Internships in Paris

Internships in Paris

Paris is the capital and most populous urban area in France. The city is known as ‘The City of Light’, and it has ranked in the top 3 of the most influential cities in the world in the past two years. Paris is host to 30 Fortune 500 companies, and employers such are currently looking for new interns.

In France, the internship or 'stage' as it is known locally, has become a rite of passage on the way to landing a job. Therefore it is also very competitive to land an internship in Paris: you have to really work hard at impressing your future employer when you are applying for the job.

France has many regulations around ‘Stages’ and remunerations are strict. All internships that have a duration of more than 2 months are with pay, and the law currently states that the lowest wage should be no less than 30% of France’s minimum wage (SMIC). That equates to €436 a month. This won’t give you much of a social life in Paris, and many interns do take a part-time job on the side to be able to afford to live in Paris, but the wage differs depending on the employer, and sometimes the wage can be very rewarding.

What you need to know before applying for internships in Paris

In France, students or graduates from the French elite universities such as HEC, ESSEC, and more, are given first priority when it comes to being hired for an internship. This means that when you apply you must do your best to adapt to the French job market while standing out with your previous work experience, education, and hobbies. Remember that to get an internship in France you have to be a student. When you are offered an internship in Paris, you will be required to sign a “convention de stage”, which is an agreement between your employer, your university, and yourself.

Many companies and organizations differ in their baseline requisites, but most expect interns to speak some French. To learn the language there are various opportunities such as summer language courses, apps, private tutors, etc. Living in Paris will quickly increase your vocabulary and language skills, but luckily some international companies do not have as high requirements for your French.

Another way that you need to accommodate the French employers is by structuring your CV in the French way. This means you might have to alter your current CV to make it more attractive such as translating it into French, not getting too personal when it comes to your personal details, adding a professional picture of yourself, and many other edits. One thing to keep in mind when structuring a CV for an internship in Paris is to keep your past experience in order, and having a good structure throughout the document. French employers are truly interested in your education, language competencies, and the hobbies you have outside of work, so do not try to hide them in your CV, but rather make them your selling points.

Tip: Be aware that the requirements for job applications in France may be different from what you are used to. So spend some time finding out how a standard French CV looks and how to formulate a cover letter for French companies. Also, prepare for the way that job interviews are usually conducted in France.

If you are not an EU citizen you will likely need an employment visa to live and work as an intern in Paris. It is a simple application process and will often be facilitated by the company in which you will be working for, but interns should have patience when the time comes for applying for the visa, as there is a complicated and long red-tape process, so make sure you have your paperwork in order!

Working in Paris

France has a very strong and unique business culture, and it will require you to dive headfirst. One of the most well-known examples is their greetings which could be either handshakes or kisses on both cheeks. This is a routine, not only on your first day but at every greeting. Corporate hierarchy in France is much more top-down and authoritarian, and respecting the hierarchy and the managers are very important. In French companies, the lunch hour is a very important part of your day, as you get to know your colleagues and discuss several topics (but never money).

There is a unique aura in Paris which for centuries has been the central element of its global influence. With an infinite depth of cultural activity to draw upon it is ideal to speak at least conversational French before interning in Paris. Beyond the basic language requirements that many internships will screen for, speaking the local tongue will help you greatly throughout everyday conversations and transactions. Knowing the French language is the key to tapping into the real Paris during your internship in France.

Housing in Paris

Since Paris is such a large and diverse city, interns can quite literally live any sort of lifestyle they desire, and that is definitely something to think about when looking for housing. Living in Paris is quite expensive and the average rent is about €550-€700 a month. So one of the big questions after getting your position is how you will afford life in Paris. Student loans and grants are obvious resources. You could ask your university, employer, or local organizations if they offer travel bursaries. If you are from the EU (not French) you are eligible for the Erasmus grant. The French equivalent of this is CAF that provides housing benefits, and as an intern you are eligible.

A good thing to do is prepare a dossier, which can prove that you have the finances to sustain yourself and pay the rent. This dossier includes photocopies of your passport, payslips. bank accounts, parents' bank accounts, work contracts, and more. Essentially the more documents you have, the better.

Interns in Paris will likely be able to find a variety of living options, including homestays, student halls of residence, apartment living, and other creative solutions. Finding housing could be done through several fora such as Facebook groups, international student websites, expat communities, notice boards, and do not underestimate old school word of mouth.