Why Details Matter on a French Resume?
French CVs will differ depending on the company you are applying to. The culture is different in every French-speaking country and organization, so you must do your research before sending your resume. Most importantly, don't shy away from showcasing those French writing skills on your CV.
Let's look at some tips, examples, and resources to help you write an outstanding French CV.
Job Rates and Statistics for French Speakers
According to Glassdoor, the average salary for french speakers is $56,000, but the amount varies depending on your occupation. Also, it depends on your academic achievements and professional training in your field.
According to the U.S Bureau of Statistics, the employment of interpreters and translators is projected to grow 24% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Differences Between Resumes in French and in English
Before writing a French CV, there are a few key differences from the english style you should memorize:
- French employers usually expect more personal details than U.S. resumes, like your age, marital status, and nationality.
- Adding a professional photo is common practice in France, which is quite different from American resumes.
- Make sure your job titles and academic degrees are translated into their French equivalents so they’re clear to recruiters.
- Knowing what a CV in French is will help you structure your application properly and make a good impression on French-speaking hiring managers.
How to Write A Job-Winning Resume in French
Hiring managers see dozens of applications in a very short period of time… but only a few make the cut. To stand out, it really helps to understand how to write a CV in French. The smallest tweaks can make your application adequately appealing.
The first step is your layout and style. A recruiter may set aside your CV if it’s hard to read, even if you have the right qualifications. Creative fonts and styles are fine for artistic roles, but avoid overdoing it. Safer options include Cambria, Calibri, Roboto, or Arial.
Your format also plays a big role. You can choose reverse chronological, functional, or combination formats. Each highlights your background differently. The reverse-chronological format focuses on professional experience. The functional resume emphasizes skills. The combination format blends both approaches.
The structure of your resume should have all the important sections, including:
- The header section
- A professional summary
- Work experience section
- Education section
- Skills section
- An additional section(Language skills, hobbies, publications, computer skills, and certifications)
Here are some tips to help you personalize your French resume.
- Remember to write any abbreviated company names and U.S state codes in full to make it easy for your potential employer to understand.
- Always look up the French equivalent of your academic achievements and job titles to ensure that your future employer understands your qualifications.
- Get a native French speaker to proofread your CV before sending it out to ensure there are no errors.
Begin Your French Resume with the Contact Information
When writing a French resume, you'll be required to include more personal information. This may come as a surprise to you if you're used to writing an English resume that requires you to be brief with your personal information.
In addition to your full name, phone number, email address, and job title, you'll also add your marital status, age, and nationality. The location is also essential, especially if you're applying for a job abroad.
CORRECTEmma Sanders
4964 Snowbird Lane
Omaha, NE 68144
456-880-321
emmasanders@gmail.com
Américaine
26 ans
💡 This header is correct because it contains all the personal details required from the candidate by the employer.
INCORRECTEmma Sanders
Représentante du service clientèle
456-880-321
emmasanders@gmail.com
Omaha, NE.
💡 This header lacks most of the essential details required on a French resume.
The photo: Crucial on The French Resume
While it's highly discouraged to add a photo on your resume in the U.S, this is not the case if you're applying for a job in France. It's a common requirement in most European countries.
However, it shouldn't be a random selfie on your phone that you've been hoping to use. It has to be a professional photo that should preferably be passport-sized.
Illustrate Your Professional Experience
The work experience section shows what you’ve done in your field. List jobs starting with the most recent and include 3–5 key tasks for each. Whenever possible, add numbers or results; this makes your experience clear and helps create a good resume.
Even without direct experience, highlight volunteer work, projects, or other roles to show useful skills.
So, what do you add to this section if you don't have previous experience in your field?
If you don't have previous experience, you can highlight your other experience not related to the job and show the recruiter the transferable skills you gained that will be useful in the company. Usually, volunteer experiences, attachments, or military service also help your CV look good if you've not started working.
CORRECTMuscle Co.
Représentant du service clientèle français
août 2014-juin 2016
- A traité 30 demandes de renseignements sur le site Web par jour et a converti 18 de ces demandes en clients qui reviennent.
- A facilité les services en accueillant les clients, en déterminant leurs commandes et en les soumettant avec précision dans le système électronique approprié, augmentant ainsi les ventes de 20 %.
- A fourni des services de traduction à une équipe de 5 personnes pour communiquer avec les clients francophones.
💡 The example above indicates the candidates' responsibilities using facts and figures.
INCORRECTSuper Shops Limited
Représentante du service clientèle en français
De janvier 2013 à juin 2014
- A répondu à de multiples appels entrants et les a dirigés vers les personnes appropriées.
- Documenté les problèmes et les demandes des clients sur la base de données.
- Promu les produits aux clients lors des appels de suivi.
💡 The example above is vague and doesn't have exact results that will show the hiring manager what the candidate can do.
Education Section
Every academic achievement is vital when applying for a job in France. Whether you have a Diploma, Bachelor's degree, or Master's degree, you should include it in your CV. It's okay to leave out your high school diploma if you have a Master's degree or Doctorate PhD
Remember that every country has a different grading system. Therefore, to make the recruiter's work easier, you can always include the French equivalent of every academic qualification. This extra effort might end up tipping the scale in your favor.
