French Resume Example: Guide on How to Write Yours

When you're looking for a job in a French-speaking country or region, your application needs that je ne sais quoi. It's not simply about translating your resume. You need to respect certain norms that might differ from your home country.

What ‘resume’ means in French

Before we go any further, let’s talk about why French-speaking countries don’t typically use the word ‘resume’ for an application document. In French, ‘resume’ means ‘summary’. It is rarely (almost never, in fact) used when referring to an application.

French-speaking regions tend to use the term Curriculum Vitae instead. It’s a Latin term that translates as ‘course of life,’ which makes sense when you think about what an application is. Of course, Curriculum Vitae is quite a mouthful, and so it often gets shortened to CV. You would send your French CV alongside a curated cover letter.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what each term means and when to use them:

Key differences: French CV vs. Canadian CV

When you’re applying to French-speaking countries, you don’t simply need to write a French resume. Instead, you should tailor your resume, and what you call it, to the region. There are some significant differences between French CVs and Canadian CVs. Let’s take a look. 

CV for French-speaking Canada

In Canada, French is one of the official languages, alongside English. Certain companies operate exclusively in French, especially in Quebec and New Brunswick. When writing a CV for French-speaking Canada, the format is similar to North American resumes. However, you would use the term CV here. 

It should be between one and two pages long. You can use the reverse-chronological format or the skills-first format. As in the United States, you shouldn’t include a photo when creating a CV for French-speaking Canada.

CV for France

If you’re applying to jobs in France, you will use a CV. Unlike in Canada, a French CV is one-page long and generally includes a photo.

Check out these French CV examples for various job titles:

CV for other Francophone countries 

• Belgium. CVs are usually 1-2 pages long and in reverse-chronological order. You should include a photo of yourself on your CV when applying in this country.
• Switzerland. Your CV should be 1-2 pages long and in reverse-chronological order. Once again, you need a headshot and often details of your work permit, too.
• Senegal. You need to tailor a Senegal CV to the French-speaking market, keep it to a couple of pages and include a photo.
• Ivory Coast. When applying to a role in the Ivory Coast, your CV should be quite detailed and at around 2-3 pages. It should be in reverse-chronological order.

French CV examples

If you'd like more advice on creating a job-specific French CV, look no further than the CV examples below.

Nurse CV example

This nurse CV example can serve as a starting point for any professional job. Unlike in the U.S., on a French resume you might also choose to add an interests section ("centres d'intérêts") to show employers a bit more of your personality and give insight into who you are outside of work.

Student CV example for France

This student CV gives you a great overview of how to format your own. If you're lacking work experience, you may also choose to place your education section above your employment history as is common on resumes as well.

Creating your French CV doesn’t have to be intimidating. Jobseeker’s online resume builder makes the whole thing easy. Simply choose a template that works for you to get started.

How to write a French CV (step-by-step)

Now that you’ve seen some examples, it’s time to dive in and start working on your French CV. Remember you’ll need to align your application with the hiring standards of the region you’re applying to work in. However, you can use the following tips as a starting point.

Step 1: Add your contact details (Coordonnées)

The first step is the same as it would be with any traditional resume. You need to kick things off with your contact details in the header of the document.

Include the following details in your ‘Coordonnées’ section: 

In French, sometimes the last name is written first, which can be confusing if both names could potentially be first names. So, to avoid confusion, many French people will write their last name in all capitals to clarify, regardless of what order is used. For example, you might write ‘Michael CRAIG’ or ‘CRAIG Michael.’

Step 2: Write a strong professional summary (Profil professionnel)

Next, it’s time to tackle your ‘profil professionnel,’ also known as your summary. This is a short paragraph about why you fit the bill for the role.

Include how your work experience overlaps with the demands of the role, what unique skills you bring to the table, and why you want to work at this company. In each case, you’ll need to tailor your summary to the vacancy at hand.

Step 3: List your work experience (Expérience professionnelle)

The ‘expérience professionnelle’ resume section is your work experience. You should list relevant roles in reverse-chronological order in this section. Include the job title, the company and location, and the years you were employed in that role. 

Below that, you can add a handful of bullet points describing your achievements, rather than just your day-to-day tasks. Where possible, add metrics such as numbers and statistics to prove your value. These offer evidence as to the impact your work can have on the business.

