Francophone CV to English: translating without losing meaning
An English CV is not a word-for-word translation: the format changes (usually no photo or date of birth) and some qualifications need an equivalent.
When you need an English version
For UN agencies, many international NGOs, regional banks and any role in Ghana, Nigeria or an English-speaking head office. Many regional ads ask for both languages.
What changes in the format
- No photo, date of birth or marital status unless asked.
- Your name is the title, not "CV".
- Explain degrees: "Licence (Bachelor's degree, 3 years)", "BTS (2-year technical diploma)".
| Method | Cost | Strength | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Write it yourself from an outline | Free | Truly personal letter | Slow, structure mistakes are common |
| Template found online | Free | Fast | Copied phrases recruiters recognise |
| General AI (ChatGPT, Gemini…) | Free or subscription | First draft in seconds | May invent skills or figures |
| EmploiZen | Free guided outline, AI letter from 300 CFA francs | Uses your CV and the job ad, flags invented figures | AI writing is paid; proofread as with any letter |
Whatever the method, read it aloud: you must be able to defend every line in an interview.
False friends
"Stage" is an internship, "formation" is training or education, "responsable" is manager or in charge of. Machine translation keeps French sentence structure: ask a native speaker to proofread.
Frequently asked questions
Should an English CV have a photo?
No, unless the ad asks. English-speaking recruiters and international organisations often advise against it.
How do I translate Licence or Maîtrise?
Keep the original term and add an equivalent: "Licence (Bachelor's degree, 3 years)".
Is machine translation enough?
For a first draft only. Check job titles and degrees, which are often mistranslated.
Kpak is published by the EmploiZen team, one of the tools mentioned in this article. Our transparency policy
