Finding Seasonal Work in France
The major department stores normally advertise for extra help throughout the traditional busy periods up to and after Christmas and during the sales (soldes). Every year, the CIDJ (Centre d'Information et de la Documentation de la Jeunesse) organises a special two-day summer recruitment fair to help students find a summer job. The term 'job' is now used in French, but normally implies low/minimum pay for menial work.
You need to start early on the summer job search if you are planning to work. For more information on this area and all areas of student employment, call in at the CIDJ of your university or go to www.cidj.asso.fr. The CIDJ also offers advice on rules and regulations covering the employment of students from outside the European Union.
Non-EU students are still subject to visa formalities but work for up to three months during the summer vacation period is generally allowed. The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) has negotiated reciprocal rights between France and the USA allowing students in full-time American university education or study abroad programmes to obtain temporary work permits. Further details can be obtained from the following addresses:
Work Abroad, CIEE, 205 East 42nd Street, New York NY10017, Tel: 212 661 1414.
Work in France, CIEE,1 place.de I'Odeon, 75006 Paris, Tel. 01 44 41 74 74.
