GRRRR - jobhunting

**pdblake** · 28-04-2009, 01:56 PM

Try asking lots of awkward questions in German but with a geordie accent. That'll teach 'em

**bobleponge** · 28-04-2009, 02:20 PM

I appreciate, sympathise and empathise with you totally. Lost my job abroad a couple of months ago due to world politics, and since then have sent off for over 130 jobs, anything from a days labouring to a proper job, office etc. Received the grand total of 2 email refusals and 1 letter refusal.
My French is good enough that I often get asked where my accent is from as they cant place it, so I know its not a language problem, I suggested recently that the word "Anglaise" on my CV could possibly be a bar to me gaining erstwhile employment, and the woman paled visibly in front of me.
Hmmm.
I understand keeping French jobs for the French in these difficult times, but its frustrating nonetheless.

**gemlady** · 28-04-2009, 02:21 PM

Think I would go in and impress them with your local knowledge, amaze them with your language skills and then say 'Giz a Job'. Hope you get one soon

**Alice** · 28-04-2009, 02:59 PM

I hope you both find the jobs you want soon.
It's depressing to see good candidates turned down especially if they then appoint a much less suitable person.
Good luck.

**tootles** · 28-04-2009, 03:04 PM

Have just been on to the job centre - I thought maybe if I took something short term and full time it might improve my chances.
They have a job for two weeks stacking the jam shelves in the local supermarket, minimum wage - I can't apply because it wants 2 years experience!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AAARRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH.

**bobleponge** · 28-04-2009, 03:06 PM

Thank you Alice.
Whilst I am frustrated, its partly my fault as I dont really have transferable skills. I do know that the job market is flourishing for people with skills needed by the French, as job markets are the world over. Thus qualified nurses, teachers etc dont seem to struggle at all.

**Two_Sheds** · 28-04-2009, 04:10 PM

Originally posted by tootles View Post

it was working part time in the tourist information office in a very pretty village down the road.

Oh, it's not fair is it?

I don't know about the French system, but over here TIs are part of the council. And council jobs frequently go to "insiders" ... the law requires they be advertised and interviewed for, even if the post has already been most likely filled.

**bubblewrap** · 28-04-2009, 05:04 PM

I'm pleased I'm 60 & on pension credits.
Iwas unemployed for nearly three & a half years I must have applied for 150 -200 jobs in that time, replies about 10(rejections) 1 interview.
At least on pension credits I don't have to sign on so the joke shop is off my back.(BLISS)

**tootles** · 28-04-2009, 05:16 PM

The really silly thing is that I don't need to work - I just want to (hence the part time thing).
I WANT to pay my 'stamp' and contribute towards the excellent healthcare that we get anyway (for free). I also want to work so that I can improve my French. I live in a very rural area and have a lot to offer.
I'd work for nothing (for a bit) just to get the experience, but that doesn't seem to be an option. The time will come when I will need the extra income - I hope to have found something before then!

**TonyF** · 28-04-2009, 05:41 PM

Originally posted by tootles View Post

I WANT to pay my 'stamp' and contribute towards the excellent healthcare that we get anyway (for free).

Ummm, not being picky Tootles but it's not free at all. If you're on an E form the UK government pay a subvention to the French government for each person treated on the French healthcare system. If you're on an E121, it's �3,000 regardless of whether you have treatment or not.

And for the majority of people, unless you're on MLD payments of 100% (again subsidised by the Uk government) you have to have partial if not total private health care in place, if you don't, you're technically an illegal immigrant.

This was one of the arguments used when the campaign on healthcare for non-French was running last year which took ages to dispell, letters to UK national papers about saying that sort of thing.

As for the job situation, I've been offered 3 jobs in the past few months, all in brico stores, helping with their garden sections - I used to run one in the UK. I've had to decline them all. I'd love to but having taken early retirement on health grounds twice, don't want to tempt fate.

But stick at it - why not try to impress somebody in a brico with your gardening knowledge - trouble is, many only pay the SMIC so it's minimum wage.

**Rocketron** · 28-04-2009, 05:57 PM

Originally posted by tootles View Post

The really silly thing is that I don't need to work - I just want to (hence the part time thing).
I WANT to pay my 'stamp' and contribute towards the excellent healthcare that we get anyway (for free). I also want to work so that I can improve my French. I live in a very rural area and have a lot to offer.
I'd work for nothing (for a bit) just to get the experience, but that doesn't seem to be an option. The time will come when I will need the extra income - I hope to have found something before then!

Why not start with voluntary work for local charities ?
Assuming they have them over there.

**tootles** · 28-04-2009, 06:09 PM

Originally posted by TonyF View Post

Ummm, not being picky Tootles but it's not free at all. If you're on an E form the UK government pay a subvention to the French government for each person treated on the French healthcare system. If you're on an E121, it's �3,000 regardless of whether you have treatment or not.

We are some of the lucky few who fall into the pre 21st Nov 2007 category. We are fully integrated into the French system, we are subject to a payment of 8% of all earnings over a certain limit (I forget how much) which will come to around 600Euros for this year. Which for five of us, with one hospital stay under our belts already this year, is a bargain!!!!

Edit - plus the additional mutuelle - of course!

**TonyF** · 29-04-2009, 06:15 AM

But it's still not free, it's paid for by the UK government, they pay the French government.

**tootles** · 29-04-2009, 07:22 AM

I don't think they do. We are no longer under a E106. WHEN I find a job I will be paying into the system just as every other Frenchman does.
If the UK government were paying, Sarko wouldn't have got his knickers into such a twist over paying for expats treatment.

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