantes, France)

Mai 2013 – Août 2015

• Gestion des importations des produits depuis l’Espagne et le Royaume-Uni
• Suivi et organisation des livraisons en France
• Élaboration des cotations import
• Actualisation des tarifs clients

Licence d’économie et gestion – Mention commerce international

École Nantaise de Commerce (Nantes, France)

2010 – 2013

BTS en commerce international

Lycée Saint-Félix (Nantes, France)

2008 – 2010

Compétences

• Service client
• Sens de la négociation
• Développement commercial
• Stratégie commerciale
• Microsoft Office
• Logiciel ERP
• Rédaction de devis
• Prise de commande
• Esprit d’équipe
• Résolution de problèmes
• Français : Langue maternelle
• Anglais : Niveau avancé C1
• Espagnol : Niveau intermédiaire B2

Use our  resume builder  and draft a winning application. It is full of real-life examples and expert tips designed to help you find work.

French CV vs American Resume

There are  various aspects of American and  French resumes   that  differ greatly .

Let’s take a look at the differences to get a clearer picture:

One way to ensure you  complete a resume  that ticks all the boxes for a French-speaking recruiter is by applying with both, a French and English-language resume.

If you’re having doubts about creating a winning French resume, another option is to try out a multi-lingual online resume builder that can guide you through each stage with examples and tips for each section.

Writing a Resume in French

More than a simple translation,  making a resume in French  requires starting again from the beginning. The reason for this is that although much of the  information that you will include in a French CV  will be translated from your English resume, there are other factors to be considered.

These important elements include:

• Culturally-specific terms
• Grading systems for academic achievements
• Sections and order of information

In the following guide, we go into more detail regarding these factors but beforehand, a few  tips on how to write a resume in French :

• Be mindful of your writing : It’s important to stand out, but if you try to employ lots of creative language you wouldn’t normally use in English, you may find that your resume no longer makes a professional impression.
• Don’t get too creative : Although design and creative resumes are becoming increasingly popular, it is still safer to provide a smart, executive-style resume.
• Watch out for language rules : Avoid using the first person singular term ‘Je’ (‘I’) to describe experiences and achievements, and instead use only the verb and object.
• Use capital for your last name : As the first and last names are used interchangeably in France and other French-speaking areas, this is one way to differentiate the two.
• Do not abbreviate : Chances are that French recruiters might not know the meaning of American abbreviations. It is best to spell out the full term or name to avoid misunderstandings.

Finally, even the most fluent French speaker can make mistakes, therefore it is vitally important that you always try to get your French resume proofread by somebody native and preferably within your professional field.

French Resume: Layout and Sections

After coming to terms with the differences in language, there are certain formalities that need to be considered for a French Resume. These include both  what should be included in a CV for a French job  and the specific  resume formatting  rules.

To follow the typical  French resume model , candidates should make their resume no longer than  2 standard A4 pages . This may seem long at first, compared to an American resume, but once you get going, you’ll see how you can fill the space. That said, remember that if your French CV takes up just one page, that is perfectly acceptable and sometimes even preferred.

Candidates are advised to use a  maximum of 2 different font styles  throughout to maintain a  professional French resume style .

Also, the same spacing should be maintained throughout the document so that the text remains clear and there is neither too much nor too little white space.

A sure-fire way to create a winning French CV  that is well-structured and plays to the needs of French recruiters is by employing a  French resume template  that is ready-formatted with the right spacing, lines, and headings for the candidate to simply complete with their information.

What to include in a French resume

Knowing  how to structure a French resume for a new job  is vitally important but something that is of equal value is the content and  what is included in a French CV . The different  sections of a French resume  encompass the relevant information pertaining to a candidate’s professional profile.

The following are the  principal sections that should be incorporated into a successful French resume :

In the United States, you are  88% more likely to get a “no”  from your application if you include a profile photo but this feature is  practically obligatory for your French resume  to be taken seriously.

It is imperative that the photo you choose to include be a professional shot of the head and shoulders only. Do not crop yourself from photos with others or use selfies. A  French resume photo needs to represent your professional candidacy , therefore make sure to take care of your appearance and clothing, by being simply, smartly dressed without going overboard on make-up, jewelry or other accessories.

Contact details/Personal information

Coordonnées/Situation personnelle et état civil At the beginning of any resume, candidates should  include their contact information  by giving their full name, address or location, phone number, and email address as well as any online professional profiles such as LinkedIn or personal websites.

However, when it comes to  writing a resume for a French job application , there are more details which should be added, some of which can seem very personal for an American audience. Despite this fact, it’s important to comply with the  basic requirements  instead of leaving the recruiter needing to look for the information they expect to see.

This section should be comprised of:

• Name and last name – Prénom et nom de famille
• Address – Adresse
• Email address – Adresse email/courrier électronique
• Phone number – Numéro de téléphone
• Websites/Social media profiles/Portfolio – Site web/reseaux sociaux/Dossier professionnel
• Nationality – Nationalité

The usual responses are single = célibataire or married = marié(e), with the extra ‘e’ at the end for female candidates.

Title/Introduction

Titre/objetif/projet professionnel Before entering into details on a French resume, candidates should  summarise their profile in a few words  in order to offer the reader a simple, clear idea of what type of application they are reviewing. These few words should then be presented in the form of a phrase of up to 3-4 words reflecting the job title.

