Work in Paris in 2021 for Russian speakers - TOP best vacancies

Jobs in France available to Russians, Ukrainians and other CIS residents

New workers are most welcome in Paris, Strasbourg, Lyon and Bordeaux. It is more difficult to find vacancies in Nancy, Montpellier and Lille.

The following requirements are imposed on applicants:

• Higher or secondary specialized education.
• Professional skills.
• Experience from 1 year.

The following factors influence the decision of the France visa center:

• The state of affairs on the employment market.
• The salary level for which the specialist is applying.
• Duration of work and stay in the country.

Based on these points, there is a strict selection of those wishing to get a vacant job. There are also a number of restrictions. For some professions, an exam to confirm qualifications will be required. You can complete it remotely on this website. Most employers require a high level of proficiency in French and/or English.

Family members coming to France with an employee who has already received a work permit can get a job without additional conditions and restrictions.

There are several employment options for residents of the CIS:

1. Seasonal work is temporary employment, usually in the agricultural industry, on ships or in the service sector.
2. To be employed in temporary and permanent jobs, applicants must prove their high work skills, qualifications and unique abilities. A prerequisite will be the absence of French and European workers vying for this position with the same level of professionalism or higher.
3. The European Union Blue Card provides employment opportunities to highly qualified employees who have studied in their chosen field for at least three years and have at least five years of experience. In this case, an employment contract will be required for a period of one year or more, and a salary 1.5 times higher than the national average (this year it is 4.5 thousand euros excluding taxes). For the first two years, you must work in the area specified in the contract. The Blue Card is issued for a period of 1-3 years, with the possibility of extension up to five years and subsequent acquisition of French citizenship.
4. Some regions of France are characterized by an acute shortage of specialists in certain professional fields. Therefore, empty jobs are actively filled by foreign employees. The list of shortage professions can be found at employment agencies, but it mainly consists of technical and IT specialties.
5. Specialists engaged in scientific and scientific activities have a high chance of obtaining a residence permit for a period of up to 12 months and the possibility of extension for up to five years. To do this, it is necessary to conclude a contract with a public higher education institution to conduct research.
6. Students and young people aged 17 to 30 years old can get a job under the Au Pair program. She acts as an intermediary between the applicant and the French family with whom the foreigner enters into a contract. The job involves looking after children and helping with household chores.

The minimum wage in France from 2021 is 1,498 euros per month. This is considered one of the highest rates in the EU.

People from the CIS countries mainly come for seasonal work in agriculture or tourism. Men most often find work in factories, farms and vineyards, women prefer to work as nannies, caregivers, and models. A married couple can get a job in the agricultural industry (as a rule, employees are required in vineyards), or as animators, waiters, workers at campsites, hotels and resorts.

Employment procedure and employment contract

Employment in France begins with obtaining a work visa and obtaining a work permit. After these stages, an employment contract is signed between the foreign employee and the employer.

Signing the contract

According to the norms, before signing a contract, an employee is required to undergo a medical examination. He must submit a certificate of completion and a work permit to the employer. The latter, before signing the contract, is required to conduct a safety briefing.

The employer notifies the employee that he has the right to improve his qualifications every two years. In France, managers promote the professional development and adaptation of employees, so they often find advanced training courses themselves.

According to the norms, an open-ended employment contract can be agreed upon orally. If a fixed-term contract is concluded, it must be drawn up only in writing.

When signing an employment contract between the employee and the employer, the following is stipulated:

• Working conditions.
• Salary.
• Availability of subordination.
• Place of employment.
• Probation period (if any).
• Non-disclosure of trade secrets.
• Rights and obligations of the employee.
• Conditions for additional employee insurance.

According to the French Labor Code, the maximum probationary period cannot exceed four months for qualified workers. If a technician is hired, the maximum probationary period is three months. For workers of other categories it is set for two months.

Types of employment contracts in France

In France, there are several types of employment contracts:

1. CDI employment contract. It is the most common in the country. This type of contract is open-ended, that is, it is concluded for an indefinite period. Terminates in the following situations:

• employee's incapacity;
• the employee commits a gross, irreparable mistake;
• initiative of the employee or employer.

1. CDD employment contract. Unlike CDI, it is always in writing. A special feature of this contract is that it specifies the end date of the employee’s employment.

