How to Write a French CV (Curriculum Vitae) and Lettre de Motivation

How to Write a French CV (Curriculum Vitae) and Lettre de Motivation

France classifies every diploma with a single number: Bac+3 for a licence (bachelor's), Bac+5 for a master's, Bac+8 for a doctorate. That number follows French professionals for their entire careers, and employers weight it more heavily than years of experience for many positions.¹ Understanding the French education hierarchy is the first step to writing a CV that a French recruiter will take seriously. Last updated: March 2026

Key Takeaways

A French CV (curriculum vitae) is a one-page document with a professional profile (accroche), work experience (expériences professionnelles), education (formation), skills (compétences), and interests (centres d'intérêt). Photos are optional but remain common in traditional industries. Unlike Anglo-Saxon markets, France places heavy emphasis on educational credentials: your degree type and the Bac+X level appear prominently. A lettre de motivation (cover letter) is expected for most applications, especially internships and traditional companies. The CV uses French section headings and French-language content unless applying to an English-speaking multinational. Omit date of birth, marital status, and nationality unless clarifying work authorization.¹

CV Structure

The standard French CV follows a clean, single-page layout.¹

Required Sections (in order)

Optional additions: Certifications (certifications), volunteer work (bénévolat), projects (projets), publications.

The Accroche (Professional Profile)

The accroche sits directly below your header. French recruiters use it to decide whether to read further. State your professional identity, years of experience, core expertise, and the type of role you seek. A resume builder with ATS optimization can help you craft an accroche that includes the right keywords for automated screening systems.¹

Example: "Ingénieur logiciel avec 6 ans d'expérience en développement backend (Python, Go). Spécialisé dans les architectures microservices et les systèmes distribués. Recherche un poste de Tech Lead dans une scale-up parisienne."

Education: The Bac+X System

French employers care about where you studied and what diploma you hold more than most other Western markets. The Bac+X system classifies every qualification by years of study beyond the baccalauréat (high school diploma).²

Grandes Écoles vs. Universities

France operates a dual higher-education system. The grandes écoles (HEC, Polytechnique, Sciences Po, CentraleSupélec, ESSEC) are selective institutions with competitive entrance exams. A grande école diploma carries significant prestige in French hiring, particularly in consulting, finance, and engineering.²

For foreign applicants: If your degree comes from a well-ranked international university, state the ranking: "University of Toronto, BBA (QS World Ranking: #25)." If your institution is less known in France, describe the program: "4-year honors degree in Computer Science, equivalent Bac+5." French recruiters may not recognize foreign university names, but they understand the Bac+X scale.¹

The Photo Question

French anti-discrimination law (Code du travail, Article L1132-1) prohibits discrimination based on appearance, but photos on CVs remain a cultural norm in many sectors.¹

Include a photo for: Client-facing roles, hospitality, retail, traditional French companies, internship applications at large groups (L'Oréal, LVMH, BNP Paribas).

Skip the photo for: International companies operating in France, tech startups, English-language postings, applications through anonymized screening platforms.

Photo specifications (when included): - Professional headshot, shoulders up - Neutral background - Business attire appropriate to the industry - Friendly but professional expression

Personal Information: What to Include and Omit

Include: Full name, phone number (with +33 country code for international applicants), professional email, city of residence, LinkedIn profile URL, "Permis B" (French driving license) if the role requires mobility.¹

Omit: Date of birth, age, marital status, nationality (unless clarifying work authorization), number of children, full street address.

Work authorization for foreign applicants: If you hold a titre de séjour (residence permit) with work authorization, mention it briefly in the header or accroche: "Titulaire d'un titre de séjour autorisant le travail en France" or in English-language applications: "Holder of a French residence permit with work authorization."

The Lettre de Motivation

The French cover letter follows a specific rhetorical structure called "vous, moi, nous" (you, me, us).³

Paragraph 1 (Vous/You): Why the company interests you. Reference specific projects, values, or market position. Demonstrate research.

Paragraph 2 (Moi/Me): What you bring. Connect your experience and achievements to the role requirements. Provide evidence, not claims.

Paragraph 3 (Nous/Us): What the collaboration could produce. Explain how your strengths address their needs. Project forward.

