Hannah: Community Relations Agent at BlaBlaCar

Could you please present your professional background?

I graduated from high school in Austria, and then I obtained a degree in Non Profit, Social & Healthcare Management in Austria as well. I also worked on the side to gain experience and understand what I wanted to do later on.

After my studies, I had a 6-month fixed-term contract in Austria as an assistant in a company that works with people with disabilities. Then I volunteered in a school in Nantes, France, for 9 months.

Following this job, I came back to Austria for 2 months to think about what I wanted to do next. I returned to France, where I worked at Rosemood for 2 months in customer service for German-speaking customers.

How long have you been in France for?

I arrived in France shortly after my first work experience in October 2021.

How did you hear about Misterbilingue?

For my BlaBlaCar search, I watched a video on YouTube where someone gave tips on how to find a job in France and this same person advised expats coming to France to use MisterBilingue to find bilingual jobs. Then, I went on your website and applied for the BlaBlaCar job.

What skills have you acquired during your career that you feel are essential for the position you hold now?

German, which was mandatory for this job, is my mother tongue. I have worked in customer service as well as in community relations. For this job it was important that the person in the position enjoys teamwork, which I do.

Did you encounter any difficulties during your job search? If so, which ones?

In France, if you want to work in an international context, it is easier to find opportunities in Paris. As I didn’t want to move and live in Paris, I started to look for 100% remote job offers, but it wasn’t easy, especially for the integration in the company.

Since you had difficulties in finding a job, how did you overcome them?

I didn’t give up on my search and kept on looking for new job offers. I continued to apply for jobs, and I made sure to apply for jobs that matched my profile.

What are the “everyday life” differences that surprised you the most in France?

I was quite surprised at first by “la bise” because everyone does it in France.

The eating hours are also quite different in France because we eat much later here than in Austria.

Also, when you get on a bus, you have to say “hello” to the driver, and I appreciate that. People are more open here.

Do you have any advice on how to integrate well in a new company in France?

Eating with colleagues at lunchtime is really important. In Austria, you can take 30 minutes to eat alone at lunch.

I also noticed that having a drink with colleagues after work is part of the company culture. It is very important to create links outside of work.