Cheat sheet

French CV headings: expérience, formation and compétences

Map the sections of a French CV, distinguish qualifications from work history and skills, then sort eight career details under the right headings.

In short

On a French CV, Expérience professionnelle records jobs and achievements, Formation records study and qualifications, and Compétences records what you can do. Formation means education or training here.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

A job applicant organising a portfolio at a desk.
The applicant prepares the evidence for son CV. Illustration: Atelier

Les rubriques du CV

1 · Coordonnées: how to contact you

Your name, email address, telephone number and location form the contact section. Coordonnées means contact details here.

Coordonnées : Nora Petit — Lille — [email protected]Contact details: Nora Petit — Lille — [email protected]

2 · Titre or profil: what you offer

A short title names your target role. A brief profil connects relevant experience to that role; keep dated evidence in the sections below.

Assistante administrative — trois ans d’expérienceAdministrative assistant — three years’ experience

3 · Expérience professionnelle: roles and results

Include dates, job title, employer and useful actions. Recent roles commonly come first. Expériences professionnelles is also a familiar heading.

2023–2025 : assistante administrative, accueil et suivi des dossiers2023–2025: administrative assistant, reception and file management

4 · Formation: courses and qualifications

Put a diploma or training course here, with the institution and date. A stage meaning work placement usually belongs with experience; a training course belongs here.

2022 : BTS Gestion de la PME, lycée Jean-Moulin2022: BTS qualification in small business management, Lycée Jean-Moulin

5 · Compétences: things you can do

Use concrete skills such as preparing invoices or using a spreadsheet. A job title names a role; a skill describes an ability you can use in several roles.

Compétences : préparer des factures et organiser des réunionsSkills: preparing invoices and organising meetings

6 · Langues: the language and level

This can be a separate section or part of skills. Anglais : B2 gives a clearer indication than a bare list of languages. Use the level that matches your ability.

Langues : français C1, anglais B2Languages: French C1, English B2

7 · Centres d’intérêt and engagement

Selected interests and voluntary activities can have their own section. Sustained voluntary responsibilities can also appear in experience, labelled clearly as volunteering.

Bénévolat : trésorière d’une association depuis 2024Volunteering: treasurer of an association since 2024

A one-page CV map
SectionQuestion it answers
CoordonnéesHow can the employer contact you?
ProfilWhat role and strengths are you offering?
Expérience professionnelleWhere did you work, when, and what did you do?
FormationWhat did you study or qualify in?
CompétencesWhat tasks and tools can you handle?
LanguesWhich languages, at what levels?
Centres d’intérêtWhich selected interests add useful detail?

Sort the career details

Tap a word, then the box it belongs in.

Question 1No account needed
Which heading suits “2021 : master de communication”?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Formation. A master’s degree is a qualification, so it belongs under Formation.

Question 2No account needed
Which line best demonstrates a practical skill?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Organisation de réunions à distance. Organising remote meetings says what the applicant can do in a workplace.