Basic French and Jobs
Feb 27th 2007, 7:31 pm
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Basic French and Jobs
I have very basic conversational french, what employment opportunities are there in France?
We are not skilled ie plasterer,builder etc, OH Sales Manager, Me I have been at home with my two children for the last 3 years and have a general degree.
Anyone in the same predicament?
We are not skilled ie plasterer,builder etc, OH Sales Manager, Me I have been at home with my two children for the last 3 years and have a general degree.
Anyone in the same predicament?
Feb 27th 2007, 11:19 pm
#2
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3
Re: Basic French and Jobs
Hello, we are moving to the Tarn in about 7 weeks, really nervous and excited but trying to be positive!! Like yourself I speak basic conversational French whilst my husband is much more advanced than me. We are having french tuition as a family at the moment which I would highly recommend, this includes how to decipher utility bills, open a bank account-all the everyday things that we will need as well as language skills! It is really helping us.
Jobwise I'm qualified in pharmacy and primary school teaching and my husband in employment law. I'm hoping that I'll be able to offer English tuition but not having job security straight away does scare me!!!
Jobwise I'm qualified in pharmacy and primary school teaching and my husband in employment law. I'm hoping that I'll be able to offer English tuition but not having job security straight away does scare me!!!
Mar 26th 2007, 12:17 pm
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Puy de Dome
Posts: 100
Re: Basic French and Jobs
I have very basic conversational french, what employment opportunities are there in France?
We are not skilled ie plasterer,builder etc, OH Sales Manager, Me I have been at home with my two children for the last 3 years and have a general degree.
Anyone in the same predicament?
We are not skilled ie plasterer,builder etc, OH Sales Manager, Me I have been at home with my two children for the last 3 years and have a general degree.
Anyone in the same predicament?
Mar 31st 2007, 3:47 am
#4
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: paris
Posts: 19
Re: Basic French and Jobs beware!!
I've been in France for 5 years and when I came, I didn't have to work. Then my marriage broke up and I found myself a single parent. My French is good but my experience is that the French do not recognise any foreign qualifications. If you wish to work here, there are organisations where you can do courses in the profession you undertook in your country and they will then give you a French recognised certificate/diploma. You will need this even if you become self employed. Working in this country is extremely difficult. The majority of small business go out of business within the first 3 years of business and employers are very careful who they take on because this is a socialist country and workers have many more rights than employers. Just make sure you do plenty of research first. Good luck.
you must remember that although even if you buy a place here tax and stuff are very high, and the fact that the french now very much resent the fact that all the brits, and foriegners are buying up their property doe'snt help matters.
as for a british lawyer- you would have to learn all the ins and outs, as i can say its not only a different language, but the french like things nice and complicated, and illogical,and especially in this field ....well
i think that although over here seems nice and cosy, there are many problems.
myself i'm looking for oz, as here is just to much.
ggod luck
Mar 31st 2007, 4:40 pm
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Puy de Dome
Posts: 100
Re: Basic French and Jobs beware!!
hi, i've been here for 20 years in paris area-its extremely difficult, as was said no foreign-even european diplomas line up- and, especially the french job market is atrocious, no exaggeration.
you must remember that although even if you buy a place here tax and stuff are very high, and the fact that the french now very much resent the fact that all the brits, and foriegners are buying up their property doe'snt help matters.
as for a british lawyer- you would have to learn all the ins and outs, as i can say its not only a different language, but the french like things nice and complicated, and illogical,and especially in this field ....well
i think that although over here seems nice and cosy, there are many problems.
myself i'm looking for oz, as here is just to much.
ggod luck
you must remember that although even if you buy a place here tax and stuff are very high, and the fact that the french now very much resent the fact that all the brits, and foriegners are buying up their property doe'snt help matters.
as for a british lawyer- you would have to learn all the ins and outs, as i can say its not only a different language, but the french like things nice and complicated, and illogical,and especially in this field ....well
i think that although over here seems nice and cosy, there are many problems.
myself i'm looking for oz, as here is just to much.
ggod luck
Apr 2nd 2007, 8:46 am
#6
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: paris
Posts: 19
Re: Basic French and Jobs beware!!
i'm seriously thinking of moving back to the uk.anywhere else really.
you would have to have fluent french, and thats no lie!!
you must really speak aswell as your english to get a chance in.
some lady says she was a quailfied pharmicien on this site,
now i know that unless you have done it in france you are wasting your time!!!
remember this quote
IF IT WORKS ELSEWHERE IT WONT WORK IN FRANCE
all new innovations come from elswhere.
all the frenchies who have qualifications, diplomas, or ambition LEAVE!!!!!!!
its a sad fact, and when you understand this , you will go far
Apr 3rd 2007, 1:23 am
#7
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Normandy, France and occassionally Nova Scotia!
