Unit 3 · Lesson 2
The French CV & Cover Letter
A French CV (curriculum vitae) and lettre de motivation follow specific conventions. Sections appear in a standard order, opening and closing phrases are formulaic by design, and action verbs on a CV take a different form than in English.
In Canada, French employers expect a CV that mirrors French conventions: not a translated English résumé. Getting the tone, structure, and key phrases right signals that you understand the professional culture.
French CV sections — in order
- 1Coordonnées — Contact info: name, phone, email, LinkedIn, city
- 2Profil professionnel / Résumé — Professional summary (3–5 lines)
- 3Expérience professionnelle — Work experience: reverse chronological
- 4Formation / Études — Education: most recent first
- 5Compétences — Skills: langues, informatique, autres
- 6Bénévolat / Activités — Volunteering and extracurricular activities
- 7Références — Références disponibles sur demande
Model lettre de motivation — opening paragraph
Fully in French — bilingual workplace context
Madame, Monsieur, je vous soumets ma candidature pour le poste de coordonnatrice administrative affiché sur votre site. Forte de quatre années d'expérience au sein d'organismes gouvernementaux bilingues, je maîtrise les outils de bureautique ainsi que la communication professionnelle en français et en anglais. Ce poste m'intéresse particulièrement car il me permettrait de mettre à profit mes compétences en gestion administrative tout en évoluant dans un environnement dynamique et axé sur le service aux citoyens.
Translation: I am submitting my application for the administrative coordinator position posted on your website. Drawing on four years of experience in bilingual government organizations, I am proficient in office software and professional communication in both French and English. This position particularly interests me as it would allow me to leverage my administrative management skills while growing in a dynamic, citizen-service-focused environment.
CV & cover letter phrases
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French
Opening a cover letter
tap to flip
English
Madame, Monsieur, je vous soumets ma candidature pour le poste de...
I am submitting my application for the position of...: formal and standard.
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Match the purpose to the French phrase
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Click a French word, then click its English match.
Complete the cover letter sentences
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Hint: Soumettre: to submit. Je soumets = I submit.
I am submitting my application for the position of project manager.
French CV & cover letter quiz
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What is the correct order of sections on a French CV?