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Career Center
Le 14 mars 2024

Go Germany! Your networks are your net worth!

Audencia's Career Center and Alumni teams are delighted to to bring you “Go Germany!”, the guide to working in Germany. This guide holds special significance as we celebrate the remarkable career of one of our esteemed professors, Uwe Supper, German Professor at Audencia and the Careers Adviser for Germany. Throughout his tenure, Uwe has adeptly crafted valuable connections between Audencia and Germany. Building on the positive outcomes of our previous guides, including Go France and Go Netherlands, it is now time for Germany to take center stage as a welcoming destination for our diverse community of students and alumni. As the economic powerhouse of Europe, known for placing a strong emphasis on efficiency, environmental awareness and a good work-life balance, Germany stands out as a compelling choice for all those in pursuit of an international career, and we are excited to help you discover the opportunities it offers. “Go Germany!” is a valuable resource for students and recent graduates wishing to head to Germany after their studies at Audencia. This week, discover what Victoria Gathogo from Kenya has to say. About Victoria: GRADUATED FROM THE MBA PROGRAMME IN 2017 FROM KENYA CURRENT POSITION: PROGRAMME LEAD AT WFP INNOVATION ACCELERATOR IN MUNICH NATIVE LANGUAGE: ENGLISH DAILY WORKING LANGUAGES: ENGLISH OTHER LANGUAGES SPOKEN: SWAHILI GERMAN LEVEL: BEGINNER BEEN LIVING IN GERMANY FOR: 5 MONTHS Victoria's key message: “Your networks are your net worth!" My biggest challenge Language barrier of day-to-day activities even though German is not needed for my work. Myths and realities MYTH: If you work in English and do not speak German it is easy to get by. REALITY: Robust systems, a strong work ethic, many multinationals in the market, and great expat communities. Harsh weather! My advice & top tips Soft skills are key and unlock opportunities for you, as most places have flat structures: public speaking, listening, how you run meetings, working with people from different backgrounds. Quirky & cultural Germans have a more consensus-driven approach, unlike in France where people are more individualistic and do things their own way, caring less if someone else stands to suffer from this. And finally... Great opportunities, work culture, and work-life balance. Follow this link to read Go Germany in full

Career Center
Le 17 mars 2023

#Iconic_Audencians: Esha Shrestha (MSc SCPM 17), a fascination for optimisation

Esha Shrestha, MSc SCPM 2017, Programme Manager, FLIX, Berlin Esha grew up in a small Nepalese town on the eastern hills of the Himalayas. Her parents – who owned a bed and breakfast, were able and willing to offer her a private education. Esha is acutely aware of her privileged upbringing. In Nepal, private schooling is often the only way to access good standards of education, learn English, and develop the mind set required to forge a better life abroad. She insists that compared to many of her compatriots, she didn’t endure tremendous financial hardship. However, she did have to keep hammering away to get herself to where she is today. As a child, she proved to have a sharp eye for how things operate and a natural interest towards optimisation and efficiency. A natural problem solver, she has been lending a hand at her parents’ business for as long as she can remember. “I must point out that I got involved out of interest and never felt forced”. Her journey took her to west Bengal in India where she studied engineering, Bangalore for her first quality analyst job, then Nantes and Milan where she followed a master’s degree in Supply Chain and Purchasing Management at Audencia. She moved to Paris where she learnt her trade at Nissan’s European headquarters. She has recently settled in Berlin after joining Flix, a leading German company offering intercity bus services in Europe, North America and Brazil. Having developed a long-standing fascination for Germany’s legendary efficiency, this last move was also an opportunity for her to experience the system from within. A board game collector, a goal planner, and a rational thinker who clearly likes all her ducks in a row, it would be easy to label Esha as a strategy geek. But a different side of her is unveiled when she shares her interest in self-development books and her spiritual quest for freedom. A sign that one can be curious about the ``what`` and the ``how`` in their worldly activity, whilst also questioning the ``why``. Read the full article here Audencia's Iconic Alumni For the third year in a row, we are delighted and proud to showcase 12 new profiles of Audencians from around the globe. The alumni that you will discover have very generously given up their time for an interview for which we are immensely grateful. Discover all the portraits here

Career Center
Le 21 décembre 2022

Go France! Consider every challenge as a preparation for future ones so don’t be afraid of failure