Other types of employment contracts:

• A target contract is a fixed-term contract that ends upon completion of the project for which it was concluded.
• Contract for part-time work.
• Periodic contract. Most often it is concluded for seasonal work.
• Alternative contract. It is concluded in the form of an internship agreement. The validity period ends upon completion of the acquisition of professional skills by the employee.

Employment without knowledge of the language

Without knowledge of the language, it will be difficult to find a decent position in France, since a high level of French proficiency is a basic requirement for most vacancies. Applicants without good knowledge of the language can apply for low-paid and unskilled work, mainly where heavy physical activity is involved.

Those who speak French fluently can be employed under the Au Pair program, which requires mandatory attendance at language courses of at least 10 hours per week.

Low language requirements are also imposed on caregivers for elderly people. Priority is given to experience and medical education.

For unskilled employees (in professions that do not require constant communication with people who speak French), level A1-B1 will be sufficient. To work in the service sector, you will need a certificate confirming language proficiency from level B1 and above.

Qualified employees are required to confirm their knowledge of French with a B2, C1 and C2 certificate. You can get it by passing the DELF-DALF test. Its results do not expire over time, like IELTS and TOEFL.

Popular jobs in Paris

Watch the video : only 7 minutes of your time

France is a very economically developed country, but Paris is always in need of labor. The problem lies in the fact that local residents do not want to get jobs in professions with low salaries. Parisians on average earn 2,000 - 3,000 euros, and foreigners often agree to work for 200 - 300 euros. Let's consider popular vacancies:

• Cleaner
• Animator
• Waiter
• Bartender
• Housemaid
• Receptionist at local hotels

To get this job, you must be able to communicate fluently in French and English, since there are many foreigners in Paris, since the vacancies require regular contact with different people. Without language skills this becomes problematic.

But even without knowledge of these languages, a foreigner will be able to find a good job as an assistant in a French family based on the Au-Pair . He will be responsible for housekeeping, childcare, grocery shopping, etc., if requested by the host. In this area, as a rule, it is easier for foreign women aged 30 to 40 to find a job. However, it is necessary to take into account that you will have to pay a fee to a special agency for employment.

Men without communication skills will be able to work as security guards and grape pickers. The latter option refers to seasonal work, but has a generous salary because it is hard work. But the largest areas where grapes grow are located outside of Paris, so you will have to live without comfort.

Important: It is worth considering that the process of obtaining a short-term work visa ends with a positive result much faster than in the case of a long-term document

Ways to find work in France

Most vacancies in France can be found on your own using the Internet and the following resources.

You can also use professional social networks LinkedIn and Videoao to search for vacancies. Many vacancies are also posted in French periodicals, web versions of which can be found on the following websites:

• www.lemonde.fr/emploi/
• www.lepoint.fr/emploi/
• www.liberation.fr/

There is another option - contact specialized recruitment agencies and organizations directly. A list and contacts of such institutions can be found at https://www.pagesjaunes.fr/.

Where to look for work

Internet

a number of large, trusted sites to search for vacancies in France

• Pole Emploi is the country's largest employment agency, which hosts more than half a million applications from employers. Using filters, you can create a list of vacancies in a specific region, according to the desired profession, selecting a schedule and period of stay.
• Apec – with the help of this agency you can find a job if you are a highly qualified specialist.

Specialized sites:

• L'Etudiant – work for university students and graduates in the specialty being studied.
• Bourse – here you will find the largest number of vacancies related to agriculture. “Paradise” for those who want to go to France for seasonal work.
• L'Hotellerie Restauration is a site for searching vacancies in the service sector: food establishments, hotels, hostels, etc. There are vacancies here for any time of the year.
• TechnoJobs is a vacancy database for IT specialists.
• GroupeFlo and Hyatt – also work in the service sector, direction – HoReCa.

Recruitment agencies, periodicals and company websites

Many vacancies are published in local periodicals. Most popular:

• Le Monde
• Le Point
• Liberation

If you do not want to waste time on independent searches, turn to the services of specialized recruitment agencies. A complete list of those in France is on the PagesJaunes website.

