Tips for finding English-language work in France

1. Transfer to the French offices

If you don’t live in France yet, think about making your move into a longer-term plan. It is often easier to get a job in your home country with a company that is based in France or has offices here and then transfer after some time working with them.

2. Consider your industry

There are industries that operate more in English than others here in France and will be easier to find work in, so think about how you can position yourself well. International companies and digital agencies are also less likely to require French skills than local businesses.

Here are some industries that are easier to find English work in:

• Technology and Gaming: France is undergoing a bit of a tech boom right now and in order to compete throughout Europe much of the start-up ecosystem operates in English. This is a great industry to start looking in, and France even offers easy-to-obtain visas for tech founders.
   
• Childcare: This is a very common job for foreign students and expats in France, as French families often want to give their kids a leg up with English by hiring a native speaker.
   
• English Teacher: For obvious reason, teaching English is a plentiful job option in France. That said, the hours and pay can be pretty pitiful, and the competition harder in cities such as Paris.
   
• PR/Marketing/Social Media: Many companies in France promote their products and services in English and want native speakers to provide their content.
   
• Tourism: As one of the most visited countries in the world, there is always a need for tour guides and people with specific skills to share with tourists such as art history, photography or ski instruction.
   
• Retail: Sometimes shops in super touristy areas such as around the Champs-Élysées and Disneyland will hire people with minimal French skills since the clientele is mostly international.
   
• Writing and Journalism: There are companies based in France that produce content in multiple languages, as well as English-language news agencies and broadcasters. Writing is also work that can be done freelance or remotely (more on that below).
   
• Bartending: If you can whip up a martini and learn the names of a few popular French cocktails, getting a bartending job (especially in the touristy or college-heavy areas of Paris) is entirely possible.
   
• Housekeeping: Rich Anglo families (often in the south of France) like to have English speaking live-in help for their homes or yachts.
   
• Real Estate: France is a popular housing market for Europeans, particularly British people, so there are a number of Anglo real estate agencies that operate in France and use English-speaking agents.
   
• Embassies and Consulates: The U.S., Canada, U.K. and other English-speaking countries have outposts in France that need support staff. Note that these jobs are usually not for complete French beginners though since you will have to interact with locals quite a bit.
   
• NGOs: Aid groups and global organizations such as Unesco sometimes post positions that are short-term but don’t require perfect French.
   
• Finance: It’s a global industry, so English is a huge plus and depending on your experience and position, some jobs can require little French.

3. Think Digital

I know a number of people in Paris who work remotely for companies back in their home country. If this is an option in your industry, be sure to search online job websites for “remote” positions. This is also an easier option if you don’t have French employment privileges as it doesn’t require you to have a work permit.

4. Know where to look

You will have to sift through a lot of postings, but here are some websites I used to look for jobs in English, and that others I know have had success with. If the posting is in English, that is generally a good sign!