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French CV: how to write a CV for France

A French CV (CV français / curriculum vitae) has its own conventions: section names, what recruiters expect to see in the header, how “Formation” is presented, and when a photo makes sense.

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French CV at a glance

  • Length: 1 page is the norm (2 pages is acceptable for senior profiles).
  • Format: A4, clean layout, clear dates (often MM/YYYY).
  • Photo: common in France, but optional (choose strategically).
  • Header info: name, phone, email, city (full address usually not needed), LinkedIn/portfolio if relevant.
  • Education: “Formation” is often high on the page for juniors, graduates, internship/alternance.
  • Language: if applying in French, write the CV in French (and keep section titles French).

What makes a French CV “French”

  • French section labels matter: recruiters expect familiar headings (e.g., “Expériences”, “Formation”, “Compétences”).
  • Education is read differently: diplomas, schools, and “level” (Bac+X) can carry a lot of weight.
  • Personal details norms: it’s common to see a city, mobility, driving licence (“Permis B”), and sometimes nationality (only if helpful).
  • Interest section can help: “Centres d’intérêt” is often included—if it shows personality, consistency, or job-relevant interests.
a french cv

Recommended French CV structure

Keep the structure familiar to French recruiters. Adjust the order based on your seniority.

Option A (most common)

  1. En-tête (Header / coordonnées)
  2. Profil (Accroche / objectif)
  3. Expériences professionnelles
  4. Formation
  5. Compétences (hard skills + tools + langues)
  6. Projets / Certifications (if relevant)
  7. Centres d’intérêt (optional, but common)

Option B (for students / graduate / internship / alternance)

  1. En-tête
  2. Profil
  3. Formation (higher on the page)
  4. Projets (school / personal / volunteering)
  5. Expériences (internships, part-time, volunteering)
  6. Compétences + Langues
  7. Centres d’intérêt

French CV header: what to include (and what to skip)

Include (French-friendly essentials)

  • First name + last name
  • Phone (with country code if applying from abroad)
  • Email (professional)
  • City (and optionally postcode area) + mobility if relevant (“Mobile: Île-de-France”, “Disponible pour déplacements”)
  • LinkedIn / portfolio / GitHub (role-dependent)
  • Permis B (useful for roles requiring travel or on-site work)

Usually skip (unless it helps your case)

  • Full street address (city is often enough)
  • Age / date of birth (not required; include only if it’s a norm in your sector AND you’re comfortable)
  • Marital status (generally unnecessary)
  • Nationality (only if it clarifies work authorisation or language/cultural relevance)

French CV sections: what to write (the France-specific way)

Now let’s go section by section. These parts look familiar on paper, but French recruiters tend to expect specific cues (what you put in the header, how you frame your “Profil”, how you balance missions vs results, and when a photo makes sense). Use the guidance below to match French conventions without overloading your CV.

Photo on a French CV: a practical decision guide

In France, a photo is common, especially in traditional sectors—but it’s not mandatory. Decide based on the job and the signal you want to send.

  • Add a photo if: client-facing roles, hospitality, sales, internships/alternance in traditional companies, or when it’s clearly part of local expectations.
  • Skip the photo if: you want to reduce bias, you’re applying to very international environments, or your profile is stronger through results/portfolio.

If you include one: use a simple professional headshot (neutral background, good lighting, no heavy filters).

“Profil” (accroche): how French recruiters like it

A French “Profil” is short and concrete. Think: role + years/level + key strengths + target. Avoid vague buzzwords.

  • Junior: your training focus + 2–3 strengths + what you’re looking for (internship/alternance/CDI).
  • Experienced: your speciality + scope (team size, budget, market) + outcomes (growth, savings, delivery).

Expériences professionnelles: the French way

French CVs often balance missions (responsibilities) and results (impact). Keep it readable: 3–6 bullets per role.

Format that works well

  • Job title — Company, City
  • Dates (MM/YYYY – MM/YYYY)
  • Bullets: start with action verbs; add tools/stack where relevant; quantify when possible.

French-specific content that recruiters appreciate

  • Context (sector, B2B/B2C, type of clients)
  • Scope (team, region, volume, budget)
  • Tools (CRM, ERP, CMS, Excel level, industry software)
  • Outcome (conversion, deadlines, quality, cost, NPS, process improvement)

Formation: diplomas, schools, and “Bac+X” clarity

Education is often read fast in France. Make it instantly understandable—even for someone outside your school system.

  • Diploma name (Licence / Master / BTS / DUT / BUT / École d’ingénieur / Grande École)
  • School + city
  • Dates
  • Optional: “Bac+3 / Bac+5” (helps international readers)
  • Optional: “Mention” (if strong) or 2–3 relevant modules/projects

Compétences: how to present skills on a French CV

French recruiters like skills grouped by category. Keep it specific and evidence-friendly.

Good skill categories for France

  • Compétences techniques (tools, methods, stack)
  • Compétences métier (sales cycle, project management, accounting tasks, HR processes, etc.)
  • Langues (CEFR levels: A2–C2)

Languages (Langues)

  • English: C1 (professional)
  • Spanish: B2 (independent)

Certifications, habilitations, and “Permis” (often important in France)

  • Certifications: Google / Microsoft / AWS / HubSpot / IELTS / TOEIC (if relevant)
  • Habilitations: CACES, SST, habilitation électrique, etc. (role-dependent)
  • Permis B (and vehicle if required)

Centres d’intérêt: keep it French-friendly (specific, not generic)

“Centres d’intérêt” is common in French CVs, but it must add value. Replace vague hobbies with proof or specificity.

  • Better: “Badminton (competition, 3 years)”, “Volunteering: event organisation (monthly)”, “Photography (portfolio link)”
  • Skip: “Cinema, music, travel” (unless tied to the role)

Copy-and-adapt French CV examples

Header (En-tête) example

Camille Martin

Paris (75) • +33 6 12 34 56 78 • camille.martin@email.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/camillemartin • Portfolio: camillemartin.fr

Permis B • Mobile: Île-de-France

Profil example (Accroche)

Chargée de marketing digital (alternance) — orientée performance. À l’aise avec SEO, GA4 et création de contenus. Je recherche une alternance dès septembre, avec un focus acquisition et optimisation de conversion.

Expérience example

Assistante marketing — Agence X, Nantes

09/2024 – 06/2025

  • Rédaction et optimisation de pages SEO (briefs, maillage interne, optimisation on-page).
  • Suivi des performances (Search Console, GA4) et recommandations mensuelles.
  • Amélioration du taux de conversion sur pages clés via tests A/B (méthodo + reporting).

Formation example

Master 2 Marketing Digital (Bac+5) — Université de Nantes, Nantes

09/2023 – 06/2025

  • Spécialisation : acquisition (SEO/SEA), analytics (GA4), stratégie de contenu.
  • Projet clé : audit SEO + plan d’optimisation (maillage interne, priorisation, KPI).
  • Mémoire : optimisation du taux de conversion sur pages d’acquisition (CRO).

Compétences example

  • Outils: GA4, Search Console, WordPress, Looker Studio
  • Marketing: SEO on-page, contenu, CRO, reporting
  • Langues: Français (natif), Anglais (C1)

French cover letter (“lettre de motivation”): still expected in many cases

In France, a cover letter is frequently requested—especially for internships, alternance, junior roles, and traditional companies. Keep it to one page, structured, and directly tied to the job.

  • Structure: Why this company → why this role → why you (proof) → availability / next step
  • Tone: professional, direct, no long storytelling

FAQ: French CV

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