How to get a work permit and visa

There are 2 types of French work visa:

1. Temporary.
2. On a full-time basis.

When submitting an application, the following package of documents is required:

• Valid foreign passport.
• Passport of a citizen of the country of residence.
• 2 photographs 3x4, taken no later than 3 months before submitting the application.
• 2 completed application forms for a short-term or long-term visa.
• Employment agreement signed by DDTEFP.
• Medical insurance.
• Visa fee.

To fill a qualified position, a foreigner must have the appropriate professional status, which means education, work experience, successful qualification test, etc. Knowledge of the state language is an advantage and is taken into account when making a decision. The monthly salary must be at least 3835 euros and paid officially by the employing company. If there is a 'carte de sejour salarie', the salary level is not regulated, just like the field of activity. The main condition is that the work contract must be long-term and imply full-time employment.

To obtain a work visa, the Dicretion Departementale du travail, de l'emploi et de la formation proffesionnelle - abbreviated as DDTEFP - must sign an employment agreement issued by the employing organization. This happens in 3 stages:

1. The employer submits an application on behalf of the employee to the DDTEFP.
2. A special commission makes a decision on acceptance of the application. The answer can be either positive or negative.
3. If successful, this application is sent by the DDTEFP to the French embassy of the country in which the employee resides. There he receives a work visa.

The whole process takes 1-1.5 months.

Work Visa

There are two types of work visas for this country:

1. Short term.
2. Long-term.

Short-term allows you to work for 90 days. To complete it, a package of documents is submitted to the French diplomatic mission:

1. Passport.
2. A valid foreign passport.
3. Certificate of income.
4. Employment contract.
5. Permission to work in this country.
6. Application form.
7. Two photos.
8. Certificate of employment (template in Russian, in English).

A VLS/TS visa is required for foreign residents who intend to work in France for longer than 3 months. This type of permit is also issued for volunteers who want to become participants in social work in France. But for volunteers, the visa is opened not for a year, but for only 9 months.

To open a VLS/TS (long-term) visa, you must submit a package of documents:

1. Passport.
2. A valid foreign passport.
3. Work permit.
4. Summary.
5. Employment history.
6. Application form.
7. Two pictures.

The process of obtaining a work visa to France can take up to six months. But most often a visa is issued within three months.

The French Consulate in the capital of the Russian Federation is located on Kazansky Lane, 10.

Upon arrival in the French Republic, a foreign resident is required to register with the OFII (L'Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration - Office of Immigration). If a foreigner managed to officially find a job, then within the first 90 days from the date of entry into France, he must sign an agreement for the reception and integration of CAI and obtain a residence permit in this republic.

This agreement is an agreement by a foreign resident to take special courses in which the French language, history and symbols are studied.

Work permit

There are several types of work permits in France. One of them is a blue card, which is issued to foreign residents only if they have:

1. Five years of work experience.
2. The salary is 1.5 times higher than the average monthly salary of a Frenchman. In 2021, to receive a blue card, a person must have a salary of at least 4,500 euros per month.
3. An employment contract, which states that the expected period of employment is at least one year.

The Blue Card obliges the employee to work strictly in the industry specified in the contract for the first two years after receiving it. After two years of work, you can change the industry at will.

A Blue Card is issued to a labor immigrant for a period of 12 to 36 months. If desired, it can be extended to 5 years.

The employer himself is responsible for obtaining a work permit in the French Republic. He submits a request to the Department of Labor and Immigration. It is this body that checks the vacancy offered by the employer on the labor market.

Seasonal work in different industries

Most of the vacancies for Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians are offered on seasonal employment terms. Foreigners are most willingly hired for work:

• In the hotel and restaurant industry.
• In production.
• In fisheries.
• At a construction site.
• In the vineyards.

The description of such vacancies, as a rule, immediately contains the following information:

• Who does the company hire: a woman, a man, a student or a married couple.
• Required minimum level of education and required work experience.
• Will accommodation and meals be provided at the expense of the employer?
• Required level of language proficiency.

Hundreds of thousands of foreigners come to work in the vineyards every year. This is the most affordable employment option, since there is a lot of work and it pays well.

O-pair program

Working in Paris under the au pair program means placing a foreigner in a French family. The program provides several positions, ranging from nannies to domestic helpers. This type of work is an excellent chance for people who do not speak French at all.

