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Explorer Publishing guides you through the tricky process of finding a job in Paris and recommends finding a job before you leave your home. Updated 2011.Finding Work
With unemployment rates rising and a stagnant French economy it is important to seriously consider your options before arriving in Paris; unless you can do a job that a French person can’t do and are able to prove this, you will have a very difficult time finding work. Without question, the safest bet is to find a job before you leave home.
With a few exceptions, unless you’re from an EU country, you won’t even be considered for an interview as it is an expensive and complicated process for companies operating on French soil to employ someone who is not allowed to work in France. In addition to the recruitment agencies listed in the table below, the websites jobs.expatica.com and www.monster.fr (in French) are good places to start when job hunting.
Finding Work Before You Arrive
With the exception of labourers, housekeepers, bartenders and language teachers, most people who find work in Paris do so before they arrive. As in any city, there’s always a way to get by legally or otherwise, but if you’re interested in a career with a full-time, legitimate contract, find a job before you arrive.
Nearly every major international company has offices in France and if you can convince one of them that you are more capable than anyone they can hire in France, you may find yourself a job. It is crucial though to remember that Paris is a very popular relocation destination and positions are hard to come by.
Depending upon a variety of factors, such as legal status, ability to speak French, expertise and past experience, it is a good idea to attend local job fairs and contact specific companies of interest directly. As is true anywhere in the world, the more experience you have, and the more specialised that experience, the more likely you’ll be to find work in Paris. 
Bear in mind that while it is becoming more common to search for a job via the internet, French employers expect your cover letters to be hand-written. Handwriting is taken very seriously in France and the analysis of a prospective employee’s handwriting is a common practice.
Finding Work While You’re In Paris
If you’re already in France and are searching for work there are a few things to consider. In France, it is exceptionally rare and very difficult to change careers. For most people, whatever you’ve studied in school determines your future. A lawyer does not, at 30 years old, become a doctor. A middle-aged doctor does not become an accountant. When searching for work, make sure that whatever job you’re applying for is supported by your CV.
It is extremely important to use whatever connections you may have. Networking is crucial in Paris and it is a city composed of countless, and seemingly impenetrable, social circles.
Keep in mind that by law anyone offering a job must create a written job description, submit that description to the ASSEDIC (the national unemployment office) and advertise the position in newspapers. Technically an employer may only hire a non-French citizen if, after an exhaustive search, no French person can be found to do the job.
Reprinted with permission of Explorer Publishing from Paris Complete Residents' Guide.
Out of curiosity, where in the world can a 30 year old lawyer become a doctor?
Great article! It is possible to find work in Paris, especially if you are bilingual. Many companies here are crying out for people who speak perfect English. In today's global market, the 'Englishness' we have always considered a hinderance in France, can actually turn out to be the skill that makes us invaluable to a French company.
I have found a few great jobs in www.jobhuntparis.com and I check the FUSAC classified for posting as well. Bon courage!
In Australia, USA, Canada (these are countries where I know it is possible through personal connections) it is possible to have numerous career changes - of course, you need to plan and take into account training, qualifications, experience, finances, time, family/relationship changes...I believe it is possible in other countries too - especially as the global job market and work practices are changing...(I work with corporate/individual change processes, training and coaching).
I appreciate the article - however, it is dates 2008 - Expatica, I expect you to do a better job with a 2011 report that is current, especially with the many changes that have happened since 2008...!
I am an American and when I was exactly 30 years old I quit being a lawyer and was accepted to medical school. I have been a practicing physician for many years now. I know several other people who have done exactly the same thing.
Where is the table detailing recruiting agencies?
I just got a notice on my hotmail that this a new article, but it dates back to 2008??? Also it mentions the list of agencies - where can I find that?
I'm new at Expatia, but must say that so far I'm a bit disappointed.
Hello, this is not as bad as described in the article. Foreigners can and do find jobs, even before they learn to speak French. As of relevant job sites, I compiled a list on my own web site (sorry, it's mostly in French...) : www.ancelet.fr/emploi
Overall the article seems to match what I've noticed, but I do have a few comments based on my personal experience:
- I will vouch for what Nathalie said - French/English bilinguals are in demand, especially for companies with international (not just anglo-saxon) clients (assuming you have the other skills required for the job too).
