Work in Paris for a young, confident(ish) semi-French speaking English girl

Hi

First time at all this... Happy Christmas and New Year everyone.

I've been thinking over this festive period about what I want to do, as I've just split from my boyfriend and now have a little freedom on my hands... I've always wanted to get out of this country and explore the world, there are so many places to go but I think the place for me to start would be Paris. (Though I'm very open to suggestions/advice from anyone in a similar position to me!)

So I'm here to ask what you all know about working in Paris.

I'm 23 years old, a 'people person' - yuk hate that phrase - pick things up quite quickly, into art, hope to think I'm quite attractive though this shouldn't make any difference but it might well do (?) and did A Level French. So I know a little of the language but am by no means fluent. I understand it much better than I speak it but feel that throwing myself in at the deep end would be the best way for me to learn properly now, so am fully prepared to do this.

What's out there for me? I have been reading up about teaching English, but hear this is pretty 'oversubscribed' in Paris if you want to work in a school. Also not a massive amount of money but hey ho, that wouldnt be the end of the world, I would be happy to get an evening job in a bar as well - but again, is that doable? Are there many bar jobs in Paris?

I feel so clueless... please somebody help me :)

Thank you in advance........

Sarah

Hi Sarah

I always enjoy reading the hopes and dreams of young people looking for some new adventure because that was me not long ago (although I've 'settled' since..).

What I usually do when looking at new places to visit or stay is search online for expat forums. Like forums where people who have actually moved post things. This way you get to understand more of what it's like to actually be in the place you want to go to.

I haven't actually been to Paris (shock horror) so can't offer any specific advise, but it may start you off somewhere since no-one else has replied yet...

Bonne chance!

Hey Sarah

I haven't been to Paris but I've worked all over Scandinavia as a bartender and waiter and was paid under the table and the rules of finding work abroad are pretty much the same whatever country you are in.

As an experienced traveler, I can tell you there is a whole world out there for you to enjoy.

Yes you can find work in a bar but I can tell you from experience you will have to knock on a lot of doors so be prepared for that.

The number one rule of finding under the table work when traveling is to let everyone you meet know that you are looking for work. Networking and following up with leads is the number one way to land a job.

However...

I got tired of constantly looking for under the table work and just wanted to worry about traveling, so I learned how to create internet businesses that I can run from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.

Now I don't have to worry about applying for working holidays, work permits, etc... by living simply I can support myself entirely from the internet and I suggest every traveler learns how to too. It's not hard.

if you want, check out my website at http://workandtravelanywhere.com where I give away a free ebook and video series on how to create an internet business.

If you're not interested in that that's cool too.

I absolutely think you can find work if you look hard enough. Nothing is impossible.

Just remember to bring enough money to support yourself for a couple months while looking for work!

Cheers,
Brandon

If you are 23 yo then you probably didn't spend the last 5-6 years doing nothing. What skills do you have?

Ruth

Well first of all thank you so much for replying - I was a bit frightened no-one would after the first few days!

Ravravrav - Thank you, you're right! I'm not great at being creative with the online thing, I usually stick to facebook and news websites but wow.. there is so much you can learn from the internet about different countries and travelling etc!
I am going to definitely look into this, do you know of any particular websites by any chance? Come to think of it (and in case anyone else out there is reading this feeling the same as me!) - I've also found watching films based heavily in certain cities helps too, or films about people who travel, like 'Vicky Christina Barcelona' - I could really identify with that! (not the sexual triangle situation I might add, just the spontaneity and desire to explore different places in the world!!)

Hi Brandon, what on earth is under the table work??! :) Those were great tips. I do feel confident that I could find something by proactively looking for it, as long as it's out there!
My main reason for wanting to work behind a bar is because I think it would be such a great way to meet the really interesting people who are out there (as long as you choose the right place...) and also to learn the language, if I do end up somewhere like France or Spain. Or anywhere else I guess - always great to learn a language.
So your idea about setting up an internet site really appeals too. I've always been so interested in being my own boss, I've always got ideas and stuff I just never really thought to do it over the web! Mostly because I worry about my lack of technical know-how... But I did have a very good idea for a website a few years ago, which I always thought could take off! So I will be sure to look at your site, thank you!! What a dream - to be able to just freely explore the world and being self sufficient at the same time! Because I earn a good salary at the moment (by the standards of a 23 year old anyway!) - so it would certainly be a challenge to go back to working for very little.

And Ruth, well! Most of my background now is in insurance, boringly enough. I sell household insurance at the moment which is ok, but I hate the way the industry works so it's not a career for me. Also probably too complicated to take it up in another country where I don't know the language very well, though I potentially could make it work if I did go to France...
I am good at selling and I deal with some upmarket clients but I feel like I need to move away from it before I get caught up in doing something that isn't really me, deep down. I'm more of an arty/ideas person, always have been, though my only 'skills' in this area are really what comes naturally (not amazing at the moment due to lack of practice and confidence!) and what I learnt at GCSE/A Level.
I am good with people though, I guess that's my main skill. I'm confident at interacting with people if that makes sense - I'm not sure how to put it! But I'm good at it.
I also worked on a private yacht for a while so have done some stewardessing, that was when I was 17. It was the best time of my life, but think maybe I should leave it as it was - I was fortunate enough to know the people I was working for and they were lovely. I can't imagine how it would be to end up on a boat with a horrible boss or colleagues. And I heard some stories...!
And I have worked as a silver service waitress and behind a bar. And a couple of other things too, but not for long enough to call it a skill.

Well I could go on but I'm very conscious of how long this post already is! And the amount of times "I" appears throughout...
But thank you all! I look forward to more replies if I haven't bored everyone to tears too much!

Sarah

Working under the table means working illegally without the proper papers to do so.

Selling and being able to sell to an upscale market, having worked aboard a yacht and as an attendant combined with being artsy suggests marketing or advertising to me. Some aspects of this might enable you to work internationally.

As a UK resident, you can work legally anywhere in the EU. As a 23 yo you can get Working holiday visas (WHV) in lots of different countries around the world. At your age and given your passport, I would start by looking at the WHV programs as they expire when you turn 30 or 31 and jobs in the EU will almost always be open to you.

Ruth

Ahhh ok, not sure whether working illegally would be my cup of tea! I just really don't know what to do. I have no idea where to even start looking for a job abroad.

I have always thought of advertising/marketing as a career, I think I could be good at it, but at 23 I feel like I've missed the boat a bit! Would love to study again I just would find it hard to flick back to studying and having no money after earning a decent wage. So I thought of studying while working, but now I have this idea to travel.

I had a look at the WHV thing which sounds great but again, where to start! I Googled it and found Australia came up top - if I was to go further afield I'd love to go to America but I think Aus would be too far.

Anyway, thank you for your help Ruth. Hopefully it will just come to me one of these days!

I think I could be good at it, but at 23 I feel like I've missed the boat a bit!

My husband works in advertising and it's his third career. He started in politics, then went into public affairs and now is in advertising. At 23 you still have plenty of time to get into any field you want to consider. You don't need a degree to pursue a job in this field. You need to have an interest and ideas and energy.

Look at BUNAC for programs in the US.

Ruth

Hey!

If you do end up going down the teaching English route this websites really helpful: [http://www.eslcafe.com]

There is a France section on the International Job Forum :

[http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewforum.php?f=16&sid=2b726b03a8e076fd312aa4ef10ae948c]

Am sure you will find something exciting to do! Happy Travels!