Step 4. Add your education (Formation)

Your education section is referred to as ‘formation’ on a French CV. It can include academic degrees, professional training that you’ve completed, certifications, and other courses.

Each country has its own education system so do some research about the country where you are planning to work and provide equivalencies wherever necessary to give context to your academic accomplishments. For each entry in your education section, include the dates you attended, the name and location of the university or training center, the program name, and grades if applicable.

In France and French-speaking Canada, they use a relatively simple system to describe educational degrees. It shows how many years of additional schooling you’ve done since graduating from high school as follows:

France and most French-speaking countries use the date format DD/MM/YYYY.  Keep this in mind if you do write out any full dates on your French resume or cover letter. You can also explore our cover letter examples to see how to structure your application and adapt your tone for different roles and regions.

Step 5: Include skills (Compétences)

Your resume skills are known as "compétences" on a French CV. Be sure to read the job description first and make a note of the competencies it asks for. 

Integrating these keywords into your skills section helps you pass the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), if the hiring manager is using one. It also allows the recruiter to quickly see whether you are a good fit for the role and how your talents suit the criteria. 

List between five and 10 skills as bullet points on your French CV. Be sure to prioritize skills that align with the role and are unique rather than common:

Step 6: Add languages (Langues)

Your French CV should be written in… you guessed it, French. But you’ll also want to spell out your proficiency level for the recruiter in your language section, i.e. the ‘langues’ section.

Include your language skills on your resume, listing English, French, and any other languages.

Add a fluency level for each language. For both France and French-speaking Canada, the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is the most widely used scale. 

Step 7: Consider some optional sections 

Now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to elevate your French CV. You can do so by adding some extra, optional sections. Here are a few to consider:

French CV templates

Looking to get started on your French CV? Check out some of our favorite resume templates below:

French resume format and structure

Perfecting your French CV format and structure will show the recruiter that you understand the region’s hiring practices. Let’s take a look at the main points to keep in mind. 

Length expectations 

In France, your French CV should be roughly one-page long. However, in French-speaking Canada, you can afford to make it longer, at between one and two pages.

Best layout structures

In both countries, the layout expectations are the same. Your French CV should typically follow the reverse-chronological order. However, a skills-first or functional format is appropriate in some cases. Take a look at our resume examples to give you an idea of how these formats work.

Typography, spacing, and headers

Arial, Calibri, and Georgia are great choices whether you’re applying for a role in France or French-speaking Canada. Your body text should be between 10 and 11 points. 

When it comes to the line spacing, give your content some room to breathe. We recommend either a 1.15 space or 1.25, depending on how much you need to fit on the page.

Ensure the headers of your CV are easy to read. These should be in 14 to 16 point sizes. Of course, if you use one of our templates, the size is automatically formatted for you.

Include a photo

Whether you’re applying for a role in France, including a headshot is considered the ‘norm’. However, in French-speaking Canada, it’s an optional move. 

Make sure you’re wearing work-appropriate clothing, have good lighting, and an unbusy background. The picture should not be a selfie, and should look suitable for work. 

Bad example of a CV headshot

Let's take a look at how a poor-quality CV headshot may look. Selfies, sunglasses, and frowns will make you look unprofessional. Here's what to avoid:

Good example of a CV headshot

If you want to create a good CV photo, make sure you are looking at the camera, smiling, and wearing appropriate clothing. Here's how that would look:

Differences from North American English resumes

If you’re thinking about converting your existing resume into a French CV, it’s important to recognize the core differences. The table below highlights the key differences between France, French-speaking Canada, and the United States.

French CV vocabulary cheat sheet

Here are a few French terms that can be useful when writing your resume in French:

Writing a winning French CV is an artform

Creating a strong French CV goes beyond translation. It requires adapting your content to local expectations, from the level of detail you include to formatting choices like adding a photo or structuring your sections clearly. These expectations can vary between regions such as France and French-speaking Canada, making it essential to tailor your CV to where you’re applying.

A well-structured CV combined with accurate, natural French will significantly improve your chances of making a strong first impression. Ready to get started on your French CV? Jobseeker’s resume builder, cover letter templates and resources make it easy by to create a great application that lands you the job no matter which country you're applying in!