France : Applying for jobs

How do I apply for a job?

You can begin the application process from your home country but you will probably need to be in France for the interview stage unless a company offers you a telephone interview.

Typical methods of application include online application forms and CVs with covering letters. Speculative applications are common and your CV and all letters of application should be in French.

See the EURES - European Job Mobility Portal (Living and Working in France) website for more information.

What kind of CV do I need?

CVs in France are similar to those used in the UK (see job application advice for ideas). They should be no more than two pages long and generally include the following information:

• personal details - include full name, address, telephone number (including international code), email address;
• job title - state the title of the job sought;
• professional experience - give details of previous jobs held, using a paragraph for each;
• education and training - include the dates and levels of your qualifications, remembering to give the equivalent in the French education system;
• language and computer skills - include your mother tongue and also reading, writing and oral levels in French;
• other interests - mention if you have lived, worked or studied in France before.

Covering letters should be no more than one page in length and should demonstrate why you are interested in a particular company and how your skills and experiences match the job requirements.

Visit the Pole Emploi (French national employment agency) website for more information on what to include in a CV and covering letter (lettre de motivation).  The Action Guides (Les guides pour agir (Pole Emploi) ) are particularly useful and give advice on the whole application process, including how to write a good CV and covering letter. L'Etudiant  also has useful information on formatting your CV and covering letter. Both these websites also have information on the current job market and areas of work available.

What will the interview process be like?

The interview process is usually comparable to UK recruiters’ procedures. Small companies use a single interview, while larger multinational companies may employ a variety of methods from interviews to psychometric tests or assessment centres.

See L'Etudiant and Pôle Emploi websites for more information on interview techniques. The ‘Comment réussir un entretien’ Action Guide on the Pôle Emploi website is particularly useful.

Will my UK qualifications be recognised?

Employers should recognise qualifications equivalent to the post-16 Baccalauréat or university degrees. They may ask to see evidence of these qualifications and you may need to have your degree certificate and transcripts translated into French and certified. Visit the ENIC-NARIC France  website for more information on how to obtain a certificate of recognition of your level of study. This certificate helps make your course more transparent and can be shown to prospective employers.

The UK National Europass Centre (UK NEC)  gives information on how to make your skills and qualifications easily understood in other European countries, including France.

Do I still need to pay UK tax and National Insurance?

If you are planning to live and work in France, check your UK tax and National Insurance position with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to ensure that you are not losing any UK pension rights.