Audencia's Career Center and Alumni teams are delighted to to bring you “Go France!”, the guide to working in France. Following the success of the first guide in 2019, this new updated edition revisits advice from HR professionals, input from intercultural experts and shares yet more experiences of working in France for internationals. Alumni say they choose France for its corporate culture and impact-driven working environment but also for its croissants! “Go France!” is a valuable resource for students staying in France after their studies at Audencia. This week, discover what Kuo-Jung Yu from Taiwan has to say. About Kuo-Jung: GRADUATED FROM THE MSC SCPM PROGRAMME IN 2019 FROM TAIWAN CURRENT POSITION PROPULSION PROCUREMENT MANAGER AT AIRBUS SAS IN TOULOUSE NATIVE LANGUAGE MANDARIN DAILY WORKING LANGUAGES ENGLISH OTHER LANGUAGES SPOKEN TAIWANESE AND FRENCH FRENCH LEVEL ADVANCED (B2/C1) LIVING IN FRANCE SINCE 2017 Kuo-Jung's key message: “Consider every challenge as a preparation for future ones so don’t be afraid of failure. Question yourself but not too much." My biggest challenge Expressing my own opinion! Giving ones’ own opinion or feedback clearly requires practice. It is kind of a natural thing for some cultures but not for me. Before giving an opinion, we need to reflect first. When I started working in France, I focused on making sure I was doing things right and proving my capabilities to my team. Sometimes, I missed opportunity to reflect on giving effective feedback. Myths & realities MYTH 35 working hours per week. People can work more than 45 hours in one week. REALITY A lot of paid leave! 25 days plus RTT, seniority, etc. My advice & top tips Picture what and where you want to be and anticipate what you need to do to get there. Then go for it! France is a country of freedom. Remember you always have the right to choose but don’t take it for granted. It's your responsibility to ensure you are capable of making the right choice. Quirky & cultural People say ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’ in shops, on the bus and even in the mountains when you’re hiking past strangers. I really like this cultural behaviour, so I do the same thing when I’m back in Taiwan! And finally The French are not afraid to say, ‘I don’t know.’ At first, this annoyed me. However, I discovered in some situations it may be better to admit you don’t know something rather than giving answers you are not sure of. So now I appreciate it and have developed version 2.0 where I say, ‘I don’t know but I’ll check it out.’ Follow this link to read Go France in full:

Career Center
Le 14 décembre 2022

Go France! I love having a croissant and coffee every morning

Audencia's Career Center and Alumni teams are delighted to to bring you “Go France!”, the guide to working in France. Following the success of the first guide in 2019, this new updated edition revisits advice from HR professionals, input from intercultural experts and shares yet more experiences of working in France for internationals. Alumni say they choose France for its corporate culture and impact-driven working environment but also for its croissants! “Go France!” is a valuable resource for students staying in France after their studies at Audencia. This week, discover what Hyojin Yoo from South Korea has to say. About Hyojin: GRADUATED FROM THE MSC IM PROGRAMME IN 2020 FROM SOUTH KOREA CURRENT POSITION PRODUCT MANAGER AT AMOREPACIFIC EUROPE IN PARIS NATIVE LANGUAGE KOREAN DAILY WORKING LANGUAGES FRENCH, ENGLISH AND KOREAN OTHER LANGUAGES SPOKEN SPANISH FRENCH LEVEL ADVANCED (B2/C1) LIVING IN FRANCE SINCE 2019 Hyojin's key message: “One of my favourite parts of living in France is having a croissant and coffee every morning. I love it!" My biggest challenge Working and integrating perfectly in a French workplace was difficult even though I spoke French. I’m not saying that French people are particularly close-minded, but I felt like there is a strong bond among French people and it was not easy to feel completely integrated into their society. Myths & realities MYTH ‘French people do not work.’ I have never seen anyone around me doing just 9 to 5! I feel like there are many people working late although this depends on the corporate culture. REALITY People seem very friendly even with their managers but there is definitely a strong hierarchy. I think French people are also very competitive when it comes to work. My advice & top tips Learn French! I’m not saying it’s impossible to find a job if your FRENCH LEVEL is not good enough but it allows you to have more opportunities when it comes to finding a job. Quirky & cultural When I was doing my internship, I was really surprised by how people are friendly even in a professional context. I also saw some people become best friends with their colleagues. I also find that we can express our opinion more to someone who is in a higher position, and I even feel like managers consider it a good thing – as in taking initiatives. And finally Sometimes it is a bit difficult for me to understand the boundaries in a professional context. Often, I am not sure what is OK to say or not. I sometimes feel a bit intimidated when people ask me a question that is too personal. Follow this link to read Go France in full:

Career Center
Le 9 décembre 2022

Go Netherlands! JD.com relies on a very international team

Henry Zhang EU Regional HR Director, JD.com - Amsterdam Henry is a passionate HR professional specialised in strategic HR management with more than 10 years of experience in large international groups. Henry shares some first-hand advice about the job market in the Netherlands. JD.com is a Chinese e-commerce company, with headquarters in Beijing and offices in Amsterdam and Paris among other countries. It is one of the two massive online retailers in China by transaction volume and revenue, a member of the Fortune Global 500. The work culture JD.com Amsterdam relies on a very international team. The corporate values are influenced by this diversity with, on the one hand, the Chinese culture of the group, while on the other, the harmonious integration of certain Dutch traits. We see our customers as part of the family; therefore integrity, honesty, respect and trust make up our core values. We place great importance on building reliable, long-standing relationships for the long term. At the same time, we also value a “can-do attitude” with an openness to collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and experience. My advice & top tips A good piece of advice for international students wanting to work in the Netherlands is to apply to the Dutch subsidiary of the big companies from your country. When preparing your job hunt, remember that in Europe, LinkedIn is a very useful and popular tool. And make sure you investigate the official websites of the companies you are planning to apply/interview for. And remember, there are no better candidates, everyone is unique. Good luck you are the future! Myths & realities Although English is the working language in many cases, in my experience I would recommend trying to learn some Dutch. It will help you to find a job quickly and navigate the cultural codes. Read your copy of "Go Netherlands" here

Career Center
Le 7 décembre 2022

Go France! If you run into challenges or failures, just get back up and try again