Additionally, similarly to a  resume objective  or summary statement,  French resumes include a brief introduction  in the form of a sentence or two that encapsulate the candidate’s profile in a convincing manner, to sell themselves to the hiring manager.

Formation On French resumes, the  academic or professional training experience section  is generally given priority even for those who have not recently graduated or are not currently in training. That is why it is imperative to always  include your most prestigious and relevant certificates and diplomas at the beginning of your French resume .

Every country has a different system of education and grading so it is crucial for candidates to find out the correct equivalent of both their level of academic achievement and the corresponding grade in order to offer the information in a comprehensive manner to a French-speaking prospective employer.

In Canada or French-American companies, it is possible they will understand the US higher education system however it is always more beneficial to make it easier for a potential employer to grasp the level of academic accomplishment of each candidate by giving the French interpretations.

The following is a guide to  what to list in the education section in a French resume :

• High School Diploma = Baccalauréat (BAC)
• Associate’s Degree = DEUG – Général or DUT, BTS – Technique (BAC + 2)
• Bachelor’s Degree (3 years) = Licence (BAC + 3)
• Bachelor’s Degree (4 years) = Maîtrise (BAC + 4)
• Masters Degree or MBA = Master or DEA, DESS (BAC + 5/6)
• Doctorate PhD, LLD or JD = Doctorat (BAC + 8)

The French system simplifies this stage by referring directly to the level of higher education in years. The  BAC + number indicates how many extra years of study  have been undertaken post-high school.

Remember to investigate the company you are interested  in applying to in order to get a better idea of which type of system they will understand to adapt your French resume and tailor it to each position every time you apply for a new role.

In this section, candidates should also mention all  professional training programs or courses  undertaken and, as with the formal education, list the dates, awarding body, program name and grades if applicable.

Work experience

Expérience professionnelle For candidates who have a few years of  professional experience  or more, the main part of their resume will be taken by the job history section.

A  French resume  work experience section  should be written in  reverse chronological order , starting with the most recent or current position.

The layout should follow this formula:

• Company – If likely to be unknown to the employer, include field.
• Location – Write the state name instead of the state code.
• Employment dates
• Description

Remember, Europe and other parts of the world use the following format: DD/MM/YYYY.

Include any relevant  volunteering , military service, or internships in this section.

Connaissances/Compétences Not always considered one of the most standard areas of a French resume, creating  a skills section can be just what a candidate needs to stand out in the application process  because it gives the hiring manager direct access to the applicant’s abilities.

The  most essential aspect of a French resume skills section  is that the core capacities listed should reflect only the abilities that are relevant to the vacancy being offered.

Often, this section is  split into separate skill areas , the most common of which being IT and  Languages  – Connaissances informatiques and Langues.

Within IT skills, applicants must list the programs and computer languages they are competent in . These must reflect the position in the job offer. It is not useful stating that you know JAVAscript if the position you are interested in uses completely different coding. Software programs are referred to as Logiciels.

For languages, candidates  should list the different languages they can speak and refer to their level with a universally understood scale . For job applications for France or Switzerland, it is acceptable to use the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) relating each language to a level between A1 and C2, depending on your fluency.

For jobs in French Canada and other regions, it may be more advantageous and logical to use a standard Elementary to Fluent scale:

• Elementary – Scolaire
• Basic – Notions
• Intermediate – Bonnes notions
• Upper-intermediate – Intermédiaire
• Advanced – Courant
• Bilingual – Bilingue
• Mother tongue – Langue maternelle

For languages where the candidate possesses an official qualification, these details should be added here.

Centres d’intérêts Although it is slowly gaining popularity again with the new generation of jobseekers and recruiters, hobbies are not usually seen on resumes in the US or even CVs in other countries. However, it is common practice to  include a section for hobbies on a French resume  which is strategically placed to help potential employers learn a little more about the candidate’s character and abilities which might not be as obvious without this information.

The  hobbies section  of a resume is not a place to include random, unrelated details of activities you like to do in your time off of work but instead, a  section to speak directly to the company  you’re applying to.

Indicating certain personal interests that benefit you both professionally as well as personally allows a hiring manager to see how you have grown, things you have learned and how certain skills you have could be applied to the company.

Using a  French resume builder  is the best way to ensure you get a fully-formatted French CV, with all the right sections available to be personalized according to your needs and allowing you to use  French resume templates  and expert recruiting tips that will help get your application through to the next round.

French Resume FAQs

Let’s dive into some common questions about crafting a French CV, from its format to its distinguishing features, and some  helpful tips to perfect your application .

What is the typical French CV format?

Prepare for some differences compared to American resumes. French CVs often span  two or more pages  and incorporate a  professional photo  at the top.

In addition to this, French CVs may also include sections dedicated to  language skills  and  interests , allowing candidates to showcase their personality and skills beyond their job experiences.

What should I include in the personal information section of a French CV?

Provide your  full name, address, phone number, and email .

Incorporating a  LinkedIn profile  and perhaps a personal website or portfolio would be advantageous and provide a holistic view of your online professional presence.

Do I need to elaborate on each job role in a French CV?