The information that you'll have here includes:
- The name of the school.
- The name of the degree.
- The dates you attended the school.
The location and grade are not always mandatory, but you can add them to your CV:
CORRECTLicence en finance
Université de Californie du Sud
Juin 2012-décembre 2016
Skills Section
When listing your skills, think about those unique abilities that help you perform the job efficiently. Each job will require specific skills, and how you add them to your resume also matters. With the help of our resume templates, you can structure this section appropriately, making sure that the recruiter doesn't miss any detail. A clear format, such as a CV template European, can make this section easy to scan and highlight your most relevant qualifications.
Use bullet points to list your skills because this makes them easily visible even as the recruiter takes a glance at your resume. The skills are divided into hard skills, which are more technical and may require some training and soft skills, which are more of your personality and character.
Let's look at some examples of these skills.
Hard skills
- Accounting skills
- SEO marketing
- Project management
- Business development
- Database management
- Data analysis
- Public speaking
- Digital marketing
Soft skills
- Adaptability
- Interpersonal skills
- Communication
- Critical thinking
- Decision-making
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Leadership
About Me: Summarize Your Professional Profile
The professional summary is also referred to as the introduction of your resume. It summarizes your top achievements and experience to capture the hiring manager's attention and get them to read the rest of your resume. This section should answer the following questions:
- What previous experience do you have that makes you the best candidate for the position?
- What was your top accomplishment at your last position?
- What top skills make you a unique candidate for the position?
CORRECT
Représentant du service clientèle très motivé avec huit ans d'expérience dans le service à la clientèle. Capacité avérée à proposer des solutions utiles après avoir écouté et évalué les besoins des clients. A constamment optimisé les efforts de l'équipe pour gérer efficacement le flux de travail.
This example covers all the areas a resume summary should cover, properly detailing the candidate's experience, skills, and accomplishments.
INCORRECT
Représentant de l'assistance à la clientèle travaillant avec acharnement, soucieux de la satisfaction des clients et expérimenté dans la résolution des problèmes des clients. Un communicateur hautement qualifié et un joueur d'équipe.
The example above doesn't detail the candidate's professional expertise or accomplishments at their previous workplace. This makes it hard for the hiring manager to know what value they'll bring to the company.
Professional Objective
Recent graduates and career changers may not have professional achievements and years of experience to add to their CV in the professional summary section. However, the professional objective gives them a chance to briefly describe their career goals and how they align with the company goals and express their interest in the position.
CORRECT
Diplômé en communication très motivé, doté de compétences exceptionnelles en matière de leadership et de relations interpersonnelles. Maîtrise de Microsoft Office et de la suite Adobe et capacité avérée à mener à bien des tâches et des missions dans les délais impartis, à la recherche d'une opportunité dans votre organisation. A dirigé une équipe de 5 membres et a remporté un prix pour la meilleure présentation lors des Prix régionaux pour les journalistes en herbe.
Additional sections for your French Resume
An additional section allows you to include any other qualifications you may have left out in the previous sections. This is your chance to shine as you highlight additional achievements and skills that set you apart from all other candidates.
You may be tempted to be timid, but don't be because it's an 'everyone for themselves' kind of situation, and your competitors will bring their A-game. Let's help you out with some of the sections you'll add here.
Languages
If you're multilingual, don't bundle up your language skills with your other skills because it's so easy for the recruiter to miss them. Create a separate section for them and list them down using the official language reference.
If you're applying for a job in France, you'll want your potential employer to see that your French is excellent, so include your proficiency level and results if applicable. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages can help you determine your proficiency level, either a basic user, independent user, or proficient user.
Publications
What better way to showcase some of your achievements than to highlight your published work in magazines or journals. This is an excellent way to get the hiring manager's attention and set yourself apart from the other candidates.
Remember to include:
- The title of the publication.
- The name of the journal or magazine.
- The link to the publication.
Tips to Improve Your Resume in French
- Your resume should be one page long, focusing on your relevant qualifications depending on your field.
- Please do your research on the company you're applying to ensure you don't write a CV that doesn't fit their culture or specifications.
- Proofread your CV to ensure your French is excellent and there are no mistakes.
- Always create a new French CV when applying for a position and consider the company and the country you want to work in.
Summary: Write a Perfect French Resume to Work Abroad
- Your header will include your age, nationality, and marital status in addition to your contact details.
- Most European countries require a photo on your resume, except for a few like the U.K and Ireland.
- Always quantify your results when writing your roles and responsibilities to show your value to the hiring manager.
- Keep your resume short and use a layout that is easy to read and understand.
- Introduce your resume with a catchy professional summary.
Complement Your Resume with Your Cover Letter
Hiring managers get many job applications, and one way you can stand out is by complementing your CV with a cover letter. This letter allows you to highlight your career goals, express your interest in the job, and bring up some of your accomplishments.
Not to mention, it showcases your superb writing skills and personality. Check out our cover letter examples and learn to write an impeccable letter for every job application.