Audencia's Career Center and Alumni teams are delighted to to bring you “Go France!”, the guide to working in France. Following the success of the first guide in 2019, this new updated edition revisits advice from HR professionals, input from intercultural experts and shares yet more experiences of working in France for internationals. Alumni say they choose France for its corporate culture and impact-driven working environment but also for its croissants! “Go France!” is a valuable resource for students staying in France after their studies at Audencia. This week, discover what Joelle Wong from Canada has to say. About Joelle: GRADUATED FROM THE MSC FAM PROGRAMME IN 2017 FROM CANADA CURRENT POSITION PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST – RAW MATERIALS BAKERY AT MONDELEZ INTERNATIONAL IN PARIS NATIVE LANGUAGE ENGLISH DAILY WORKING LANGUAGES FRENCH, ENGLISH AND SPANISH OTHER LANGUAGES SPOKEN CANTONESE FRENCH LEVEL EXPERT (C2) LIVING IN FRANCE SINCE 2016 Joelle's key message: “If you run into challenges or failures, just get back up and try again. It is absolutely worth it!" My biggest challenge All admin and paperwork, especially to sort out student and work visa applications. The processes are not clear especially since the documents required are not the same depending on where you live. I had to ask for a lot of help from other foreign friends to get things right. Finding an apartment was also a big challenge. Myths & realities REALITY Almost everyone takes vacation in August (big shocker for me!) The French can also be very direct. They are not afraid to say no and push back on tasks they claim to not be responsible for. My advice & top tips Take the time to get to know your classmates and build connections. You never know what you can learn from others and networking can also get you far after you graduate and keep in touch. If you don’t know French yet, try to learn it as soon as possible. Quirky & cultural A strong appreciation for work-life balance since there is a lot of paid leave (at least five weeks paid vacation). France is also filled with beautiful and diverse landscapes (water, mountains, rivers). There is so much to visit and these places are very accessible by car or by train. And finally Be prepared for the paperwork. Check out the processes beforehand to find out when and where you must go to renew your visas. Do things in ADVANCE because getting the required documents can take time. It is really helpful to ask other foreign students who may have already gone through the process because it is hard to find that kind of information on the internet. Follow this link to read Go France in full:

Career Center
Le 2 décembre 2022

Go Netherlands! Get your rainproof gear ready and you’ll be all set to go! :)

Audencia's Career Center and Alumni teams are delighted to to bring you “Go Netherlands!”, the guide to working in the Netherlands. Following the success of the guide to working in France for internationals, this new edition focuses on a country that is a destination of choice for Audencians. Members of its thriving community of students and alumni say they choose the Netherlands for its economic stability, work-hard-play-hard lifestyle, multiculturalism and for being a country where English is often the working language. “Go Netherlands!” is a valuable resource for students considering a career in the Netherlands after their studies. Starting with HR professionals’ top tips and debunking the myths and realities of the workplace, Go Netherlands! also showcases the experiences of more than 20 alumni who have aced the challenge of finding a job and settling in the Netherlands. This week, discover what Wenwen Zhao from China has to say. About Wenwen: Graduated from the Grande Ecole Master in Management programme in 2014 Currently working as: Account Manager at Wieden + Kennedy in Amsterdam Native language: Chinese Other languages spoken: English, French Level of Dutch: beginner Been living in the Netherlands: for 2 years Wenwen's key message: “Get your rainproof gear ready and you’ll be all set to go! :)" My biggest challenge The famous work-life balance is better here than Shanghai but not quite as balanced as I was expecting; maybe that’s because of the nature of an advertising agency. I’m working in a native English-speaking environment with a majority of Brits and Americans. Although I am a fluent English speaker there is an almost imperceptible language/culture barrier that can sometimes have an impact, especially in advertising context, where the craft of language plays a big role. My advice & top tips You can live in Rotterdam but work in Amsterdam, so convenience is not a luxury here. You have to be tolerant with the weather, sometimes it’s just rain and grey skies followed by more rain! Just like in any big city, house hunting is a battle; check out funda.nl Quirky & cultural The Netherlands has a very expat-friendly environment. The Dutch are very friendly and welcoming, and they don’t get offended if you only speak English. People who are on the end of Dutch customer service lines are lovely; they even tell you their dog's name! And finally Try cycling in the dark when it’s raining and windy! It’s very uncomfortable, but it makes you strong. Read your copy of "Go Netherlands" here

Career Center
Le 30 novembre 2022

Go France! French people tend to say ‘no’ first to every new proposal

Audencia's Career Center and Alumni teams are delighted to to bring you “Go France!”, the guide to working in France. Following the success of the first guide in 2019, this new updated edition revisits advice from HR professionals, input from intercultural experts and shares yet more experiences of working in France for internationals. Alumni say they choose France for its corporate culture and impact-driven working environment but also for its croissants! “Go France!” is a valuable resource for students staying in France after their studies at Audencia. This week, discover what Daisy Weiming Wang from China has to say. About Daisy: GRADUATED FROM THE MSC IM PROGRAMME IN 2012 FROM CHINA CURRENT POSITION CRM &DIGITAL MANAGER AT VOLVO CAR FRANCE – HAVAS GROUP IN PARIS/ BIARRITZ NATIVE LANGUAGE MANDARIN DAILY WORKING LANGUAGES ENGLISH AND FRENCH FRENCH LEVEL ADVANCED (B2/C1) LIVING IN FRANCE SINCE 2011 Daisy's key message: “French people tend to say ‘no’ first to every new proposal. The scepticism could be cautiousness but sometimes we need to act fast and adjust while doing it." My biggest challenge Learning French language skills is the biggest challenge. In particular, writing correctly is not easy at all. Myths & realities MYTH The famous myth of at least 5 weeks paid holidays and probably 12 days of extra time off in lieu or RTT if you have cadre status. REALITY The morning greeting and coffee break are part of working culture in France. You don’t need to get into too many details, but you need to talk a bit about your personal life. You are allowed to complain a little bit because the French like to complain but don’t expect your colleagues to solve your real problems. My advice & top tips Network, connect the dots of your past experience(s) and find your added value. You may not be able to compete with French graduates in French but the fact that you have left your home country to come to a new place and learn a new language and have managed to learn it in quite a limited time proves that you are able to jump out of your comfort zone and are very adaptable. Quirky & cultural The French are always on holiday but they are quite efficient. French people tend to have a thorough plan and do not compromise. I guess that’s why the luxury and excellence of crafts are the hallmark of France. And finally The French are quite organised. So, in your work environment, make sure you have clear plans and email communications. Follow this link to read Go France in full:

