About this template
The France template is a French CV in Garamond on a single A4 page, with a discreet navy band. Lines dedicated to date of birth, family status and driving licence — the civil status block expected by French recruiters. Suits English-speaking candidates targeting France through subsidiaries of multinational groups or direct applications to French firms.
Who is it for?
It fits candidates targeting the French market — Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse — in banking (BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole), consulting (BCG, McKinsey, Bain, Roland Berger, Oliver Wyman), audit (PwC, EY, KPMG, Deloitte), public sector and CAC 40 subsidiaries. Junior to senior profiles applying with a CV + cover letter combination, where omitting civil status can lead to the application being set aside.
How to use it
The civil status block fits on two lines under the name: date and place of birth, family status (« Married, two children » or « Single »), B driving licence. The navy band carries the targeted job title. Reverse chronology on experience. French diplomas are cited in full (« HEC Paris — Grande École degree, class of 2018 »). For a senior consultant, indicate the internal grid (Senior Associate, Project Leader, Principal). For an auditor, the CAC number and CNCC registration.
Frequently asked questions
Is civil status really mandatory?
For traditional French banking, consulting and civil service, yes — omission reads as carelessness or a poorly adapted Anglo-Saxon application. For tech, startups and certain international subsidiaries, the CV without civil status is now accepted — prefer in that case the France Moderne template, more contemporary.
Is one page enough for a senior profile?
For a junior to mid (up to ten years), yes. Beyond that, switch to France Compact which keeps the classic Garamond layout but allows more content. The French market values conciseness, but not to the point of hiding fifteen years of career.
Is a photo needed?
Optional and increasingly rare in large groups (BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Total, Sanofi) applying a no-photo recruitment policy. For SMEs, mid-caps and Paris subsidiaries of international groups, the photo remains tolerated and sometimes expected. When in doubt: send without photo and provide if requested.