Posts: 3,373
Re: Basic French and Jobs beware!!
right on!!
i'm seriously thinking of moving back to the uk.anywhere else really.
you would have to have fluent french, and thats no lie!!
you must really speak aswell as your english to get a chance in.
some lady says she was a quailfied pharmicien on this site,
now i know that unless you have done it in france you are wasting your time!!!
remember this quote
IF IT WORKS ELSEWHERE IT WONT WORK IN FRANCE
all new innovations come from elswhere.
all the frenchies who have qualifications, diplomas, or ambition LEAVE!!!!!!!
its a sad fact, and when you understand this , you will go far
i'm seriously thinking of moving back to the uk.anywhere else really.
you would have to have fluent french, and thats no lie!!
you must really speak aswell as your english to get a chance in.
some lady says she was a quailfied pharmicien on this site,
now i know that unless you have done it in france you are wasting your time!!!
remember this quote
IF IT WORKS ELSEWHERE IT WONT WORK IN FRANCE
all new innovations come from elswhere.
all the frenchies who have qualifications, diplomas, or ambition LEAVE!!!!!!!
its a sad fact, and when you understand this , you will go far
With 3 children we pay much less income tax than our contemporaries do back in UK. Plus property tax is less as are our electricty and water bills. University fees are nothing like those in UK and I would say the high school education is also much better.
We have never come across any of our neighbours resenting us being here, and buying property. In fact, many of them have said they would rather have English neighbours than those from Paris. We bought a old farmhouse that we have renovated, using local builders, plumbers etc. No problems and when our neighbours come to visit they are really excited by what we have done.
Have had no problem with the tax office, bank, France Telcom, EDF or Orange. The few times we've been to see our doctor and been to the hospital, we were more than impressed with the service we got, no long waiting times etc.
Had no problems getting Carte de Sejour from local prefecture or card vitalle/mutualle.
My husbands working conditions are excellent. He has a 35 hour working week. Gets a good bonus yearly, lots of public holidays on top of his 6 weeks a year paid holiday. There is generous sick leave, and a nurse is on duty every day if employees want to see her. Social events are organised throughout the year and there is a big party at Christmas.
Many of the younger french people go overseas to improve their English, not because they can't get jobs or want to leave.
We have lived in quite a few countries over the years, but I can honestly say that France has been the best experience of them all.
Apr 3rd 2007, 8:37 am
#8
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,551
Re: Basic French and Jobs beware!!
sorry, but totally disagree. My husband was head hunted by a french company 6 years ago. Had no problem having his Phd and qualifications accepted in France. His company has contacts all over the world. None of us spoke French when we arrived. Have 3 teenagers who finished school in France. Our eldest had no trouble getting in to university in Caen and has had no problem getting a job during the summer. This year she is working for the AA, based in Lyon. Most of our friends here in Normandy don't want us to speak French, as they want to practice their English. One of them is deputy mayor, and he has english lessons over the phone, and has made sure all the local restaurants now have menu's in English.
With 3 children we pay much less income tax than our contemporaries do back in UK. Plus property tax is less as are our electricty and water bills. University fees are nothing like those in UK and I would say the high school education is also much better.
We have never come across any of our neighbours resenting us being here, and buying property. In fact, many of them have said they would rather have English neighbours than those from Paris. We bought a old farmhouse that we have renovated, using local builders, plumbers etc. No problems and when our neighbours come to visit they are really excited by what we have done.
Have had no problem with the tax office, bank, France Telcom, EDF or Orange. The few times we've been to see our doctor and been to the hospital, we were more than impressed with the service we got, no long waiting times etc.