Career Center
Le 25 novembre 2022

Go Netherlands! The Dutch don’t work long hours but are extremely logged in when they’re at work

Audencia's Career Center and Alumni teams are delighted to to bring you “Go Netherlands!”, the guide to working in the Netherlands. Following the success of the guide to working in France for internationals, this new edition focuses on a country that is a destination of choice for Audencians. Members of its thriving community of students and alumni say they choose the Netherlands for its economic stability, work-hard-play-hard lifestyle, multiculturalism and for being a country where English is often the working language. “Go Netherlands!” is a valuable resource for students considering a career in the Netherlands after their studies. Starting with HR professionals’ top tips and debunking the myths and realities of the workplace, Go Netherlands! also showcases the experiences of more than 20 alumni who have aced the challenge of finding a job and settling in the Netherlands. This week, discover what Shastri Sookdeo from Canada has to say. About Shastri: Graduated from the MSc SCPM programme in 2018 Currently working as: Business Analyst-Logistics at MSF in Amsterdam Native language: English Other languages spoken: French, Italian Level of Dutch: advanced Been living in the Netherlands: since March 2021 Shastri's key message: “The Dutch normally don’t work long hours but are extremely logged in when they’re at work." My biggest challenge I’m missing the long cricket season! I’m a cricket player and fan and although the sport appears to be growing in popularity in the Netherlands; football is certainly more accessible. One of my most memorable experiences since settling here is going to watch AFC Ajax play at the Cruijff arena in Amsterdam. Fantastic! My advice & top tips For the first time in many years, there are more jobs than jobseekers so there are lots of opportunities out here. However, having expertise in a specific skill can still make the difference. Whether it's something technical or less tangible, try to show on your CV/ cover letter that you bring a comprehensive and unique viewpoint. Even without work experience, personal projects can show this. Quirky & cultural There are very few hierarchical barriers in the Netherlands and at work everyone tends to be open to receiving feedback, no matter how junior the speaker. This has been quite different from my experience in Paris where directors seemed to be a bit aloof and not as approachable. And finally The siliconcanals.com website is a great resource for jobs in Benelux in the technology and startup ecosystem. Read your copy of "Go Netherlands" here

Career Center
Le 23 novembre 2022

Go France! Learn French, learn French, learn French!

Audencia's Career Center and Alumni teams are delighted to to bring you “Go France!”, the guide to working in France. Following the success of the first guide in 2019, this new updated edition revisits advice from HR professionals, input from intercultural experts and shares yet more experiences of working in France for internationals. Alumni say they choose France for its corporate culture and impact-driven working environment but also for its croissants! “Go France!” is a valuable resource for students staying in France after their studies at Audencia. This week, discover what Amin Valizadeh from Iran has to say. About Amin: GRADUATED FROM THE MSC IM PROGRAMME IN 2020 FROM IRAN CURRENT POSITION CO-FOUNDER AT FABRIKFRANCE IN NANTES NATIVE LANGUAGE PERSIAN DAILY WORKING LANGUAGES FRENCH OTHER LANGUAGES SPOKEN ENGLISH FRENCH LEVEL ADVANCED (B2/C1) LIVING IN FRANCE SINCE 2018 Amin's key message: “Learn French, learn French, learn French!" My biggest challenge Learning every day about paperwork and administrative processes. Myths & realities MYTH That as foreigner and new graduate it is impossible to start a company. REALITY Knowing French is important and can make big difference to your career. My advice & top tips Work hard, stay focused, learn every day and do not lose faith in the face of difficulties. Quirky & cultural French know-how is more well known in other countries than in France itself. The difference in lifestyles between people of different generations shocked me and I have tried to communicate with different people from different generations to understand the culture and their differences. And finally Don’t be stressed. Everything will be fine as long as you work hard. Have faith. Follow this link to read Go France in full:

Career Center
Le 18 novembre 2022

Go Netherlands! Deloitte Netherlands is open to receiving applications from international profiles

