It goes from nine to 18 members. In summer, the Carrefour City team in Juan-les-Pins doubles, mirroring the number of visitors to the seaside resort. At the helm of the franchise: Grégory. For these four months of intense activity, he seeks, from the spring, motivated and reliable seasonal workers.
“I favor interpersonal skills over know-how. I have no problem giving a chance to a young person who has not yet worked, if I feel he is capable of doing the job”he assures.
Still enjoy your summer
Mid-July, he is still looking for a few rare pearls for the month of August. He is spoiled for choice because his desk is littered with resumes. However, Grégory does not run the easiest business to sell to seasonal workers. But that’s his business.
“We hear a lot that young people don’t want to work. It’s not true. They just want to work differently. Here they have a 35-hour contract in due form, with a 20-minute break to eat but without a break. That way, they can still enjoy their summer”, explains Gregory. While working in an air-conditioned place, close to the beach.
“If I do not ensure my figure in the summer, I close”
The boss talks regarding “generational shift” and profiles who are looking for a balance between their professional life and their personal life. “Some work all year to pay for their studies. It’s understandable that they want to be able to breathe a little in the summer”he adds.
To attract candidates, the merchant relies on word of mouth, promotes a good atmosphere and a united but hardworking team. “If I don’t ensure my turnover during the high season, all I have to do is close up shop. These recruitments are therefore very important to me and I expect a lot from the people I select. It can only increase their skills”continues Gregory.
In the end, he hopes that the seasonal workers who have enjoyed the experience, trained, will return the following summer. One of them, Jordan, even exceeded his expectations. The 18-year-old is aiming for a position as assistant to the store manager.
“I never thought I would work here”
Even if he is passionate regarding his job, Grégory recognizes it, we often arrive by chance in mass distribution. At the age of 35, he already has 20 years in the business as a greengrocer, employee and then manager of a supermarket.
Beside him, 18-year-old Jordan nods. He started working for Carrefour City in Juan-les-Pins last summer. His mother works for the bakery and dairy departments, so he left his CV.
Carrefour rather than BUT
In September, he left for Lyon to start a mechanical and production engineering GOAL. But he does not like it and, following a few months, he is looking for a job. Good news: Grégory knows the boss of a Carrefour City in the Lyon area.
He makes Jordan work until the latter returns to Juan-les-Pins. And talks regarding his desire to become assistant store manager.
A “despised” profession
“Outside, it’s quite disparaging to say that we work for Carrefour. But I like it. I can easily do what I’m asked to do, it gives me responsibilities… even if I never really thought I wanted to work here, it’s a job that I like”, he confirms.
What put balm in the heart of Grégory. “This position can be a lever for him. The training offered by Carrefour is a diploma, he is a young man who has his head on his shoulders… you don’t realize it from the outside, but it’s a useful job. We take care of products, we manage people… we can accomplish ourselves there”he maintains.
On the other hand, do not be afraid to get up early. Because deliveries arrive before 7am.