Had no problems getting Carte de Sejour from local prefecture or card vitalle/mutualle.
My husbands working conditions are excellent. He has a 35 hour working week. Gets a good bonus yearly, lots of public holidays on top of his 6 weeks a year paid holiday. There is generous sick leave, and a nurse is on duty every day if employees want to see her. Social events are organised throughout the year and there is a big party at Christmas.
Many of the younger french people go overseas to improve their English, not because they can't get jobs or want to leave.
We have lived in quite a few countries over the years, but I can honestly say that France has been the best experience of them all.
With 3 children we pay much less income tax than our contemporaries do back in UK. Plus property tax is less as are our electricty and water bills. University fees are nothing like those in UK and I would say the high school education is also much better.
We have never come across any of our neighbours resenting us being here, and buying property. In fact, many of them have said they would rather have English neighbours than those from Paris. We bought a old farmhouse that we have renovated, using local builders, plumbers etc. No problems and when our neighbours come to visit they are really excited by what we have done.
Have had no problem with the tax office, bank, France Telcom, EDF or Orange. The few times we've been to see our doctor and been to the hospital, we were more than impressed with the service we got, no long waiting times etc.
Had no problems getting Carte de Sejour from local prefecture or card vitalle/mutualle.
My husbands working conditions are excellent. He has a 35 hour working week. Gets a good bonus yearly, lots of public holidays on top of his 6 weeks a year paid holiday. There is generous sick leave, and a nurse is on duty every day if employees want to see her. Social events are organised throughout the year and there is a big party at Christmas.
Many of the younger french people go overseas to improve their English, not because they can't get jobs or want to leave.
We have lived in quite a few countries over the years, but I can honestly say that France has been the best experience of them all.
Apr 3rd 2007, 11:08 am
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: UK-France-UK-France
Posts: 242
Re: Basic French and Jobs beware!!
I would like to point out that the Carte de Sejour is no longer reqired for eu citizens. But you will need you carte vitalle and mutualle top up insurance. you also no longer need to exchange your driving license. But you are lucky to end up in a area like that although the higher up france yoou go the more english is used. and most french resent the parisyns having holiday home s in the counrty. But i would like you to come to ariege and see how you english goes down. it will not here its french or a little spainish.
Apr 3rd 2007, 5:46 pm
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Provin, Nord
Posts: 200
Re: Basic French and Jobs beware!!
I would like to point out that the Carte de Sejour is no longer reqired for eu citizens. But you will need you carte vitalle and mutualle top up insurance. you also no longer need to exchange your driving license. But you are lucky to end up in a area like that although the higher up france yoou go the more english is used. and most french resent the parisyns having holiday home s in the counrty. But i would like you to come to ariege and see how you english goes down. it will not here its french or a little spainish.
I don't know how you came to your conclusion, but for me it's all about being in an area where english tourists go that defines how well the locals speak the language.
On the other hand, I should also point out that the resent for Parisians also increases as you go North (away from Paris!!
)
Apr 4th 2007, 2:22 pm
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Puy de Dome
Posts: 100
Re: Basic French and Jobs beware!!
sorry, but totally disagree. My husband was head hunted by a french company 6 years ago. Had no problem having his Phd and qualifications accepted in France. His company has contacts all over the world. None of us spoke French when we arrived. Have 3 teenagers who finished school in France. Our eldest had no trouble getting in to university in Caen and has had no problem getting a job during the summer. This year she is working for the AA, based in Lyon. Most of our friends here in Normandy don't want us to speak French, as they want to practice their English. One of them is deputy mayor, and he has english lessons over the phone, and has made sure all the local restaurants now have menu's in English.
With 3 children we pay much less income tax than our contemporaries do back in UK. Plus property tax is less as are our electricty and water bills. University fees are nothing like those in UK and I would say the high school education is also much better.
We have never come across any of our neighbours resenting us being here, and buying property. In fact, many of them have said they would rather have English neighbours than those from Paris. We bought a old farmhouse that we have renovated, using local builders, plumbers etc. No problems and when our neighbours come to visit they are really excited by what we have done.
