fr-FR
Writing a CV for France
French CVs are concise and formal. One page is the norm for most candidates, education and diplomas carry real weight, and the lettre de motivation is a genuine part of the application rather than a formality.
The norms
- Length
- One page, two only with a decade or more of experience.
- Photo
- Common, especially for client-facing roles.
- Personal details
- Name, email, phone, city. Age is often still included.
- Education
- Diplomas and institutions listed prominently — grandes écoles matter.
- Dates
- MM/YYYY.
- Cover letter
- A formal lettre de motivation is expected.
What gets CVs rejected
- Casual tone. French application writing stays formal throughout.
- Burying qualifications at the bottom — put the diploma where it can be seen.
- Sending an English-only application to a domestic employer.
Template & type
Classic or Compact, one page, 10.5—11pt.
Language: French, with English accepted at international employers
Finding the roles
- Paris, Lyon and Toulouse hold most international and technical hiring.
- CDI (permanent) versus CDD (fixed-term) framing matters — state what you are seeking.
- Networking through alumni associations is unusually effective.
Build a French CV in minutes
Import what you already have, pick the template that matches local norms, and export an ATS-ready PDF with the photo on or off.
Related guides
Writing a cover letter that does not just repeat your CV
A four-paragraph structure, the opening lines to avoid, and how to show you understand the role rather than restating your job history.
How to write a CV that actually gets interviews
A practical, no-fluff structure for a one or two page CV: what goes where, how to write bullet points that land, and the lines to cut.