Work For Food...

So last Thursday I found myself at my first job fair in France. How Exiting! Due to the overwhelming amount of my previous beat-downs by the French, I was slightly intimidated at the idea of going to one of their job fairs. But, I sucked it up and went with a friend (In France, it’s always better to suffer in pairs rather than suffering alone). I was only interested in large companies that staff international students and English speaking positions. That qualification eliminated every company except for Disney and the French banks. And for those of you who don’t know, I hate Disney. Looney Toons…Classic! Disney will always be second fiddle to the creators that gave us Bugs Bunny, Popeye, and Yosemite Sam.

Great, easy part is done…now go up and talk (Je suis etudiant exchange, je suis Americain, je veux une position en finance, blah…blah…). I don’t know what I liked most, watching the French recruiter’s facial expressions when I handed them my English resume or when I spoke in my slow French. My favorite moment occurred when I haded my resume to BNP Paris. I was told to resubmit my resume in French (I plan to when someone finishes correcting my resume). Perhaps this is the ugly American coming out….but when the majority of your banking business is conducted in English, why wouldn’t you accept an English resume? Especially for an English speaking position… Ahh yes, Rather than accepting an English resume BNP is more interested in a candidate who is fresh out of school, no work experience, and someone who does not have REAL work ethic. All things considered, trying to get someone interested in your skills while speaking a foreign language is a very fun and interesting experience.

That is all…

Nick