Students face a shortage of seasonal jobs: the race for summer employment becomes more complicated

For thousands of students, summer isn't just about vacation. It primarily represents an opportunity to finance part of the academic year, rent, transportation costs, and everyday expenses. But this year, landing a seasonal job has become a real struggle. Despite more than 2,27 million recruitment projects identified in France for 2026, applications are flooding in for the same positions, particularly in the restaurant, retail, and tourism sectors, where students are most heavily represented.

Recruiters are increasingly seeking candidates who are immediately operational, available for extended periods, and already possess some initial experience. This trend disadvantages younger students or those seeking only a few weeks of employment. While the hospitality industry anticipates nearly 319,000 hires this year, competition remains particularly fierce in major university cities like Paris, where positions are quickly filled.

"I sent out more than 70 applications."

In Paris, 20-year-old Adrien, a second-year psychology student, hoped to work for two months in a restaurant or shop to finance his return to school. “I sent out more than 70 applications between April and June. I only got three interviews and no positive responses. I was often told that I needed to already have experience or be available until September. Eventually, you start to doubt yourself.” Finally, he landed a three-week contract in a boutique thanks to word of mouth. “It wasn’t what I was hoping for, but I couldn’t go back to my parents’ house without having earned some money.”

The same observation was made by Agathe, 25, a master's student in translation in Paris. Accustomed to working every summer, she noticed a marked change. "Before, I found a job in a few weeks. This year, I felt like everyone was applying to the same ads. Some positions received hundreds of applications in just a few days. I finally accepted a part-time contract, less well-paid than in previous years, simply to cover my expenses in September."

Competition that forces students to adapt

According to the France Travail Workforce Needs Survey, nearly a third of planned recruitments in 2026 will be for seasonal jobs. Waiter/waitress, multi-skilled restaurant worker, activity leader, and maintenance worker are among the most sought-after positions. However, these jobs now attract a wide range of candidates: students, employees retraining for new careers, self-employed individuals looking for supplemental income, and job seekers.

Faced with this increased competition, many students are broadening their job search, accepting greater mobility, or turning to temporary assignments through temp agencies. Others are simply giving up on finding a summer job altogether. For many, these difficulties raise questions about young people's ability to finance their studies in a context where the cost of living continues to rise. More than just a supplementary income, seasonal work has become an essential element of many students' financial stability.