Looking for work in another country requires more than just the obvious CV translation. You will be confronted with issues that probably didn't even cross your mind when you decided to go for an international career, but don't underestimate the big impact they can have on the outcome of your adventure.
Think for example about the different rules and habits regarding immigration, job application procedures, the selection procedures and the management culture.
Expertise in Labour Mobility has prepared practical fact sheets to support you in your job hunting abroad. A thorough preparation will give you a head start in the country of your choice. Here is some info on France:
Work permits in France
• EEA citizens are free to move and work wherever they want to, within the EEA (including France).
• You must apply for a residence permit. This is valid for five years and should be issued within six months of your arrival.
• Contact the French embassy in your home country for more information.
The application procedure in France
• Psychological tests are frequently used in France.
• Usually two to four interviews are held.
• A successful way of finding work in France is the speculative or open application. It proves your ambition to achieve.
Writing a CV in France
• The key focus of your CV should be to persuade the employer to invite you for an interview. Therefore, your CV is a marketing tool, which should be adapted to the market in which you intend to use it.
• The CV is either in reversed chronological or functional (activities grouped thematically) order.
• You should give your age, instead of your date of birth in a French CV.
• Language skills should be given in detail.
• A ‘projet professionnel’ is given under the heading with your personal details. In max. 5 lines you have to describe who you are, what you have achieved and what your mid-term career goals are (quite a challenge in 5 lines!).
The application letter in France
• The French application letter should be handwritten – graphology is a widely used selection method.
• Application letters should be very short – often not more than 10 to 15 lines.
• In the top right-hand corner you should mention the reference number of the vacancy, if applicable.
• In France, a photograph is often attached to the application letter.
Do:
• Prepare for questions about your hobbies if you mentioned them in your CV.
• Look interested – ask questions.
• Behave and dress very formally in France.
• Ask for clarification if you don’t understand the question.
• Be able to provide examples to illustrate your achievements.
Don’t:
• Sit until invited to in a French interview.
• Interrupt the interviewer.
• Criticise former employers.
• Go over the top – stay calm and stick to the facts.
Management culture in France
• In France, business is characterised by a strong hierarchy – positions and power are clearly defined.
• French people have deep respect for competence.
• Secretaries in France work hard to protect their bosses from disturbances – you will hardly speak directly to people at top positions.
• Note that entrance to a room and the seating arrangement is organised according to rank.
• Elegance is the key word regarding the dress code in France. Pay attention to it.
This information is based on the Looking for work in France guide (ISBN 978-90-5896-056-6), written by Expertise in Labour Mobility. This one-pager is one step to making your international career aspirations become reality. The full Looking for work in France guide tells you everything you need to know. If you want to order or find out more information about our services, have a look at
www.labourmobility.com.
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This handy guide from Expertise in Labour Mobility includes how to write a CV, application procedure, interview dos and don'ts, French management culture. Updated 2011.
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