The banking and insurance sector is experiencing a small upturn in recruitment for junior roles.  Lucie Guéry, senior consultant at Randstad and subject matter expert, says about the fresh upturn: “For about six months, there has been a lot of requests for temporary positions and even for fixed-term contracts (CDD) and permanent roles (CDI). I do not know, the precise reason [for the upturn] but I guess it's because the market is recovering. In the banking sector in particular, for example, mortgage rates fell, so suddenly there are more negotiations to be conducted."

This increase in recruitment is to fill current rather than long-term needs. If an assignment goes well, however, it may leads to a job with the client firm, according to Guéry. "The problem is that banks request a certain amount of academic achievement from candidates. For example a Bac +2 diploma [secondary school diploma] can be a barrier to move from a temporary agency role to a CDI."

To illustrate Guéry’s point, strong industry awareness is a must for a receptionist role, despite what some candidates may think. "To face customers while operating a cash register, you have to be trained and be experienced," Lucie Guéry says.

The most sought-after profiles are those who obtained a Bac ES (economy), S (sciences) or STT (sciences and technology) and pursued with a BTS (college studies) or a license (the first part of a university degree) with work experience in a bank. In terms of wages, a back office employee can expect to earn between €20,000 and €25,000 a year. "It can increase to €28,000 for the most experienced workers," adds Guéry. Candidates with such background can expect back office roles and jobs in retail banking (loan management, transfers, checks, all operations that are primarily initiated by the agency).