How do I write a CV in English? For most French people, writing a CV in English is a real nightmare. Don't panic! The Anglo-Saxon CV is not as complicated as it seems. But what's the secret to a good English CV? To stand out from the crowd, don't break the golden rule. Never translate your French CV into English. Why not? Because recruiters are looking for a qualified candidate. A candidate who has some knowledge of the English language. To attract the recruiter's attention when reading it, use the right expressions, but especially the right terms. Here are a few tips that will help you put all the chances on your side when sending your CV.
Essential: choosing the right words and expressions to use
Anglo-Saxons are uncompromising when it comes to recruitment and interviews. To be on your side, you have to stand out and be discerning. But how do you do that? The answer is simple: take care of your CV. If in France, syntax, words and expressions used are very important, for Anglo-Saxons, it is no less important. Writing a CV in English means above all using the right words and expressions. Experts say that 90% of candidates who are interviewed are those who have written their resumes well. Before sending your CV, pay close attention to the details and double-check all the information provided. And don't forget the most important thing. Check the spelling and pay attention to syntax errors. Also use terms appropriate to the position. To find the right terms, simply do an Internet search for the words and phrases you want to use on your job abroad. Once the search is complete, select the most appropriate ones to capture the recruiter's attention.
Important: what is the difference between an American and a British CV?
Why is there a difference between a British and an American CV? When applying in an English-speaking country, it is important to differentiate between American and British English. Although these two languages are homologous, are written and pronounced in almost the same way, they have their own particularities. Particularities that make the difference in a CV. So writing a CV in American English is not the same as writing a CV in British English. What are the differences? The closest example is the form of the resume. The date is not written the same way. For example, for the date September 28, 2016, in the United States, it is written as follows: September 28, 2016. While in England it will be: September 28, 2016. In the United States, writing your resume is like advertising yourself. You may not know it, but an American resume has to be very eye-catching. Nothing could be simpler. Just highlight all your professional and academic achievements with numbers.
Writing a CV in English: what are the golden rules?
Before writing a CV in English, you need to know the golden rules. But what are the golden rules? To make your CV stand out from the rest, you need to follow five specific points of the golden rules. Avoid putting your photo on the CV. This may seem crazy and odd in France, but in English-speaking countries this is the norm. These English-speaking countries are the United States, England, Australia and Canada. Why avoid putting your photo on your CV? Simply to banish discrimination and sexism. Avoid putting personal information such as age, driver's license, marital status and number of children. Don't forget to highlight your diplomas and professional experience in your CV, recruiters will evaluate you according to this information. Also specify your language level. No employer would want to have an incompetent person in their company who does not know a single word of English. Last but not least: interests and extra-curricular activities. Value these types of activities when writing your CV in English so that the recruiter can detect your personality.
Bonus: What to avoid
Writing a CV in English means above all avoiding mistakes. To avoid making mistakes, be thorough and attentive. Include all your professional references. Professional references are usually listed in the last section of your resume. In the professional field, the term References means: recommendations. It is therefore a matter of communicating information about your former employers to enable the recruiter to contact them if necessary. Information such as head office, fax, but especially the telephone number of the companies concerned. Anglo-Saxon recruiters tend to contact former employers to ensure your honesty and integrity.