Closing: Express availability for an interview. Use the formal closing: "Dans l'attente de votre retour, je vous prie d'agréer, Madame/Monsieur, l'expression de mes salutations distinguées."

Length: One page. French hiring managers expect precision and conciseness.

When required: Most traditional French companies, government positions, internships (stages), and alternance (work-study) positions expect a lettre de motivation. Tech startups and international companies may not require one, but submitting one demonstrates seriousness.³

Common Mistakes That Get Foreign Applicants Rejected

1. Writing the CV in English for a French-language posting. If the job description is in French, the CV and lettre de motivation must be in French. Submitting English documents to a French company that advertises in French suggests you cannot work in the language.

2. Omitting the Bac+X equivalent. French recruiters screen by diploma level. A bare "Bachelor of Science" without context forces the reader to guess. Add the equivalent: "BSc Computer Science (Bac+3 equivalent)."

3. Multi-page CV. One page for most professionals. Two pages for senior executives with 15+ years. Three pages never.

4. Generic centres d'intérêt. "Voyages, lecture, cinéma" appears on every CV in France. Replace with specifics: "Marathon runner (3:28 personal best)," "Board member, Association des Anciens de Sciences Po," "Weekly volunteer, Restos du Coeur."

5. Informal tone in the lettre de motivation. French business communication maintains formal register. "Salut" instead of "Madame, Monsieur" or dropping vouvoiement (formal "you") signals cultural ignorance.

6. Listing every technology or skill. French CVs value conciseness. List core competencies relevant to the target role, not an exhaustive inventory. Running your CV through an ATS compatibility check can help you identify which keywords to keep and which to cut.

Audience-Specific Tips

For foreign professionals seeking work in France: - Convert your degree to the Bac+X equivalent. French recruiters screen by diploma level before reading further. - Write the CV in French with French section headings unless applying to an English-language role. - Include a lettre de motivation following the "vous, moi, nous" structure. - Mention your work authorization status in the header if you hold a valid titre de séjour.

For tech professionals: - French Tech (La French Tech) has grown significantly, with Paris, Lyon, and Toulouse as major hubs. - Tech startups are more flexible on CV format and may accept English-language applications. - Include GitHub, portfolio links, and specific technology keywords. French tech recruiters search by stack.

For students seeking internships (stages) or alternance: - Internships are deeply embedded in French education. The lettre de motivation carries extra weight for stage applications. - Place Formation before Expériences on your CV if you're a current student. - Include your Bac+X level prominently. Companies offering alternance contracts need to match your academic level to the role.

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• How to Write a Resume for Germany
• How to Write a CV for the UK
• How to Write a Resume for Australia
• How to Write a Resume for Japan

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to include a photo on my French CV?

Photos are not legally required, but they remain a cultural norm in many traditional French industries such as hospitality, luxury goods, and client-facing roles. If you are applying to a tech startup or an international company operating in France, you can safely omit the photo. When in doubt, check whether other CVs in the industry typically include one.

Should I write my CV in French or English?

Match the language of the job posting. If the description is written in French, your CV and lettre de motivation must be in French — submitting English documents signals that you cannot work in the language. English-language applications are acceptable for international companies and roles explicitly posted in English.

How do I convert my degree to the Bac+X system?

Count the years of higher education after secondary school. A three-year bachelor's degree equals Bac+3, a five-year master's equals Bac+5, and a PhD equals Bac+8. State the conversion explicitly on your CV — for example, "BSc Computer Science (Bac+3 equivalent)" — because French recruiters screen candidates by diploma level before reading further.

Is a lettre de motivation always required?

Most traditional French companies, government positions, internships (stages), and alternance programs expect a lettre de motivation. Tech startups and international firms may not require one, but including a well-structured cover letter following the "vous, moi, nous" format demonstrates seriousness and cultural awareness. When a posting does not mention it, submitting one rarely hurts.

Can I use an American-style resume format in France?

The American format does not translate well to French hiring expectations. French CVs use French section headings (Formation, Expériences professionnelles, Compétences), place education more prominently, and follow a strict one-page format. You should also include a centres d'intérêt section with specific hobbies, which American resumes typically omit.

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References