Key takeaways
- French CV — état civil block, photo optional.
- Open with a Titre (one-line career objective) under your name.
- Langues block with CEFR levels.
- Centres d'intérêt block — expected in France.
- Photo: include for French employers, omit for international ones.
Format rules at a glance
- Length
- 1–2 pages
- État civil
- Optional, common in France
- Photo
- Optional, employer-dependent
- Titre
- One-line career objective under name
- Centres d'intérêt
- Expected in France
Introduction
The Sciences Po Careers service teaches a CV à la française — the European format used across France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. It differs from the US résumé and the UK CV in three concrete ways: an état civil block at the top (often with date of birth and nationality), a photo is optional but common in France (uncommon in international firms), and the layout permits a second column or sidebar for personal details.
This template uses the French-CV skeleton that Sciences Po Careers shows in its workshops, with the discretion to add or remove état civil and photo depending on whether you're applying in France or to an international employer.
Sciences Po resume format
- Length: 1–2 pages.
- Font: Garamond, Calibri, or Arial at 10–12 pt.
- Margins: ~2 cm.
- Layout: single column with optional sidebar for état civil.
- Photo: optional — common for French/Belgian employers, omit for international firms.
Personal summary
French CVs often open with a one-line Titre (a job title or career objective) directly under your name — for instance "Étudiant en politique publique — recherche d'un stage en cabinet de conseil". This is a French convention rarely used elsewhere.
Experience section
- Open with a verb in the infinitive or participe passé.
- Name scope and result.
- Erasmus and exchange placements treated as full Experience entries.
- Cap each bullet at two lines.
Education and certifications
- Sciences Po, then degree (e.g. Master in Public Policy, Bachelor in European Affairs), graduation date.
- Specify campus (Paris, Reims, Le Havre, Nancy, Menton, Dijon, Poitiers) if relevant.
- Mentions and notes if competitive.
- Previous European institutions listed below in reverse-chronological order.
Skills guidance
French CVs typically include a dedicated Langues block with CEFR levels and a Compétences informatiques block. "Centres d'intérêt" (Interests) is also expected — and unlike in the US, it's read seriously by French recruiters as a signal of cultural fit.
Mistakes to avoid
- Mixing French (état civil + photo) and US (no photo) conventions inconsistently. Pick one based on the employer.
- Inflating language levels. French recruiters often switch to the language mid-interview to verify.
- Omitting Centres d'intérêt. For French CVs, this is expected.
Frequently asked questions about the Sciences Po resume format
For French/Belgian employers, yes — it's a common (though not required) convention. For international firms or US applications, no — international hiring norms exclude photos.
A small block on a French CV listing personal details — date of birth, nationality, sometimes marital status. Sciences Po Careers treats it as optional and trending out of fashion, but still common at French employers.
Match the language of the application. A French CV for a French employer; an English CV for an international firm. Sciences Po Careers maintains samples in both languages.
Career coaching and hiring-side experience, written into practical resume and job-search advice.
Based on public career-center best practices. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Sciences Po.
Source · sciencespo.fr