Armed with a new college degree with a minor in French and a summer touring Paris, you’re ready to find your dream job working in France. It can’t be difficult, since there are close to 2,000 hotels in Paris, with tourism a major industry.
In the 80’s and 90’s, the hospitality industry in the United States brought in foreign students on work visas to help fill the thousands of hospitality jobs available in the various high seasons. Though changes in immigration laws and high unemployment in the U.S. has changed all that, working in another country is still a plus in just about any industry.
How difficult is it to get a job in Paris or any other highly desirable country? Barbara Magnet, Human Resources Manager of the Marriott Renaissance Hotel in Paris, shared some insights into working in Paris and what she looks for in prospective employees.
A seasoned HR hospitality professional, Barbara traveled with her father and developed a love for hotels. After she finished her education, she knew she wanted to work in hotels and eventually become a General Manager. In order to be a good GM, she felt she needed to know the different jobs, and progressed through the ranks, working as a head waiter, barrista and then receptionist in a 700-room hotel. “We would have 1,000 check-ins and check-outs in one day,” she said. She became Duty Manager for a small luxury hotel in Paris, and began her career with Marriott in 2004. She was on the team that opened the Renaissance Hotel near the Arch de Triomphe on Rue Wagram, Paris in 2009.
“It can be difficult for Americans to get work permits to work in France,” said Barbara. There are plenty of hotel jobs, with almost 2,000 hotels in Paris alone. Many companies pay minimum wage for entry-level jobs, which is about 9.43 euro, or $12.98 an hour. Some positions, like restaurant and kitchen jobs are difficult to recruit.
A theatre occupied the location before the Renaissance hotel, and the hotel continues the tradition of the site by looking for employees with talent. “We have a bellman who is a singer, and a waiter who is a musician,” she said. In addition to talent, she looks for people who like people. “Those who are not afraid to speak to people,” she said. “And, most important, Americans, or anyone from another country who want to work in France, has to speak French and English.”
Job seekers in France face some of the same challenges as those in the U.S. It’s more difficult to find a job after the age of 40. The Gen Yers come in with education, experience and the technical expertise that is so important in working with customers. If a guest comes in needing directions, a Gen Yer, who grew up with a cell phone and the Internet, can easily find directions on her Smartphone. The ability to function in a digital world is an advantage the under-40 candidate has. But higher-paying management jobs can be scarce and highly competitive. Older hotel employees at the five-star hotels, like the Ritz or the Palace tend to stay in their jobs with higher salaries and benefits. With fewer management jobs available, it’s more difficult for younger employees to move up.
For Barbara, success in hospitality and as a manager ,“…depends on how you treat your employees. If you don’t treat them well, they won’t stay.” It’s about having the right person in the right place at the right salary. Her experience moving up through a variety of hotel positions has helped her understand how people work and what their needs are.
International experience is a plus in any position in the global marketplace. Working for an international company, like Marriott Corporation with hotels all over the world, may be the way to gain the experience you need. Large corporations take care of navigating through the legal and government technicalities for the required visas and work permits. If you happen to be with an international company at the right place and the right time, you could find yourself strolling down the Champs Elysees in Paris, on your way to work with an exciting international career.
Photo Source: Freedigitalphotos.net
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