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- clearly indicate an interest in the country by mentioning activities, visits, family situation. Gender and nationality are optional. The information is presented
personal views, the use of the language, etc in the form of actions and activities and the person is described in terms of skills.
- Model: A4 format, black ink, no frills or fancy presentations The professional objective is often boxed as an INTRODUCTION in just a few lines.
- have the CV proof-read by a native of the country if possible The headings of professional experiences, training, computer and linguistic skills
and interests follow below this. The line 'achievements' or 'publications' may be
Sites giving tips for writing CVs and covering letters: added if these are relevant, and there is also a 'references' section. The whole
takes up one or at most two typed pages.
÷ www.capcampus.com/emploi/stage Care should be taken not to confuse English with American terms.
÷ www.erasmusworld.org/stages
÷ www.studyrama-emploi.com
÷ www.emploi-store.fr/préparer sa candidature/cv et lettre de motivation:
applications, MOOCs and serious games to help with the drafting of the CV
and covering letter.
The covering letter
The covering letter should be brief (one page maximum), personalized, usually
signed and dated.
It must complement the CV and not repeat what has already been said.
It must be drafted in the language of the country, or failing that, in English.
There are several parts which respond successively to these three questions:
- What is the object of the application?
- Who are you?
- Why do you want to take this course?
The European Network Europass has posted online a text editor for a covering
letter to complete the CV. It is accessible at: europass.cedefop.europa.eu
Sites to translate the type of phrases found in a CV and covering
letter in a large number of languages: www.linguee.fr -
bab.la/phrases
Information and useful sites by country
To apply for a course abroad, it is not enough to translate the CV into English or
the country’s own language. It must also be adapted to the customs and habits of
the country. Each country has its own culture in terms of recruitment procedures.
In fact, they do not all accord the same importance to the various headings which
may appear in the CV. The presentation of the covering letter may also vary, as do
the rules which govern the hiring procedure. Local specificities are shown in the
country sheets, in the second part of this booklet.
The English CV differs from the French CV in its content, its structure and its form.
It does not include a photograph, does not specify age, and does not indicate the
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