Have had no problem with the tax office, bank, France Telcom, EDF or Orange. The few times we've been to see our doctor and been to the hospital, we were more than impressed with the service we got, no long waiting times etc.
Had no problems getting Carte de Sejour from local prefecture or card vitalle/mutualle.
My husbands working conditions are excellent. He has a 35 hour working week. Gets a good bonus yearly, lots of public holidays on top of his 6 weeks a year paid holiday. There is generous sick leave, and a nurse is on duty every day if employees want to see her. Social events are organised throughout the year and there is a big party at Christmas.
Many of the younger french people go overseas to improve their English, not because they can't get jobs or want to leave.
We have lived in quite a few countries over the years, but I can honestly say that France has been the best experience of them all.
With 3 children we pay much less income tax than our contemporaries do back in UK. Plus property tax is less as are our electricty and water bills. University fees are nothing like those in UK and I would say the high school education is also much better.
We have never come across any of our neighbours resenting us being here, and buying property. In fact, many of them have said they would rather have English neighbours than those from Paris. We bought a old farmhouse that we have renovated, using local builders, plumbers etc. No problems and when our neighbours come to visit they are really excited by what we have done.
Have had no problem with the tax office, bank, France Telcom, EDF or Orange. The few times we've been to see our doctor and been to the hospital, we were more than impressed with the service we got, no long waiting times etc.
Had no problems getting Carte de Sejour from local prefecture or card vitalle/mutualle.
My husbands working conditions are excellent. He has a 35 hour working week. Gets a good bonus yearly, lots of public holidays on top of his 6 weeks a year paid holiday. There is generous sick leave, and a nurse is on duty every day if employees want to see her. Social events are organised throughout the year and there is a big party at Christmas.
Many of the younger french people go overseas to improve their English, not because they can't get jobs or want to leave.
We have lived in quite a few countries over the years, but I can honestly say that France has been the best experience of them all.
Apr 8th 2007, 3:44 am
#13
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5
Re: Basic French and Jobs
I have very basic conversational french, what employment opportunities are there in France?
We are not skilled ie plasterer,builder etc, OH Sales Manager, Me I have been at home with my two children for the last 3 years and have a general degree.
Anyone in the same predicament?
We are not skilled ie plasterer,builder etc, OH Sales Manager, Me I have been at home with my two children for the last 3 years and have a general degree.
Anyone in the same predicament?
Apr 8th 2007, 6:23 am
#14
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Puy de Dome
Posts: 100
Re: Basic French and Jobs
It is possible to get your qualifications recognised. For example, when you register as a micro enterprise, you can show them previous projects you have done, bills etc. With Maison d'Artistes, which includes web designers, they also just ask to see what you've done. There is also a European Centre near me that does courses for anything to do with the decoration of buildings, ie special paint effects, plastering, laying floors etc. They will get you to show them what you do and convert your experience into a French recognisable diploma. I found these people through the Assedic (the dole office).
Apr 15th 2007, 9:25 pm
#15
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 9
Re: Basic French and Jobs beware!!
Hi Val,
We intend to join you in Normandie this year (2007), We will be uprooting our family (2 kids under 4) to the wilds of the commune of Morteaux-Couliboef, Nr. Falaise. We are going for the very simular reasons that you have, mainly for the Kids future, but also for kick back life, otherwise its an early grave for me!
I am currently researching jobs in nursing, and if I can transfer my Diploma to practice in France. My French is Average, but I am able to "learn as I go".
I am currently a Clinical Specialist Nurse, 10 year background in Haemodialysis. I will be looking for a position "back to the Floor".
Do you or anyone reading this have and good advice to offer?
Oliver
We intend to join you in Normandie this year (2007), We will be uprooting our family (2 kids under 4) to the wilds of the commune of Morteaux-Couliboef, Nr. Falaise. We are going for the very simular reasons that you have, mainly for the Kids future, but also for kick back life, otherwise its an early grave for me!
I am currently researching jobs in nursing, and if I can transfer my Diploma to practice in France. My French is Average, but I am able to "learn as I go".
I am currently a Clinical Specialist Nurse, 10 year background in Haemodialysis. I will be looking for a position "back to the Floor".
Do you or anyone reading this have and good advice to offer?
Oliver