Postuler à or postuler pour, poser sa candidature

In its most common usage, where "to postulate" means "to solicit strongly", this verb is transitive direct. As the Académie française reminds us, Apply to, apply for Académie françaiseWe're applying for a job, a position. So why do we often hear "apply for"?

How do I use the verb to apply?

Perhaps it's a misuse of language to write "Je postule à la banque" to mean, for example, "Je postule [le poste de directeur] à la banque" or "à Paris", or "en France..." to say that you're applying for the position of director. This is abuse encore que de « postuler [à la banque] comme directeur » ou de « postuler au poste de directeur »… Alors peut-on « postuler » tout court lorsqu’il s’agit de proposer sa application ?

No! The intransitive use of this verb (without an object complement) is reserved for the vocabulary of law, where it means, according to Littré, "To do all the procedures in a case, speaking of certain ministerial officers whose exclusive right it is to do so."

The lesson of use and alternatives to postulate

It's true that incorrect usage has become increasingly common, at least in French literature since the 20th century, but there's nothing to stop us making good use of apply for the job to compete for the coveted position wherever it may be!

Our advice for "applying

If you're not comfortable with the use of postulate, simply prefer another expression:

- apply for the position ;

- to apply ;

- run for the position of.

How do you say apply?

In all cases, avoid using "apply" or "postuler" to say that you've applied for a job without specifying which position you're aiming for. The transitive use of the verb implies that you specify the position sought. Simply say that you have applied or applied to apply: I've applied, I've put my name forward.

Finally, in a letter, you can specify in the subject line : "application for the position of....

Get help to "apply"!

If you're worried about making a blunder by applying for the positionyou can always entrust your application to a professional copywriter like Cvsansfaute.fr using promo code "APPLY24H"This code is only valid for 24 hours!

Did you like this article? Share it on social networks! D'other CV tips are available free of charge on our blog.

If you're so in love with the French language that you clumsily plagiarize this article, make an effort and give Caesar his due...