Marlou Tuijl Senior Campus Recruiter Consulting, Deloitte - Amsterdam Marlou oversees the recruitment of interns and “starters” (first jobs after graduating) mainly for the Deloitte teams in strategy and supply chain. Marlou shares some first-hand advice about the job market in the Netherlands. Deloitte has 15 offices in the Netherlands and approximately 6,500 employees. The working language is English and even more so in the Amsterdam offices which are quite international. Learning Dutch is encouraged but not necessary. The work environment is open and inclusive as most teams are very international. There is even an HR feature for employees to exchange national holidays for other-cultural festivities to cater for the diverse backgrounds. The work culture Deloitte’s core values include “never stop growing”, “be the true you” and “passion for purpose”. Deloitte can be perceived as a hierarchical company, but at least in the Netherlands, hierarchy is very flat in reality. Even partners and senior managers are very approachable and there is an openness to new ideas. This is also related to the fact that the Dutch culture is very open; people have a need to share their opinions with others and are quite outspoken. My advice & top tips As a recruiter, when running interviews, I value structured communication and the ability of the candidate's ability to take feedback on board. This is indicative of their learning potential! Deloitte Netherlands does not run recruitment events in France or outside the Netherlands. However, we are very open to receiving applications from international profiles. Apply via the website and do contact Alumni from your school who have already worked with us. If you are coming to work in Amsterdam, my advice is to be authentic in the workplace. Feel free to approach your team. The Dutch can be straight talking, so you will be sure to get honest feedback! It is also an open-minded environment (in general) and used to people from diverse backgrounds, so I trust you will receive a warm welcome. Myths & realities In general, Dutch business culture is very informal, although this can depend on the company. As a tip for starters, it is always best to check what the company is like beforehand. Punctuality is important: Meetings start on time! If you are running late, make sure you inform the team (communication is key), but don’t make a habit of it as this won't go down well. Dutch people can be very direct and get straight to the point. The upside to this is that there's little room for ambiguity. Read your copy of "Go Netherlands" here

Career Center
Le 16 novembre 2022

Go France! Start learning French from the day you land in France

Audencia's Career Center and Alumni teams are delighted to to bring you “Go France!”, the guide to working in France. Following the success of the first guide in 2019, this new updated edition revisits advice from HR professionals, input from intercultural experts and shares yet more experiences of working in France for internationals. Alumni say they choose France for its corporate culture and impact-driven working environment but also for its croissants! “Go France!” is a valuable resource for students staying in France after their studies at Audencia. This week, discover what Srinivas Tigulla from India has to say. About Srinivas: GRADUATED FROM THE MSC IM PROGRAMME IN 2014 FROM INDIA CURRENT POSITION PRODUCT LINE MANAGER AT VALEO SERVICE IN PARIS NATIVE LANGUAGE TELUGU AND HINDI DAILY WORKING LANGUAGES ENGLISH AND FRENCH OTHER LANGUAGES SPOKEN TAMIL FRENCH LEVEL INTERMEDIATE (B1) LIVING IN FRANCE SINCE 2013 Srinivas' key message: “Start learning French from the day you land in France." My biggest challenge I couldn’t find a job at a non-engineering company as my background was in mechanical engineering. Myths & realities MYTH That France is all about the fashion and fragrance industries. REALITY French people still work in an old-fashioned way. Don’t compare with the American way of working. The French aren’t very diplomatic and have no problem saying NO. The more you attempt to be French, the more you will be accepted into French culture. Don’t be afraid to try, particularly when faced with the language barrier. My advice & top tips Most companies in France are becoming global businesses and removing the French language barrier. Audencia has a great reputation in the French market, so capitalise on its brand name. Think like an entrepreneur and have a start-up mind set which will help you stay open to wider opportunities. Quirky & cultural In France, working hours are limited to 35 hours a week by law yet, whilst doing my master’s, I wondered how it would be possible to be as productive with fewer hours. When you look at French professionals, you’ll see how efficient and hard-working they are whilst having the best work-life balance in the world. And finally French culture has taught me to have a good work-life balance, enjoy vacation time, eat healthily and stay fit. Follow this link to read Go France in full:

Career Center
Le 9 novembre 2022

Go France! Saying bonjour, merci and pardon a hundred times a day is pretty customary to me now

Audencia's Career Center and Alumni teams are delighted to to bring you “Go France!”, the guide to working in France. Following the success of the first guide in 2019, this new updated edition revisits advice from HR professionals, input from intercultural experts and shares yet more experiences of working in France for internationals. Alumni say they choose France for its corporate culture and impact-driven working environment but also for its croissants! “Go France!” is a valuable resource for students staying in France after their studies at Audencia. This week, discover what Jember Teklu Tesfay from Ethiopia has to say. About Jember: GRADUATED FROM THE MBA PROGRAMME IN 2021 FROM ETHIOPIA CURRENT POSITION CAMPAIGNS MANAGER AT BLABLACAR IN PARIS NATIVE LANGUAGE AMHARIC DAILY WORKING LANGUAGES ENGLISH OTHER LANGUAGES SPOKEN FRENCH FRENCH LEVEL BEGINNER (A1/A2) LIVING IN FRANCE SINCE 2020 Jember's key message: “Saying ‘bonjour’, ‘merci’ and ’pardon’ a hundred times a day is pretty customary to me now, whether at the bakery, getting on the bus or making my way out of the métro." My biggest challenge The language barrier. There were multiple times when I wanted to assist people, discuss many important issues and express my thoughts but felt at a loss. Myths & realities MYTH The usual. ‘You can’t secure a job or internship if you don’t speak French.’ Even at a French company you can find an all-English role if the working language is English (I did!) REALITY If you are looking for a customer facing job, however, proficiency in French is a requirement. Additionally, other English language non-customer-facing positions might indeed be difficult to find outside of Paris. My advice & top tips Always have a career plan in mind. Mine changed four times during my MBA all based on different circumstances. That way it was easy for me to find a role that I would enjoy and for which I would sail through the interview. Last but not the least, try to learn or improve your French. Quirky & cultural It was refreshing to realise the emphasis the French place on their daily meal – at school or work lunch breaks can last up to 1½ hours. Also, the French love buying local produce and are loyal to their neighbourhood bakeries (they don’t mind long queues!) Very heart-warming! And finally The passion people demonstrate when discussing even simple everyday can be surprising. In many cultures, the raised tone when communicating signals aggression but this is not necessarily the case in France. People may simply be passing the time of day, only with a bit more passion. Follow this link to read Go France in full:

