“You were laughing, you were squirming a lot. But it’s your first time, we can’t really judge. You’re going to work again and next week, you’ll be on top! » At 29, Alexandrine has just had the first job interview of her life and failed if the hot comments are to be believed.
The job dating in which this young mother from La Courneuve (Seine-Saint-Denis) is taking part actually takes place off-the-record, with an advisor from the Plaine Commune employment center, acting as human resources manager. The debriefing is full of frankness, but also kindness and solidarity. In the room, no recruiter but only candidates who have experienced their share of failures and disappointments.
Like Alexandrine, who is looking for work as a receptionist, several dozen of them gathered this Tuesday, September 19, at the Paris 2024 headquarters in Saint-Denis. An eminently symbolic place where they are preparing for the mega employment forum linked to the Olympics which will take place seven days later, in the heart of the Olympic village, at the Cité du cinéma.
The Olympic Games, “a catalyst”
Three large groups have been formed according to the sectors of activity that hire, ranging from hotels and restaurants to logistics, transport and cleaning. “You are here at the heart of the organization of the Games, it must be your home too. » With her few welcoming words, Marie Barsacq, Impact and Legacy Director of Paris 2024, is responsible for connecting job seekers to the Olympics.
“The biggest issue in our territory is the social acceptance of the Olympic fact,” rightly believes Shems El Khalfaoui, deputy for sports and economic development in Saint-Denis. “What will we keep afterwards? OK, there are the stadiums, the new bridges, but in terms of jobs, way of life, how will our territory be enriched? The Olympics are neither a goal nor the holy grail, but a catalyst,” adds the elected official.
Conditioned, the candidates are placed on the grill. “Attire, presentation, CV… Is this good for everyone? », asks the coach who heads the logistics, transport and cleaning group. “Don’t force yourself to be the person you’re not,” he continues. Because in your work, it will be felt immediately and you will experience it as a failure. »
Émilie Gomis, former high-level basketball player and silver medalist at the London Olympics in 2012, came to talk about the professional reconversion she undertook after her career.
Omar, 58 years old, listens to advice wisely. Registered for four years with Pôle emploi, this resident of Épinay was previously in construction, a sector which wore him out physically and which he had to leave. “I have a damaged shoulder,” he explains. Besides, with my age, I can no longer find it. » He was offered career paths, particularly in security: “I was given a file to follow training,” he explains.
“What is my medal worth on the job market? »
Fathia, 53, came with a series of maintenance agent CVs and expects a lot from the forum on September 26. “I’m struggling too much, I’m at the RSA, I’m trying my luck everywhere,” she sums up, with a mixture of resignation and determination.
This moment within the walls of Paris 2024 is also an opportunity for Émilie Gomis, former high-level basketball player, Olympic vice-champion at the London Games in 2012, to talk about her own professional reconversion. “My medal shines in the media, but on the job market, what was it worth? confides the athlete with great humility. My diplomas ? Well, I didn’t have any. I had to go to Pôle emploi, I had never been confronted with that. » She has since followed training as a general manager of a sports club. “I returned to school after twenty years of career. It took me three or four years to find my way. »
In the room, we also see very young profiles, like Rayan, 21 years old, Célia, 23 years old and Philippe, 24 years old, all three from Saint-Denis. They are looking in reception and events and hope to find the job of their dreams on the 26th. We then ask them what they think of the Olympic village or the aquatic center opposite the Stade de France and if they have gone to discover the works. “No!”, they admit. However, we are nearby, but it’s a bit like the Eiffel Tower, there are only tourists who come to see the Olympic sites. »
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