Looking for a job in a country whose codes you don't know means playing with a handicap that has nothing to do with skill. This guide brings together what comes up most often in the feedback from members who succeeded in their search.
First of all: check your right to work
Your residence permit determines whether you can work, and within what hour limit. A student visa allows salaried work within an annual limit, an employee permit gives a full right. Check your situation before committing — it avoids nasty surprises on the employer's side.
The French-style CV
Expectations are fairly codified:
- One page for a junior profile, two at most after that.
- Reverse chronological order — the most recent experience first.
- Quantified results rather than lists of tasks.
- No unnecessary personal details: no family situation, no detailed date of birth.
- Languages with a clear level, and the test if you've taken one.
Have your CV reviewed by someone already working in France. A review spots, in ten minutes, phrasing that makes a recruiter wince.
The cover letter
It isn't always read, but its absence is sometimes a dealbreaker. Three paragraphs are enough: why them, what you bring, what you want to learn. Adapt it to each application, even slightly.
Where to look
- General platforms — high volume, but strong competition.
- France Travail — the public employment operator, with support available.
- Sector-specific sites — fewer candidates, more targeted offers.
- Company career sites — some offers are only posted there.
- Community networks — ImiziLinks relays checked offers every week.
A large share of roles are never posted. They are filled by internal recommendation. That's why networking counts for more than the volume of applications.
The speculative application
It works when it's targeted. Identify around ten companies you're genuinely interested in, find the right person to contact, and write a short message showing you know their business. A generic speculative application sent to a hundred addresses produces nothing.
Building your network
The word is intimidating, but it simply means talking to people:
- Contact alumni from your programme, even without knowing them.
- Go to career forums and professional meet-ups.
- Ask for informational interviews: fifteen minutes to understand a job, without asking for one. Many people say yes.
- Keep the link going after a first exchange, without following up too quickly.
The interview
Prepare three things: your background told in two minutes, solid knowledge of the company, and two or three questions to ask at the end.
On the salary question: research the sector ranges for your experience level beforehand, and give a range rather than a single figure.
Handling refusals
There are many and they're rarely explained. Don't read them as a verdict on your worth. Politely ask for feedback when you've had an interview: some recruiters reply, and the information is gold for what comes next.
Want feedback on your application? Community members review CVs and run mock interviews. Write to us using the form.