Coucou!

Ok, well, already I'm sorry for what will be a clumsy english.. it's been a while. please bear with me!

Basically I'm having a bit of trouble finding work in Paris. I know, it's the age old problem when you move to another country, but I'm starting to feel pretty lost! I was hoping someone here might have an idea of the next step I can take. So to start off I'll give a little background:

When I moved to Paris 3 odd years ago to live with my fiancé I spoke your average GCSE level French (that being at the level of a potato: I could say *comme si comme ca* et *bonjour*). So I spent a while getting to grips with the language which was no easy feat for someone so naturally adverse to learning languages. I also spent that time adapting to the change in culture etc, so the first year I spent in intensive French courses and in museums or infront of books.

I then attempted, unsucessfully, to continue my studies in Neuropsychology at a university in Paris. It was obvious that whilst I understood the courses (partly because I knew the information anyway) I could never do the exams or thesis because of my level in written French. I continued all the same because it was a good way for me to practise my French.

So now I'm looking for work but despite the numerous applications I send out I have 0 replies (which to me is bizarre in itself, even if turned down in the UK I got a letter saying *thanks but no thanks*). The blocks I'm coming up against:

- The jobs I come across, even for 'debutants' ask for 1 to 2 years experience in that specific area. Additionally, my work experience seems to be more of a hinderance then a help as it's all in a very specific area (criminal/clinical psychology assistants and psychological research).

- The jobs ask for X degree and it appears my degree counts for nowt (BSc Psychology) or there isn't anyone who wants a Psych degree graduate.

- They are looking for bilingual candidates and my level of French isn't considered to be adequate. My spoken and written French isn't too bad but I'm far from being bilingual in my personal opinion (my comprehension however is pretty much perfect).

I'm really struggling to remain positive and active at the moment, so I'm hoping someone can help. I've tried all the routes I can think of: Fusac, Monster.fr, ANPE and many other search engines I have found by endless hours of googling.

At the moment I feel limited to teaching English, which I'm pretty sure I'll be told is my only option but doesn't interest me at all for many reasons (my aim is to improve my french, find a job in which I can evolve professionally etc).

Helpppppppp meeee please

Ria -struggling!

Hi, and welcome to the forum!
I don't think I'll be the only one saying that French employers just don't bother to acknowledge applications from candidates. If they are interested, then they'll let you know, but otherwise....
Also I'm sorry to say that there are SO many French graduates with a Degree (and/or Masters) in Psychology looking for jobs, and French speaking applicants have better chances of getting any jobs that are going....
Another point is that there can't be many opportunities in the private sector. The Ministries of Justice or the Interior would correspond to your speciality, but, as far as I know, only French nationals can become Fonctionnaires. If you and your fiancé got married, you'd become French and could apply for jobs in the Fonction Publique. But you'd still find stiff competition from native French applicants, especially as you have to pass a written competitive examination even for the most lowly job in the Fonction Publique.
Sorry not to be able to help, but good luck, whatever!

My heart goes out to you, I don't care what country you're in, it's impolite to not recieve any recognition when sending an application. I don't suppose it's worth ringing one of them up and asking the reasons why it wasn't considered so that you might be able to adapt your strategy.
Unfortunately I know several French people in Paris with the same problem - they're highly skilled in a very specific area of expertise, and the job market is not great at the moment. Could you do something else to tide you over whilst looking for your vocation.
One of my UK friends did a degree in psychology and a masters in criminal psychology, but he didn't find much back in old Blighty. He ideally wanted to be a criminal profiler, but there's very few of those jobs going, and they're usually tied in with other careers. In the end he became a regular beat bobby.

Hello!

Thank you both for your replies

I wasn't very clear in my original message oups sorry! I'm more then happy to work in almost any sort of job, my objective is really to find a job of any kind that provides the satisfaction that only working can provide. I've never actually come across any jobs for psychology assistants/research assistants in France so I don't even know if they exist. Without a Masters/PhD I don't think I could work in such an enivironment in any case, in the UK I was very lucky getting the jobs that I had.

The trouble seems to be that no matter what kind of work I apply to do I have no reponse, and I'm assuming this is because of my degree type and/or my work experience. At the moment I'm focusing on any jobs which don't demand a high level of experience or a specific degree (so obviously nothing along of the lines of enginering or computer software writing ). I'm also trying to target companies that are looking for English Mother Tongue (EMT) applicants but that doesn't seem to reep any rewards either.

I've tried applying for receptionist, assistant and any other office based jobs, importing/exporting or even translating at a push. However, according to the recrutement agencies that specifically target EMTs for these jobs I lack the experience and/or the qualifications for all of these kinds of jobs. Are internships the way to go? Do I need to invest in these qualifications to even get going?

I'm starting to become aware through friends and contacts that the trend in France is to stick to these rules 'you need X degree or X experience' to do this job, which is really different to the UK.

Your friend G-J-B he's got the right idea! Profiling is such a fascinating profession, however I can only imagine how difficult it is to get started doing that, it's freelance or some seriously good luck. I can't imagine being a policewomen in France or anywhere else however, I'm not exactly tough enough to be patrolling Gare de Nord! I could always give it a try though, is it actually possible to become a policewoman in France without at least dual citizenship?

Thank you all for your time.