Yes, indeed!  Detail the scope of your role, discuss your achievements, and highlight your  transferable skills  for each job experience.

Keep in mind that focusing on  quantifiable achievements  and specific accomplishments will not only showcase your experience but also demonstrate your capabilities clearly.

Should I translate my French CV into English for job applications in France?

While English may be spoken at many companies, it’s  best to submit your CV in French , showing that you understand the local business culture.

Make sure to double-check the company’s requirements, as some international organizations might prefer CVs in English and local applications in French.

What common mistakes should I avoid when crafting my French CV?

Steer clear of pitfalls such as  overly personal information, excessively long CVs, or inadequate job experience details .

Tailor your CV to the specific job you’re applying for, ensuring that your relevant experience and skills align with the position requirements.

Do French employers expect a cover letter?

Yes , most French employers do expect a  cover letter , as it offers valuable insights into your professional background.

While crafting your cover letter, take the opportunity to  connect your skills and experience to the job description  and explain why you’re the ideal candidate for the position.

Is it necessary to indicate my marital status on a French CV?

It is  becoming less and less common  to mention it. If you feel it could discriminate against you or you prefer not to mention it, don’t include it.  Prioritize skills and experience  over personal details.

To further enhance your CV, focus on professional certifications, relevant training courses, and extra-curricular activities that demonstrate a commitment to your industry or field.

What is the ‘Europass’ CV format widely used in France?

The ‘ Europass ‘, a standard format used in the European Union, intends to help European citizens be more easily understood by employers throughout the EU.

While preparing a Europass CV, don’t forget to attach the Europass Language Passport, a self-assessment tool that showcases your language skills, and the Europass Mobility document, if applicable.

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Want To Find A Job In France? Here’s How To Create A French CV / Resume

Here’s a detailed look at how to create an attention-grabbing CV / Resume for the French job market.

Most countries, including France, have different expectations regarding what a proper resume / CV looks like. Ignoring these differences could land your resume in the trash.

Fortunately for you, it’s not that hard to make a CV that conforms to French hiring managers’ expectations once you know how.

Many people who dream of working in France mistakenly assume they can apply for jobs using their existing resume, whether it be an American resume, a British CV, or some other country’s. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. 

How to create the perfect French Resume / CV

DON’T CALL IT A RESUME IN FRANCE: Throughout this article, I use the term “French resume” and “CV” interchangeably, but the correct term used in France is just “CV.” -pronounced [SEY-VEY]. It’s short for curriculum vitae, a Latin word that means  “the course of my life.”

Before I created my resume for the French job market, I did what most people do. I researched the hell out of the subject and went down the information black hole.

I read countless articles written by French experts, recruiters and hiring managers. I visited dozens of French employment forums, analyzed way too many resumes created by French people and bugged my friends living in France how they created their CV.

The bad news is, there is no magic formula, no holy grail CV recipe that, if used, will land you any job you set your sights on all of the time.

The good news is, even though there are differing opinions from the so-called experts of what constitutes a great CV, there are standard rules, guidelines, and best practices you can use that will satisfy the expectations of most employers and industries in France. You just need to know when and how to use them to your advantage.

By the end of this article,  you’ll have a better understanding of CV best practices in France, and you”ll be able to create your own CV so you can start applying for jobs in France.

Table of Contents: Some of the topics covered in this article

• How many pages should your CV be?
• The 9 obligatory sections of a French CV
• 20 Things you should include on your French CV
• Do you need to include a photo on your CV?
• How to best organize your CV sections
• What date format should you use
• What address should you use on your CV if you don’t live in France?
• Do I really need to include a hobbies section on my CV?
• Do you need to translate your CV to French?
• How to save your CV so that it prints properly on French printers

20 things French hiring managers may expect to see on your CV

When to include them and how to include them correctly.

The first thing you should be aware of is that there are about 20 different things you need to consider including on your resume. 

Not all of the 20 things listed in this article are obligatory; however, they may still be expected. While other things are expected but for various reasons, you may not want to include them.

You’ll need to know when to include them and how to include them so that you present yourself in the best possible way to French hiring managers.

Each of the 20 things can be rolled up into one of 9 possible sections listed below, depending on how you format your CV.

• 1st section: Headline  (this is not your name )
• 2nd section : Personal details & Civil Status – (Beyond your name, you may have to include things you would never see on a resume from your home country)
• 3rd section: Contact Information – (How to properly include your address and phone number).
• 4th section: Your Work Experience – (Keep it short and sweet).
• 5th section : Your Education & Training – (Degrees are different in France, how you should demonstrate your education)
• 6th section : Skills & competencies (A useful and powerful thing).
• 7th section: Languages skills- ( You’re not French. That’s OK. Here is how to demonstrate your language skills on your CV to your advantage.)
• 8th section : Computer / Software Skills
• 9th section : Hobbies & Interests – (This can really set you apart if used correctly)

1st. SECTION: The headline at the top of your CV is the most important part of your CV

You have 7 seconds to convince a hiring manager to read your CV. A great headline that consists of a headline title and headline summary not only improves readability, it immediately grabs the hiring manager’s attention and entices them to read the rest of your CV.

