Temp. Job in France

[z808]

Hey guys, hoping you can help me out.

I'm hoping to sometime between now and 2010 to go to France to work for 3-6 months. I hold an Irish passport so know movement to and fro France is fine and that I will not need a visa to work.

I just have a few questions however;

I studied in Tourism but have been unable to get a job here in this field so have decided to try somewhere abroad for 3-6 months experience. I am hoping to get somewhere in Southern France or anywhere with a booming tourism industry. I would describe my level of French speaking, reading and writing to halfway between basic and intermediate (much better reader & writer than speaker) so what are my options?

Has anybody did something similar with any success?

I'm really desperate to do this but have no idea where to start!

Any and all help appreciated!

[Bevdeforges]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

One "issue" you'll find yourself up against is that most training programs for young people in France require one or more "stages" (i.e. internships) of from 3 to 6 months. These stages are often unpaid, or paid only very nominal wages, with no employer contribution for social insurances (because the students are covered through their schools or by their parents).

Obviously, the stagieres have the big advantage in the job hunt game because they cost the employer much less than a "real" employee - plus, there are certain tax benefits to the employer for taking on stagieres.

You might want to just go down to the south of France and scout out the situation in person. Most places should have their hiring done for the summer season, but there are always temp workers who get sick or get a better offer or just plain don't show up. If you're there at the right time, you could find yourself with a job.
Cheers,
Bev

[frogblogger]

If your French had been a little more advanced, one option would be a seasonal job working for the tourist office in a ski resort. My daughter (during a year off prior to uni in the UK where she was to study French and tourism) worked from the first week of December to end April in Bourg St Maurice Les Arcs doing this. Pay was very basic though.

Although there are lots of English speaking enquiries doing a job like this, somewhere around 60% of the contacts - written and spoken, face to face and on the phone - were in French. It was a rude introduction to working at a 'proper' job, even for someone whose French was pretty good having spent many months in a French-speaking environment over previous years. My daughter struggled at first, especially being stuck in a small office on her own and being pretty much left to get on with it. No training at all, and she knew next to nothing about the town and resort. So I would say that without very good French it would be pretty impossible.

I suppose the next option would be to try to get a job for a season working in the hotel/restaurant industry. Hard work, terrible pay, but at least you would (should) come out of it with good enough French to apply for a better job next time around...

[z808]

Thanks for the info guys, was helpful.

Thing is my knowledge of the French language is very limited and that is also another reason I'd like to temp in France. I have a qualification in Spanish and am confident in my Spanish but having studied tourism I think the more languages you can speak/understand, the better for your chances in that particular industry.

I wouldn't be confident enough to just land in France and job-hunt, I'd almost certainly have to pre-arrange everything. I'd also not be too concerned whether or not the work was paid/poorly paid as experience is what I am looking to gain from all of this - although of course if it was paid well, all the better

I was considering emailing to various tourist-related areas and places etc. in France to find out more info and possibly secure something that way but doubt I'll get anywhere with my lack of ability in French.

Is renting expensive? 1-bedroom property, what would I be looking at to pay? I'd be guessing somewhere in Paris or southern France.

I am only beginning to gather all my information on this so have plenty of questions, I thank you guys so much so far for your help and hope you don't mind all the questions

[Claire la richarde]

Why not try holiday firms operating from Ireland or the UK for summer jobs? I've been on holiday with e.g. French Life and Siblu and met reps whose French wasn't as good as mine, so your current level might not be too much of a disadvantage. You've studied tourism and you have some skill in two languages, so those are plus points.

Another advantage is that your accomodation is sorted.

I know from their website that Siblu have filled all their vacancies for this year, but someone may drop out. You could make a list of all the possible companies, look at their websites, find contact details and send in a CV + covering letter. If nothing else, it should put you at the head of the queue for work next year!

Good luck.

[z808]

Thanks so much for the input & info, Claire.

I'm also starting to explore the idea of an internship ("stages") and a language improvement course of 1-4 weeks beforehand.

I kinda don't really know where/how to start though