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Past Simple vs Present Perfect in CVs
10 min
B1
Free
The rule
Your CV and interview answers use two tenses constantly — and mixing them up is one of the most common mistakes French professionals make in English.
"I managed a team of 12 people."
J'ai dirigé une équipe de 12 personnes.
→ Past simple — a previous job you no longer hold.
J'ai dirigé une équipe de 12 personnes.
→ Past simple — a previous job you no longer hold.
"I've managed teams of up to 20 people."
J'ai dirigé des équipes allant jusqu'à 20 personnes.
→ Present perfect — cumulative experience, still relevant now.
J'ai dirigé des équipes allant jusqu'à 20 personnes.
→ Present perfect — cumulative experience, still relevant now.
"I've been working in finance for 8 years."
Je travaille dans la finance depuis 8 ans.
→ Present perfect continuous — started in the past, STILL doing it. French uses present + "depuis."
Je travaille dans la finance depuis 8 ans.
→ Present perfect continuous — started in the past, STILL doing it. French uses present + "depuis."
The interview shortcut
Previous role: past simple → "At my last company, I led the digital transformation."
Current role: present perfect → "In my current role, I've increased revenue by 30%."
Career-long skill: present perfect → "Throughout my career, I've worked with international teams."
Common mistake
French speakers say "I work in finance since 8 years" — two errors. English uses present perfect continuous ("I've been working") for duration up to now, and "for" not "since" with a number. "Since" needs a point in time: "since 2018." "For" needs a duration: "for 8 years."