Accepting Applications for 2012 Season

We have opened up our application process for the 2012 Season. We are looking for hard working, high energy, and personable applicants to fulfill our 2012 Tour Guide & Office Staff positions. We will ONLY consider applicants who are either French citizens, have an EU passport, or already hold EU working papers. If this means you, then please submit the following application, an updated resume, a recent photo, as well as a copy of your passport or visa.

Click below if you are an Australian, New Zealand, or Canadian applicant to learn more about some visa opportunities.

Australian Visa Information, New Zealand Visa Information, Canadian Visa Information

Employment

We will consider anyone that has completed two years of University as a potential candidate for employment. Candidates must also have an exceptional personality, superb speaking skills, the ability to quickly adapt to changing situations, an interest in international travel, high integrity and a large smile.

Below is a brief description of the Tour Guide & Office Staff posistions.

Tour Guide Staff

Guiding tours with us is a highly sought after position demanding lots of previous knowledge, a strong desire to continue learning, very flexible work hours, and a strong sense of team pride. 

As the leader of our tours, you’re expected to be a powerful presenter and confident public speaker.  You should have no problems building a rapport with people from all walks of life.  On any given tour you may have an elderly Dutch couple, a Belgian family, a couple New Yorkers, a few Kiwis, some recent US college graduates, etc - you should be able to relate with all of them individually and make them feel like part of a cohesive group as you conduct the tour. 

You should also be able to deal with adversity without showing signs of stress.  Flat tires and other bike or Segway issues are unfortunately occasionally part of the job, and fixing them quickly on the fly is part of your job.  Also, while we love sunny days, you’re bound to do many tours in the howling wind and pouring rain.  Regardless, you have to have a game face on at all times.

Qualifications include:

• University graduate with an applicable degree in history (preferably European or French), French language, political science, etc. Two years of undergraduate in University is a minimum. Graduate work or degree will be seen as a bonus.
• Very strong knowledge of French and Parisian history.  What you do not yet know, we can help teach you, but you should be very familiar with basic French history.  You should also be able to parse this history in palatable chunks that people can grasp and take with them.
• Previous experience traveling to and living in Paris or France. 
• You must be a Native English Speaker. All of our tours are English guided tours, so this is important.
• Flexible work hours.  We are primarily looking for people available full-time, and at least from March through the end of October.  Please note that we do NOT hire anyone that is only passing through for a few months.  You must be completely available throughout the entire summer and exceptionally motivated to work very hard during these months.
• Strong desire to help grow the company.  We’re a small team from all walks of life and we spend lots of time together outside of work enjoying all that Paris has to offer.  You should be social, friendly, have a great sense of humor, and possess a vivacious disposition.
• Humor! We want you to explain history in a way that keeps people’s attention and helps them understand what makes Paris so unique.  You should be an entertainer as well as a historian.
• Familiarity with bikes.  While you’re not expected to be a complete mechanic, you should have no problems stacking bikes before/after the tour into our shop, flipping them over and getting your hands dirty while on the tour, fixing flat tires, “ghost riding” a bike back to the shop, etc. Dainty people need not apply.
• Ability to work in France.  We can only accept candidates who already possess either an EU passport or French Work and Residence Permits.
• Training!  We will start training for new staff during the first months of 2012, so we need folks that are able to jump right into action.

So yes, basically we’re looking for a few superstars! 

Office Staff Postions

We are looking for young, energetic staff to join our fantastic team for the 2012 season. Our Office Staff is the glue and rock steady foundation of our company. Without this do-it-all group, the company would cease to exist.

What we want:

• FLUENT English and French speakers only (additional languages a bonus)
• Great customer service skills along with the ability to work both individually and in a team environment
• Computer literacy and POS experience
• Persons comfortable on and around bikes
• Flexibility and the willingness to work hard in the busy season including weekends and closing shifts
• A sound knowledge of Paris tourist scene and the tourism industry (museums, restaurants, attractions, events, etc.)
• Must have valid visa if not an EU citizen.

Interviews & Training Process

Due to the large amount of applicants, we are not able to grant an interview to every applicant. It's important to stand out from the pack from the beginning! The first round of interviews are conducted over the phone with one of our managers. If offered a second interview, that will take place in person. In person interview locations have not been decided for the 2012 process, though Paris and London are highly likely. Further locations could be added depending on the demand and need.

Selected Candidates will be invited to an Evaluation Week in Paris, France with the Owner, Operations Manager and Business Development Managers. This week serves as the beginning of the training process, and as gauge for progress of issued training materials. Any Candidate that does not successfully complete this evaluation period or does not meet company standards will not be invited to Europe

Obviously this rarely occurs, but we will take only those serious about this job. Our company is not the “average summer job” and much is expected of staff. Evaluation Week will give a clear indication of the enthusiasm and preparedness of each Candidate for the job.

Evaluation Week will consist of roughly five dedicated days of preparation for the job. Activities will include:

Practice giving tours and review tour information.
Practice office and tour procedures.
Learn bicycle and Segway maintenance.
Work as a team.
Watch videos of past tours.
Discuss marketing.
Complete daily tests regarding tour and company information and procedures.
Completing a final exam that includes all previous daily tests and still further information.

Applications

Download the 2012 Employment Application here.

As stated on the enclosed application, please submit your completed forms with all of the following. All components are required for consideration.

• Completed Application
• Cover Letter
• Resume/CV
• Picture
• EU Passport Scan or Valid Working Visa Scan

Completed packets should be emailed to the attention of Graham Robinson (City Operations Manager) and Sadie Sumner (Assistant City Operations Manager) via apply@fattirebiketours.com.

Thanks and good luck!