In all seriousness though, the market isn't too hot right now. But if you're good and flexible, you'll find something. It's not like North America, where it seems like there's absolutely nothing at the moment.
1. In France architecture is still regarded as an artistical profession. I'd say like in most of Europe. Probably it's different in the UK - it's more like in the US - and maybe Switzerland. So don't try to find job offers in the Internet as a common occurence. If someone needs an architect they will probably publish a job offer in their website (if they do), or it will be mouth-to-ear, not in the French Craiglist, Archinect or Monster equivalent. Corporate architecture, bonuses, that's Chinese to 99% of architectural offices in Europe. So if your thing is SOM, KPF and all that, better stay away (unless you are in London).
2. As for 1., the best you can do is Googling for offices in Paris, and send your CV to every single office you are interested in. Even if they don't have open vacancies. You never now if they need someone.
3. Moneywise... architects in Paris are worse payed than almost any other white-collar profession (like anywhere else :)), and Paris is an expensive city. So it's probably like being a $50k a year architect in NY, you don't do that for the money!
4. The good thing about Paris (now I think it's the positive point )... If you are an American architect with good experience, hard-working and good design skills, you could have your chances to get a job in Paris. Probably with the current economic climate, I'd say far easier than in London or New York. For any big city I know (let's compare it to NY, London or even smaller cities like Milan, Berlin, Madrid or Rotterdam), French architects I'd say are pretty uncompetitive in general. The bad point... many crap arch. offices there!
5. Speaking French won't hurt... even if you work for the very-famous-ones.
6. As for the job market in Europe, I have friends almost everywhere and I'd say:
- UK, Ireland, Spain: forget about it. Even worse than in the US.
- Scandinavia, Eastern Europe: Very tough as well but less competitive (smaller markets so maybe you can find something).
- My bets are for France and specially Germany and Switzerland. I have a few friends who moved back to Germany/Switzerland and got jobs there in the last few months (though being German natives).
Oct 22, 09 2:13 pm ·
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Job market in Paris?
I need to move to Paris after the summer holidays.
Does anyone have experience searching for jobs and working in France?
I was wondering the same about the rest of the Europe? How is the situation there and where is good place online to search for jobs there?
try: http://www.archi-europe.com
europe is a big place.
In all seriousness though, the market isn't too hot right now. But if you're good and flexible, you'll find something. It's not like North America, where it seems like there's absolutely nothing at the moment.
Europe is not a place, sighhh, it's a continent, and a band of course...
Thanks for the great link justavisual.
I will be checking their boards regularly.
I used to work there for a while. My tips:
1. In France architecture is still regarded as an artistical profession. I'd say like in most of Europe. Probably it's different in the UK - it's more like in the US - and maybe Switzerland. So don't try to find job offers in the Internet as a common occurence. If someone needs an architect they will probably publish a job offer in their website (if they do), or it will be mouth-to-ear, not in the French Craiglist, Archinect or Monster equivalent. Corporate architecture, bonuses, that's Chinese to 99% of architectural offices in Europe. So if your thing is SOM, KPF and all that, better stay away (unless you are in London).
2. As for 1., the best you can do is Googling for offices in Paris, and send your CV to every single office you are interested in. Even if they don't have open vacancies. You never now if they need someone.
3. Moneywise... architects in Paris are worse payed than almost any other white-collar profession (like anywhere else :)), and Paris is an expensive city. So it's probably like being a $50k a year architect in NY, you don't do that for the money!
4. The good thing about Paris (now I think it's the positive point )... If you are an American architect with good experience, hard-working and good design skills, you could have your chances to get a job in Paris. Probably with the current economic climate, I'd say far easier than in London or New York. For any big city I know (let's compare it to NY, London or even smaller cities like Milan, Berlin, Madrid or Rotterdam), French architects I'd say are pretty uncompetitive in general. The bad point... many crap arch. offices there!
5. Speaking French won't hurt... even if you work for the very-famous-ones.
6. As for the job market in Europe, I have friends almost everywhere and I'd say:
- UK, Ireland, Spain: forget about it. Even worse than in the US.
- Scandinavia, Eastern Europe: Very tough as well but less competitive (smaller markets so maybe you can find something).
- My bets are for France and specially Germany and Switzerland. I have a few friends who moved back to Germany/Switzerland and got jobs there in the last few months (though being German natives).
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