Finding a job is a major challenge for many French expatriates. But before responding to offers, having a resume tailored to Ireland is essential. Because the Irish and French resumes differ on several points.
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Ok, so let's dive into some of the differences between Irish CVs and French Resumes:
While in France, a page is normal, it is possible to do more in Ireland. The length of the CV depends mostly on your work experience. director Jane Gormley of RECRUITERS states:
Keep it short and sweet; it’s sharper: two pages is perfect
The profile summary does not exist in France and yet it is one of the most important parts of your CV in Ireland, which will be consulted first by recruiters. This is a personal definition of yourself in four or five lines. It summarises your resume should be put at the beginning. “It is a professional definition that describes your skills and should contain keywords,” said Gormley. How long you work for instance, or what your professional goals are.
This part is also essential to write a good CV. The experience is often more important in the Emerald Isle than diplomas. It is therefore preferable to put your experience before your qualifications in the structure of your CV.
All recruiters recommend putting your most recent experience first, early in the headings and detail more than your first job. Avoid talking in the first or third person. Prefer more impersonal phrases like “responsible for, employed by ...”
Finally, be sure to have the relevant information and updates on your LinkedIn profile if you have one (which is highly recommended). Many recruiters will check and verify the information in the CV.
Discrimination laws were not courses in Ireland, so it is possible for you to put in your photo, select your gender or your age. However, recruitment agencies do not advise it.
The first reason is that there are a lot of multinational companies in Ireland and they are used to enforcing anti-discrimination laws: therefore do not specify your gender, your religion or marital status
The debate on the photo is also present in Ireland but most recruiters prefer a CV without. “We do not like pictures,” said Jessica Manina in Lincoln Recruitment. “But if you want to put one, make sure it’s a professional photograph. Because some people sometimes take selfies and this very unprofessional.”
The topics of your interests and your skills (e.g. IT or language) should also be included in the resume at the end, as in France.
Tailor your CVto each company to show that you have knowledge about the company and you really want to be hired by it. Pay attention to the spelling mistakes especially during translations of your areas of expertise. If possible, have it re-read by an Irish person!
CV layout must be impeccable: keep the same typeface, aerate the CV.
Recruiters spend an average of 20 or 30 seconds on your resume so it must be neat and easy to read. The last thing a recruiter wants is to seek information so do not hide behind a display of sophisticated graphics.
Last thing, the references from former employers are often appreciated: please provide these your CV.
If you do not know at all how to start your CV, many online sites offer templates (a substance already pre-filled) that you can customise. You have many examples here , depending on your career advancement and professional experience.
A version of this article originally appeared on Leptit Journal
Looking for more advice? Here’s everything you need to know about your CV.
Eiffel tower photo by Louis Pellissier on Unsplash