If you’re like most, you probably skim and glance through headlines. If one grabs your attention, you may be read the first paragraph. If that first paragraph piques your interest, you keep reading. If it doesn’t, au-revoir.

When it comes to your CV, recruiters and hiring managers think and act much the same way.

Studies prove that the average employer, who may have to wade through hundreds of CVs quickly, will spend as few as 7 to 10 seconds scanning your resume before they decide if they want to keep reading or not.

That’s why you need to include a great headline which consists of 2 things, an attention-grabbing CV title and an enticing CV summary at the top of your CV where recruiters look first.

Together the Title and Summary tell  the hiring manager who you are in terms of the position you are applying for and what you can do for the company. 

Let’s explore how to incorporate these two things in your CV.

1- Resume Title  (Le Titre)

A CV title or headline title, as some people like to call it, is NOT your name, nor is it the words “curriculum vitae.” It’s simply a job title- either the title of the job you are targeting or a more  general job title like “sales & marketing professional.”

It may seem silly to put a job title at the head of your CV, but it has several advantages.

When a busy manager or recruiter sees the job title, he doesn’t have to guess which job you are interested in. He or she can mentally assign you to a potential vacancy quickly. And if, for whatever reason, your resume gets circulated around the company, no explanation is necessary because it states right at the top of your CV, clear as day, the job you are interested in.

For Example: If you apply for a job advertised as “IT specialist,” the title at the top of your CV could read “IT specialist.”  If the type of work you do spans different, but related fields or you plan on posting your CV to a job board, you can use a less specific / more general job title like “Human Resource Manager & Generalist,” “Sales and Marketing professional” or “Web Marketing professional.”

Below is a screenshot of a few CVs that use a title to announce the job they are targeting. Notice how it grabs your attention. You know immediately who this person is in terms of their experience.

You might be interested in this : Why and how to write an attention-grabbing CV title here. 

2- Resume summary aka resume hook phrase  (accroche)

Remember, you only have a few seconds to make it abundantly clear “what you can do for the company and what your value is.” By including a CV summary – a short, snappy introduction that highlights and summarizes your experience and best skills as they relate to the potential job, employer or industry, you are essentially telling them what they want to know.  

Now that you’ve got their attention with a CV title, you need to entice them to keep reading. At this point, the recruiter has no idea if you are qualified for the job or what skills and experiences you have, so most recruiters will begin skimming your CV for keywords and past job titles before they decide to put your CV in the maybe pile or the “no thank you pile.”

You can help the recruiter see your true potential in under 10 seconds by including a resume summary directly under the CV title.

Not to be confused with the outdated ” objective statement,” which is about  “what YOU want from the company,” a  resume summary is about “what you can do for them.” 

The key to a well-written summary is to sell yourself and impress them in as few words as possible- 2 phrases or less.  It should shout, “Hey, I’m the person you’re looking for.” 

If they like what they read, then like the newspaper example above, they will keep reading your CV, which is exactly what you want.

One last thing. Hiring managers are busy people. The last thing they want is to be bogged down trying to decipher your fancy business jargon, so make sure your summary is short, easy to read and focused on the particular needs of employers in your industry or targeted job. Obviously, make sure the skills and experience you include on your CV support y our CV summary.

Here are a few ideas of what you can include in your resume summary.

• The number of years of experience you have in the field.
• Special skills that make you uniquely qualified.
• Any certifications or education you’ve obtained.
• Some sort of display of your passion for this line of work.
• The specific industry or topic of your expertise.
• The keywords an employer might search for when trying to locate a candidate for a particular job.

Resource : If you need help crafting a memorable headline, you can read these articles at TheBalance.com  and Monster.com . Here is another article that offers tips on how to write a great CV headline.

Examples of  CVs’ with a title and summary. 

Communication & Marketing Manager More than 8 years experience in media planning, buying and strategies. Curious and passionate about web-marketing, and always up to date with the latest digital innovations.

The above example was taken from the French CV in the screenshot below.

  More example found around the web

Senior IT Project/ Program manager 10 + years of on-budget project delivery, including large-scale and global projects

Senior Accountant   CPA certification and 25 years of experience

Senior Technology Manager Extensive expertise in R&D, Product Development & Quality Control

2nd SECTION: Personal Details (États Civil)

Normally located near or at the top of your CV is your name.  The French take it a step further and include some additional details, very personal details that you would never see on a North American résumé or CV, such as:

-Photo -Age -Marital status -Number of children and their ages -Nationality -Work permit (if you have one)

Some French experts say certain personal details, which could be used to discriminate against you, should never be included, while others say they should. Still, others say you should only include them if they improve your chances of getting an interview.

You’ll have to decide which personal details you are willing to divulge based on your unique set of circumstances but keep in mind that you may still be asked in an interview if you leave things off.

Below is an explanation of how and when to include your personal details on a CV in France. 

3- Photo  (une photo)

Should you include a photo on your CV? It’s a question that gets asked a lot even by people in France, and the answer is it depends.

It’s still common practice to include a professional-looking photo on a CV in France. Most if not all recruiters actually prefer that you do, but it’s not always necessary.

So when should you include a photo on your CV?

If you’re photogenic, have a flattering, professional-looking photo of yourself and feel confident that including your photo could improve your chances of getting called in for an interview, then yes, I think you should include one.

