William : English lawyer at OPPO

Can you describe your professional background?

I started in France, with a degree from Sciences Po Dijon, then I went to Boston to do a master's degree in political science and then I went to Manchester to do a master's degree in International Business Law and International Trade, then an LEM.

How were you recruited by OPPO?

I applied to a MisterBilingue ad via Linkedin. I had my first interview with Léa from MisterBilingue. Then I had a second HR interview at OPPO. Then a third interview with the presidents of the company and a practical case with an expert.

What did you think of MisterBilingue's coaching?

It was great. Léa seemed to be sunny. It was really interesting. She made sure to check in with me. She also coached me from time to time, especially for the practical case. I was even surprised by the last interview. Then, Lea called me two weeks later to know how my onboarding went. So top, top, top.

Have you noticed any differences between England and France in the work world?

In England I worked as an intern. It is the university that, depending on its rating, receives a certain number of law firms directly on the spot, to meet with students. So we have a certain privilege of having lawyers that we could potentially talk to. It's a totally informal screening. Afterwards, I was going to apply to Hogan, in Paris, because I had met two French partners in London. Internships in England are much more precarious: there is no contract, it's really oral, with temporary missions. For example, I was handing out flyers. These are student jobs at 100 or 200 euros a month.

Is the recruitment process in England different from that in France?

Generally speaking, in England it's based on grades at first, but it's also based on experience and the way you can differentiate yourself through different commitments. That's why in the universities, there are multiple activities that allow you to develop your personal qualities. This is typically something that you find a lot in England, along with the US, and that you will see very little of in France.

Did you encounter any difficulties in finding your first job in France?

The first permanent job is obviously difficult to get, because there is a certain reticence. Here again, there is a potential difference between the Anglo-Saxon and French systems: (in France) we will typically find companies that don't want to take internships into account in the experience. I personally think it's a shame not to take into account experiences that are, in my opinion, totally valid. In England, it's quite the opposite. They even encourage students to get involved in different associations, to try to show not only the internships linked to your professional project, but just to try to see other axes, to have several strings to your bow. This is not necessarily emphasized in France, and it's a bit regrettable.

Afterwards, were there any other complications in your job search?

Before OPPO, yes. Not surprisingly, due to COVID. At one point I thought, gee, I'm 30 years old, I'm having trouble finding a job. It was very, very complicated, although I had interviews, it was not a foregone conclusion. Apart from that, I didn't have a particularly hard time finding a job. I always tried to maximize my skills and qualities. I had to choose an international company to be able to take advantage of my double culture.

In everyday life, do you notice any differences between England and France?

Oh yes, yes. The first one that comes to mind is the open-mindedness. The English are well known for that. We have an acceptance of difference: we pay for difference, we want difference! There is an inclusion of difference that is much more interesting in England than in France. After that, it can be a quality as well as a defect, I'm not going to spit in the soup either. But, once again, there is indeed an inclusion of difference in England that is much more permeated. Culturalism is something that has already been anchored in all societies in England for a while. In France, it's still going on. It's already well established, but not quite stable yet.

Do you plan to stay in France?

I don't regret going abroad at all, I'm even very happy about it and I encourage everyone to do the same. But there comes a time when I want to settle down. It costs a lot to go abroad. That is to say that you lose your family circle, your circle of friends, you have to rebuild everything, it requires a lot of effort at that level. And it's true that today, I wouldn't necessarily be ready to do it, but if I have an interesting professional proposal, I will think about it. The second personal side is that I lost my father last year, so I try to be close to my family as much as possible and going abroad would be in contradiction with that.

All in all, are you happy with your current position?

Yes, yes, yes. There is just a cultural gap, but overall I am very happy.