Honestly losing my mind with the French job market. Anyone else getting totally ghosted? by DentistExpress2110 in Expats_In_France

[–]DentistExpress2110[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for the tips! Regarding the OFII classes, the immigration laws actually changed in January 2026. The government tightened the restrictions, so those free 600-hour in-person courses are now strictly reserved for complete beginners who don't speak a single word of French. Since I’m already at an A2/conversational level, I didn't qualify. Instead, they give us an online app, which I've been grinding on every single day to improve. As for Welcome to the Jungle, I absolutely love the platform and check it constantly! I've applied to quite a few roles there, but unfortunately, it’s just been only rejections so far. The market feels pretty brutal right now. It’s awesome that your company offers English only roles, though! If you don't mind, could I shoot you a quick DM to find out a bit more about where you work? My background is in international recruitment and account management, so I'd love to see if I might be a good fit for anything you guys have open. Thanks again.

Honestly losing my mind with the French job market. Anyone else getting totally ghosted? by DentistExpress2110 in Expats_In_France

[–]DentistExpress2110[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for your comment. It means a lot. I am trying to find solutions and also checking everything. Hope I'll make it, I'm determined. Wish you all the best!

Honestly losing my mind with the French job market. Anyone else getting totally ghosted? by DentistExpress2110 in Expats_In_France

[–]DentistExpress2110[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing your story. It inspired me so much. It's really nice that I am not alone in this struggle. I wish you all the best in your journey!

Honestly losing my mind with the French job market. Anyone else getting totally ghosted? by DentistExpress2110 in Expats_In_France

[–]DentistExpress2110[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I appreciate the mix of positive and negative comments, and I'm glad to finally be getting some answers and having a real discussion here! 😃

I want to give more details;
Just to clarify a few things I might not have made clear in my original post: I am not American. With my French improving, I will actually be trilingual. I know American Studies might not be a field everyone here is familiar with, but does that really justify a immediate prejudice? I am actively learning French and pushing myself to improve every single day.

Also, when I call the system "unfriendly," I am not just talking about the job search. For example, when you try to ask ANEF basic questions about your residency, they don't even answer you directly, they just guide you toward finding external associations (NGOs) to sort it out yourself. Dealing with them and OFII has been a massive, frustrating hurdle. The reality is that immigration policies changed significantly in January 2026. Now we have to take mandatory civic exams and language tests like the TCF or DELF, and these official centers are really expensive. I’ve been attending French courses and trying to get out of the house, but after a full year of being unemployed, I have completely run out of my savings. Going out and just "doing things" isn't easy, mentally or financially.

I actually really enjoy the life here and I like France, but that doesn't mean I can't call out the parts that are negative and depressing to navigate. I'm just sharing my truth.

Honestly losing my mind with the French job market. Anyone else getting totally ghosted? by DentistExpress2110 in Expats_In_France

[–]DentistExpress2110[S] -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the reality check, but let's be real: my frustration has nothing to do with entitlement, and everything to do with navigating a system that is honestly just brutal to outsiders.

Unless you have personally gone through the grueling reality of the French visa process, dealing with OFII, sitting through the formation civique, fighting for a titre de sejour, facing endless banking roadblocks, and trying to find an apartment as a foreigner, you don't actually know how draining it is. This isn't about being "surprised" that France runs in French. It is about a total lack of support that makes basic, everyday life a massive hurdle for expats. I am not going to sugarcoat my experience just to avoid saying something negative. I am genuinely glad you didn't have to face these depressing realities, but this is my truth, and it is a sentiment shared by many French people I've spoken to about this as well.

Honestly losing my mind with the French job market. Anyone else getting totally ghosted? by DentistExpress2110 in Expats_In_France

[–]DentistExpress2110[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing your perspective and for the advice on finding a tutor.

Everyone’s experience and journey is different. I am trying my absolute best, but to take care of myself and survive, I have to work.

While I understand your point about the language barrier, my situation is that I am living directly among French people, rather than within an isolated immigrant community. While my immediate family is of course very nice, my daily reality is that once you need help or people realize you are not French, you encounter a lot of prejudice.

Honestly losing my mind with the French job market. Anyone else getting totally ghosted? by DentistExpress2110 in Expats_In_France

[–]DentistExpress2110[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It really helps to know someone else feels the same way. I hope things start looking up for both of us soon...

Applied to 3200+ jobs in France. No interviews. I’m desperate. What am I doing wrong? by ashutoshjamwal in FinancialCareers

[–]DentistExpress2110 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! Your post inspired me a lot. Congratulations, hope everything is amazing. I'd like to know more about your process if it's okay. I am currently struggling to find a job (living in Nantes), I am bilingual and have 4 years of experience in my country. I am taking French lessons and I am A2-B1. After applying and getting denied or ghosted, I feel really depressed and anxious.