Working in Paris as an international student
Living in Paris offers you access to a variety of activities to do, from eating at the best restaurants, to enjoying cultural events like theater and live shows. But Paris isn’t cheap...
Aïe ! One way to supplement your tight budget is by considering a part-time job. In France, almost 40% of students hold a side hustle in addition to their studies.
Before you begin your search, it’s important to know your rights while here.
Can you work in France?
All international students in France with a valid student visa are allowed to obtain a part-time job throughout their stay. French law permits students to work 964 hours a year, roughly around the same as 60% of a full-time employee.
Minimum wage in France is guaranteed the same, and is set at 10.57 € (or $11.40) per hour.
Am I able to work on campus?
You are able to work at your host university while studying in France. These jobs can start in September and last until August. The many gigs available usually cater to your school schedule, and as such, have a limit on the amount of hours you can work.
Under your student visa, you can work up to 670 hours per year between September and June, and no more than 300 hours in the summer months from July to August.
T’as bien compris ? Now that you know the basics, here are a few ideas to make money while studying:
1. Become a babysitter
While it may not be as magical as in Mary Poppins and Nanny McPhee, babysitting is the #1 most common student job in France. Some tasks to expect: picking up children at school, scheduling playtime, and helping with homework. Some companies you should check out include Babychou, Kinougarde, Kidsparadis, and Familysphere.
If you’re bilingual, use that to your advantage! You can earn more money by applying at babysitting agencies specialized in foreign languages, such as Momji or Marypoppins services.
2. Offer language courses
As an international student in France, you have the option to give language courses throughout your stay for additional revenue.
Play English is a company that hires students who have completed a language certification to provide English courses across recreation centers and in primary education, from elementary all the way to high school.
You can also try registering on platforms such as Superprof, Clevermate, Mymentor or Classgap.
3. Assist with homework
Are you a patient person, and appreciate the learning process? Are you passionate about subjects such as math, science, humanities or foreign languages?
If so, perhaps becoming a tutor and helping students prepare for their baccalauréat (high school exams) or brevet (middle school exams) might be your thing! There are many advantages to tutoring: you’re paid above the minimum wage, you can give classes in person or online from the comfort of your own home, and you get to decide your own schedule.
Start your search online on sites such as Superprof, Clevermate, Mymentor or Classgap. You can also apply via Completude, Anacours, the Legendre course or Acadomia.
4. Sell items at the local market (“marché”)
If customer service is your thing, and you don’t mind waking up early, consider helping a local mom-and-pop shop with sales at the marché. This opens you up for employment by bakeries, farmers, or other shops to help sell their products at the market during weekends! An added bonus: this is a great way to discover French products.
5. Become a cashier at a supermarket
Major French chains like Auchan, Monoprix or Carrefour offer many part-time jobs throughout the year. One example: Monoprix has contracts available for students to work 10 hours per week, so they can focus the majority of their time on their studies.
One disclaimer: these contracts usually pay minimum wage, equivalent in France to approximately 11€ brut (“gross”) per hour, and about 9€ “net” per hour.
6. Work as a receptionist
Do you possess great social skills, and consider yourself a rather punctual person? Hosts and hostesses agencies hire for punctual missions in businesses or specific events such as fairs, concerts, sport tournaments, conventions… Speaking many languages could enable you to earn more.
Some companies accepting applications include Penelope, Trinity, Charlestown or Maristel’O.
7. Work in a restaurant
Among the many jobs found inside a resto, you could consider working as a cook, host, waiter or janitor inside one of the city’s many restaurants or hotels. As a multilingual student, you would be especially valuable to recruiters. These kinds of jobs are easy to find, as many former employees quit the sector during the Covid-19 pandemic.
One thing to keep in mind? These jobs can be quite tiring, and underpaid. (There’s a reason why these gigs are hiring!)
8. Maintain inventory
When counting inventory, you'll be in charge of counting products in stock, in places like shops or pharmacies.
Some sites to apply at include Ivalis France, DG Inventaires, RGIS and Novastock. They regularly hire students, since jobs are often part-time, and in the wee hours of the night. Expect to be paid minimum wage.
Allez, bonne chance, et bon courage !
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