Practising architecture in France: Finding a job

This post is about how I have experienced finding a job as Architect in France.

After spending three months trying to figure out how to get a job as an Architect and keep doing photography/CGI at the same time, I was lucky enough to find a freelance job as a project assistant in a practice located in the suburbs of Paris.

If you ever want to come to France to work as an Architect you may keep this in mind:

• Ask for help, in my case I knew two HR specialists and asked them to explain how looking for a job in France works.

• Master the language, I mean get at least B2 level if possible, it will help get a job faster.

• Job interviews in Paris are extremely formal.

• Use the ‘phases de la réalisation d’un projet de bâtiment’ in your CV when describing a project or a position. (You can find them here: https://www.architecte-batiments.fr/etapes-de-conception-et-construction-de-batiment/)

• From my experience in Ireland job interviews were easy and I remember being modest and simple in terms of my work experience. In France you will need to over sell yourself, you are the best architect in the world and the company you are applying for would be greater with you.

• There are three types of contracts CDI, CDD and Freelance/Interim, if you don’t have any independent activity try to get a CDI as the French system is made for people under this type of employment.

• It could take between six months and a year to get a descent job opportunity.

Don’t forget that this is an amazing adventure and even though I was a bit nervous every time I had an interview it was a great training that allowed me to get my current job.