Detailed map of the center of Paris showing attractions

The main responsibilities of an employee are:

1. Looking after children and home.
2. Cooking food.
3. Cleaning.

In general, a person who comes to work under this program can be called a domestic worker. A special feature of this program is the fact that in order to join a family you will have to pay an initial fee directly to the agency that provides similar services.

Work for students in France and special programs

Students can independently find suitable vacancies or participate in the Au Pair and Work and Travel France programs.

Job openings are available in all regions of France. Most often people are invited to work:

• Kitchen worker or hall employee in restaurants.
• Waiter, salesperson, bartender in a cafe.
• Administrator, maid or waiter in a hotel.
• Consultants and cashiers in stores.

The minimum wage is 9.4 euros/hour with a weekly workload of 35-40 hours. There is no maximum hourly pay threshold for students. Salaries arrive once a month on a card issued by a French bank.

The validity of a work visa for students does not exceed 90 days.

What salary can you expect?

The amount of wages in Paris is directly dependent on the specialty, work experience and area of ​​employment. The more valuable the employee, the more the employer is willing to pay. But it is worth noting that in 2021 the minimum salary threshold in the country is set at 1,498 euros. The average salary reaches 3,000 euros “dirty” or 2,200 euros after taxes.

For Paris, the average is 2,400 euros. Salaries by specialty were distributed as follows:

Highly qualified engineers and IT workers earn the most in Paris. Their income starts from 3,500-4,000 euros for each month worked.

Working as a nanny: employment options and responsibilities

Nanny work in France can be of the following types:

1. Babysitter - a nanny for several hours. Most often, such positions are occupied by young people and students. Their responsibilities include accompanying the child to kindergarten or school and walking with him for several hours.
2. A licensed nanny is an assistant maternel who takes children into her home. The requirements for a licensed nanny include a three-year course, a large house and garden, and higher education, so foreigners are not hired for such positions.
3. It is much easier for a resident of the CIS to get a job as a garde d'enfants - a nanny at the owner's home. She is not involved in education and training. Her task is to supervise and provide the child with everything necessary. The average hourly payment for such services starts from 9 euros. Prices vary depending on region. The highest salaries for nannies are recorded in Paris.
4. Nannies who came as part of the au pair program. Wages and working conditions are specified in the contract that the French family enters into with the foreigner. It is mandatory for employers to provide housing (utilities are also paid by the French side) and food. In return, nannies receive a modest salary of 60-70 euros per week. Such options should be considered as practice and internship in France, and not a source of income.

Trucker

You need category C, E license, professional certificate and work experience in Europe

What to do: transport goods across Europe: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Austria, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands. You can work in one or more international or domestic areas. That works out to 600 km a day.

Prospects: gain experience and get a job in a large company that transports expensive cargo over long distances. There is no other way to grow.

Working hours: 9 weeks on the voyage, 3 weeks at home, 5 days on the voyage - 2 at home. Work schedules vary widely.

Money: from €1200 to €2200 depending on flight load (from €60 per day + flat rate from €300).

Advice: get experience working in Europe on a truck and at least 5 years of experience to get a job in a reliable company.

Models in France: employment and fees

Working as a model in France involves the participation of young girls and boys in photo shoots and fashion house shows. Mostly all work contracts are concluded through an intermediary agency. They help in obtaining a visa.

Some models work outside of agencies on a freelance basis. As a rule, this type of employment is chosen by those who, for various reasons, were unable to obtain a contract with bookeur - agency administrators, as well as those models who are at the end of their careers.

A successful model should be:

• Photogenic.
• Ready for numerous moves and flights, work at any time of the day and a complex schedule.
• Patient, smiling, charming and sociable.
• Purposeful and courageous.
• Punctual.
• Plastic.

The fashion model must speak English and/or French at least B2 level.

Average salary for one 2-hour photography:

• Beginner model – 120 euros.
• Experienced fashion model – from 180 euros and above.

To get a modeling contract in France, a girl or guy with the necessary skills and appearance must contact scout managers and agencies. You can find them on the Internet.

Step-by-step process of employment of Russians in France

If you are not an EU citizen, then in order to officially work in France you must have a work visa. This process requires time and investment of effort. The French work visa can be short-term or permanent. A short-term visa is issued for up to 90 days throughout the year. This is one of the types of Schengen visa. It is often issued for seasonal work, although this entry permit is also obtained for professional activities.

