Working in France

 

	Population:	60,2 million
	Area:	22 regions
	Capital:	Paris
	Main cities:	Lyon, Marseille, Lille, Nantes, Bordeaux
	Languages:	French and then around 10 minority languages e.g.: Alsacian, Basque, Breton, Catalonian, Occitan, Flemish, Corsican...
	Change:	1 FRF = 0,15245 euro
	Currency:	French franc
	Unemployment rate:	around 9,2% and decreasing
	Number of Universities:	about 80.
	Number of students:	2,115 millions
	University Students:	1,5 in universities

Finding a job

To successfully find a job, you have to start by organizing things from your home country. Be realistic: if you do not have a good knowledge of French, it is na�ve to think that you can find work in France. Another important point: top-level degrees or vocational qualifications will provide you with a wider range of employment opportunities. Lastly, you should have experience in your chosen field before applying for a position in France.
Your application for employment is also more likely to succeed if you gather a maximum of specific information about the French employment market from your country of origin and if you continue looking for work once you are in France.

Looking for a job from your home country

Stage 1: have a well thought-out professional goal

Before burning your bridges in your home country, make sure that your professional goal meets a realistic need in France. Ask yourself the right questions: what are my qualifications? What experience do I have? Do I speak French fluently? What is my medium and long-term career plan? How long do I intend to stay in France? Gather as much information as you possibly can about career opportunities in France.

Stage 2: finding information

Find out about your line of work, about companies that are hiring in your field, and about French labor legislation and economic policy from Eures network European employment counselors.
Get in touch with the cultural center at the local French Embassy to obtain information about opportunities for working in France, possible contacts in your field, and companies from your country with subsidiaries in France. Failing that, you can always contact the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in France for this type of information.

Stage 3: the canvassing stage

Once you have a good list of contacts you can write letters to them. Ask for a member of the personnel department to give you an interview to discuss the company's recruitment policy and employment opportunities in their French subsidiaries.

Stage 4: looking for vacancies

Consult the situations vacant listing on the Eures system, international publications and French newspapers available in your country. Also bear in mind opportunities for seasonal work abroad (tourism, holiday camp co-ordinator work, working as an au pair, etc.).
Lastly, have a look around the notices at your local job center and ask someone who knows about European job opportunities where the nearest office is that posts announcements for work abroad. Bear in mind, such notices are few and far between and the applicants selected will doubtless be bilingual and very well qualified.