This French Life

Job offers at the British Embassy in Paris

EVER fancied working at the British Embassy in Paris? Then check out a page on their website which offers up details of 'situations vacant'.

At present there are a couple of vacancies, the first is helping with the running of events and general day-to-day office duties, whilst a second is looking for a marketing assistant who can help UK companies gain a foothold in France.

Both English and French language skills are a requirement, but on offer is a monthly salary of just over €2,000 and with 10,000 guests being entertained by the embassy each year there is little chance you will have a 'normal' working day.

Orientation pour Tous offers training and work tips

IF your employment options have taken a knock, or maybe you are looking for a new challenge, then a new government website may help you sketch out a plan.

The www.orientation-pour-tous.fr aims to provide a starting point on a range of jobs and careers.

The different sections provide details of a variety of jobs, such as salary levels and in some cases feature the experiences of those currently doing the work.

You can also get information on training options that are available, letting you track down centres by location as well as particular disciplines.

And if you register with the site then you can store your research in one place and come back to it when required.

A touch of France for Worldwide Jelly Week

A NUMBER of co-working Jelly groups are taking shape across France, and from 16 to 22 January, 2012 many will be marking Worldwide Jelly Week.

Free events will be taking place in Languedoc-Roussillon, Ariège, Normandy and elsewhere in France that are open to everyone and anyone.

Jelly events offer you a change of work scene, and an informal business support network, wherever you live.

The events are free and organised voluntarily with a friendly, casual atmosphere often held anywhere from bars and restaurants to châteaux or official co-working office spaces.

Wherever they take place, wifi is also provided free of charge.

Events during Worldwide Jelly Week taking place in France:

• 16 January - Mende, Lozère (48) Languedoc Jelly
• 17 January - Aigues-Vives, Gard (30) Languedoc Jelly
• 18 January - Capestang, Hérault (34) Languedoc Jelly
• 19 January - Saint Laurent de la Cabrerisse, Aude (11) - Languedoc Jelly
• 19 January - Normandy Jelly drop-in-day
• 19 January - Ariege Jelly (09)
• 20 January - Thuir, Pyrénées-Orientales (66) Languedoc Jelly

Dordogne Jelly offers inspiration and ideas

IF you work from home and need a burst of inspiration then the very first Dordogne Jelly co-working event may have arrived just in time.

Taking place at Château des Vigiers, Monestier, on Tuesday October 4, 2011 it will offer freelancers, home workers or those running small businesses an opportunity to meet new, like-minded people in a social environment.

Dordogne Jelly joins a number of similar groups across France and organiser Kirsten Stroud is looking forward to welcoming people to the Château des Vigiers at a special opening day.

Credit Agricole and Societe Generale downgraded by Moody's

THINGS just got a little more interesting in the world of banking after rating agency Moody's downgraded two French banks.

Credit Agricole was cut from Aa1 to Aa2 with Moody's saying it is downgrading the bank's 'long-term ratings to Aa2 on Greek exposures' and that its rating remains on review.

And Societe Generale has seen its rating dropped from Aa2 to Aa3, with Moody's saying that the 'outlook is negative'.

BNP Paribas, another major bank affected by the crisis, was not downgraded.

The French stock exchange opens at 9am and after the past few weeks of turmoil BFM TV is saying a meeting is currently taking place at the Elysée palace.

Co-working to get things done with Jelly09 in Ariège

THE next Jelly09, taking place at the Espace Initiative, Mirepoix, on 27 September, will give people a chance to get out of the home office and share an idea or two.

Set up by freelance translator, Leslie Starr, the event lets homeworkers, freelancers, small business owners and office based people drop in and share a workspace, as well as a coffee.

It is free to attend the Jelly09 event in Ariège, but you need to sign up in advance online, and there are more Jelly Ariège get togethers in October and early November.

The rich of France say 'tax us more'

JUST before the government outlines a new set of finance proposals, some of the richest people in France have said it's time they paid more.

L’Oréal heiress Liliane Bettencourt is one of the sixteen business representatives who have signed an open letter published by the Le Nouvel Observateur website.

The group of signatories say they believe they have benefited from a French system and a European environment 'which we hope to help maintain'.

Publication of The French Paper brought to a halt

PUBLICATION of the English language newspaper, The French Paper, has been stopped, although subscribers are being told they will get their money back.

Find summer work on French vineyards and orchards

ARE you looking to earn a few euros, or maybe just keen to experience a different side of French life, well how about a job on a vineyard or at an orchard?

A special section on the Pôle Emploi website, the national employment service, titled, Vendanges et cueillettes 2011, has been created which provides details of the current openings available across France.

You can narrow down your search based on location, find out a few more details and then begin tracking down employment opportunities that appeal.

Contact details for the local offices of Pôle Emploi who are handling the placement of staff are available, and payment is usually le SMIC, the minimum wage of €9 an hour.

Jelly Ariège looking to share coffee and ideas

IS that another Jelly co-working event I see? It is and this one is Jelly Ariège, taking place at the Espace Initiative, Mirepoix.

Set up by freelance translator, Leslie Starr, it lets homeworkers, freelancers, small business owners and office based people drop in and share a workspace, as well as a coffee.

Leslie has arranged for the get-togethers to take place on Tuesday mornings from 9am until 12.30pm on the June 7 and 14, and July 12 and 26, 2011.

It is free to attend the Jelly Ariège event, but you need to sign up in advance online.

Related:
Normandy Jelly takes shape for freelancers and homeworkers