People have many reasons for employing the services of a South of France chartered surveyor. Sometimes it’s to help them purchase a holiday home, or a property in which to enjoy their retirement years.

However, many people are looking to move to this beautiful region as part of a brand-new start.

For this latter group, the move to a new country is going to carry with it a few extra challenges. Education needs to be arranged for the children, a new language and culture needs to be absorbed, healthcare arrangements need to be made, and employment needs to be found. The prospect of job hunting in a foreign country can be a daunting one, so a few tips can be helpful.

#1 Speak French

This may seem obvious, but you will have a significantly better chance of being employed in France if you are able to speak the language. You don’t need to be fluent – hopefully that will come with practice – but you should be able to handle some rudimentary conversation.

French is not a particularly difficult language to acquire as, thanks to the Norman Conquest circa 1066, it permeates English in many places, resulting in a lot of similarities. Most colleges offer part-time classes which will ensure you can get a decent grounding in French ahead of your move.

#2 Approach the Right Companies

You’ll stand the greatest chance of finding employment with a multinational or major national company. Small businesses will not usually be so accepting of foreign applicants, unless you are very proficient in the language. Major French brands include Air France, AXA, BNP Paribas, CHANEL, Carrefour, Crédit Agricole, EDF, ENGIE, L’Oréal, LVMH, Renault, Société Générale, Thales, and Total.

Another option is to seek employment with a UK company which has offices in France. This means you’ll be able to get the ball rolling before you leave the UK, so by the time you’ve moved into your new South of France property, everything will be in order, meaning one less thing to worry about.

#3 Apply

Thankfully the process for applying for jobs in France is very similar to the one in the UK. You can apply from the UK, but you will need to be in France to attend interviews, should you be selected for one.

Make sure your CVs (lettres de motivation) and covering letters are written entirely in French and include a description of your native tongue and your foreign language proficiencies. Thanks to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), UK qualifications are normally recognised in other member countries, but make sure you include a description of the French equivalents for any you hold. Employers will have many applications to peruse and are unlikely to be willing to waste time looking up what a GSCE is.

Final Thoughts

Looking for employment in a foreign country can be a daunting prospect. However, if you follow these simple steps, you’ll give yourself the best chance possible.

If you’re looking to purchase your own South of France property, you’ll need a professional and experienced chartered surveyor to help you find your way. Get in touch with Charles Mackintosh today to start your journey.