Ieci : Brazilian sales advisor at Sephora

Can you introduce yourself and tell me about your professional background?

I was born in Brazil and I now live in Paris. I grew up in Brazil, where I studied at the equivalent of Science Po. I have always been passionate about art, so I have several activities of artistic promotion alongside my current job. I also have another passion for the world of well-being and cosmetics. When I arrived in Paris, I worked for a Brazilian cosmetics brand, and today I work at Sephora.

How were you recruited by this company?

I applied on Misterbilingue website because I saw that there were job offers for Portuguese-speaking people. It all happened very quickly!

Why did you come to France?

I am Italian-Brazilian, so I have a long history of attachment to the European continent! I have always wanted to have an experience in Europe and more particularly in Italy. After several trips to Europe, I went to Italy, but I stopped in France and stayed!

By which consultant were you recruited? How did they support you in the preparation of your interviews?

I was recruited by Léa (recruitment consultant at Misterbilingue). She has been very professional, very nice. She first gave me a telephone interview, and then had a video meeting during which I explained my background and skills to her. As I have a rather particular background combining well-being, cosmetics and art, I am quite happy to have managed to find a job so quickly.

How did you get to know MisterBilingue?

By "snooping" on the internet (laughs)!

Have you noticed any differences between your country of origin and France in your job search?

In Brazil, I've worked much more as a freelancer than as an employee, so it's a bit difficult to say; nevertheless, I think that with globalisation everything tends to look the same, but that each country manages to keep its little specificities.

What difficulties did you encounter in your job search?

I didn't really have any difficulty, but my particular background may surprise recruiters. I've travelled a lot, I have many passions that have nothing to do with each other... Recruiters can be a bit dubious. However, I like to live a thousand lives in one, this open-mindedness and curiosity are a great asset for me!

What was your first impression when you started working in France?

Again, as I had very little experience as an employee, I couldn't really compare it to Brazil. I enjoyed adapting to the different atmospheres in each company.

Any advice on how to integrate well into a new French company?

I think it's important to know how to read between the lines to adapt to your team and to appropriate the philosophy of the brand you're working for.

What are the differences between the French and Brazilian way of working?

Having worked little as an employee in Brazil, it is difficult for me to see the differences between Brazil and France. In terms of working atmosphere, I would say that Brazilians are at first sight warmer than the French. As far as paid holidays and salary are concerned, I think there are two different worlds. In Brazil, some employees have thirteenth months and have 4 weeks of paid holidays, but that's not everywhere...

What do you miss most about your home country?

France is terribly cosmopolitan, but I still miss the Brazilians (laughs).

Do you meet expatriates from Brazil?

Yes I do, I think I have as many Brazilian friends as I have French friends. I never really tried to force fate, some acquaintances just became friends!