Working and living in Paris

[AbsOfCroissant]

Hi, I've also posted this in chat.

So, yesterday DP (french) informed me that he had been invited for an interview for a job in Paris. For him, this is awesome - the pay would be about twice what he's on now, he'll be near his best friend and family etc. etc.
For me - not so hot. I am learning French, but am currently RUBBISH (I can order food and kind of understand what's going on in a conversation), though I will be starting proper classes at the end of the month. I have quite a good job in London, in Financial services, and have been interviewing for potentially better ones.

So, has anyone done such a move? What standard of French would be expected/required to work there? I did previously (well, for two weeks) work in Geneva and most of the work was done in English (if not all of it), whereas the office chat was in French and English. I did think that from a work perspective in Geneva (for a foreign bank) you could get by with relatively little French as the corporate language is English, whereas I don't know if this would be the case in Paris.

I have thought of another person I could ask about this, but thought MN had more collective wisdom and more likelihood that there'd be people who had done this.

I think we could get by for a couple of months or so on one salary, but ideally I would like to be able to work. I think it would be important in establishing my own life over there (DP could just walk in, no problems, he has friends, family etc. whereas I would just have him) and keeping me out of mischief.

The only move I've done has been to a country where English still spoken. But had a thought - can you go freelance at all and work for your current employers? Even if it means commuting via train back to London sometimes. Though would still strongly recommend getting involved in other activities in Paris so you meet people. Could be the start of something new and exciting.

It can be difficult but there IS work out there for non-French speakers. Take a look at www.fusac.fr employment ads as that should give you an idea. There's also a large support organisation for English-speaking parents called Message (www;messageparis.org). I didn't bother joining them when I first arrived (I speak French) but they've been a lifeline since my daughter (who has special needs) started school, and there's all sorts of useful info. on there for getting work and settling in - my current position was found through them. What age are your kids? Do they speak French and would they go to public school?
DH works in financial services for a US company. He speaks excellent French but plenty of his colleagues don't.
I love living here, but I'm just outside of Paris rather than in the city itself.

You might get a job with one of the international organisations here?

I moved here when I was 18 and already spoke French but I know lots of people who lived and worked here (some in high-power jobs) and still spoke hardly any French, even after several years.

There are lots of recruitment agencies that are specialised in the legal and financial sectors who recruit EMT employees for international firms.

You will find a lot of info about jobs, language classes and social events in a magazine called Fusac, available online here.

my wife and I moved to Madrid 15 months ago. Neither of us spoke a word of Spanish and the time and we didn't know anyone here. We've now got a wide circle of friends and our Spanish has got to the level that we can communicate very effectively (DW gave birth in Spanish!!)

We're both English Teachers, though I'm just starting to look for other jobs here (in Spanish). Teaching English might be something for you to consider - maybe just for a year while your French gets to the level where you can work in French. Living there is probably the best way to improve your french quickly...

"There are lots of recruitment agencies that are specialised in the legal and financial sectors who recruit EMT employees for international firms."

Froglover could you please name one or two? I'd be very interested. Thanks.

AbsofCroissant,
Go for it! We're about to do the same thing. I was in a panic about new life, but very exciting at same time.

DH works in finance and most meetings are in English as there are lots of non-French speakers attending. It's office banter that is in French, but you can pick that up. (Immersion helps a lot!)

I've noticed most Frenchies working in Financial services speak English well, too.

AoC, (&Doozie) Try Robert Walters. Or Michael Page. They both have French ops
You can register with French headhunters, too.

Doozy Sorry for the late reply, I forgot about this thread and only came back to it today.

Most of the recruitment agencies advertise in Fusac but off the top of my head, I would say:

Michael Page
Angela Mortimer
EuroLondon Recruitments
Robert Walters

I also recently came across the EasyExpat website which appears to have some useful tips.

Again, sorry for the late reply and hope you find what you are looking for

Froglover & Rosietoes - thanks very much for your replies, that's a great help.

you could also try www.smartsteps.fr as it's run by an English speaker and I think specialises in bilingual jobs (tho' I'm not sure what sector)