English speaking jobs in France/jobs for ex pats
Sep 4th 2009, 12:14 pm
#17
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 6
Re: English speaking jobs in France/jobs for ex pats
Let me put this another way - I love my job and totally happy where I am but if the opportunity came up I would like to work abroad. Such opportunities don't just land at your feet, so I need to be looking in the right places. Hence my original post asking for agencies/websites that are tailored towards ex pats looking for jobs. I have come across a few before but I thought people on here may have better suggestions/personal experience of using them.
Sep 7th 2009, 2:54 pm
#18
Senior member
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Paris
Posts: 835
Re: English speaking jobs in France/jobs for ex pats
We were sent this link by a friend when my wife was briefly considering trying to find work in Paris:
http://www.jobsinparis.fr/
I got a job in Paris with zero French language skills, but it does not really count for this discussion as it was an internal transfer. However, large international companies with head offices like mine do recruit non-French speakers as the working language is English. I met a guy at a kids party just this weekend who got a job in Paris a few months ago by applying directly from the UK despite having limited French skills. However, to get such a position you really need some very sought after specialist skills or experience, in this guys case it was a degree from Cambridge and knowledge of an IT system that few have. Like me, his working language is 100% English so he has had no language barrier at work. If you lack those specialist skills then I understand it is very difficult. Jobs are scarce and two of our neighbours, young French professionals (a lawyer and an IT specialist), were both made redundant this year. Ironically the IT guy got a job in the UK!
http://www.jobsinparis.fr/
I got a job in Paris with zero French language skills, but it does not really count for this discussion as it was an internal transfer. However, large international companies with head offices like mine do recruit non-French speakers as the working language is English. I met a guy at a kids party just this weekend who got a job in Paris a few months ago by applying directly from the UK despite having limited French skills. However, to get such a position you really need some very sought after specialist skills or experience, in this guys case it was a degree from Cambridge and knowledge of an IT system that few have. Like me, his working language is 100% English so he has had no language barrier at work. If you lack those specialist skills then I understand it is very difficult. Jobs are scarce and two of our neighbours, young French professionals (a lawyer and an IT specialist), were both made redundant this year. Ironically the IT guy got a job in the UK!
Sep 8th 2009, 12:07 pm
#19
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 27
Re: English speaking jobs in France/jobs for ex pats
Turquoiseblue,
You might also like to look at the ANPE site to see what sort of things are available in the department you're thinking of. Once registered, you can opt to receive regular emails with job offers. http://www.anpe.fr/espace_candidat/w...nce_14989.html They do tend to be manual work, but now and again something more interesting appears.
You must also make your CV suitable for a potential French employer. There are lots of sites online with suggestions. A French CV is short and factual. The "I'm really wonderful" stuff goes in your lettre de motivation, examples of which you can also find online.
Your CV has to prove that you are suitable for the job you are applying for. No, don't laugh!
If you have, for example, done lots of different jobs in your time, a UK employer might think you're adaptable, but a French employer might just think you're unstable. I'm not saying ALL French managers are like that, but it's a cultural difference worth bearing in mind.
Someone suggested working for yourself in France. If you are currently quite comfortable and happy, I wouldn't recommend it. Business charges are high in France, so don't be misled by talk of low tax. There is a new option called autoentrepreneur, which does simplify running your own business, but it has its limitations. It also looks like the rules are about to be tightened up. http://www.wikio.co.uk/article/120027493
http://france.xpatjobs.com/
http://www.workinfrance.com/
http://www.recruitmentfrance.com/
Happy job hunting!
You might also like to look at the ANPE site to see what sort of things are available in the department you're thinking of. Once registered, you can opt to receive regular emails with job offers. http://www.anpe.fr/espace_candidat/w...nce_14989.html They do tend to be manual work, but now and again something more interesting appears.
You must also make your CV suitable for a potential French employer. There are lots of sites online with suggestions. A French CV is short and factual. The "I'm really wonderful" stuff goes in your lettre de motivation, examples of which you can also find online.