Career Center
Le 4 novembre 2022

Go Netherlands! Beware of the back-pedal brakes on Dutch bicycles!

Audencia's Career Center and Alumni teams are delighted to to bring you “Go Netherlands!”, the guide to working in the Netherlands. Following the success of the guide to working in France for internationals, this new edition focuses on a country that is a destination of choice for Audencians. Members of its thriving community of students and alumni say they choose the Netherlands for its economic stability, work-hard-play-hard lifestyle, multiculturalism and for being a country where English is often the working language. “Go Netherlands!” is a valuable resource for students considering a career in the Netherlands after their studies. Starting with HR professionals’ top tips and debunking the myths and realities of the workplace, Go Netherlands! also showcases the experiences of more than 20 alumni who have aced the challenge of finding a job and settling in the Netherlands. This week, discover what Adeyemi Oni from Nigeria has to say. About Adeyemi: Studied on the MSc SCPM programme Internship as a Supply Chain Planner at Akzonobel Nederland BV in Sassenheim Native language: Yoruba Other languages spoken English & French Level of Dutch: beginner Lived in the Netherlands for 6 months in 2020 Adeyemi's key message: “Beware of the back-pedal brakes on Dutch bicycles!" My biggest challenge Understanding the paperwork and registration processes! My internship had to be aligned with the pedagogical objectives of my course and signed off by my supervisor at the company and the programme manager at Audencia. This took 60 days! The second challenge was the reverse culture shock when I returned to France at the end of my internship, and I had to speak French...everywhere! My advice & top tips The Dutch are very straight talkers and adopt a different form of professional diplomacy that you need to get used to. Studying in France and working in the Netherlands gives you a European exposure and can then lead to opportunities inside and outside the EU. If possible, go for an internship! It really helps you get your foot on the ladder. The application process is hard work, so you need to channel your energy into it. I found my internship on glassdoor.com. Creating a job alert on Indeed, LinkedIn, etc., reduces the stress of searching for openings. Lastly, ensure that your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile are well optimised and aligned with your desired career aspirations. Quirky & cultural I love cycling which is great because it is one of the Dutch national pastimes. Like almost everyone else, I cycled to work, from Leiden to Sassenheim, about 40 minutes each way. It’s pedal power not electric! And finally Food reveals so much about a country’s culture. The Dutch cuisine was a bit disappointing although they have healthy appetites and eat such a lot. Now I’m back in France, I have the impression that the French are always on a diet! Read your copy of "Go Netherlands" here

Career Center
Le 2 novembre 2022

Go France! French culture has taught me to be more punctual and organised

Audencia's Career Center and Alumni teams are delighted to to bring you “Go France!”, the guide to working in France. Following the success of the first guide in 2019, this new updated edition revisits advice from HR professionals, input from intercultural experts and shares yet more experiences of working in France for internationals. Alumni say they choose France for its corporate culture and impact-driven working environment but also for its croissants! “Go France!” is a valuable resource for students staying in France after their studies at Audencia. This week, discover what Saurabh Srivastava from India has to say. About Saurabh: GRADUATED FROM THE MSC SCPM PROGRAMME IN 2018 FROM INDIA CURRENT POSITION SENIOR BUSINESS ANALYST – DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION (PROCUREMENT) AT UBISOFT IN PARIS NATIVE LANGUAGE HINDI DAILY WORKING LANGUAGES FRENCH AND ENGLISH OTHER LANGUAGES SPOKEN URDU FRENCH LEVEL ADVANCED (B2/C1) LIVING IN FRANCE SINCE 2017 Saurabh's key message: “French culture has taught me to be more punctual and organised." My biggest challenge I still remember my first project meeting which was conducted 100% in French. I understood literally nothing and at the end of the day I was just left with some complicated French vocabulary like, ‘feuille de route’, ‘compte-rendu’ etc. Myths & realities MYTH That French people are lazy, that they only work 35 hours a week and that everyone takes a 2-hour lunch break every day. REALITY If you don’t speak the language, you’ll hit a wall! Be prepared to work hard! People are very efficient and organised here. My advice & top tips Master your French language skills: you will need them if you want to stay here in France. Be adaptable. There are always upsides and downsides to any culture. Pick the best from both (your home country and French culture) and leave the rest! Never forget who you are and where you come from! Stay connected to your roots. Keep in contact with your loved ones, family and friends. They are the ones who will always be by your side. Quirky & cultural Before coming to France, I heard the common stereotype, ‘French people are rude!’ However, this is not the case. French politeness caught me off guard! You will notice that French people are very polite. There’s always a merci or s’il vous plaît tacked onto any interactions you come across. Everyone is addressed as Madame or Monsieur. Even small daily acts of kindness like holding the door for the person behind you will win your heart. And finally I have noticed that French people complain a lot. I guess it’s very natural to complain in France. Follow this link to read Go France in full:

