What does a typical French CV look like?

A typical French CV is short, structured and topped by a clear job title. Most applicants use one page early in their career and up to two pages later, in reverse chronological order.

Common elements:

• Contact details at the top, with a "titre du CV": a headline naming the job you want, such as "Contrôleur de gestion".
• A short "accroche" or profile of two or three lines, which is optional.
• Expérience professionnelle: jobs with dates, employer, place and achievement bullets.
• Formation: degrees and diplomas, often with the level (for example a Master) and the school.
• Compétences and Langues: skills and language levels.
• Centres d'intérêt: a brief line on interests, still common in France.

The CV usually goes with a "lettre de motivation" (cover letter). Photos and personal details such as age are optional and vary by sector and employer. Keep the layout clean and send a PDF unless asked otherwise.