Conditions for obtaining a work visa

To obtain a visa, you need to find a workplace in advance and conclude an appropriate contract. As in most countries of the world, the employers you want to apply to must prove that they cannot find a French person with the appropriate qualifications or that the country's citizens do not want to work in this specialty. Hiring approval must be granted by the Department of Employment and Employment Administration (DDTEFP). In many French cities, particularly the capital, it is prohibited to hire people suffering from infectious diseases. Therefore, you will have to undergo a special medical examination.

Documents for a short-term work visa

To obtain a short-term work visa, the French diplomatic mission requires the following documents:

• Two completed forms in French or English,
• two photographs taken in accordance with the requirements of the European Union,
• passport for traveling abroad with copies of all pages,
• internal passport with copies of all pages,
• original and copy of the employment contract certified by the Department of Work and Employment Affairs,
• documents to guarantee return to the country - certificates of work or registration of an enterprise, marriage or divorce, as well as a document of income (for example, bank account balance),
• medical insurance policy for the entire stay.

For official employment in France, a work visa is required.

In what cases is a long-term visa issued?

If they agree to employ you for a year or more, then a long-term visa (VLS/TS) is opened. It is national and guarantees stay only in France. However, in this case, the employer must comply with the special requirements of the Migration Committee. Therefore, obtaining this visa is very difficult. First of all, the employer will have to pay a fee of 241 euros. Then prove that the applicant applying for such a visa meets the specific requirements. He must not only know the language and have a higher education, but also have specific qualifications. Accordingly, it is assumed that a foreigner’s salary is one and a half times higher than the national average and for 2021 is at least 4,500 euros per month without taxes.

Conditions for obtaining a long-term visa

First, a contract (indefinite or for several years) is concluded with an applicant for a long-term visa. To issue an invitation for such a visa, the employer must submit a special request to the local office of the Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Integration - OFII (French Office of Immigration and Integration). If the department gives a positive response, the documents are sent to its central office. As with the short-term visa, the Department of Management must grant permission. And to do this, you need to prove that the employer requires an employee with a certain specialty for which it is impossible to find a French person. All these approvals take quite a long time—a month to a month and a half.

Required documents

The package of documents for a long-term work visa consists of:

• two completed application forms,
• foreign and internal passports with copies of all pages with records,
• two photographs,
• contract signed for a long period,
• a positive response from the French Directorate of Immigration and Integration to the employer’s application,
• documentary evidence of residence in Russia,
• payment receipts for issuing an entry permit.

What additional information needs to be provided?

Original documents certified and issued in France are sent directly to the embassy. Additionally, the procedure for obtaining a long-term visa also requires the provision of a whole package of medical certificates and tests translated into French - tests, fluorography, statements of vaccinations. All this is done at the place of residence. Before arriving at a diplomatic institution to submit documents, you must make an appointment with the embassy doctor. It is recommended to do this in advance so as not to wait several days.

Receipt procedure

For Russian citizens who have applied for a long-term stay visa, there is a separate queue at the embassy. When the guard calls you to the window, you will be given a package of documents sent from France. Then you go to an appointment with the embassy doctor and get a certificate from him. It is added to the package of documents and again placed in the queue. And at the very end they pay the cost of the work visa. Upon receipt of a long-term residence permit, the applicant is given a document that must be sent to the prefecture at the place of work in France no later than five days after arrival. After receiving it, a special stamp is placed in your passport, which confirms your legal residence in France.

Benefits of a long-term work visa

A long-term visa also has the advantage that if you have it, you can apply for immediate relatives - wife, husband and minor children - to move to France. But the authorities' response depends on many factors, including your position, contract terms and salary. However, if the decision is positive, then family members of such a specialist can find employment in France without any problems or additional documents. A long-term visa gives a foreigner the right to apply for French citizenship.

Problems with obtaining a work visa to France

It has become more difficult to obtain even a short-term work visa to France for Russians and Ukrainians in 2021. Most employers have recently preferred to hire citizens of Poland and the Baltic countries, who agree to take jobs in low-paid professions that were previously claimed by immigrants from the CIS countries. EU residents do not need any visas or special work permits if they want to work seasonally or for a period of no more than three months.