If, for whatever reason, you don’t want to include a photo, it may be fine for some situations to exclude it, but this is where things get a little tricky.

For instance, employers hiring for customer-facing positions such as sales reps or sales clerks will probably want to see a photo of you to make sure you are “well-groomed or presentable” in their eyes.

Whereas, if you are applying for an accountant position or some other position where you won’t see customers or clients, less weight may be put on the fact that you didn’t include a photo. But it depends on the person looking at your CV.

A friend of mine told me he knew a Blond hair, a blue-eyed guy whose name sounded phonetically too close to a terrorist’s name. Hence, a recruiter suggested that he include a photo of himself so no one would discriminate against him based purely on his name.

If you look too old or look too young for the position you are applying for or if the employer doesn’t like a certain race, they could discriminate against you. It’s hard to know, but it can and does happen in France.

Ultimately you have to think strategically and perhaps create a version of your CV with and without a photo and test to see which one gets more callbacks.

One thing is for sure. If you do include a photo, make sure it’s a flattering, high-quality headshot about the size of a passport photo. No blurry vacation photos with the person standing next to you cropped out. Try to use natural lighting with a neutral background. It’s ok to smile, but don’t overdo it and ladies, take it easy on the jewellery. Source

4- First name + FAMILY NAME   (prénom et nom)

Don’t use an extra-large font for your name. You don’t want to draw attention away from the headline of your CV. 

In France, it’s common to write your last name before your first name in formal situations, on forms, legal documents, and some people even do so on their CV.

If you have a name that makes it hard to differentiate between your first and last name like Martin, Simon and Andre or have a foreign name which might be difficult for French people to decipher, write your family name in ALL CAPS, and capitalize the first letter of your first name…

Example : I could write my name as Annie ANDRÉ or ANDRÉ Annie, and a French hiring manager would look at either combination and understand André is my family name because it is in all caps.

5-Age:  (Âge)

Most recruiters expect and want to see your age on your CV, and many French people do include it, but……

If you think you might be discriminated against because you are too old or too young for the job you are applying for, consider omitting your age. However, some recruiters say it’s futile to exclude your age because if an employer really wants to know how old you are. They usually do. They’ll  try to deduce your age based on the year you graduated or by looking through your work experience section.

Why not test out the waters and create one CV with your age and one without and see if one fares better than the other.

6- Marital Status: married or single  (Situation Familiale: marie(é) or célibataire)

Just skip it

It used to be second nature to include your marital status on your CV in France, but these days, it’s more or less rare. Those that do include their marital status tend to be younger, under 25 and single, which can work to your advantage in certain situations.

7- Number of children and their ages:  (Nombres d’enfants et leurs âges)

You may be discriminated against if you include the number of children you have on your CV. 

There was once a time in France when people regularly included the ages and number of children on their CV, but today it’s rarely included.  Probably because employers discriminated against women fearing they would miss work due to a sick child.

8- Driver’s license:  ( Permit )

For some, it may be necessary to prove you have reliable transportation to get to work. 

In France, it’s not uncommon for people under 25 to indicate whether or not they have a driver’s permit called a “permis B.” Some people even go so far as to indicate they own a car ” Voiture personnelle. ”

If you live in a more rural area of France where a car is necessary to get to work, it may be a good idea to indicate this; however, If you are applying for a job in Paris and live in Paris, you have access to the metro and won’t need to indicate if you have a permit to drive or not.

Obviously, if you don’t yet live in France, you won’t have a French driver’s permit. Either way, you won’t be penalized if you leave this off your CV, so just omit it.

9-Nationality  ( Nationalité )

The general consensus is, if you’re not French, you should include your nationality.

It can be to your advantage to include your nationality, especially in cases when your native language skills are essential job requirements.

• If you have dual nationality, include them also.
• If you are authorized to work in France, simply state “Authorized to work in France (“autorisé à travailler en France) next to or under your nationality.

If you’re not authorized to work in France, you won’t get as many responses from employers because of all the red tape a company has to go through to hire non-EU and non-French citizens who don’t already have the right to work in France. They not only have to sponsor your work visa, but they usually have to attest that no French person is available for the job—your chances of getting sponsored to work for a company increase depending on the industry.

3rd SECTION: Contact information

( Coordonnées) or (Contact)

It’s crucial that you include all your contact information correctly, but if you don’t live in France, you’ll have some challenges in terms of how you list your address and phone number on your CV. You may also need to include links to some of your social media accounts or websites if they are pertinent to the job you are applying to.

There are 5 different contact details which you’ll need to consider including, and they are:

-Address -Telephone Number -eMail -Website links such as to your portfolio, blog or an online resume. -Social media links

10- Address:  (Adresse)

Always include your full address, no abbreviations. If you live outside of France, here is what you should put in the address field on your CV. 

Employers like it when a potential candidate lives nearby for obvious reasons, but if you don’t live in France, you should let the hiring manager know that you don’t live locally but are willing to relocate.

Here are a couple of examples of what you could put in lieu of your actual address.

