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Recruitment (3/3): the cover letter
This sheet explains what a cover letter is for. It also presents the information to mention in this letter.
Key points of the sheet
- In a cover letter (lettre de motivation), you explain to the company why you are answering the job offer. The goal is to get a meeting with the employer.
- Recruiters read a cover letter in about 30 seconds. So it is very important to give key messages in it.
- First, explain why the offer interests you. Present your experience with examples of skills from the offer, and show that you understand what the company needs.
- Explain what you can bring to the company. End by asking for a meeting.
- Have your first applications (CV, cover letter) checked by people close to you whom you trust, such as family or friends. They will help you improve them.
- To prepare for a job interview, practise speaking. Do practice sessions (simulations) with people close to you.
Words to know
- cover letter (lettre de motivation)
- It is a letter where you explain why you answer the offer. It is used to get a meeting.
- job offer (offre de travail)
- It is the offer you answer. It lists skills that you can give examples of in your letter.
- applications (candidatures)
- An application includes, for example, the CV and the cover letter. It is useful to have your first ones checked.
- job interview (rendez-vous d’embauche)
- To prepare for it, you can practise speaking with simulations with people close to you.
Test yourself: 3 questions
What is the goal of a cover letter?
In French, the language of the exam: Quel est l'objectif d'une lettre de motivation ?
The goal of the cover letter is to get a meeting with the employer.
How long does a recruiter take to read a cover letter?
In French, the language of the exam: En combien de temps un recruteur lit-il une lettre de motivation ?
Recruiters read a cover letter in about 30 seconds.
To whom should you give your first applications for checking?
In French, the language of the exam: À qui faire relire vos premières candidatures ?
It is useful to have your first applications checked. Choose close people you trust, such as family or friends.
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Source
Sheet “Recrutement (3/3)” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.