Guide to careers at foreign companies in France｜ Characteristics and how to search for jobs

Characteristics of French Companies

France has a strong image of fashion and culture, but in fact, France is also one of the world’s top countries in terms of economy. Its major industries are automobiles, chemicals, machinery, food, textiles, and aviation, and its GDP in 2022 is 2.9367 trillion yen. Among European countries, France ranks 7th in the world in terms of GDP after the United Kingdom.

As for French companies entering the Japanese market, many French companies, including those in the fashion and manufacturing industries, have established branches in Japan to cultivate the market. The number of companies with European parent companies in Japan is the largest in the world by region, at 42.6%, and France has the second largest number of companies in Japan among European countries after Germany.

Reference: JETRO, “JETRO Investment in Japan Report 2021, Chapter 2: Japanese Business Environment and Foreign Affiliates, Section 3: Evaluation of the Japanese Business Environment by Foreign Affiliates”.

Gender Diversity” is a Trend in French Companies

Compared to foreign-affiliated companies in other countries, French-affiliated companies tend to place a particularly strong emphasis on gender diversity.
Gender diversity, generally translated as “sexual diversity” in Japanese, refers to the concept of considering diverse sexualities. For companies, gender diversity generally refers to “promotion of women’s activities,” and moves to promote women’s activities are spreading throughout the world, including Japan.

France has always been known for its high employment rate of women, but with the introduction of the Parité Law (a law stipulating gender equality in politics) in recent years, the number of women in management positions has tended to increase not only in politics but also in the private sector, including the automobile industry.

Attractiveness of French Companies

Some of the attractions of French companies include

• Work environment that emphasizes work-life balance
• individualism
• High salary level

Work environment that emphasizes work-life balance

The most attractive feature of French companies is the work environment that emphasizes work-life balance. The working environment reflects a style that allows for a balance between work and private time.
This emphasis on work-life balance is common among European companies, but France, in particular, is often a good place for employees to work, with easy access to paid leave and little overtime.
In 2020, Japan’s paid leave utilization rate will be 45 %であるのに対し、フランスは83%. These figures clearly show the difference between the working environment in Japan and France. These figures clearly show the difference between the working environment in Japan and France.

Reference: Nihon Keizai Shimbun, “Number of Paid Days Off Declines Worldwide, Corona Impacts International Comparison Study.

individualism

France is a country of individualism. The value of the individual and respect for individual rights is deeply rooted. For this reason, the focus is on the individual at work and not so much on the totalitarian concept of working for the company or the team. Companies also give individuals discretion in their work, so there is no Japanese custom of detailed reporting, communication, and consultation in the work process, including schedule management.
On the other hand, employees are eager to produce the required results for the work they are entrusted with, and they have a strong sense of responsibility in their approach to work.
Many people have the image that “French people do not work overtime,” but even the French sometimes choose to work overtime. However, it is not meaningless overtime work, like in Japan, where the overtime work is done because everyone else is still working. It is a matter of choosing to work overtime in order to fulfill the work entrusted to them under their own schedule management.

Also, in France’s individualistic culture, conflict due to differences of opinion with others is not a “bad thing. It is considered important for individuals to have their own opinions and ideas and to assert themselves.
Therefore, in the workplace, people are expected to have their own opinions and to speak up without fear of confrontation, even if their opinions differ from those of others.

High salary level

Salaries in French companies are generally at the high level that only foreign companies can offer. As with other foreign companies, salaries are determined on a meritocracy, and it is not unusual for people in their 20s and 30s to earn annual salaries of 8 to 12 million yen.

List of French Companies

Many French companies, including those in the automotive industry, have established operations in Japan. Here are some French foreign companies with branches in Japan.

French automotive company [finished car manufacturer].

