Nowhere does money grow on trees (though Let’s Go ’s researchers aren’t done looking), but there are still some pretty good opportunities to earn a living and travel at the same time. As with volunteering, work opportunities tend to fall into two categories. Some travelers want long-term jobs that allow them to integrate into a community, while others seek out short-term jobs to finance the next leg of their travels. With France’s 7.2% unemployment rate, long-term jobs are hard to come by. Travelers without EU citizenship face a particular challenge when searching for a job in France: only employers who cannot find qualified workers in the EU may petition to bring in a long-term worker who is not an EU citizen. If you’re undeterred by the less-than-welcoming attitude toward foreign workers, you may want to try a job that requires English-language skills, as bilingual candidates have a better chance of finding work. Working as an au pair or teaching English are both popular long-term employment options. If you’re in the market for a short-term stint, be on the lookout for a service or agricultural job. Transitions Abroad (www.transitionsabroad.com) also offers updated online listings for work over any time span.
Many jobs in France are secured through alumni networks or personal contacts, but classified advertisements in newspapers and online are also great resources for job-hunters. Agence Nationale pour l’Emploi (www.anpe.fr) has listings for many skilled and unskilled jobs alike, while Agence pour l’Emploi de Cadres (www.apec.fr) catalogues professional job listings. Michael Page (www.michaelpage.fr) is another job recruiting agency with offices in major French cities as well as international locations. Note that working abroad often requires a special work visa.
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