- If you work in a younger industry, like high tech, it seems to be easier for find work than in traditional sectors...even if your French isn't perfect. But I did read recently that the French government is trying to halve the number of work visas granted to foreigners, which is bad news for the non-EU expat.
- I have yet to asked to provide a handwritten cover letter, but then again, I work in software where handwriting doesn't get a lot of respect. ;->
- Another advantage you could have if already in France is the ability to start a new job quickly: traditionally, you have to give 3 months' notice here, which makes it hard to replace people in a hurry.
- lastly, I thought the employment figures had been picking up very slightly in the last few months?
Marc - you can retrain to be a doctor in the UK by undertaking a condensed course (for graduates of other disciplines) or the same length course. University hospitals such as St George's Tooting (London) have found that mature entrants to the medical profession are sometimes more vocational and highly-motivated students than younger entrants.
In the UK it is possible to switch professions at different times in life. Adult education and training are excellent here.
I know 4 people who have undertaken the course at St George's: amongst them a former statistician, a nurse and a care worker.
Out of curiosity, where in the world can a 30 year old lawyer become a doctor?
Great article! It is possible to find work in Paris, especially if you are bilingual. Many companies here are crying out for people who speak perfect English. In today's global market, the 'Englishness' we have always considered a hinderance in France, can actually turn out to be the skill that makes us invaluable to a French company.
I have found a few great jobs in www.jobhuntparis.com and I check the FUSAC classified for posting as well. Bon courage!
In Australia, USA, Canada (these are countries where I know it is possible through personal connections) it is possible to have numerous career changes - of course, you need to plan and take into account training, qualifications, experience, finances, time, family/relationship changes...I believe it is possible in other countries too - especially as the global job market and work practices are changing...(I work with corporate/individual change processes, training and coaching).
I appreciate the article - however, it is dates 2008 - Expatica, I expect you to do a better job with a 2011 report that is current, especially with the many changes that have happened since 2008...!
I am an American and when I was exactly 30 years old I quit being a lawyer and was accepted to medical school. I have been a practicing physician for many years now. I know several other people who have done exactly the same thing.
Where is the table detailing recruiting agencies?
I just got a notice on my hotmail that this a new article, but it dates back to 2008??? Also it mentions the list of agencies - where can I find that?
I'm new at Expatia, but must say that so far I'm a bit disappointed.
Hello, this is not as bad as described in the article. Foreigners can and do find jobs, even before they learn to speak French. As of relevant job sites, I compiled a list on my own web site (sorry, it's mostly in French...) : www.ancelet.fr/emploi
Overall the article seems to match what I've noticed, but I do have a few comments based on my personal experience:
- I will vouch for what Nathalie said - French/English bilinguals are in demand, especially for companies with international (not just anglo-saxon) clients (assuming you have the other skills required for the job too).
- If you work in a younger industry, like high tech, it seems to be easier for find work than in traditional sectors...even if your French isn't perfect. But I did read recently that the French government is trying to halve the number of work visas granted to foreigners, which is bad news for the non-EU expat.
- I have yet to asked to provide a handwritten cover letter, but then again, I work in software where handwriting doesn't get a lot of respect. ;->
- Another advantage you could have if already in France is the ability to start a new job quickly: traditionally, you have to give 3 months' notice here, which makes it hard to replace people in a hurry.
- lastly, I thought the employment figures had been picking up very slightly in the last few months?
Marc - you can retrain to be a doctor in the UK by undertaking a condensed course (for graduates of other disciplines) or the same length course. University hospitals such as St George's Tooting (London) have found that mature entrants to the medical profession are sometimes more vocational and highly-motivated students than younger entrants.
In the UK it is possible to switch professions at different times in life. Adult education and training are excellent here.
I know 4 people who have undertaken the course at St George's: amongst them a former statistician, a nurse and a care worker.
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