How to find a job in France
Finding a job in France can be a notoriously difficult task to the common expat, especially if they hold no rare skill or haven’t been placed by their current employer. One obvious difficulty is the language barrier, with many jobs in France requiring the need to speak French to a fluent standard so that colleagues can properly communicate. If you can speak French to a high enough standard, you have already overcome a massive obstacle in your quest to find employment within the country.
However, it is perfectly understandable that many expats aren’t able to speak the language to the required degree. So here at deVere Group we decided to list a few methods that may help you to fulfill your ambition. It almost certainly won’t be a cakewalk but the long term benefits of moving to France are endless, which our previous post outlined!
Network network network! – The first thing you should do when trying to find a job in any foreign country is to get in touch with anyone you feel will be helpful. Social media is a fantastic tool to get your name out there, with groups and pages dedicated for expats in many different cities globally. Scroll through to find any job-related posts that would be of interest to you, and make sure you post your own availability and skillset just in case. Using your Facebook or Twitter to outline your intentions is a useful asset too as you never know where old acquaintances, such as childhood friends or distant university course mates, may now be residing. The old saying “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” could prove to be invaluable in your job search in foreign land.
Consider low skilled jobs and learn the language – As mentioned previously, if you possess the French language then you have a huge advantage when finding employment. Therefore, it is recommended that you attempt to learn as quickly as possible to increase the options presented to you. A fantastic way to do this would be to take-up an easy to find job, such as bar work or fruit picking, and learn whilst you are surrounded by the language. Becoming an “au pair”, someone who is hired by families to look after children, is another possibility if you speak a little French. Qualifications are often overlooked and you should be provided with the means to live.
Teaching English – Whilst English is a language in high demand, don’t expect yourself to be walking into schools anytime soon! However, many training agencies such as TEFL offer placements abroad for English speaking expats, with language diplomas or prior teaching experience not always a necessity. Freelance teaching is possible, but it isn’t particularly stable so you may want to consider working a few jobs to improve your financial security. Advertising on the internet, within universities and around popular cafés are a few examples of how to attract pupils.
Internships – Purely from a student perspective but if you see yourself wanting to move to France after you’ve finished your studies then completing an internship is a fantastic way to gain experience. Whether you study in France or abroad, there will often be opportunities during the summer for work, providing you with contacts once your degree is complete.
Finding a job in France can be a notoriously difficult task to the common expat, especially if they hold no rare skill or haven’t been placed by their current employer. One obvious difficulty is the language barrier, with many jobs in France requiring the need to speak French to a fluent standard so that colleagues can properly communicate. If you can speak French to a high enough standard, you have already overcome a massive obstacle in your quest to find employment within the country.
However, it is perfectly understandable that many expats aren’t able to speak the language to the required degree. So here at deVere Group we decided to list a few methods that may help you to fulfill your ambition. It almost certainly won’t be a cakewalk but the long term benefits of moving to France are endless, which our previous post outlined!
Network network network! – The first thing you should do when trying to find a job in any foreign country is to get in touch with anyone you feel will be helpful. Social media is a fantastic tool to get your name out there, with groups and pages dedicated for expats in many different cities globally. Scroll through to find any job-related posts that would be of interest to you, and make sure you post your own availability and skillset just in case. Using your Facebook or Twitter to outline your intentions is a useful asset too as you never know where old acquaintances, such as childhood friends or distant university course mates, may now be residing. The old saying “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” could prove to be invaluable in your job search in foreign land.
Consider low skilled jobs and learn the language – As mentioned previously, if you possess the French language then you have a huge advantage when finding employment. Therefore, it is recommended that you attempt to learn as quickly as possible to increase the options presented to you. A fantastic way to do this would be to take-up an easy to find job, such as bar work or fruit picking, and learn whilst you are surrounded by the language. Becoming an “au pair”, someone who is hired by families to look after children, is another possibility if you speak a little French. Qualifications are often overlooked and you should be provided with the means to live.
Teaching English – Whilst English is a language in high demand, don’t expect yourself to be walking into schools anytime soon! However, many training agencies such as TEFL offer placements abroad for English speaking expats, with language diplomas or prior teaching experience not always a necessity. Freelance teaching is possible, but it isn’t particularly stable so you may want to consider working a few jobs to improve your financial security. Advertising on the internet, within universities and around popular cafés are a few examples of how to attract pupils.
Internships – Purely from a student perspective but if you see yourself wanting to move to France after you’ve finished your studies then completing an internship is a fantastic way to gain experience. Whether you study in France or abroad, there will often be opportunities during the summer for work, providing you with contacts once your degree is complete.