Summer student jobs: new search leads

However, the study by the INSEE, the national institute of statistics and economic studies) shows that having a student job is more frequent for graduates who completed 3 to 4 years of higher studies. Some 7.5% of students have a student job, versus 4.8% in average for other levels of studies. Regardless of the situation, the INSEE points out that such student jobs help students “finance their studies or increase they independence with their families”. Supplementing your income by working while you’re a student is possible in France, regardless of your level of studies or nationality. Any French or foreign student has the right to work under specific conditions, including regarding the hourly volume of work.

Often low-skill jobs

In detail, the INSEE study shows that student jobs “are often low-skill”. 64% work as employees, and 11% as workers. Most wanted jobs are in hotels and restaurants (12.1% of working students), cashiers (13.0%) and sellers (11.8%).

Jobs “generally do not correspond to the level of training courses”. Indeed, according to INSEE “39% of employee students and 36% of worker students completed at least 2 years of higher education, versus 25% and 10% of the active population in such jobs in these social classes”. To be noted that women students more often work than men students (6.1% versus 4.2%). And the INSEE says that students with a job “most often work as cashiers”. They work more often than their men counterparts (15.0% vs 9.4%), and the same trend goes with saleswomen (12.9% vs 9.8%).

Four industries that recruit for summer jobs

In the wake of these observations, the L’Etudiant website published a dossier on summer jobs specifically focused “on industries recruiting young people with no solid professional experience”. However, L’Etudiant writes that “though there still are the timeless jobs as supermarket cashiers, handlers in factories or seasonal agricultural workers, other summer jobs that do not require degrees or previous experience” may be available. The website focuses on four industries in demand for summer jobs: entertainment, events, catering and hotels. L’Etudiant recommends a number of recruitment websites:

• first, the entertainment industry, which is with holiday villages and clubs “the main recruiters”, but also with associations and local authorities “which employ a lot of young people during the summer holidays, in camps or leisure centres”, and not necessarily with a degree;
• then the events industry, where “there are plenty opportunities” with parties, seminars, sports competitions and festivals;
• the restaurant industry, which “obviously needs people for the summer”, given that France is the world’s leading tourist destination. According to L’Etudiant, “many jobs are available, whether in a major brand or a restaurant in a village that tourists flock to, and from waiter to kitchen assistant”;
• Similarly, in the hotel industry, another sector that is benefiting from the tourism boom, the jobs of “room clerk and service clerk” do not necessarily require a degree or previous experience. And in this sector, notes the specialist site, “such jobs often include full room and board”!

Major recruitment sites

The étudiant.gouv.fr website also suggests additional, more official, ways of finding a summer job. According to the government site, you shouldn’t hesitate to “use the free services and dedicated structures to help your search”.

However, it all comes down to advice to build-up your resume or cover letter. Highlight any work placements you have completed, emphasise your community involvement, make the most of your artistic and sporting tastes and talents, etc.

The etudiant.gouv.fr website also provides concrete leads to continue after this first step:

• The Jobaviz website, which is the website of the CROUS dedicated to student jobs were “recruiters post their offers every day”;
• The CIDJ website dedicated to summer jobs (resources and information centre for the young) provides advice, job offers and an interactive map to “find summer jobs operations close to your location”;
• The national website 1jeune1solution where you can find “thousands of student jobs chosen just for you by France Travail”, with the possibility to choose your industry.

The site concludes with a selection of jobs in relation with the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games:

• jobs to be filled in the hotel and catering trades, on a specialised site, “to welcome and feed athletes, visitors and fans of major events”;
• RATP’s recruitment of “600 station staff for the summer”, with job dating events.