Esther : Dutch customer support officer at Hermès

Could you please introduce yourself and your professional background?

Most of the time in marketing and communication. More as part jobs when I was a student.

Why did you choose to come to France ?

My boyfriend is French, so I came to join him.

How did you find a job in this company?

I found it on the website MisterBilingue, as I was looking for a new job. I saw it and I was interested. They always posted on the Facebook group Dutch people in Paris. So, that’s why I got to know the website.

Who recruited you ? How did he/she help you get ready for job interviews?

I responded myself and then Margaux took over. It wasn’t really necessary as I already did a lot of job interviews before, so she was basically arranging the communication between me and Hermès.

Would you recommend Misterbilingue to a friend?

Yes, I think it’s very easy going, and there’s a lot of opportunities for Dutch people too.

Is there any difference between the country you come from and France regarding job search (the way you make a CV or how job interviews are conducted)?

Yes, because all the Dutch people in Hermès speak English, it is really necessary that you speak two languages. That was giving me a lot of trouble while looking for a job.

What were the difficulties while looking for a job?

My French level is intermediate.

What was your first impression when you started to work in France?

It was a hard time because of COVID, so I met a lot of issues finding a job. And the language barrier was huge. (I worked at Dior)

What are the main differences between France and your country regarding the way people work (+/- formal, dress code, working time, paid holiday…)?

Yes, we work most of the time 40 hours a week, we start a bit earlier. In France there’s more time for lunch.

What surprised you the most in your French daily life routine?

I think just being in Paris, it’s a beautiful city.

What are you missing the most from your country? (party, bank holiday, food…)

Not so much, I like it here.

N.B.: The candidate wanted to remain anonymous, therefore, her real name has been replaced by "Esther".