France

Understanding the jobs market and recruitment methods used in the country you want to work in is important for a successful job search. If you are considering working in France after completing your course there are a few things that you need to be aware of.

France recruiters will typically expect applicants to have a relevant degree and work experience as well as a grasp of the language to give you the best chance. 

You should also be aware that some occupations are regulated so you would need to confirm whether your qualifications will have to be validated. ENIC-NARIC France involves an equivalency review in which foreign qualifications are compared with a corresponding French qualification.

Getting started

• TARGET Jobs

Includes information on the French job market, applying for jobs and getting work experience.

• EURES - Living & Working: France

Links to the European job mobility portal with information for jobseekers on living and working in France.

Visas

EU Citizens have the right to work in other European countries without a work permit.  However non EU-nationals may be required to have a visa. Check with the French Embassy for information on the visas and permits you may require.

Language

Try the LSE Language Centre if you want to learn or improve speaking French.

Internship agreement

You may sometimes, as a result of the French national law, be required by your company to complete an internship agreement, called ‘Accord de stage’ or ‘Convention de stage’.

Find information here about how to request and complete an internship agreement from LSE Careers as well as how to request a company/government internship agreement to be signed.

CVs in France

The aim and format of CVs in France is largely the same as in the UK. However, below are some of the key differences and features of CVs in France.

A French CV should not exceed two pages; a one page CV is usually sufficient for a new graduate.

The ‘personal details’ section can include an email address, phone number and optionally a link to the LinkedIn public profile. The date and place of birth, marital status and number of children are not necessary, but not prohibited either.

Despite trends towards anonymous selection processes it is still quite usual to include a photo. This is then included at the right hand corner of your CV. Use a professional photo rather than one from a photo-booth.

It’s highly recommended in French CVs to add a title at the top of the CV, which usually corresponds to the job title you are applying to. It helps recruiters know you’re actually replying to their job advert. In addition, it’s also recommended to add a ‘subtitle’ under this title: use between one and three lines to highlight the key strengths of your application, in terms of previous experience, education and areas of specialism. These lines (similar to the ‘profile’ at the top of UK experienced CVs) will enable the recruiter to read your CV with these key strengths in mind.

Examples of French CVs

• There are several examples of French CVs and covering letters on the French section of Going Global.
• Monster.fr also includes an example of a tabular CV and covering letter as well as examples of sector specific CVs.

Covering letters in France

• A covering letter in France is called a ‘lettre de motivation’.
• The content of the covering letter is very similar to that in the UK – why you, why the role, why the company.
• A speculative application is called a ‘candidature spontanée’.

Further study and academia

Here is a list of useful websites for postgraduate study in France:

• Campus France

French Agency for the promotion of higher education, international student services, and international mobility.

• L’Etudiant

Portal about studies in France and other useful information for students

• Target Jobs - studying in France 
  Includes courses you can study, how to apply for courses, fees and scholarships and visas.

• Guide to studying in France
  University and scholarships search along with practical guides about studying in France.

Academic and research careers

An overview of academia in France is available from European University Institute: Academic Careers Observatory (ACO). The ACO facilitates the flow of knowledge among researchers about national academic careers and research opportunities in the social sciences and humanities, throughout Europe and beyond.

The pages on France higher education and academic career progression are informative.

The websites about competitiveness clusters in France (competitivite.gouv.fr and franceclusters.fr) list large and small firms, research laboratories and educational establishments, working together on collaborative research projects.

The site franceclusters.fr/nos-services/forum-de-lemploi includes a job board to work in clusters.

Academic vacancies

Vacancies for researchers throughout Europe, along with individual country portals and practical information is available through the researcher's portal of EURAXESS. This is written in English and is easily searchable by country, discipline and level of experience. Here is the French national EURAXESS website too.

The Association Bernard Gregory is specialised in recruiting and career development for doctoral candidates and PhD-holders.

Academic Positions is the European career network for Academics, Researchers and Scientists and lists job adverts in France too.

Further information from LSE Careers

• Careers information for PhD students and research staff
• Postgraduate study