Video: official employment in France

Working as a doctor and nurse: confirmation of diploma and qualifications

Working as a doctor and nurse in France is included in the category of profession réglementée - regulated professions. This means that a higher education diploma alone will not be enough for employment. For residents of the CIS there are two options to get a job as a doctor or nurse:

1. Pass a qualification test to confirm your diploma. The test consists of a written task with questions about the qualifications that you confirm. There are a total of 3 attempts to pass the exam. After this, each specialist must work for at least 3 years in public hospitals (previous similar experience in France is taken into account). After this, you can apply for permission to work in private medical institutions.
2. Admission to the Faculty of Medicine in France. Doctors with a diploma can immediately enroll in the 5th-6th year. At the end of the 6th year, all students pass a mandatory exam, based on the results of which they will be enrolled in an internship. The internship lasts 4-5 years (the duration depends on the specialty).

Also, in order to live and work in France, a foreigner must speak French at level B2. Knowledge of the language must be confirmed by the appropriate DELF, TCF or TEF certificate.

All doctors planning to practice medicine must register with the departmental council of L'Ordre Nationale des Médecins. To register, you must submit the following package of documents:

1. Higher education diploma and its certified translation into French.
2. 3 photographs size 3x4.
3. Foreign passport and its copy.
4. Document on registration with the Federal Migration Service.
5. Certificate of good standing.

Current vacancies for doctors and nurses can be found in medical journals, for example, Le Concours médical, Le Médecin de France and others.

The average salary of a practicing doctor in France as of 2018 is from 6,000 to 7,000 euros.

Au pair program (“Oper”) for students

If you are over 17 but under 30 years old, you can travel to France as a participant in the international Opera program. Your task will be to help the family with housework, look after children, clean the house and perform other duties that are agreed upon. The oper is prohibited from doing heavy housework.

The host family will pay up to €320 per month for housekeeping services, provide food and will provide a room for sleeping and relaxation of at least 8 m² with a window.

The program is used by families for whom hiring an adult cleaner or nanny would cost more. Thanks to this program, you can come to France and start looking for your next job.

A high school diploma is required. It is also advisable to know English or French. It will take no more than €100 to complete all the documents and pay for the flight.

You can find a family on the Au Pair.com website or any other website, including social networks. Think about this if you really want to go to France, but you can't find a job because of your age.

The program operates throughout Europe and the USA. This is a great way to send your child to live in Europe without major expenses.

Without knowledge of the language you can get a job:

• security guard;
• grape picker;
• nurse;
• maid;
• handyman;
• dishwasher;
• by courier.

All other professions will require knowledge of French at a minimum conversational level.

What specialties are in greatest demand?

Despite the fact that the French issue residence permits more often than Italians, Swedes and Spaniards, obtaining a work permit in France is quite difficult. This is due to the tightening of the state’s migration policy regarding language proficiency requirements.

Before deciding on labor migration, you need to study the most in-demand professions in France in 2021 among Russian-speaking foreigners:

• accountant;
• secretary;
• administrator;
• security guard;
• driver;
• nanny;
• service personnel in hotels and restaurants, on tourist liners;
• programmers;
• harvesters;
• doctors;

You need to be prepared for the fact that not everyone succeeds in getting a job in their specialty. Many initially have to do unskilled work, including temporary work in vineyards, farms, and processing industries.

Women often choose jobs as nurses and housekeepers; girls prefer working as models.

Is an internship possible?

An internship in one of the French companies is a good chance to gain professional experience and practice the language in the environment where it is spoken. The best chances are for:

• students of French universities;
• students studying in the field of tourism;
• specialists who come to France for an internship at the direction of their employer.

The internship may or may not be paid. Hospitality jobs typically pay around €500 per month and provide food and accommodation. The program usually lasts 3 months.

The search for work in France through internship programs can be carried out at the universities where students study.

How to find a job

For job seekers who are outside France and have no acquaintances here, the only source of vacancies is the Internet. Finding a job this way is extremely difficult. If you still want to try, then you should register on specialized sites. Here are some of them:

• www.apec.fr
• www.monster.fr,
• www.emploiannonces.fr,
• www.leboncoin.fr,
• www.keljob.com
• www.qapa.fr
• www.adzuna.fr
• www.cadremploi.fr.

