Contracting in France

[up4it]

Has anyone ever worked on an IT contract in France?

Also, was it an English speaking environment?
Did they expect you to be able to speak some French?

Any other useful info would be much appreciated.

Companies such as Airbus, Thales, EADS, etc... must use a lot of contract staff.

[cojak]

In my experience French companies generally require their employees to be French speaking.

There is very little contracting in France as we know it, you may have to consider Switzerland if you are a mono-lingual contractor.

[up4it]

Cojak - I know what you mean. It seems Belgium and Holland offer much better opportunities for the English-speaking contractor.

[cojak]

I think your information is out-of-date.

Norrahe lives in the Netherlands and is in the process of learning Dutch. Dutch companies are using 'Dutch-speakers only' these days as well.

[up4it]

I can speak Double Dutch pretty well!

[SueEllen]

I've been offered them but the tax laws don't make it worth it.

Some contracts require French and others don't but if you wish to get on in the country generally you need to speak basic French otherwise everyday life will be a struggle.

[stek]

I've seen a lot that say 'French Nationals only' - which is obviously against EU rules but at the end of they they'll just bin your cv if you're not....

I've seen ads in German classifieds that say:

"Attractive Secretary required"

"Flat for rent, Nice German couples Only"

Sometimes think it's only the UK that has gone hyper-PC....

[SueEllen]

I've seen a lot that say 'French Nationals only' - which is obviously against EU rules but at the end of they they'll just bin your cv if you're not....

I've seen ads in German classifieds that say:

"Attractive Secretary required"

"Flat for rent, Nice German couples Only"

Sometimes think it's only the UK that has gone hyper-PC....

Being PC in adverts doesn't mean your recruitment practices are PC and applications aren't binned.

[sirja]

Has anyone ever worked on an IT contract in France?

Also, was it an English speaking environment?
Did they expect you to be able to speak some French?

Any other useful info would be much appreciated.

Companies such as Airbus, Thales, EADS, etc... must use a lot of contract staff.

I've worked twice in France and I guess I was lucky because both times the projects were English speaking. Generally if it's a global multinational, then English is generally spoken.

[up4it]

Thanks for the responses.

I believe quite a few jobs in Airbus are English speaking.