The Ultimate Guide to Getting an English speaking Job in Paris

Considering moving to Paris in search of new work opportunities? Read our guide to find out all the basics and ensure your success.

Yordan

5 minute read

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Updated on 12 Aug 2024

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Working

You’re looking to find an English speaking job in Paris because you know little to no French. The good news is France is expected to create 1 million new jobs between now and 2030. With Paris being home to several international companies, your best bet for finding an English-speaking job in France is in Paris.

So, to maximise your chance of getting an expat job in Paris, we’ve created this guide that will cover:

• How you can work in Paris
• The job market
• The average salary
• How to look for a job
• The interview process
• The employment contracts in France

Non-European citizens who want to work in Paris will need to secure a job and then apply for a visa and work permit. Foreigners from the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland can find a job before or after moving to Paris.

The process of obtaining a work visa and permit can be complicated and lengthy, so it's essential to start the application as early as possible.

Many companies handle the relocation process for their new hires, so check if your new employer can do that for you!

Finding a job in Paris can be pretty tough for foreigners who don't speak French. To maximise your shot, you’ll need to either learn some French or look to international companies, industries that have labour shortages or industries popular with expats, such as tourism or IT.

You can use apps like Duolingo or take classes to learn and improve your French language skills.

The job market in Paris is both booming and competitive. You’ll have a better shot of securing a job in Paris if you look for positions that the French government considers high in demand:

• Healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and caregivers.
• IT and research professionals
• Commercial, administrative, financial, and salespeople
• Construction workers and managers
• Industrial workers
• Legal and consultancy professionals
• Transport workers, such as drivers or handlers
• Skilled maintenance workers and technicians

Since France is struggling to fill these in-demand roles, having specialist knowledge or technical skills will increase your chance of getting a job, even if you aren’t fluent in French.

Some other positions which are popular with expats include being an English teacher, freelance translator or content writer, real-estate agent, babysitter, resort worker, etc.

Besides these positions, you can look into the few industries where English is the primary language, such as hospitality and tourism. Or look into international companies that are headquartered in Paris.

Top companies that offer jobs in Paris for non-French speakers

The companies you should keep in mind when job hunting in Paris are:

• Google
• Apple
• Oracle
• Amazon
• IBM
• SAP
• Facebook
• Microsoft
• Twitter

Expats are in demand for high-ranking, specialized, positions. But since there're many highly qualified candidates competing for limited positions, you'll need to make your application top-notch.

But don't worry – with a little preparation, perseverance and a lot of hard work, you can find the job of your dreams in Paris. Here’re our tips to find a job:

1. Practice your French

While some industries or jobs don’t require French, knowing a bit of the language is essential to form relationships with colleagues and clients.

Knowing French along with English or any other language will significantly improve your chance of getting a job interview because many businesses in Paris are looking for bilingual candidates.

2. If you don't know how to speak French, attend intensive language courses or use online resources to learn the basics in a short amount of time.

3. Tailor your CV to the local standard

When applying for jobs in Paris, it's important to tailor your CV to the local standards as it can be different from what you're used to.

In France, CVs are 1-2 pages long, depending on your years of experience. It's common for CVs in France to be written in French and to have a professional picture__ at the top. Make sure your CV includes your name, address, email, eligibility to work, list of relevant professional experience, education, language skills, and any hard or soft skills.

4. Start applying for jobs in Paris

As with everywhere else LinkedIn is a great starting point for your job hunt in Paris. However, its popularity doesn’t mean that it’s 100% effective and it’s a good idea to diversify your job search by making accounts in any of the following job portals:

• Monster
• Indeed
• Apec

If the independent job search doesn’t get you any interview, it might be a good idea to work with one of the many recruitment agencies. The most popular ones are:

• Aquent
• GBO
• Adecco
• Ples
• Yves Marie Consultants

5. Network in Paris

It has long been known that building a network of contacts in your field of work is one of the best ways to find employment opportunities.

Although networking in Paris would require you to be in the city, it’s worth giving it a shot and attending one of the many networking events that the bigger companies take part in.

Some of the most popular organizers of such events are:

• Meet Up
• InterNations
• Professional Women Paris

6. Get ready for the interview process

When it comes to interviews, French companies often screen candidates through multiple interviews, sometimes up to 4! This means that each interview requires preparation on your part in terms of researching the company and preparing questions about the position and the company itself.

But don't let the interview process stress you out too much. Just __dress well, be respectful, and be prepared.

7. Negotiate for good pay

The average salary in Paris is approximately 5% higher than in the rest of France because of the high cost of living in Paris.

Although the salaries can vary depending on several factors, such as your experience, the company you work for and the sector you're in, the table below should give you a good impression of what you can expect:

Got an offer? Congrats! There are 2 types of employment contracts in France:

• Contrat à durée indéterminée (CDI)
• Contrat à durée déterminée (CDD)

It’s highly likely you’ll get a CDD contract, which is a temporary employment contract that can be renewed up to 2 times. This type of contract doesn't typically include a trial period.

A CDI contract is a permanent contract that doesn't have a set end date. This type of contract usually includes a trial period, during which either party may terminate the contract without notice or penalty.

In general, the CDI contract is the better option, as it provides more job security and protection. However, both types of contracts have their own advantages and it's important to weigh all options before making a decision.

Once you’ve moved to Paris for work, don’t forget to open a French bank account and get your French tax id number as you’ll be obligated to pay taxes. Once you have found a job, you can start looking for furnished apartments for rent in Paris. The earlier you start your search, the higher is your chance to rent apartments in Paris.

Now that you’re aware of the basics of finding a job in Paris as an English-speaker, you’re all set to start searching and applying for jobs in the capital of France! Bonne chance!