Another option is direct mailing of resumes to companies. Many employers publish vacancies on their websites. In addition, you can simply send your resume to the personnel departments of the companies you would like to work for. Some employers create a pool of candidates with an eye to the future.

If you are already in France, this makes your job search easier. In addition to the methods listed above, contacting agencies to find vacancies is added. In addition, it is worth connecting local connections, which any person inevitably develops over time. You can also contact the public employment service Pôle emploi.

The attractiveness of France for labor immigrants

Previously, France was extremely loyal to labor immigrants, and finding work for residents of other countries was not particularly difficult. However, over the past decade this situation has changed significantly. Russian citizens come to this romantic state with great hopes and encounter many difficulties and obstacles there. In addition to complex bureaucratic procedures, you have to put up with the fact that the list of jobs and salary level depends on whether you are a holder of French citizenship or an immigrant.

Of course, there are exceptions for highly qualified specialists who are invited to work by French companies themselves. Such people are provided with good housing, high wages and many other privileges that are not available to ordinary labor immigrants.

Currently, it is quite difficult to find work in France due to refugees from Afghanistan, Syria and Sudan

Otherwise, the situation in France is not so rosy. Recently, there has been a very large flow of refugees and illegal immigrants, and the unemployment rate is increasing. In Paris it reaches almost 9%, and in other cities - 10%. In the absence of in-demand qualifications and suitable education, most newcomers can only rely on low-paid labor or seasonal part-time work. Of course, over time you can find a more interesting position, but this requires a lot of effort.

Also a very important point is the fact that according to French law, the employer must first of all hire EU citizens. If there are no volunteers among them, then you can employ a foreigner.

How to register officially?

In order to get a job in France, you need to select a vacancy, contact the employer and conclude a contract with him. Only then can you obtain the appropriate visa. Ordinary workers and representatives of higher paid professions prefer to apply for OFII. This is a long-term visa.

It is given if the employer has entered into a contract for a period of three months or more. You also need a work permit from OFII. The validity of this visa is 1 year, but it can be extended. It is also possible to obtain a residence permit. There is also a Blue Card visa, but it is much more difficult to obtain. It gives the right to receive high wages, and the minimum term of the employment contract is 1 year.

The most important thing for official employment is an employment contract. It can be issued without problems, but only if the employer is interested in the employees. After concluding a contract, he is obliged to contact the French labor inspectorate (there is one in many large cities) to obtain a work permit.

All papers are then sent to OFII, where a final decision will be made. If everything is in order, they will then be sent to the embassy of the country where the applicant lives. He also receives a notification and instructions. For example, a medical examination is required, etc. The period of official employment can take up to six months.

For seasonal work, a short-term visa is often issued. She is more popular, especially lately. In addition, it is easier to arrange than a long-term one. This visa is valid for 3 months. The receipt algorithm does not differ from the standard one, only the employment contract must be confirmed by DIRECCTE

There are other visas for people studying French in families, working on vacation, being talent or research assistants. This is Protocole d'accueil, Compétences et talents, Vacances-travail.

One of the most popular programs among young people is Au Pair. This program involves something like an exchange of experience, rather than standard employment. A student can work for a family as a housekeeping assistant and live with their employers. But this is not a vacancy for a housekeeper, since a foreigner has fewer responsibilities. Most often, they include caring for a school-age child - walking, preparing simple meals, accompanying them to school.

For this, the assistant receives quite a decent reward. The law establishes a certain amount of time that an employee must spend on family. This is no more than 30 hours a week. He has the right to a day off (or two) and 2 weeks of vacation.

Important

But the most important advantage of the Au Pair program is the obligation to attend French language courses.
The maximum duration of the program is 18 months. It's difficult to extend it. But during this time you can go to university, and then find a part-time job to apply for another visa. With the help of an Au Pair, it is quite possible to stay in France and subsequently obtain a residence permit or even citizenship.

In France, as in many countries, there is the possibility of illegal employment. To do this, many come on a tourist visa, which does not give the right to work. But such a life is associated with low-paid work and the absence of at least some guarantees. And if a person is discovered to be illegally staying in France and carrying out work activities, both he and his employer will have problems. Therefore, it is not worth taking such a step.