While the Roland-Garros tournament is in full swing, others were gambling their future on the courts... in Trappes (Yvelines). It was indeed special tennis matches that were played this week in this popular city. The gymnasium of the Jacques-Monquaut sports complex hosted the second edition of "Jeu, set et job".
On one side of the small tennis courts, on the other a series of tables ready to host job interviews. Candidates and recruiters start by sending each other a few balls. They have 7 minutes to get to know each other on both sides of the net. After that, the teams change. "We just impose a minute of presentation on them before leaving," explains the organizer of the event, Antoine Baudry.
Combining tennis and recruitment to promote employment in priority neighbourhoods is one of the challenges of the association Fête le mur, created by Yannick Noah in 1996. A project co-built with three partners, IFEP, the local mission and Pôle emploi, who are the link with the ten candidates of Trappes and surroundings, who are between 18 and 25 years old.
"A demystification of the job interview"
During the game, everyone can catch their breath around a quick snack... and prepare for interviews. Eight companies or associations, such as O2 Care Service, made the trip. There is something for everyone: security, construction, army, personal services, ... and for all profiles: training, work-study program, permanent or fixed-term contract.
"It's a demystification of the job interview," says Antoine. There is not the usual pressure where you arrive and sit directly at a table in front of the recruiters. For the association Fête le mur, there is no doubt: sport makes it easier to break the ice.
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"It reduces the stress of some," adds a 19-year-old candidate. He is looking for a position or training in the field of security. During his first interview, he who does not have the college certificate, is advised a training Pôle emploi. However, he was able to exchange contact information.
An interest to demonstrate for candidates
Like nine other young people, he not only benefited from this "Game, set and job" day but from three weeks of support towards employment. Eloquence workshops, stress management, CV writing... Everything goes there to make these young people maintenance professionals. "They feel valued," says Lina, a recruiter for the Adie association, which encourages the creation of businesses by all.
Still, Sephora, 20, has a moderate opinion about her experience. "The interest is average, it's still outings so it's good, she nuances. But, I already had my CV de facto for example. More broadly, "some do not perceive the interest of tennis in the process," says the organizer. A difficulty to convince illustrated by the number of participants. A dozen while about 4,000 people were invited, according to the organizer. "It sounds surprising but it's hard to mobilize just ten young people," Antoine laments.
Despite reluctance, the possibility of meeting hirers, especially in a relaxed setting, remains an opportunity. For example, Youssouf is delighted that "everyone can get to know each other better". He, who had never played tennis, is looking for a training, whatever it is. "I have no choice," he says. Hopefully, the experience will be as useful to him as the average 20% of young people hired in previous sessions.
This type of operation combining sport and integration is multiplying in Ile-de-France, sometimes successfully. In Poissy, the municipality took advantage of the passage of the "Lucarne d'Evry" to invite companies, the local mission and Pôle emploi. A successful bet since a dozen cities in Yvelines will host the event this summer, doubling it with operations on integration and employment.