In the automotive industry, one of France’s major industries, the following companies have branches in Japan

Bugatti
*Operated in Japan by Volkswagen Group Japan
● Stellantis
○ Peugeot
○ Citroen
○ DS Automobile
● Renault

Mergers and collaborations have accelerated in recent years among French companies in the automotive sector.
For example, the French PSA Group, which owns the Peugeot, Citroen, and DS Automobile brands, is merging with the Italian-owned FCA in 2021 and changing its name to Sterantis, which handles a total of 14 brands.

French automotive company [parts manufacturer].

Valeo
● Saint Gobain
● FORVIA (Faurecia)
● Plastic Omnium
● Michelin
● Motul

Renault and Peugeot are generally well-known as “French automotive companies,” but in fact there are also many “automotive suppliers” such as Valeo and Volusia in Japan.
Automotive suppliers are manufacturers of automotive parts that supply finished vehicle manufacturers with automotive gears, tires, glass, car navigation systems, etc. Both Valeo and Volusia are among the largest suppliers in the world, with a large share of the global market.

Forcia, which handles car seats and internal car interiors, has merged with Heller in France and changed its name to a new group called Forvia. The operations in Japan are still run as independent legal entities, but are now working more closely together.

French companies with Japanese branches [Other industries].

Air France [Airlines]
● BNP Paribas Securities [Finance/Insurance]
● Societe Generale [Finance/Insurance]
● AXA [Finance/Insurance]
● Danone [Food]
● LVMH Group (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy Group) [Apparel/Fashion]
● Chanel [Apparel/Fashion]
Hermes [Apparel/Fashion]
● Cartier [Apparel/Fashion]
● Sanofi [Pharmaceuticals

How to get a new job in a French company

Many people aspire to work for a French company, but what do you need to do to actually change jobs?
First of all, English language skills are required in many cases. Although there are differences in English proficiency requirements depending on the industry, type of job, and position, English is the basic language for communication at work in French companies with branches in Japan.
Of course, speaking French is an effective means of communicating more intimately with French superiors and colleagues, so it is not a bad idea to be able to speak French.

The following two methods are effective for “information gathering,” which can be said to be the most important part of the job search process.

• Find us at the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan
• Register with a recruitment agency that handles French company jobs

♦ French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan

The French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (CCI France Japon) can help you find a job in the Japanese branch of a French company.
The French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan is a chamber of commerce and industry founded as an exchange organization connecting the Japanese and French business communities. Its members include almost all French companies operating in Japan and Japanese companies with ties to France.

By registering in the site’s database, you will be able to access and apply for jobs at French companies with branches in Japan.
In addition, by filling out the self-promotion section of the registration form, the information will be sent to the recruiters of member companies as a “new registrant list”. Therefore, you can expect to receive scouts from companies in some cases.

French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (CCI France Japon):
https://www.ccifj.or.jp/ja/emploi-et-formation/espace-candidats/travailler-au-japon.html

♦ Recruitment agency for French companies

Another effective way to gather information on job openings is to use a recruitment agent. Large recruitment agencies have a wealth of information on job openings and can be used as a source of information.
Of course, registration does not guarantee that you will find a job in a French company, but you can enjoy the benefits of being introduced to private job postings and consulting services by registering.

Turnpoint Consulting, the company that manages this site, is also one of the agencies that handles jobs for French companies.
Turnpoint Consulting specializes in the mobility industry and is close to the hiring managers of companies, so we can match the needs of the company and the desires of the job seeker. We recommend candidates to companies based on their needs and preferences. Our success rate is higher than the industry average, and we provide support to job seekers based on our unparalleled knowledge of the automotive and mobility industries. We will lead you to your ideal career change.

Finally.

Many French-affiliated companies offer a comfortable work environment that emphasizes work-life balance, such as low overtime work and easy access to paid vacations. In addition, a strong culture of individualism and a progressive approach to gender diversity means that individuals are respected and everyone has a fair chance to advance in their careers.

By changing jobs to a French company, you can work with values and customs that are different from those of Japanese people and Japanese companies, while still being in Japan.
This is a great opportunity for you to take a step forward in your job search for a French company.