Ria

hello again
Members of the police force are fonctionnaires, so must be of French nationality. If you do get dual nationality, you should be able to apply, but, as I said, all jobs in the Fonction Publique are obtained after passing a Concours (written examination - maths and general culture, I believe). Those with the best marks get the jobs available. Once you're in, you take internal exams. to move around, get promotion, change departments, etc... From what I've seen on French TV series, they have profilers in the Gendarmerie now (also Fonctionnaires, coming under the Ministry of Defence, like the CRS or soldiers patrolling the railway stations!)
Back to the private sector, I agree it's really impolite not to even acknowledge receipt of applications, but that's France for you. I was shocked by this in another life a few decades ago. You might not get further than the operator if you ring up companies that you've sent applications to, but you can but try.
I don't know much about finding internships, the students I know who have done them found them through the Uni, word of mouth or direct approach.
Maybe some one else can help on that subject.
Don't lose heart, continue to improve your French, send spontaneous applications with letters of motivation guaranteed to hold the company's attention and, while waiting for something worthwhile, register with your local Pôle-Emploi and consider everything they offer.

If you have been for 3 years you should have some idea on the way french people tick, so.....this is just my opinion....try setting your sites a little lower.
I got a job this way, prove yourself as not the normal english high expections person but a worthwhile person to employ and work your way up.....
first CDD then CDI.....then more money and other
French people very hard working but fail in some ways to our work ethic....
I am not a particulary gifted person, achieved alot in UK but gave it all in for my reasons to live here.
best of luck....

Hi Ria,

There's quite a few English and American based lawfirms in Paris and I know they employ people from a lot of different backgrounds and cultures (most just have a degree in French language). Not the most exciting of work though, plus you'd be working for lawyers.
I know a Scottish girl who teaches English - she's paid minimum wage for the equivalent of full time job, but only works 3 days a week. I also know people who work on Eurostar, who travel to London and work for 2-3 hours, and then get paid to shop in London or rest at Eurostar's London hotel (still whilst paid) and get paid very well. Definitely not a vocation, but possible ideas to tide you over.

I think there's only half a dozen or so recognised criminal profilers in the UK, and none of them do that full-time, but they have been responsible for catching some of the worst types of criminals.
I know two police officers in Paris and neither fit the stereotype I have of French police whatsoever. One is female and lives in the very centre of central Pars, and you would never know she was a cop. It doesn't pay very much unfortunately, I believe you even have to pay for your own uniform and travel card. The only problem she has, is she's quite senior and the muslim men beneath her don't like to take orders. The other chap I know is quite young and has only been in the job for a year, and works out in the suburbs of Paris (he used to work on Eurostar but got bored of it), and again very friendly and doesn't match the stereotype. My partner was nagging about the Parisian driving situation and the inconsiderate parking that makes life difficult when you have a pushchair (i.e. parking on a zebra crossing etc), and how she wanted to take a set of keys and just scratch them! I didn't think it a good idea for her to say that to a cop, but he laughed, agreed with her and said she should! lol.

Hello again!

Thank you for your replies, all help is much much appreciated!

I've applied for the few advertisements I've seen for American/English based laywer firms in Paris (either as receptionist or general office work) but as of yet I've not had anything back (I imagine they have tons of applicants with experience hey ho), that being said I sent one off at the beginning of the week so here's hoping! I'll just keep on keeping on in that area.

For the eurostar, effectively it's something I have considered and attempted to find their recrutement page with any job offers but I think the two times I looked there was nothing there. I might be looking in the wrong place that being said! I'll definatley try that again, that sounds like something I could do and enjoy (I can get baked beans, marmite and decent tea whenever I want too wahooo ). Thanks for reminding me about that I'll check that out this afternoon.

For teaching English.. it's still something I'm rather hesistant to do, but I'll think about it if all else fails (I better swat up on my English grammar though.. it's even worse then my French!)

As for the parking in Paris, I can vouch for how awful it is Many a 4x4 have massive key marks along the side for that very reason! The Smart car is the way forward

Off i go, the hunt continues!

Ria

No problem. The people I know at the lawfirms all seemed to go through an agency - maybe you'd have better luck this way, as they deal with human resources directly, and take a commission so it's in their interest to find you a job. I appreciate some agencies are not that great! My partner got sick of her job 3 years ago, went to an agency, got an interview in less than a week, and got accepted right away, so they can work well.

I know a couple of people who work in the hotel business. One came from Brazil but speaks good French (now living elsewhere though), and you might find a receptionist job in this capacity perhaps?

I'm not sure where Eurostar advertise, but I'll ask my friend next time I see him. He's also my dealer, and brings me back HP brown sauce, baked beans, mince pies and baby milk (three times cheaper in UK than Paris!!)

Bonne chance!

Presumably English can be taught at different levels. I'm planning to escape London, and am pottering around Malta for six months while I try to determine my destination. Malta has loads of English schools, and the Italians in particular get sent over by their companies to "learn English" in one or two weeks! I don't imagine you need to know much English to teach those courses, never mind grammar.

Welcome to the forum, This is the France section so you would probably be better off in the rest of Europe section.

I'm not allowed to move to France?

We might let you

Post seemed more relevant to Malta thats why I suggested it.

Just an example for Ria to consider, though I am aware it may well be irrelevant to teaching in France. As I say I'm here temporarily, and looking at France because it's weighing in heavily for the cycling pleasure.

Have you tried searching the Pole Emploi website?

If you do an advanced search on the pole emploi website you can specify the keyword "Anglais" - this will bring up all the jobs which require English. You can then set the system to email you whenever a job meets your search criteria. I have found a couple of CDD jobs this way.

Also, are your CV and lettre de motivation written in the French style? If you are using an English style this may account for you not getting responses.

This website might help
http://www.eurograduate.com/planning...asp?eid=3&id=6

Good luck - don't give up!