• If you have firm plans to move to Paris, you can say “Relocating to Paris in March 2018” (“en cours de mobilité à Paris Mars 2021”)
• If you’re open to relocate to a certain area such as Aquitaine, you could say “Open to relocation to Aquitaine” (“souhait de mobilité en région Aquitaine”)

Make sure to use your cover letter, which is called “une lettre de motivation” to explain in more detail your situation.

You can, of course, always include your foreign address and if you do, make sure you use your full address (no abbreviations).

11- Telephone :  ( Télephone )

If you live outside of France, be sure to prefix your phone number with your country code.

Include the best phone number where a recruiter can contact you.  I suggest a cell phone number rather than a landline.  If you’re located outside of France, make sure you include your country code with a (+)  followed by your phone number.

For example, the country code for Canada and the US is 1, so if your phone number was 415-867-5309, you would put +1 in front of the number like this:

(+1) 415-867-5309 or this +1 415-867-5309

12- email :  ( émail )

Always include a professional email address. 

In this day and age, it’s pretty much a give-in that you need to include an email address on your CV. Just make sure to use a professional-looking one.

hot-mother @gmail.com and  eat-my-dust @gmail.com are NOT PROFESSIONAL looking.

13- Website address / Portfolio  / blog :  (liens de site)

Only include links to your website, portfolio or blog if pertinent to the job you are targeting. 

If you have an online version of your resume, you can list that address.

14- Social media links :  (Liens sociaux)

Think twice before including your social media links; it could hurt your chances.

Include links to your social media accounts if you think it’s applicable. LinkedIn , YouTube etc. Never include Facebook or social media if you think employers won’t like what they see. For instance, did you know you could tank your job search by posting too many selfies because you might l ook like a narcissist 

4th SECTION: Professional experience: The meat and potatoes of your CV:

Unless you are a new graduate, your professional experience will be the meat and potatoes of your CV, and you will list this section towards the top of your CV before your education.

Be careful to list the most recent jobs and exclude the ones that are too old or don’t demonstrate your ability to do the job you are applying to, especially if you think it will help keep your resume to 1 page.

If you don’t have enough professional experience, add your internships, volunteer work, student organizations, military service or awards.

Below are things for you to consider when writing this section of your CV.

15- Professional Experience:

(Expérience Professionnels)

Job Description / Your role

When describing your duties for each of your previous companies, don’t list every single duty and skill you learned at each job. The hiring manager is only interested in the duties that demonstrate you are well suited to do the job you are applying for.

Write a phrase or two describing your job role and keep sentence structure short and concise. Use industry-standard keywords when you can, the hiring managers will be looking for those, and if your CV lands in a searchable database, it will help your CV pop up on more searches.

In some cases, you may be able to exclude your job description altogether.

If you held the same position or performed the same duties from job to job, why bother writing out the same thing under each job?

Instead, use the “skills & competencies” section to highlight your and group your competencies and domain skills. Doing so not only makes it easier for hiring managers to digest your CV in one sitting, but it also helps keep your CV to one page, which hiring managers love.

In some cases, you may need to write a more elaborate job description.

On the other hand, if your experience matches the position you are applying for, and you want to call attention to it, you can opt to write out your tasks, achievements or responsibilities in more detail.

Don’t forget to include other pertinent information such as industry, company name, city, country and dates.

• Industry or Short description of the company:  If the company where you worked is not well-known, you can describe what it does or simply state its industry .
• Company Names: You can make the company name a hotlink so hiring managers who view a digital version of your CV can quickly jump to the company website.
• Your Job Title: Use industry-standard job titles instead of creative titles made up by companies like database Analyst instead of Database Monkey. This is important if your resume is put into a database. Searches will be made using standard job titles, not made-up ones.
• Dates of your employment:  You can simply list the month and year for both start and end date like this – (Juin 2012- Juin 2017).
• City and country:  If you have held jobs in other countries, i.e. not in France, you should include the city and country and don’t use abbreviations.

France does not use the same date format as the US. If you want to put the complete date for anything make sure you use this format- DD/MM/YEAR.

5th SECTION:  What’s your education and training worth in France?

Do you know what a BAC, BTS or License is? Probably not because the education system in France is very different from the Anglo-Saxon systems. French recruiters may be equally clueless about the degree, diploma or training you received in your home country. 

16- Education or Training   (Formation)

To make your level of education clear to French employers, you need to find the closest French equivalent degree or training to yours and list that on your CV along with the original name of your degree.

It can be confusing to find the equivalent French degree, so I created a chart comparing a few degrees from several English-speaking countries. Use it as a guide, not as gospel. In other words, do your own research because there is a lot of gray areas.

If I have a 4-year bachelors degree from UC Santa Cruz and graduated in 2001, I could write my education like this on my CV:

License en Economie- (BAC + 4), 2001,  University of California Santa Cruz Californie, Etats-Unis Bachelors Degree in Economics

• License en Economie-  “Un License’’ which takes 3 years to earn in France, is the equivalent to a bachelor’s degree earned in 4 years from Canada or the US. Unlike North American University students, French students spend all 3 years focused on their major. In North America, students usually spend the first 2 doing general studies followed by 2 years of major study.
• BAC: is short for Baccalauréat, the name of a French high school diploma. : There are so many different programs after secondary school in France, it is helpful to call out the number of years of higher education you hold.  A “BAC +4” tells the hiring manager that I have 4 years of higher education (after high school).
• Bachelors Degree in Economics- I included the name of my degree in English. If you received your degree in Spain, use the Spanish name, etc.  

