The French Resume

Greg Faherty
Reviewed by
Greg Faherty
Certified Professional Resume Writer
Updated on October 10, 2025
Written by
RC Team
Resume and Cover Letter Experts

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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.

Writing a Resume in French

More than a simple translation, writing a resume in French requires a different approach. The reason for this is that there are other factors to be considered when writing a French CV.

You can read more about these in the next few sections of this article. But before that, here are a few tips on how to write a resume in French:

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

There are certain formalities that need to be considered when writing a French Resume. This includes specific resume formatting rules.

To follow the typical French resume model, you should limit your resume to 2 standard A4 pages.

Use a maximum of 2 different font styles throughout to maintain a professional French resume style.

Also, spacing should be consistent 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 formatted with the right spacing, lines, and headings, ready to be filled out.

What to include in a French resume

The following are the main sections every successful French resume should have:

Photo

In the United States, you are 88% more likely to get a “no” from your application if you include a profile headshot but this feature is  a must in the French job market.

Choose 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. Dress smartly and avoid going overboard on make-up, jewelry, or other accessories.

Contact details/Personal information

Coordonnées/Situation personnelle et état civil

Resumes in the US typically include the candidate’s 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.

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

Title/Introduction

Titre/objectif/projet professionnel

Before entering into details on a French resume, candidates should summarize 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.

Education

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. 

Add your most prestigious and relevant certificates and diplomas to the beginning of your French resume, including your high school studies.

Find out the correct equivalent of your grades and academic level to avoid misinterpretations.

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.

💡Tip

Don’t forget to mention any 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.

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.

Skills

Connaissances/Compétences

Creating a skills section can be just what you need to stand out in the application process. 

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. Software programs are referred to as Logiciels.

For France or Switzerland, it is acceptable to use the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The levels go from A1 to 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 – Moyens
  • Advanced – Courant
  • Bilingual – Bilingue
  • Mother tongue – Langue maternelle

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

Hobbies

Centres d’intérêts

It is common practice to include a section for hobbies on a French resume.

This section should speak directly to the company you’re applying to.

Mention any hobbies or interests where you learned any transferable skills that could be applied to the job.

Use a resume builder to ensure you get a fully-formatted French CV. With sections that can be tailored to your needs, our French resume templates and expert tips will take your application to the next round.

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:

Commerciale
Copied!

Aurélie Gérard

aureliegerard@gmail.com | 75008 Paris | +33 6 15 52 33 97

Profil

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

Formation

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

Langues

  • 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:

French CV

  • Includes a headshot
  • Contains personal details, such as marital status or nationality
  • Includes a CV objective and often serves as a cover letter
  • Usually emphasizes education rather than experience
    Length: Up to 2 pages
  • The skills and interests sections can be relatively long

American Resume

  • Does not include a headshot
  • Does not contain personal details
  • Can include a resume objective or summary. Does not replace a cover letter
  • The emphasis is on experience rather than education
  • Length: Although typically 1 page, it can be several pages long if needed
  • The skills and interests sections are kept short or can even be omitted

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.

Our online Resume Builder comes with extra capabilities

  • Editor available in 13 languages
  • Create several resumes and cover letters
  • Secure permanent storage
  • Usable on a variety of devices

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.

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.

Provide your full name, address, phone number, and email. Also, it’s quite common to include your age or date of birth and nationality on French CVs.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Mobility document, if applicable.