French People be Honest but Kind-What are my chances in Paris?

Question

I plan to move to Paris in no more than 3 years. I have a four year degree and a law degree and will be fluent in french by the time I move there. I will be able to practice law if necessary but I'm open to other opportunities. I know unemployment is high, do I have a shot at making it there?

Answer 1

I believe if you are perfectly fluent in french and are well educated, you have just as good of a shot as youd have anywhere else.

Bonne chance, belle place Paris, non?

Answer 2

i'm not french but i do know that americans can become an au pair (be a nanny) and that is in demand.  also teaching english is a popular job for americans there.

Answer 3

i was just in Paris and it was the worst experience i have ever had in a foreign city. everyone was rude, the place was filthy, i was spat on by children trying to pick pocket me. the sites were nice, of course, but other than that, i really did not like it. unless you plan to move into versile, i would not even bother moving there. why not someplace better, because there are many.

Answer 4

I'm not sure on what basis you say you'll "be able to practice law if necessary." The practice of law in France is very different from that in the USA as is the law itself. If you understand the differences then fine but if you don't I suggest you acquaint yourself with them. (I can explain if you wish).

However, that being said, working as an independent legal practitioner may be the best course as obtaining a work permit otherwise may be difficult.

Indeed, have you considered the need to obtain a long term visa? Remember, the French government will look at you in roughly the same way that the American government looks at a Mexican citizen trying to come to the USA.

Also, with all due respect, I wonder what your basis is for believing that you can acquire genuine fluency in "no more than 3 years." The French are much more formal about language than Americans and true fluency can be difficult to achieve in the USA. You should consider the need to spend time in France working on your language skills before trying to enter the job market or set up a practice.

But the bottom line is that is you plan and prepare with care then you can do it.

Answer 5

Unemployment IS high - my cousin lives in Paris, and when I recently visited him, he was telling me a bit about his situation and his friends.

What I would suggest is saving as much money as possible over the next 3 years, so that you have a nest egg of up to a year (this is a bit conservative, but I feel this is smart). This way, you have a year to look for a job in the law field, or any job that may interst you.

Before you actually move, you can try to secure a job in paris before you go. You can contact companies there, and set up phone interviews, etc. Who knows, you may be able to get the job before you even go! And some companies like to hire people who speak fluent English because they deal with international affairs - that could also work in your favor.

A third alternative is to work in a company in the U.S. that has a satellite office in Paris. You can work for a while in the U.S. and then put in for a transfer to Paris, so that when you move you will be secure with a job. Depending on the size of the company, they may even pay for you to stay in Paris!!

Answer 6

I love your courage and desire to move to Paris.  I want to do the same but in no hurry.  I want to live on both sides of the Atlantic.  Follow the excellent advice above and too check out this website for insightful info as well.  Bonne chance!!

Answer 7

I'm sure you can make it, unemployment is high but it is also because we have a lot of people who just don't want to work! with the degree you have and if you speak both English and French you can make it for sure!

i had an Australian friend who had a very good postion and he didn't have a degree!

let me know when you come to Paris! maybe we could meet! :p