Despite a 2.4 per cent job vacancy rate in 2023, as indicated by Statista, the country is grappling with job shortages in various key sectors such as construction, healthcare, IT, engineering, agriculture, and manufacturing, as highlighted by the European Labour Authority (EURES).
Applying for jobs in France, especially in high-demand sectors, involves navigating a structured process.
Application procedure
Citizens from the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland do not need a visa to work in France. Citizens of other countries are required to obtain a French Work Visa to work in this country. Essential criteria for obtaining the visa include securing a job offer from a French employer before initiating the application process.
As of April 6, 2021, applications for work permits to hire foreign employees must be done online on a dedicated portal.
Step 1: If the employment levels have to be checked before hiring the future employee, the employer will have to publish the job offer for 3 weeks in a public employment agency before applying for the work permit.
Step 2: Apply for the work permit online on the dedicated portal.
Step 3: Confirmation by e-mail that the application has been submitted.
Step 4: If the work permit is issued, the employer and the foreign employee will receive it by email.
Step 5: The future employee must attach the work permit to his/her visa and/or residence permit application.
After applying online, you’ll receive a confirmation. Once validated, you’ll get an electronic work permit, which is necessary for applying for a visa at the consulate and/or a residence permit at the Prefecture.
The most-in-demand jobs in France
The 2022 EURES report on shortages and surpluses identifies these occupations as the most sought-after in France.
Accounting and bookkeeping clerks
Agricultural and industrial machinery mechanics and repairers
Applications programmers
Bricklayers and related workers
Building frame and related trade workers not elsewhere classified
Business services and administration managers not elsewhere classified
Cabinet makers and related workers
Cartographers and surveyors
Civil engineering technicians
Concrete placers, concrete finishers and related workers
Cooks
Domestic cleaners and helpers
Earthmoving and related plant operators
Electrical engineering technicians
Electronic mechanics and servicers
Financial and insurance brand managers
Forestry and related workers
Healthcare assistants
Human resource managers
Information and communication technology operations technicians
Manufacturing managers
Mechanical engineering technicians
Metal processing plant operators
Mobile farm and forestry plant operators
Nursing associate professionals
Pharmaceutical technicians and assistants
Physiotherapists
Power production and plant operators
Printers
Real estate agents and property managers
Sewing machine operators
Developers and analysts not elsewhere classified
Plant machine operators not elsewhere classified
Structural metal preparers and erectors
Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and hatters
Telecommunications engineers
Vocational education teachers
Welders and flame cutters
Occupations experiencing surpluses in France
On the other hand, occupations that have surpluses in France are: authors, building caretakers, cashiers, ticket clerks, gallery, museum and library technicians, general office clerks, graphic and multimedia designers, journalists, artistic and cultural associate professionals, music teachers, PR professionals, shop supervisors, social work associate professionals, transport conductors, travel consultants and clerks, and visual artists.