Your CV has to prove that you are suitable for the job you are applying for. No, don't laugh!
If you have, for example, done lots of different jobs in your time, a UK employer might think you're adaptable, but a French employer might just think you're unstable. I'm not saying ALL French managers are like that, but it's a cultural difference worth bearing in mind. Someone suggested working for yourself in France. If you are currently quite comfortable and happy, I wouldn't recommend it. Business charges are high in France, so don't be misled by talk of low tax. There is a new option called autoentrepreneur, which does simplify running your own business, but it has its limitations. It also looks like the rules are about to be tightened up. http://www.wikio.co.uk/article/120027493
http://france.xpatjobs.com/
http://www.workinfrance.com/
http://www.recruitmentfrance.com/
Happy job hunting!
May 5th 2010, 2:20 pm
#20
Just Joined
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2
Re: English speaking jobs in France/jobs for ex pats
I am not sure where you are from, however, I am able to find french jobs on my local job centre plus webpage, that might help.
http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk/home...7168f47d&pid=2
http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk/home...7168f47d&pid=2
Last edited by Some-Common-Sense; May 5th 2010 at 2:23 pm. Reason: just cos
May 5th 2010, 4:06 pm
#21
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,551
Re: English speaking jobs in France/jobs for ex pats
I am not sure where you are from, however, I am able to find french jobs on my local job centre plus webpage, that might help.
http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk/home...7168f47d&pid=2
http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk/home...7168f47d&pid=2
May 5th 2010, 4:47 pm
#22
Just Joined
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2
Re: English speaking jobs in France/jobs for ex pats
eh??
May 5th 2010, 5:35 pm
#23
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Paris 17
Posts: 6
Re: English speaking jobs in France/jobs for ex pats
There is a great need in France for mother tongue English teachers and trainers, esp in Paris. However you have to be qualified to be legal. Why don't you look around for a TEFL qualification before you come. This will open all doors. I recommend looking at www.tefl.com site for jobs and traiing courses. A great company to get experience is englishinaction.com who will enable you to visit all sorts of countries and situations at their expense and you begin to work as a teacher with ready made lessons and resources and a great team of teachers to get tips and experience from. This will then enable you to get a GOOD and legal job in Paris.
Jill
(English teacher in France)
Jill
(English teacher in France)
Thank you for your responses so far!
I should explain I have lived in France before (Chaville) as an au pair and since visited many many times and always hoped to live there again.
I speak better than conversational french and have a fairly good schooling in grammar but I am very out of practice and hence I am looking into an english speaking job in France. (I knew someone who worked in Belgium for Levis and that was what got me thinking about the possibility).
However I have no idea where to start looking for such jobs? I will be looking in industry mags/sites anyway but I wondered if there was a magazine/paper/website especially for expat job seekers or places where such job ads are more likely to be found/places other people have found success.
I would love to apply for French speaking jobs but I just don't think my french is good enough to be competitive. Annoyingly I know I will improve quickly if I was living there and get back to my former standard. But to live there I need a job!
I probably would get by in a pub/restaurant situation but I really want to do a 'proper' job, either what I am doing now (fashion buying) or at least in the same industry.
I should explain I have lived in France before (Chaville) as an au pair and since visited many many times and always hoped to live there again.
I speak better than conversational french and have a fairly good schooling in grammar but I am very out of practice and hence I am looking into an english speaking job in France. (I knew someone who worked in Belgium for Levis and that was what got me thinking about the possibility).
However I have no idea where to start looking for such jobs? I will be looking in industry mags/sites anyway but I wondered if there was a magazine/paper/website especially for expat job seekers or places where such job ads are more likely to be found/places other people have found success.
I would love to apply for French speaking jobs but I just don't think my french is good enough to be competitive. Annoyingly I know I will improve quickly if I was living there and get back to my former standard. But to live there I need a job!
I probably would get by in a pub/restaurant situation but I really want to do a 'proper' job, either what I am doing now (fashion buying) or at least in the same industry.
