A French cover letter is a formal document that clearly explains your motivation and qualifications for a position or program. In France, just like your resume, this document is a key part of your application.
Your letter should follow a structured format, but no need to panic! In this article, we share our expert tips and the best tools to help you craft a strong cover letter.
First things first: Where can you find job opportunities as a student in France?
To find a student job in France, we recommend the platform Jobaviz.
It is the main platform for student employment, offering part-time positions suited to student schedules. Managed by the CROUS (Centre Régional des Œuvres Universitaires et Scolaires), the official organization supporting student life in France, Jobaviz lists thousands of opportunities. Many students successfully find jobs teaching their native language to French locals. Other part-time opportunities include working in restaurants, cafés, hotels, local stores, and more.
What is the standard format of a French cover letter?
A French cover letter follows a clear formal structure that may differ from other countries’ styles.
- Header: Add your contact information at the top left (name, address, phone number, email). Place the recipient’s information below on the right (name, title, company or institution, address).
- Date: Write the date on the right, below the recipient’s information.
- Salutation: Use a formal greeting such as “Madame, Monsieur,” or “Monsieur [Last Name]” / “Madame [Last Name]” if you know the name.
- Introduction: Briefly state who you are and the purpose of your letter.
- Body: Present your qualifications, experience, and motivation. Explain why you are a good fit for the position or program.
- Conclusion: Reiterate your interest in the position or program and request an interview.
- Signature: Close with a formal sign-off such as “Je vous prie d’agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l’expression de mes salutations distinguées,” and sign your letter.
Recommended tools and templates to write your French cover letter
Using a letter template can help ensure your letter follows the correct structure, and tools like Ma lettre de motivation or Canva are ideal for this.
Ma lettre de motivation is a cover letter generator developed by France Travail, the French government agency in charge of employment. This official tool provides you with a solid base letter that you can modify and improve. You simply need to enter your personal information, preferred language style, the position and company you are applying to, and your skills.
While templates are a good starting point and a real time-saver, always customize your letter to your situation and the specific position you are applying for. Avoid using the same letter for multiple applications, most recruiters can tell. For the best impact, take the time to tailor each letter.
How can you make your French cover letter stand out?
To make your letter more effective, focus on relevant experience, use appropriate language and tone, and keep it concise.
French employers often value practical experience and interpersonal skills more than diplomas alone. Instead of listing all your experiences, focus on those most relevant to the position and explain how they relate to the role’s responsibilities. The goal of your letter is to get an interview, not to present every argument. Keep it clear, concise, and targeted. Choose only 2 or 3 key skills/experiences that will make the recruiter want to learn more about you.
Also, a French cover letter should not exceed one page. A long letter risks losing the recruiter’s attention. Keep a professional tone, and ask your friends or family to proofread it carefully for you. Typos, mistakes or an informal tone can create a poor first impression.
What should you do after sending your French cover letter?
Prepare for the next step: the interview.
Learn key French phrases for job interviews. Practice your self-introduction speech and try to prepare your responses to the most common questions asked during a job interview.
If you like to read more about life in France, make sure to follow our blog where we cover everything you need to know about France!
