Finding a job

Where to look for jobs in France

Looking for work can be a frustrating and difficult task in France. As in most places, many hires are made through personal connections and alumni networks. Effective networking is a great way to find out about opportunities and 'get a foot in the door'.

The traditional routes of newspapers, Internet and employment agencies are used frequently in France, but many jobs are got on the basis of relationships and contacts. Often vacant positions are not advertised publicly, but filled by people who have contacts within the company.

Our advice is to take advantage of every possible contact that you have, from friends, colleagues and classmates. Even the most casual acquaintances can sometimes point you towards a potential job lead. Persistence and confidence are vital ingredients to a successful job search.

The French administration has a large network of agencies for employment. The most important are:

ANPE, the French national agency for employment (Agence Nationale pour l'Emploi). It has a large number of offices across the country. They offer manual and unskilled jobs - you can see adverts online at www.anpe.fr (in French only).
APEC, the French national agency for employment of professionals and executives (Agence pour l'Emploi de Cadres) - www.apec.fr .