Career Center
Le 28 octobre 2022

Go Netherlands! Dutch culture is more complex & interesting than just weed & red-light districts

Audencia's Career Center and Alumni teams are delighted to to bring you “Go Netherlands!”, the guide to working in the Netherlands. Following the success of the guide to working in France for internationals, this new edition focuses on a country that is a destination of choice for Audencians. Members of its thriving community of students and alumni say they choose the Netherlands for its economic stability, work-hard-play-hard lifestyle, multiculturalism and for being a country where English is often the working language. “Go Netherlands!” is a valuable resource for students considering a career in the Netherlands after their studies. Starting with HR professionals’ top tips and debunking the myths and realities of the workplace, Go Netherlands! also showcases the experiences of more than 20 alumni who have aced the challenge of finding a job and settling in the Netherlands. This week, discover what Benoît Murer from France has to say. About Benoît: Graduated from the Grande Ecole Master in Management programme in 2018 Currently working as: Business Developer Representative at Channable in Utrecht Native language: French Other languages spoken English & Italian Level of Dutch: beginner Been settled in the Netherlands since October 2020 but prior to that did a 6-month Erasmus exchange there too Benoît's key message: “Dutch culture is far more complex and interesting than just weed and the red-light districts!" My biggest challenge Embracing the Dutch work ethic to the full! I once responded to an email during my holidays and my CEO messaged me saying that if he sees me again on my computer before my holidays finish, he will have to find a way to reprimand me! More seriously, it’s always a good idea to bear in mind that although the cost of living in the Netherlands is high, Dutch salaries don’t necessarily compensate for the extra budget. My advice & top tips Apartments are insanely difficult to find so don't hesitate to stretch your budget to the max. Try not to look for somewhere too big when you arrive and make sure you go in person to visit accommodation – there are lots of online scams around. Quirky & cultural It’s been great discovering how much colleagues and bosses recognise your dedication and level of investment in your work. Employees are able to enjoy total flexibility and there’s a great work-life balance. And finally There are many useful websites to help you settle in. I would recommend pararius.com, kamernet.nl, iamexpat.nl, and nltimes.nl Read your copy of "Go Netherlands" here

Career Center
Le 26 octobre 2022

Go France! Everything is a learning experience. Don’t stress too much

Audencia's Career Center and Alumni teams are delighted to to bring you “Go France!”, the guide to working in France. Following the success of the first guide in 2019, this new updated edition revisits advice from HR professionals, input from intercultural experts and shares yet more experiences of working in France for internationals. Alumni say they choose France for its corporate culture and impact-driven working environment but also for its croissants! “Go France!” is a valuable resource for students staying in France after their studies at Audencia. This week, discover what Olga Riabchenko from the Ukraine has to say. About Olga: GRADUATED FROM THE MSC IM PROGRAMME IN 2017 FROM UKRAINE CURRENT POSITION ANALYST – TRADE CREDIT AND POLITICAL RISK INSURANCE AT SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE IN PARIS NATIVE LANGUAGE UKRAINIAN DAILY WORKING LANGUAGES FRENCH AND ENGLISH OTHER LANGUAGES SPOKEN RUSSIAN FRENCH LEVEL ADVANCED (B2/C1) LIVING IN FRANCE SINCE 2015 Olga's key message: “Everything is a learning experience. Don’t stress too much" My biggest challenge The biggest challenge is, of course, the French language and dealing with French paperwork (getting a work permit, declaring taxes, renting an apartment, etc.). Myths & realities MYTH The 35-hour working week. REALITY You must speak French, at least at a basic level. Networking helps a lot in the job search. You pay a lot of taxes from your salary. My advice & top tips Learn French! Be patient with the administration and the paperwork. Join international community groups on Facebook and don’t hesitate to ask people for help. Network as much as you can and be open-minded. Quirky & cultural The French love their food, wine, and coffee. And finally The French love to complain and I have started doing the same Follow this link to read Go France in full:

Career Center
Le 21 octobre 2022

Go Netherlands! Consider your purchasing power and compare salaries with the cost of living

