How to research

It’s no easier finding a job abroad than in France, although recruitment conditions and job tensions can vary from one country to another.

You can apply from France by replying to job adverts or sending speculative applications. If you have a sense of adventure, you can even apply on arrival in your chosen destination (only within the European Union thanks to its open border for EU citizens) but make sure you have the funds to support yourself while you are job hunting.

There are a number of professional networks :

Young job seekers and local offices

For job seekers aged between 16 and 25, international mobility counsellors are available at local centres around Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (some 30 offices in the region). Find the contact of your nearest local office or at your nearest Centre Régionaux d’Information Jeunesse or Information Jeunesse info point or office (about 120 across the region)..

The Vista+ scheme is an innovative partnership between the ARDML (regional association for local offices in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region) and Eurocircle, a project supported by the local regional council.

Vista+ is a project that promotes social and professional integration for young people through overseas experience supported by a partnership between associations and local offices. International mobility is a key service offered to the public by counsellors at local offices and is considered a real added-value service with regard to helping young people enter the job market.

http://www.mlpaca.fr/mobilite-vista

The European job mobility portal (EURES)

Gives information on the living and working conditions of each country and advice to European citizens looking to work in another country. In border regions, EURES counsellors also promote cross-border mobility for job seekers. (European job days)

Note : You can meet EURES counsellors in your region and also chat on line every Friday with counsellors in different European countries.

https://ec.europa.eu/eures/public/fr/chat-with-eures-advisers

French and other European companies and organisations abroad

Another solution is to send your speculative applications to French or international companies based abroad.

Also look into delegations at the European Commission and bilateral cooperations that occasionally recruit young experts or consultants on projects in accordance with needs.

And professional directories

Responding to ads on job websites

Job ads in the press are very helpful recruitment aids.

Public job centres and employment agencies can be found everywhere. Some cover all types of work and types of employment, others offers seasonal or permanent jobs, and others still are specialised by sector.

Here are a range of them :

In France
- www.pole-emploi.fr
- www.apec.fr (executive recruitment)
Portals
Professional social media

By sector :
- Hospitality
  A good sector for finding jobs if you don’t have any experience. Priority is given to people available for the entire season, from May to September. Competition is fierce so make sure your application really stands out, especially if you don’t have any prior experience.
- Tourism and leisure
  Holiday clubs, resorts, sports centres and theme parks are always looking for entertainers and instructors, not always specialists, and reception and operations staff. Cleaning and kitchen portering staff also needed.
  With the BAFA, you can apply to be a monitor at a holiday centre or park overseas.
  Visit the websites of leading tourism companies (Belambra, Pierre et Vacances, Arts et Vie, VTF and so forth)
- Tourist information offices in other countries
  - www.adonet-france.fr
- Tourism guides
- Campsites abroad
- Tourism associations
  - www.unat.asso.fr
  - www.tour-hebdo.clicandtour.fr
- Language course assistance
  Most organisers of language holidays or courses abroad recruit assistants or leaders during spring and summer holidays. You need to be aged 21 or over and have good language skills and previous experience. Sometimes cleaning and kitchen portering opportunities offered too.
  - www.loffice.org
  - www.unosel.org
- Agricultural work
  Fruit and vegetable picking in Australia, mushroom picking in Denmark, grape harvesting in Italy, produce farms all over need labour throughout the year. It can be tough work (8-10 hours a day, six days a week) and you’ll need to check if accommodation and meals are included (and what condition) and what the pay is as this type of job doesn’t always come with a formal contract.
  Fancy working on a gîte or at a convent? Then think about WWOOFing, another way to travel and work on farms in exchange for bed and board. http://wwoof.net/
- Aid work
  There’s a huge variety of jobs, in the short, medium and long term, in the international humanitarian and charity sector, but this kind of work calls for greater planning on your part and employers generally require experience. The roles come with different legal statuses (employee, intern, volunteer, consultant) and cover a variety of areas (health, education, agriculture, nutrition, logistics, project management, accounting, etc.). Experience volunteering locally or slightly further afield will often work in your favour before throwing yourself into a position abroad. You will also need prior experience and skills if you are to head off to a developing or crisis-affected country.

Recruitment fairs

Explore the hundreds of fairs in specific areas or by sector, destination or area of study organised all across the country, at chambers of commerce, higher education institutions, town and cities and other venues. Research them, read the local press, check the notice boards at your school, sign up to newsletters published by the operations in your preferred areas of work, etc.

The EURES network holds regular job fairs. The Information Jeunesse network also holds regular international mobility fairs for all types of mobility, working but also studying, volunteering and language holidays.

Pôle Emploi International

France’s national job centre, Pôle Emploi provides advice and funding to support professional mobility abroad. To have your professional project approved, make an appointment with an advisor to find out the employment supply and demand by country, receive legal advice on local regulations, administrative formalities, jurisdiction, job offers and so forth.

Bilateral agreements

Pôle Emploi International organises bilateral agreements enabling young professionals aged 18 to 35 who have completed their studies to carry out paid work in another country to improve their skills. They will need to find the host company but the job centre will help with the formal procedures of applying for residence and work permits. For placements of 3-18 months in a dozen participating countries worldwide.

www.pole-emploi.fr

Using a private organisation

They provide an all-inclusive service to find you a job with accommodation and insurance. Before signing up, check the small print and the cost of services included. Never pay more than 20-30% of the total cost at registration and pay the balance at the start of your stay. Always demand a written contract and do not make any remote payments. Ask for precise details on the accommodation provided, the work and the terms of reimbursement should they not find you a job. For security, look into a certified organisation in France subject to French law.

The Erasmus+ programme

A programme to help future business owners learn the necessary skills to set up and manage a small enterprise in Europe. It’s a way to be trained up by an experienced business owner working with them for 1 to 6 months, supported by funding from the European Commission.

www.erasmus-entrepreneurs.eu

Young job seekers and local offices

The European job mobility portal (EURES)

French and other European companies and organisations abroad

Responding to ads on job websites

In France

Portals

Professional social media

By sector :

Hospitality

Tourism and leisure

Tourist information offices in other countries

Tourism guides

Campsites abroad

Tourism associations

Language course assistance

Agricultural work

Aid work

Recruitment fairs

Pôle Emploi International

Using a private organisation

The Erasmus+ programme

Pour continuer vos recherches, quelques sites incontournables :

L’actu

Mobilité en Europe