Jobs in France
- Residents
- Tourists
- Expats
Finding work as an expat starts with the main platforms: France Travail (the public employment service, formerly Pôle emploi), APEC for managers and cadres, Welcome to the Jungle, and LinkedIn. French applications follow their own norms, a one page CV plus a lettre de motivation. Before you can take a job you also need the right to work, which depends on your nationality and visa. The guides below cover where to search and how to apply.
Where Do You Search for Jobs in France?
Most job hunts in France run through a handful of platforms. France Travail is the public employment service (formerly Pôle emploi) and lists a broad range of roles across the country. APEC (Association pour l'emploi des cadres) focuses on managerial and professional positions (cadres). Welcome to the Jungle is popular with startups and tech, and LinkedIn is widely used for professional roles and networking. Many companies also recruit through specialist consulting firms and IT services companies (ESN), which the guides below compare.
How Do French Applications Work?
The CV
A French CV is usually a single page, concise and factual, with your experience listed in reverse chronological order. Photos and personal details are common but optional. Keep it clean and tailored to the role rather than long.
The Cover Letter
A lettre de motivation (cover letter) is still expected for many applications, especially outside tech. It should be short, specific to the employer, and explain why you fit the role. For senior and cadre positions it carries real weight.
Language
Many roles expect working French, though international companies and tech firms often operate in English. Match the language of the job posting when you apply, and be clear about your level.
Do You Have the Right to Work in France?
Before accepting a job you need to be allowed to work in France, and this depends on your nationality and residence status. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can work freely. Other nationals usually need a residence permit (titre de séjour) that authorises employment, and some roles require the employer to sponsor a work permit. See our work visa guide for how the different permits work and which one fits your situation.