6th SECTION: Summarizing your domain skills and competencies

Although not required, most recruiters agree that including a skills section on your CV can be powerful because it can help employers QUICKLY ascertain your domain skills and competencies, which can give you a leg up over other applicants.

17- Skills & Competencies:  ( Compétances )

This isn’t a dumping ground for every skill you’ve ever learned at every job. Employers only want to see those core skills and competencies related to the job you are applying for.

If you have a lot of different skills, I suggest organizing them into domain groups or categories, which will make it easier for employers to skim your skills.

For example, “Sales,” “Marketing,” “Writing.” Under each domain heading, you would then list the skills associated with it.

7th SECTION: Languages

Your applying for a job in France, and you’re not French. Of course, you should state your French language level.

The language section is usually towards the bottom of the CV; however, if language skills are an important requirement of the job, consider calling attention to it by mentioning it in your title or resume summary at the top of your CV or pushing the language skills section up higher on your resume.

18- Languages:  ( Langues )

Be sure also to indicate your native language and any other languages you speak along with the level at which you speak. 

When you describe the level at which you speak -try to be as specific as possible and never  EXAGGERATE your language skills because it’s just too easy to verify.

You can use the CEFR system or self-evaluate your language skills.

a- Use CEFR system (CECRL)

If you have taken a French test like the DELF, DILF, DALF, TCF or the TEF, you know that student language level results are divided into six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 . This system is called CEFR  ( Common European Framework of Reference). 

Using the standardized CEFR system will make it immediately understood at what level you speak. Don’t forget to include your mother tongue and state that it is your native language.

b- Self evaluate

If you have not taken an official French language assessment test, you can self-evaluate your French language level by guessing or take one of the many Free online French tests, which will give you a ballpark of your language proficiency.

Where to test your language skills online for Free

Bonjour de France is a good place to test your French language skills, but other ones exist too. Like this one, I found at French Exams .

(Below is a text version of the cheat sheet above with French translation in parenthesis)

• A1  = Elementary– (Scolaire), (Élémentaire): You’re a step up from beginner. You can form simple phrases and write a postcard.
• A2  = Basic knowledge – ( Notions), (Niveau basique): With a little effort, you can understand single phrases and frequently used phrases in everyday life.
• B1  = Intermediate –  (Bonne notions) or ( Bonnes connaissances) : You can easily speak and understand familiar topics but may get perplexed beyond simple ones. Level needed to attain if you were to go to a French university.
• B2  = Advanced Intermediate – ( Moyens), (Interméiaire):
• C1  = Fluent – ( Courant )- You can express yourself and your ideas easily.
• C2  = Bilingual, trilingual- ( Bilingue),  (Trilingue): You have mastered the language, you’re bilingual, and can speak near or at the skill level of a native speaker.
• Mother tongue or Native language –   ( Langue maternelle) or (natif): Use this to refer to your native language(s).

Here is an example of how you can describe your language level on your CV.

Anglais : Langue Maternelle Français : Courant (niveau C1) Allemagne : Scolaire (niveau A1)

8th SECTION: Computer & Software skills

In this day and age, it can be important to show you have certain software and computer skills.  No need to list everything, just the important skills for the job you are applying for. And d on’t forget to mention the Microsoft office suite or any other program known by the company or the industry like SAP or Oracle, for example.

19- Computer skills / Software  ( Informatique ) /  ( Logiciels )

Using visuals looks great but is not appropriate for all industries. For example, a graphic artist might be able to get away with visually showing his or her skill using pretty graphics, but an accountant might not.

Another thing to note is that some companies might have an internal database that scans resumes for keywords. Showing your skill level visually will not be scannable, so make sure you also have an all-text version of your CV on hand.

Photoshop, Powerpoint, Excel

Photoshop : Expert Powerpoint : Good knowledge PackOffice :  Proficient

French vocabulary to describe your skills

• Beginner – Connaissance or Connaissances de base
• Good knowledge – Bonnes connaissances
• Proficient – Maîtrise or Très bonnes connaissances
• Expert – Expert

9th SECTION: Hobbies and Interests

French employers won’t care if you exclude this section from your CV; however, including it can work to your advantage and set you apart from the other candidates if you know how to do it strategically.

20- Hobbies/interests  (Centres d’intérêts)

It may seem irrelevant and unprofessional to include your hobbies and interests on your CV, especially from North America. Still, in France, it’s not seen as something silly. Most job seekers in France actually include this section on their CV, and you should too if you can.

Although French employers won’t care if you exclude this section, including your extracurricular activities might be the thing that will catch employers’ attention, help you stand out from other candidates and land you an interview.

When what and how to include hobbies and interests on your CV

First of all, the hobbies and interests section is not a catch-all category where you dump all of your hobbies like yachting and pressing flowers. What use would that information be to a hiring manager?

Think strategically-do a little research and emphasize those hobbies and interests outside of work that have enabled you to develop useful skills in life that align with the job you are targeting, a specific industry, or a particular company’s work culture.

What your hobbies and interests might say about you.

