Job Opportunities in France After Masters

The social security system and benefits are some of the main reasons that lure expats to the French Republic. In this country, the minimum wage is €1,498.47 a month, and the average net salary is €2,250 for a full-time, private sector worker. The nation offers one of the highest average salaries in the European Union. However, the unemployment rate is above the EU average at 8.7% (as of June 2019). Nevertheless, self-employment is more attainable in the country following the new rules that came into force in 2015. Anybody wishing to start a small business or work as a freelancer may do so as long as they attain all the mandatory requirements.

What are the job opportunities in France after masters? Any expat can find jobs in the country’s leading industries: agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, tourism and transport. Occupations with the highest number of openings are office associates, science and engineer technicians, teachers and sales workers.

The business culture in the French Republic is highly professional and formality is held in high regard. Business is conducted in a straight-forward manner with company executives concentrating on maintaining long-term working relationships with business partners. Working days are Monday to Friday here, at 35 hours a week. The working culture is centred on the principles of tradition, paying attention to detail and following a clear hierarchical structure. Moreover, the dress code at the workplace is formal, which means that employees are required to dress and look elegant and sophisticated. So, what are the possible employment opportunities after Masters? Where can one start their job search? Read on for more details.

In this article you will find out:

The Largest Industries

The French Republic is an advanced ad industrialized nation with the sixth largest economy in the globe. Its economy is largely dominated by the following industries:

Energy

The energy industry is one of the most prominent sectors in the French Republic. A leading electricity company in the country, Electricite de France (EDF), is the biggest utility firm worldwide. Another key player in the French energy field is Engie, which is a utility firm situated in Courbevoie. Engie is the largest independent utility in the world and it became the biggest solar energy firm in the country after acquiring Solairedirect in 2015. Another major French organization, Total S.A, is one of largest oil and gas firms globally.

Energy production in the French Republic is primarily based on nuclear power, which accounts for 78% of the nation’s electricity. Due to nuclear energy usage, the country boasts one of the lowest levels of carbon dioxide emission in the developed world. Renewable energy is the future of the country’s energy sector. A bill was passed in 2015 requiring 40% of the country’s electricity to come from renewable energy sources by 2030.

Manufacturing

Another large industry in the French Republic is manufacturing, which accounts for billions of dollars in the overall GDP. The nation has gained recognition as the biggest automobile manufacturer worldwide. Additionally, it is home to Peugeot and Renault, which are some of the most prominent automobile manufacturers globally. The nation is also well-known for its aerospace industry, which is dominated by Airbus (the world’s leading aircraft maker).

Technology

Technology is also an essential pillar in the nation’s economy. The French Republic ranks highly among the most technologically advanced nations in the globe. Moreover, it has an ideal setting for tech research and innovation. That environment has enabled the growth of some of the biggest technology firms globally.

For instance, Publicis, a French company, is the third biggest advertising firm in the world. Also, Sophia Antipolis, is a prominent tech hub in the country. It houses offices of major tech firms, such as Amadeus, Cisco, IBM , Huawei and Broadcom. Sophia Antipolis was started in 1984 by Sophia Glikman-Toumarkine.

Transport

The transport sector in the French Republic is a multi-billion industry. The country’s road and rail network is one of the densest in the world. Its railway network stretches 18,580 miles, majority of which is operated by the French Railway Corporation.

Agriculture

Before the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century, agriculture was traditionally the main economic activity in the French Republic. The country has the sixth-largest agricultural production globally and the biggest in the EU. Additionally, it’s the second hugest exporter of agricultural produce in the world, after the US. Expansive wheat farms are situated in the northern part of the nation, whereas the southern region is famous for its vineyards and horticulture.

Moreover, the French Republic is one of the largest producers of sugar beets, cheese and wine globally. The Western side of the nation produces dairy products, pork, poultry and apples. Most of the agricultural products are exported to member states of the EU. The country’s agricultural sector has the privilege of getting significant subsidies from the European Union.

Tourism

As the most popular tourist destination worldwide, The French Republic receives approximately 85.7 million tourists every year. The massive visitor traffic also means that the country ranks at fifth position globally for tourist spending. Its tourism sector injects more than $70 billion into the nation’s GDP. Out of this total, 70% is sourced from local tourists, while the remaining 30% is from international visitors.

The Best Paying Career

The French Republic enjoys financial prosperity. People with a master’s degree have a wide array of occupations to choose from. Below are some of the highest paying jobs in the country.

· Medical Practitioners: Doctors working in public hospitals essentially work for the French government, although there are opportunities in the private sector too. The average salary for a doctor is €170,000 yearly.

· Company Directors: A company director oversees day-to-day activities of a firm. They get paid well with an average salary of €104,181 per year

· Financial Advisers: They basically offer financial advice to clients and help them manage their money. The average pay for a financial advisor is €70,225 per year

· Airplane Pilots: The main duty of airplane pilots is to transport passengers or cargo. They earn an average of €67,353 per annum

· Brokers: A broker arranges and facilitates transactions between buyers and sellers, and gets compensation when deals are executed. They earn about €58,007 per annum

· Lawyers: Attorneys take home an average income of €50,866. One set of lawyers assist and represent clients in court, while the other set draw up legal documents

· Civil Service Officers: The French Republic’s civil service is divided into four sections: State, judiciary, public hospitals and local governments. The salary for French civil service officers ranges between €43,000 and €50,000

· Marketing Managers: They uniquely combine creativity, analytical thinking and leadership abilities to create strategies that allow them to effectively promote goods or services. The average salary of marketing managers is €47,289

· Police Officers: The police are responsible for preventing crime, enforcing law and ensuring security on all ports of entry. They have an average wage of €43,376

Where to Begin the Job Search

Master’s degree graduates can look for jobs in the French Republic using a variety of methods. The first place to go is the internet. After you are done pursuing masters in your career, some relevant job search sites worth checking out include:

Go Overseas
Option Carriere
Indeed
Aupair.com
Pole-Emploi
ESL Employment
Monster.com
Tesall
ESL Café
Overseas Jobs
Learn 4 Good
The European Job Mobility Portal
Go Abroad
Workaway
Eurojobs.

Networking is also an excellent way to find employment in the country. Here are some useful networking tips:

· Network online by joining a social media group set up specifically for announcing job vacancies e.g., LinkedIn

· Try to network in person by being a member of InterNations, which hosts various community events

· Find and attend appropriate industry events

· Always dress impressively and carry some business cards

Expacts need to ensure they meet all the necessary requirements for working in the French Republic. They might require a residence permit and work visa.

Before applying for any French job, expat should ensure their curriculum vita (resume) is relevant and up-to-date with current information. The CV should also be written in the French-style to increase the chance of securing a job.

If the job one is applying for was posted using English, it may be okay to send the information in English, however, in most cases, the CV will be translated into French. In addition to the CV, French employers also expect a cover letter written in French. All in all, it’s best to have job application documents written in one’s native language and French too to be on the safe side.

References are not necessary in either the CV or cover later. But it’s good to bring the contact information of references during an interview.

Working in the French Republic as a foreign national is a worthwhile option, because of the high salaries and social security benefits.