15 - Working in the country	Preparing for your departure and job hunting : The French Chamber of Commerce provides information about the job market, the sectors of the economy with the best results and also edits a bulletin for French companies and local members. You could publish a job application in this bulletin. You could write directly to companies proposing your services. Specialized organisms like the Labour Exchange, the APEC, the APECITA and the OMI can help you. There are local Labour Exchange offices. Where to find job offers : In the French press (Le Monde, Le France Soir, Figaro, Moniteur du Bâtiment,...) for French companies sending people abroad. In the international press, in nearly all the bigger dailies there exists a page or a selection of job offers (The European, The Guardian, Vacature, Coriere della Sera, The Geneva Tribunal ..) Leading recruitment bureaus in Europe, and interim companies sometimes offer international jobs. There are several data banks specializing in job offers abroad on Internet which are easily accessible. Writing your CV and covering letter : Your dossier is a determining element towards being recruited, it is the first step towards obtaining an interview. The CV should be very clear, typewritten, detailled, and it should be accompanied by a handwritten covering letter. Don't forget to attach a recent photo, preferably one where you are smiling. Your CV should be detailled, and have the addresses and phone numbers of ex-employers on it so that the company can easily verify the main points of your candidacy. This can save you from sending a pile of photocopies and documents with it. You can always present these documents later during an interview if necessary. If you are thinking of sending a false CV, you should know that a study from the Florian Mantione Institute shows that 45% of the employers check up on CVs, that 34% of the candidates are eliminated during this verification and that 60% of the verifications are made with the previous employer. Whatever your reasons for 'adapting' your CV to suit the ad, be warned that it won't help you during the interview and could even cause you prejudice. The questions to ask yourself before an expatriation : What exactly is the job? What is the length of the contract? Is it for the whole family or with bachelor conditions? What kind of life will you have locally? Have you thought about when you get back, how you will manage financially to fit in again? Do you have the necessaries qualities to be an expatriate? Qualities you need to succeed : emotional stability (so you can react quickly in any situation) autonomy (you can make decisions on your own in any circumstance) being mobile and being available for your job, being able to relocate quickly being good at meeting people (don't forget that the expatriate is also an ambassador for his country whether in his professional or his social life. being adaptable (you can easily adapt to different cultures, climates and life styles. ) being able to accept and understand different cultures and cultural differences tolerance and respect of other people's way of life and way of living should be a natural part of your character. Your family and recruiting : Your partner should have the same ambitions as you. It is often an important factor in choosing an expatriate. In fact some recruitment bureaus or big firms when they are recruiting, specially for long term projects, insist on having an interview with the wife to check that there are no problems in the couple which could get worse abroad and maybe disturb the mission. Companies often propose that the whole family goes together so that a good family balance is kept. During the recruiting : Punctuality and precision are appreciated everywhere. Be on time for your appointments. Be well dressed for your interview, whatever kind of job you are trying for. Your appearance will weigh with the interviewer. First interviews are often very short but can last several hours if your candidacy is interesting, depending on the post offered, and if you have to do any psychotechnical (graphological analysis) or aptitude tests. Be careful not to appear pretentious about your know-how and don't exaggerate your professional competence. Don't forget that nowadays the job market is a chronic problem nearly all over the world, so take an interview appointment seriously, jobs are not easy to come by. Emphasize your real competence, your ease of adaption, your mobility, your ability to work in a team, your readiness to pool your experience. Accomodation - company car - other fringe benefits : It is nearly impossible to negotiate for a company house if you are employed locally. Getting a car depends on your job and your level in the company. If you are employed locally it will be very difficult to negotiate a paid return ticket home every year. There again, if you have an international contract, you will get fringe benefits, a house, car, travel allowance, return flights home ...
16 - Formalities	Passport or identity card for European Union nationals. For other nationalities : a visa or a resident's permit is necessary. Customs formalities Tax refunds on articles in your luggage must be declared to the customs before the baggage is registered. 3 liters of alcohol and 200 cigarettes per adult can be imported or exported tax free. To avoid any problems with the customs, make sure you have with you any relevant documents (invoices, customs clearance documents),.
17 - Health	There are no particular health problems in the country. Before going though, check that your tetanos, polio, hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations are up to date. Depending on the beach you go to, be careful about walking barefoot. Also check first before you swim in rivers or lakes that there is no problem of parasites which can infect you through your skin (bilharzia). Eat cooked food preferably, although not re-heated food. Only drink from bottles which have been opened in front of you and avoid ice cubes. Drink mineral water or use water purificating pills like 'Micropur'. Watch out for the sun : use high protection cream and spread it on regularly. Security There are no particular problems.