Conseils pour la rédaction du CV
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Anglais impeccable nécessaire. Faites corriger
votre lettre par un prof d’anglais (qui connaît le monde US) ou un étudiant
anglophone
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Utilisez un ordinateur avec imprimante laser ou
inkjet. La photo et les informations personnelles (age, sexe,
marié/célibataire) ne sont pas nécessaires
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Utilisez des équivalences américaines pour la
formation. Considérez
que vous êtes en « Master of sciences in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering».
N’hésitez pas à ajouter un document (ou lien Internet)
qui décrit l’école en anglais.
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Ajoutez des éléments qui montrent vos qualités
académiques (classement, recherche, prix et autre distinction académique)
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Montrez non seulement vos responsabilités mais
aussi vos résultats, chiffrés si possible (ex. : treasurer of a
$400,000 budget student association, improved productivity by 50%, improved
manufacturing process resulting in $500,000 yearly cost savings for the company
etc…)
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Ne négligez pas vos activités extrascolaires.
C’est encore plus important qu’en France
More tips
It is no use to tell your age or birth date. It is illegal for the recruiter to ask you
any information related to age, gender, marital status, religion, political
affiliation, and a few others. You might
choose to volunteer it, but only in an interview, not on a resume (CV).
You absolutely need to state an email; it is much
easier to communicate especially if you are in France. If you do not have one,
use your friend’s or family’s email addresses if you want; but find one.
If you live in France, state that people must use
the code “33”+ your phone number without the 0 to call you. Make sure you make
yourself easy to reach if you want to be called in France from the US. If
necessary specify the days and hours (use GMT reference) best to call you.
Give your
objective:
why do you send your resume? Do you want a job, a training period? In what
field of the industry? You can also state here when you are available.
Education: If you already have some
professional experience start with that block first and put the education
afterwards. If your degree is not a US degree, your recruiter will probably not
know what its value is (The official equivalence of the Ensam degree is Master
of Sciences in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering). Therefore tell as much
as you can about it in 1 line: is it an engineering or business college? What
is the degree worth in the country you got it?
Professional
experience:
Start with the most recent, the recruiter wants to know first what you did
last. First give the title you had during this experience and the period during
which you have worked. Then, state the company, where it is located and write
what they do, especially if the company is unknown in the US. Finally, describe
what you have accomplished. Do not hesitate to give figures. Whether
qualitative or quantitative (best), always emphasize the results rather than
the process, i.e. what you achieved instead of what you did or how you did it.
Skills: List major specific skills
you have.
For the languages, use: Basic knowledge, average,
fluent, bilingual (use only if one of your parent or you are born in the
country), and native (not mother tongue).
Activities: List the activities you do
during your free time. The goal is to show your involvement in associations and
activities. Do not make an exhaustive list.
Limit to a couple, may be three, but no more. Employers are looking for focus and dedication. Make it easy: pick things you’re passionate
about. Chances are there won’t be more
than 2 or 3. Finally, make it as
specific as necessary; for example say XVIII century French literature instead
of reading.
Personal: This is where you state
you are a French citizen. If you have a valid visa, write it as well.
References: This section is typical in
the US: you must find people who know you professionally and personally,
typically people you worked for and friends and relatives. The recruiter uses them to get to know you
from a different perspective. They are
not typically consulted to provide an opinion on your aptitude for the
job. This is the recruiter’s role. Furthermore, there have been lawsuits in the
US where people have sued their references, generally former employers, because
they did not get the job. Bottom line,
your references are used to shed light on your strengths and weaknesses not to
comment on whether you’re a fit for the position you are pursuing. Make sure they are people who know you
well. Of course, let them know that you
would like them to be references and help them help you if necessary, i.e. tell
them what to expect and possibly what not to say. You can ask your boss during
one of your training period or the college director...Typically people have 2
or 3 referrals. You do not send them; you keep them just in case they are asked
for.
Honors: There might be an
additional block mentioning awards or honors you have received if
applicable.