Writing a cover letter in French is a tricky exercise that even some native French speakers can fear. But it’s necessary, as French employers typically request cover letters as a complement to your CV.
A well-crafted cover letter creates a connection with the recruiter, showing them you’re the right person for the job. But French cultural expectations regarding the document’s format and content differ from those in other countries.
This detailed guide will help you craft an effective French cover letter that respects local conventions while putting your best foot forward. We’ll review the general structure of a cover letter and dive into some practical tips, examples and helpful resources.
In France, the recruitment process traditionally involves sending a CV and a cover letter. Both documents are generally requested when you apply for a job, an internship or a scholarship.
Though the cover letter has been losing some traction over the last few years, it’s still a highly recommended (and sometimes compulsory) supplement to the CV. And it can be a powerful asset to catch a recruiter’s attention. On average, recruiters spend a mere 30 seconds reading your CV. Nailing a compelling cover letter will definitely help you stand out from the crowd.
Cover letters can be sent in reply to a job posting or as part of a candidature spontanée, i.e., an application to a position despite the absence of an official job posting.
Before you apply for a position in France, you may want to take a look at how people talk about the job search and work in French. With Lingoda’s online French classes, you can build the language skills and cultural confidence you need to write a convincing cover letter—and succeed in a French-speaking work environment.
Your cover letter must be as easy to read as possible.
Choose a font such as Arial, Helvetica or Verdana, and set the font size to clearly legible 12. The text should be left-aligned, with 2.5 centimeter margins and a line spacing of 1.15.
Your cover letter should never exceed one page. Half a page can even be enough, if your text is sharp and precise. Start with creating an outline for your cover letter, using the structure below as a template.
Make sure to include the following sections in your cover letter:
Before you begin writing, remember to review the job description or company profile. In fact, it’s crucial that the cover letter reflects the company’s own wording about the open role.
Madame and Monsieur are the most common salutations used in cover letters. Always confirm the gender of the recruiter — by checking their profile on LinkedIn, for instance. If you’re unsure who you’re addressing, you can use an alternate form containing both: Madame, Monsieur.
The only situation in which you would call someone by their first name is when you already know them well (e.g., Bonjour Dominique), so refrain from using the recruiter’s first name.
Some candidates also add a subject line in the upper part of their cover letter. For example:Objet : Candidature au poste de responsable marketing chez Lingoda.
Your introduction should grab the reader’s attention. To that end, get creative and avoid simply starting the first sentence with a first-person pronoun (je). Use this space to immediately confirm that you understand the company’s needs, and perhaps mention what compelled you to apply.
It’s also crucial to use the same language (job title, adjectives, industry-specific vocabulary, etc.) as in the job posting and on the company’s website. This demonstrates your attention to detail, but it also helps you understand what the company or the project is about.
Here are two examples of cover letter introductions in French:
Example 1: “Dans votre annonce publiée sur LinkedIn, vous indiquez rechercher un responsable marketing expérimenté. Titulaire d’un diplôme en marketing de l’université de Leeds et fort de cinq années d’expérience à ce poste, je possède les compétences nécessaires pour être opérationnel rapidement.”
Example 2: “Votre entreprise recherche une stagiaire autonome, motivée, et capable de communiquer avec vos clients espagnols ? Je suis la personne qu’il vous faut ! Tout juste diplômée d’un Master en génie civil de l’université de Madrid, je suis disponible au plus tôt.”
Academic qualifications are highly valued in the French job market, so don’t forget to mention your degree(s) as soon as you can. Then, summarize your practical experience using action verbs and positive adjectives. As in the introduction, reference the company’s website to ensure you use the same vocabulary as the recruiter.
Example:
“Titulaire d’un diplôme en management de l’université de Berlin, je suis spécialisée dans le secteur de la vente à distance. À la fois rigoureuse et équitable, je saurai accompagner efficacement vos équipes.”
In the second paragraph, connect your expertise to the job description. Focus on the skills you developed in your previous jobs and how they will prove useful in your next role. Don’t forget to highlight your soft skills, as well.
Again, go through the company’s website (or any other resources you can find online) to identify what the company needs. It could be expert knowledge in a given subject, an ability to work in a multilingual environment, or a talent for negotiation.
Example:
“En tant que chargé d’affaires chez Telecom SA, j’ai acquis de précieuses compétences en gestion financière et renforcé les qualités qui font de moi un professionnel apprécié par ses collaborateurs. De nature sociable, je saurai donc m’intégrer aisément dans votre équipe.”
At the end of the body section, reiterate why you’re interested in the position and open the way for an interview. Feel free to use the future tense rather than the conditional tense, as it generally sounds more assertive.
Here are a couple of expressions you can use as a call to action:
“Je serai heureux d’approfondir cette question avec vous lors d’un entretien en présentiel ou à distance.”
“Je me permettrai de reprendre contact avec vous d’ici deux semaines pour échanger sur vos besoins.”
Some specific sentences are typically used to end professional letters in French.
For example, you can say:
“Dans l’attente de votre retour, je me tiens à votre disposition pour tout complément d’information.”
Another more formal but common option is:
“Je vous prie d’agréer, Madame/Monsieur, l’expression de mes sincères salutations.”
More informal sign-offs include “Cordialement,” or “Sincères salutations,”.
Finally, don’t forget to add your handwritten signature under the closing sentence. Most word processors (including Microsoft Word and Google Docs) include signature features or plug-ins. For security reasons, if you add your signature as an image, be sure to convert your document into a PDF.
Writing an effective cover letter in French requires a clear understanding of the local expectations regarding this key document. As a complement to your CV, the cover letter connects your work skills and experience with the hiring company’s needs.
Once you’ve written your cover letter, keep practicing! Review our list of the best resources to learn French to deepen your understanding of the work environment in France.
And why not take an intensive French course to stack the odds in your favor? Lingoda’s native-level teachers are here to help you land your dream job!
