Living in France: Job Applications

Over the last few years younger couples, often with children, have moved to our area of France (Deux-Sèvres), with the intention of settling down and making a go of it. However, restoring a property can be expensive and finding a job may become a necessity sooner than was originally planned. After all, bills have to be paid and no one wants to be return home, tail between legs.

So how do you go about finding a job? The first thing to know is that, when working for a French company, the rudiments of the language are essential (especially in rural France). Being able to understand what is asked of you, following instructions and asking questions are all part of the job.

A good place to start...

The following are the best places to begin your search: • ANPE (Agence Nationale pour l’Emploi – the job centre) • If you are aged between 16–26, La Mission Locale caters specifically for young jobseekers (in our area, this service is called La Mission Locale Gâtine Emploi) • Agences d’interim, which can find you temporary jobs while looking for something more stable. These can be found in the Yellow Pages (Pages Jaunes) under the heading Associations, humanitaires, d’entraide, d’action sociale • Temping agencies, many of which have branches throughout Europe • Sending out your curriculum vitae directly to companies

Registering with ANPE

To enrol with ANPE and to keep yourself enrolled is slightly more complex than opting for the agency route. First of all, you must contact the Assédic (Association for Employment in Industry and Commerce) either by phone or via their website www.assedic.fr.

You will be asked various questions in French, such as your name, address, date of birth and maiden name (if appropriate).You will then be sent an application form.The Assédic are responsible for all the administrative procedures during your period of unemployment as well as the payment of any benefit to which you could be entitled. They will then fix an appointment for you with your nearest ANPE, which you must attend to finalise your enrolment – don’t forget to take your passport with you.

At the ANPE, somebody will be on hand to guide you through the application process. ANPE offers various workshops to help you overcome any difficulties you might have when looking for a job and some can help you obtain French lessons.You will also be able to browse through recruitment ads, book advisory interviews to help you find employment and be encouraged to define your professional objectives.

An important task to remember is to regularly update your employment situation with the Assédic. This must be done between the first and eighth of each month, even if you have only worked a few hours in the month, and can be done by phone or internet. Should you forget to update, you will be automatically taken off the list as a jobseeker and you will have to start the enrolment process all over again.

Using other services

The application process for the Mission Locale (16-26 years old) and agences d’interim (temping agencies) are slightly more straightforward, in that you can telephone directly to make an appointment. Our Mission Local Gâtine Emploi offers a very personalised service for jobseekers for as long as is needed. They organise group visits to companies as well as forums and deal in a lot of seasonal work.

Direct line

Being registered with any of the jobseeking organisations doesn’t stop you from doing your own research. In fact, it is extremely important that you do. Good preparatory work and finding out what companies exist, suit and interest you is essential. The chamber of commerce and industry and their local branch offices have lists of companies in their area, which can be consulted for free.

Curriculum vitae

A big difference between England and France would concern your CV. This must be written in French and on one page. It should be clear and precise and adapted to what you are looking for. Start with your contact details and go on to talk about your work experience, listing most recent first. Here, you should give the date and name of the company, with your job title. Training courses and qualifications should appear next, followed by hobbies or interests and complementary information. The ANPE or the Mission Locale will help you and looking at model examples would also be a good idea.

Cover letters

A cover letter should accompany your CV. Its aim is to catch the reader’s interest and obtain an interview. Before writing, try to find out as much as you can about the company and its activity as well as the name of the person you wish to write to. Your opening paragraph could then refer to the company.

In your second paragraph, you should talk about yourself and any experience which is relevent to the role. In the third paragraph, ask for an appointment so you can discuss it all in more detail and in the fourth, you should conclude with one of those lovely formal French constructions such as: “Je vous prie d’agréer, Monsieur, l’expression de mes salutations distinguées”.

Top tips

I would strongly advise getting both your CV and letter checked over by a native French speaker before sending them out. Not only are there all those complicated accents, but if you have used an automatic translator, the company could be in for one or two surprises! In France, it is acceptable to follow up your request by telephone to see if your letter has reached the right person and whether you can obtain an interview.

You need perseverance when looking for a job in France, as in most other countries, so don’t give up at the first hurdle – keep trying until you have actually found one. It will be worth it for several reasons; not only for the financial gain, but also for improving your language skills and meeting and mixing with French colleagues, all of which are great ways to integrate. So best of luck or bon courage as they say out here – which is a slightly shorter ending than that of a cover letter.

Julia Salvat works for the Pays de Gâtine Accueil des Populations Nord-Européennes julia.salvat@gatine.org

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