5 Essential Skills to Shine in a Job Interview in France

When Maria, a Colombian expat, walked into her first job interview in Paris, she thought her international background would be her biggest asset. It was. But it wasn’t enough. Despite her impressive resume, she left the interview with a sinking feeling. Why? She missed key cultural and communication cues essential in French interviews. Like many expats, Maria quickly realized that succeeding in a French job interview goes beyond qualifications—it’s about mastering the soft skills that truly matter in France.

Let’s explore the 5 essential skills you need to make a difference in a French interview.

1. Embrace the French Codes

In France, formality, hierarchy, and structure still play a big role in professional settings. Many expats stumble by being too informal or not fully understanding the expectations of "savoir-vivre" in a French interview. Maria’s second interview started differently. She greeted the panel with a firm handshake, maintained eye contact, and addressed each interviewer with "Bonjour Monsieur/Madame" — a small detail that made a huge difference.

Small gestures like these signal respect and cultural awareness. Always use formal language at the beginning. Show that you understand the French codes. Interrupting or being overly assertive too quickly may be seen as impolite.

Check out Absolutely Talented's article about etiquette in French work culture here.

2. Clear and Structured Communication

French recruiters love logic. They value structured, precise answers and often expect the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Maria learned this after realizing her initial answers were too long and unfocused.

She worked on preparing 3–4 structured stories and practiced summarizing her answers in less than two minutes. This gave her more confidence and allowed her to connect better with recruiters.

Studies consistently show that when interviewees deliver structured answers, the predictive validity of interviews rises significantly and validity coefficients range from 0.44 to 0.63, compared to just 0.20 for unstructured interviews.

3. Reading Between the Lines During Interviews

French interviews can seem formal, but non-verbal cues are everywhere. Recruiters may not always say directly what they think, but their body language speaks volumes. Maria started paying attention to small smiles, head nods, and silences—signs she had previously missed.

By observing and adapting to these subtle signals, she was able to adjust her tone and show genuine empathy, which made a strong difference in her next interviews.

4. Confidence Without Arrogance

Overconfidence can be a mistake in France. Recruiters here value humility paired with self-assurance. Maria learned to speak about her achievements with confidence, but always emphasized teamwork and continuous learning.

The key is to highlight your results while recognizing collective efforts. Avoid sounding like you are overselling yourself. In France, confidence must feel balanced and authentic.

5. Adaptability and Problem-Solving

Employers in France, especially in international companies, look for candidates who can quickly adapt and solve problems. Maria’s story about how she navigated cultural differences during her first expatriation truly impressed her final interviewer.

Be ready to share concrete examples of how you handled unexpected situations. Show your ability to work across cultures and embrace change.

According to surveys, adaptability is ranked among the top desired soft skills in 2024, alongside communication and problem-solving, reflecting its strong importance in hiring decisions.

From Expat Candidate to Confident Professional

Maria didn’t just land a job, she built a fulfilling career in France. The difference? She mastered the essential French interview skills that opened new doors. By focusing on cultural adaptability, structured communication, emotional intelligence, balanced confidence, and problem-solving, any expat can succeed.

If you’re preparing for job interviews in France, remember: it's not just about what you know, it's about how you present it, with authenticity, structure, and cultural awareness.

Want to build your confidence? Discover our article on How Public Speaking Unlocks Self-Confidence for Invisible Talents.