Arame: English-speaking Sales Administration Assistant at Klubb

Could you introduce your professional background?

I worked in Senegal as a Business Developer for a year and a half for Sahara Group, in the oil and gas sector. I managed clients’ offers, which were companies we were working with, as well as the company’s business development. I also had to manage the customs documentation to ensure that all transactions were properly carried out across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, in addition to administrative and legal tasks.

I returned to France in June 2022 and started looking for a job on MisterBilingue.com in early August.

How long have you been in France for?

I was born in Senegal and I obtained my Baccalaureate there. I have been in France since 2016 but I had returned to Senegal in the meantime, where I obtained my MBA.

How did you hear about MisterBilingue?

My husband already knew about MisterBilingue before as he was looking for a job. He is of German nationality, and it was through MisterBilingue that he found his job in France in 2020, so I was already aware of your website.

What skills did you acquire throughout your career and that seem essential for the position you hold now?

My professional experience at Sahara Group was my first one if we don’t include the internships I did before. I learned everything I do today there, as I was working on requests for proposals in an international company.

I learnt right away how the English-speaking system worked, and the fact that I worked at an international level allowed me to acquire a certain adaptability because I am in exports at Klubb.

How would you describe the hiring process you experienced? How many steps did it take?

For my first job, I had finished my internship at Société Africaine de Raffinage. Sahara Group then reached the company at that time to recruit people, and that is when the recruitment process started. In total, there were three to four interviews, including with international offices.

I would say that for my recruitment at Klubb, there were almost as many steps.

What advice would you give to an expat looking for a job in France?

If that person is able to understand and speak several languages, MisterBilingue would be the solution because there are jobs with a multitude of languages and sectors. It helped me a lot and I have now found a job I like.

What is a word that you struggle to pronounce the most?

In my native language, Wolof, I find the expression “It makes me happy” so difficult to pronounce.

What is your favourite French tradition?

I enjoy watching the Tour de France at home with my father every year. I think it really represents France, dynamism and courage.

What is an aspect of French culture that you hate? One that you love?

I cannot think of anything I dislike about French culture. On the other hand, I would say I love French food, as we are always discovering new recipes, we always try to go further and beyond what we know.