A CV that works in France does not necessarily work in Montreal, Toronto or New York. North American recruiters read fast, look for concrete results and expect a different format. Here are the rules to adapt your résumé and maximize your chances of an internship in North America.
No photo or personal details
In Canada and the United States, recruiters avoid anything that could lead to hiring discrimination. Remove your photo, age, date of birth, nationality and marital status. Keep only your contact details: name, city, email, phone and LinkedIn profile.
One page, results-oriented
For a student, one page is enough. Each experience should start with an action verb and, whenever possible, show a measurable result: “Automated the weekly report, cutting preparation time by 4 hours” rather than “Responsible for reporting”.
The standard structure
- Header: name, city, email, phone, LinkedIn.
- Summary: two or three lines on your profile and the internship you want.
- Education: school, degree, expected graduation date.
- Experience: internships, work-study, jobs, with results.
- Skills: tools, languages, spoken languages with your level.
- Projects and activities: academic projects, student clubs, hackathons.
Translate your background for a North American reader
Recruiters do not always know the French system. Replace “Bac+5” with the degree name and its equivalent, for example “Master’s degree in Engineering (expected 2027)”. For a grande école, add a short note such as “Graduate engineering school”. Mention your ranking or honors only if they help.
French or English?
In Quebec, a French résumé is generally accepted and often appreciated by companies that work in French. For the rest of Canada and the United States, write it in English. In all cases, follow the language of the job posting.
Think about applicant tracking systems (ATS)
- Use a simple layout, without complex tables or text inside images.
- Reuse keywords from the posting: tools, skills, job title.
- Send a clearly named PDF, such as Firstname-Lastname-Resume.pdf.
What about the cover letter?
The North American cover letter is short: three or four paragraphs. Explain why this company, what you bring and when you are available, specifying the framework of your internship and work permit.
Apply with Linkor
Linkor helps you land a paid internship in Canada and the United States, from application to visa. See our internship offers and read our Canada internship guide.