May 5th 2010, 8:28 pm
#24
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 182
Re: English speaking jobs in France/jobs for ex pats
Have a go.....
everyone comes to France for different reasons....some not for a lifestyle
Applying,french CV and the interview the 3 difficult stages in actually getting a job in France.
The last was the most difficult for me, 20 other people and 15 minutes to impress.
Sadly english did not help me in anyway!!...explained many times as "not needed" and i must say in the last few years, i mutter under my breath only swear words at the fellow workers in english...
Work for a french buisness....less money than britain ...very diffcult..do have to push yourself more....do not expect your qualifications to help to much...found that experience and ability to be left to work and achieve the required result is a plus in france
P.S do not make mistakes,only good as your last job!! french are like elephants they never forget!
Best of luck....
everyone comes to France for different reasons....some not for a lifestyle
Applying,french CV and the interview the 3 difficult stages in actually getting a job in France.
The last was the most difficult for me, 20 other people and 15 minutes to impress.
Sadly english did not help me in anyway!!...explained many times as "not needed" and i must say in the last few years, i mutter under my breath only swear words at the fellow workers in english...
Work for a french buisness....less money than britain ...very diffcult..do have to push yourself more....do not expect your qualifications to help to much...found that experience and ability to be left to work and achieve the required result is a plus in france
P.S do not make mistakes,only good as your last job!! french are like elephants they never forget!
Best of luck....
May 10th 2010, 9:29 am
#25
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19
Re: English speaking jobs in France/jobs for ex pats
I found a good way to begin in Paris was to in a pub.There are Aussie and English ones that may be of help.So long as you can count in French you should find that your French improves rapidly that will enable you to move on to other things.
Failing that there is English teaching ofcourse,but pay was not great in Paris as so many were doing that and perhaps not the best for development of the French language.
Failing that there is English teaching ofcourse,but pay was not great in Paris as so many were doing that and perhaps not the best for development of the French language.
Jun 30th 2010, 2:39 pm
#27
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2
Re: English speaking jobs in France/jobs for ex pats
Finding a job as an au pair or nanny with an expat family, or French family looking for an English mother tongue nanny is a good option while you improve your French.
We currently have many families in France looking for native English speaking nannies and au pairs
We currently have many families in France looking for native English speaking nannies and au pairs
Jun 30th 2010, 3:46 pm
#28
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,551
Re: English speaking jobs in France/jobs for ex pats
Sep 2nd 2010, 3:56 pm
#29
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5
Re: English speaking jobs in France/jobs for ex pats
We were sent this link by a friend when my wife was briefly considering trying to find work in Paris:
http://www.jobsinparis.fr/
I got a job in Paris with zero French language skills, but it does not really count for this discussion as it was an internal transfer. However, large international companies with head offices like mine do recruit non-French speakers as the working language is English. I met a guy at a kids party just this weekend who got a job in Paris a few months ago by applying directly from the UK despite having limited French skills. However, to get such a position you really need some very sought after specialist skills or experience, in this guys case it was a degree from Cambridge and knowledge of an IT system that few have. Like me, his working language is 100% English so he has had no language barrier at work. If you lack those specialist skills then I understand it is very difficult. Jobs are scarce and two of our neighbours, young French professionals (a lawyer and an IT specialist), were both made redundant this year. Ironically the IT guy got a job in the UK!
http://www.jobsinparis.fr/
I got a job in Paris with zero French language skills, but it does not really count for this discussion as it was an internal transfer. However, large international companies with head offices like mine do recruit non-French speakers as the working language is English. I met a guy at a kids party just this weekend who got a job in Paris a few months ago by applying directly from the UK despite having limited French skills. However, to get such a position you really need some very sought after specialist skills or experience, in this guys case it was a degree from Cambridge and knowledge of an IT system that few have. Like me, his working language is 100% English so he has had no language barrier at work. If you lack those specialist skills then I understand it is very difficult. Jobs are scarce and two of our neighbours, young French professionals (a lawyer and an IT specialist), were both made redundant this year. Ironically the IT guy got a job in the UK!