Not all will apply. Certain hobbies and interests will demonstrate different qualities and strengths which might match the qualities needed to perform a certain job or work in a certain industry.

For example, if an advertised job states that they are looking for “an outgoing team player,” you would not list stamp collecting as your hobby, which is more of an individualistic and introverted hobby. Still, instead, you might list any team sports you participate in.

There are too many examples of hobbies that you could include on your CV, but here is a shortlist of what certain hobbies and interests might say about you.

• Show you are a team player: Team Sports (Basketball) – You excel at teamwork and have leadership skills.
• Show you are fit and enjoy challenges:  Individual sports: Marathon running
• Show you have an interest in a particular industry:  Music: if you are applying to work in a music store, Drawing: if you are applying for a graphic art position
• Show you are a risk-taker (not great if you have a desk job): Extreme sports: Motocross
• Show you are tech or computer savvy (not great for social jobs):  Tech Hobbies: computing
• Show you’re an analytical thinker, strategic or a problem solver:  Puzzles: Crosswords, Games: Chess
• Show you connect and communicate well with others:  Social hobbies: Mentoring
• Show you are multicultural or can work in an international environment:  Travelling: To a specific country, Learning languages: Any language

Try to list a range of hobbies and interests.

You should also try to provide a range of activities that show you have a variety of traits. If you do, you’ll show that you are flexible enough to be comfortable in different situations, and you’ll be more relatable to a range of different people.

Don’t mention these hobbies and interests.

Don’t mention any religious affiliations or political affiliations unless they will help you get the job. Don’t mention expensive hobbies like yachting. Don’t mention any controversial associations like being a member of a pro-abortion or pro-gun group.

Organizing, translating and formatting your CV the French way

You now know all the parts of a CV for the French job market; however, there are a few things you need to know before you start writing it.

How many pages should your French CV be?

It’s a question that gets asked all the time and something you should keep in mind as you create your CV.  The general consensus is a French CV should usually be 1 page and never be more than 2 pages. Not even if you’re the CEO of a company with 40 years of experience.

• 1 PAGE  If you’re a recent grade, have little to no work experience or are an entry-level candidate: your resume should be one page.
• 2 PAGES: Even if you have years of experience, you should shoot for 1 page, but if you must, don’t exceed 2 pages.

How to organize the sections of your French CV

For example:   “Language skills” and “Computer skills ” could be combined into one section, and you could rename it “Language and Computer Skills.” (see screenshot above).

Work history should always be its own section.

Whether you combine sections or not is up to you. A lot will depend on the design, the structure and the format you decide to use.

What goes where?

After your personal details, contact info and headline, you should organize each section by order of importance in terms of how they support your career objectives and your experience -with the most important and most supportive items towards the top.

If you are a new graduate with little to no work experience, then lead with your education.

If you are a seasoned bilingual financial analyst applying for a similar job in France, then lead with your work experience followed by your languages.

Etc. Etc. Etc.

Do you need to translate your resume to French?

If you don’t speak much French, you’ll most likely find yourself restricted to searching for jobs posted in English. By all means, apply to those jobs posted in English using an English version of your CV. Just make sure your CV conforms to French best practices (which I covered in this article).

But even if you only plan on applying to jobs in France that are posted in English, be prepared to have your CV translated to French in case any of the companies you apply to ask for a French version of your CV. This might happen if the hiring manager wants to show your CV to other decision-makers in the company who don’t speak English or prefer to read in French.

If you speak or read passable French, you’ll open yourself up to many more job opportunities because you’ll be able to apply for jobs that are posted in French. If a job is posted in French, you should submit a translated version of your CV  (in French). 

How to save your French CV so it prints properly on French printers.

It’s essential that you create and save your CV so that it prints correctly onto A4 size paper, which is the standard letter size in France and most of Europe. If you don’t and send them your CV saved as an 8.5 x 11 document, the words on your CV may run off the sides or print to the very edges. A4 paper is not as wide as the US letter size. (see images below for a side-by-side comparison of the two).

Format: PDF or Word?

In France, both PDF and Word formats are accepted for submitting a CV but pay attention to the job post to see if they specify any preferences.

I prefer to send PDFs if the ad has no specifications because what you see is what you get, whereas word docs can look different on different computers.

What to name your CV file

Don’t forget to name your CV document something useful and clear so that recruiters will recognize it by its name on their hard drive .

Instead of “resume.pdf” or “annie.pdf,” name your CV something more meaningful like:

• Name of target position: “CV-Annie-Andre- Traffic-Manager .pdf.”
• Job number: “CV-Annie-Andre- 13245 .doc.”

Infographic

Check out this infographic: I like visual aids, so I created this Infographic using Pépé Le Pew’s CV as an example. It summarizes some of the finer points in this article.

Bonne chance mes amis and happy job hunting.

Disclosure : This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a 'petite commission' at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through my links. It helps me buy more wine and cheese. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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Annie André

About the author

I'm Annie André, a bilingual North American with Thai and French Canadian roots. I've lived in France since 2011. When I'm not eating cheese, drinking wine or hanging out with my husband and children, I write articles on my personal blog annieandre.com for intellectually curious people interested in all things France: Life in France, travel to France, French culture, French language, travel and more.

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