Audencia's Career Center and Alumni teams are delighted to to bring you “Go Netherlands!”, the guide to working in the Netherlands. Following the success of the guide to working in France for internationals, this new edition focuses on a country that is a destination of choice for Audencians. Members of its thriving community of students and alumni say they choose the Netherlands for its economic stability, work-hard-play-hard lifestyle, multiculturalism and for being a country where English is often the working language. “Go Netherlands!” is a valuable resource for students considering a career in the Netherlands after their studies. Starting with HR professionals’ top tips and debunking the myths and realities of the workplace, Go Netherlands! also showcases the experiences of more than 20 alumni who have aced the challenge of finding a job and settling in the Netherlands. This week, discover what Karan Monesh Nannam from India has to say. About Karan: Graduated from the MSc IM programme in 2014 Currently working as: Capital Excellence Manager-International (EMEA, APAC & LATAM) at Kraft Heinz in Amsterdam Native language: Telugu Other languages spoken: English, Hindi, basic French, Tamil, Kannada Level of Dutch: beginner Been living in the Netherlands: since October 2016, initially in Utrecht now Amsterdam Karan's key message: “Consider your purchasing power; although salaries are higher, they are proportional to the cost of living and high levels of taxation." My biggest challenge I would be tempted to say the paperwork has been a challenge, but even the visa and other processes have gone very smoothly. I am very impressed by the respect shown by civil servants irrespective of our origins. I suppose my only challenge so far has been the climate! It rains a lot here in Amsterdam and the winters are a bit damp. My advice & top tips For non-EU nationals, very few companies, including mine, are interested in helping with sponsorship for full-time jobs or simple procedures for interns. However, if you can possess or demonstrate your unique skill set, you can prompt companies to sponsor you. This is especially true for jobs that require a unique skill set but rarely true (but not impossible) for management roles. Get to grips with your company’s work culture. At Kraft Heinz, the work culture is driven by values of the company and not necessarily by the location, so I haven’t had too many surprises there. In terms of general culture, the Dutch are very expat-friendly, and socialising has been quite easy. Quirky & cultural I love the demographics here, which are far more diverse and international than in any other European countries or even across the world. Everyone speaks English and language has hardly ever been a barrier… unlike in France! And finally There are many things to see, do and discover in the Netherlands, including boat rides on the Amsterdam and Utrecht canals, the annual fireworks display in the sea near Den Haag beach, the tulip gardens and the flower season. Read your copy of "Go Netherlands" here

Career Center
Le 19 octobre 2022

Go France! Don’t be scared to immerse yourself in the local culture

Audencia's Career Center and Alumni teams are delighted to to bring you “Go France!”, the guide to working in France. Following the success of the first guide in 2019, this new updated edition revisits advice from HR professionals, input from intercultural experts and shares yet more experiences of working in France for internationals. Alumni say they choose France for its corporate culture and impact-driven working environment but also for its croissants! “Go France!” is a valuable resource for students staying in France after their studies at Audencia. This week, discover what Yesha Oza from India has to say. About Yesha: GRADUATED FROM THE MSC IM PROGRAMME IN 2020 FROM INDIA CURRENT POSITION FINANCE ANALYST AT GE HEALTHCARE IN PARIS NATIVE LANGUAGE GUJARATI AND ENGLISH DAILY WORKING LANGUAGES ENGLISH OTHER LANGUAGES SPOKEN FRENCH FRENCH LEVEL BEGINNER (A1/A2) LIVING IN FRANCE SINCE 2018 Yesha's key message: “Don’t be scared to immerse yourself in the local culture." My biggest challenge Finding accommodation in major cities like Paris can be challenging and a little tricky without having all the paperwork and a French guarantor. Myths & realities MYTH Not being fully aware about tax and social security and how it affects your gross income. REALITY French networking and socialising might surprise you in the beginning, but it is very normal to spend an hour having breakfast or a coffee with your colleagues. My advice & top tips Assess your interests and passions against your career goals. If needed, seek advice from Audencia’s Career Center and then start planning early. As they say, ‘The early bird catches the worm’. Don’t wait until the last semester to look for an internship or job. Quirky & cultural The French emphasis on taking vacation days and maintaining a work-life balance. Taking frequent breaks and planning vacation days well in advance; being uncontactable on vacation … pretty normal in France. And finally As the working language at my office is English, I get very little opportunity to talk in French. I am continuing to improve my French by reading French newspapers and watching French TV. Follow this link to read Go France in full:

Career Center
Le 14 octobre 2022

Go Netherlands! I like to use dutchnews.nl to know what’s going on in “my” country

Audencia's Career Center and Alumni teams are delighted to to bring you “Go Netherlands!”, the guide to working in the Netherlands. Following the success of the guide to working in France for internationals, this new edition focuses on a country that is a destination of choice for Audencians. Members of its thriving community of students and alumni say they choose the Netherlands for its economic stability, work-hard-play-hard lifestyle, multiculturalism and for being a country where English is often the working language. “Go Netherlands!” is a valuable resource for students considering a career in the Netherlands after their studies. Starting with HR professionals’ top tips and debunking the myths and realities of the workplace, Go Netherlands! also showcases the experiences of more than 20 alumni who have aced the challenge of finding a job and settling in the Netherlands. This week, discover what Enzo Martin from Francehas to say. About Enzo: Graduated from the Grande Ecole Master in Management programme in 2020 Currently working as: Junior Affiliate Manager at Degiro in Amsterdam Native language: French Other languages spoken: English, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Dutch Level of Dutch: intermediate Been living in the Netherlands: since November 2020 Enzo's key message: “I like to use dutchnews.nl to know what’s going on in “my” country." My biggest challenge I’m an affiliate manager at Degiro, an online stockbroker that has grown to be one of the largest retail stockbrokers in Europe. The company’s rapid growth has given me a huge challenge and great rewards; I get to experience the perfect mix between a start-up and a very large company. My advice & top tips Get in touch with and meet some VIEs via Facebook groups and WhatsApp. They will probably be in the same frame of mind as you so it’s the best way to have some people to party and/or travel with. Quirky & cultural I’ve discovered that a working day in the Netherlands starts early but finishes early too. This means that there’s not really an official lunch break. There are lots of company perks available, such as gifts, bonuses, free public transport, gym discounts, etc. The Dutch are very nice but also very direct; if they have something to tell you, they will clearly say it. And finally Make sure you get to the seaside town of Zandvoort to see a sunset. Failing that, there’s a Formula 1 racetrack at Zandvoort too! Read your copy of "Go Netherlands" here