1 - What is the best way to apply for a job at Total ?
The most effective way to apply is via our website. Your application will be automatically included in our database and hence will instantly become available to all Total recruitment officers. It will receive considerably more exposure than snail-mailed applications, which can only be circulated to a limited number of recruiters. Our website, in other words, is where all Total Group recruitment officers can access all available applications. That is its key advantage.
If you are applying for a specific vacancy, your CV will also be forwarded directly to the recruitment officer in charge of filling the position.
2 - How long does it take to fill out the application form ?
About 15 minutes.
Once you've submitted your resume you can edit it using your login codes. The only part that changes with each vacancy is the "reasons for applying" section.
3 - Is it possible to edit my application form?
Yes. The application account allows you to directly edit and/or withdraw your application(s). You can track the status of your application(s) in real time, and you can follow up on any previous applications using Application History.
4 - Can I apply for more than one vacancy at one time ?
You can apply for up to three vacancies at a time.
If your application is not selected for a position it will be archived, and you will then be able to apply for a new vacancy.
5 - I have just posted my CV on your site. How can I be sure you have registered it ?
Once you finish filling out and submitting the form, a confirmation message should appear on your screen telling you we have received your application.
You should also receive an e-mail from the Group. Please read it carefully.
If you do not receive both these messages, please write to our webmaster using the "Contact" link.
6 - How long does it take to get feedback on my application ?
We are currently receiving a large number of applications, and are therefore unable to reply to each candidate individually.
If you are applying for a specific vacancy, you can expect a reply within three to four weeks if your profile matches our requirements. If you do not hear from us within that period, it is fairly safe to assume we have not short-listed your application for that vacancy. We will, however, keep your CV in our database.
If you send an unsolicited application, a Total recruitment officer might contact you at any point during the entire period your CV is stored in our database.
If you have started a recruitment process, you should get a reply at most two weeks after your last interview. If you do not hear from us within that period, please let us know via the 'Contact' page.
7 Is it necessary to have an email address in order to apply to Total ?
Yes it is. Initial contact with candidates is usually made by email. Therefore, it is important that you give us an email that you consult frequently.
If you don't have an email address, may sites ( such as Hotmail, Yahoo) offer free access to this type of service.
8 - How can I be sure somebody will read my CV ?
When you apply for a given vacancy, your CV will be automatically forwarded to the recruitment officer in charge of filling the position, who will naturally examine it carefully.
If you send an unsolicited application, your CV will be included in your database, which recruitment officers scan for suitable profiles on a regular basis. However, your CV may not match any of the vacancies open at a given point in time. So preferably apply for a specific vacancy if at all possible.
9 - I have already applied on the website. There is a new vacancy that interests me. Should I apply specifically for that position?
Yes, provided you don't have more than three active applications.
10 - How long does the recruitment process take ?
About six weeks once it gets underway. But it can vary according to the type of job, the employer (headquarters, subsidiaries, etc.) and the candidate (who may be working abroad, finishing his or her studies, etc.).
11 - There is no way of uploading my original CV into your form. Are you not missing out on interesting information about candidates’ personalities ?
We have security and efficiency-related reasons not to offer candidates the possibility of attaching CVs. You can only copy and paste content from your CV into the form. The form, however, is comprehensive enough to allow recruitment officers to shortlist candidates. They will ask you for your CV at your first interview.
12 - How long do you keep CVs in your database ?
We keep applications for IVS, internship and sandwich-training jobs for six months.
In all other cases, we keep applications for one year.
When your CV is removed from our database, we will send you an e-mail to let you know.
13 - I am having technical problems submitting my application. What can I do ?
This system is designed for Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator (version 4 or newer in both cases), in Windows, Macintosh and Unix-Linux environments.
You need to use one of these versions to submit your application.
If a recurring problem occurs while you are using one of the above browsers, however, please write to our webmaster using the "Contact" link.
14 - The site is in French and English, but some offers are in other languages. What language should I use to submit my application ?
The simplest answer to this question is to use the language employed to post the vacancy.
15 - Is the recruitment process the same in all subsidiaries ?
No. The process described on this site is used in the Group’s headquarters in France. Other countries and subsidiaries may have different processes.
16 - Is recruitment at Total centralised ?
The Recruitment Department at Headquarters recruits staff for the Group’s French Petroleum Branch.
The Chemistry branch (Atofina, Hutchinson, Mapa Spontex, etc.) recruits staff independently.
Total subsidiaries outside France recruit independently.
Most of these subsidiaries, however, have access to the Careers website and can therefore post their vacancies and gather applications through it.
Unless otherwise stated, recruitment processes take place in the country where the position is based (with the exception of IVS-type contracts).
17 - What profiles do you typically look for ?
One of the Total Group’s main features is its diversity. It employs staff in over 150 different professions, so people from a huge variety of professional backgrounds can find diverse and exciting careers with us. You will find more about this in the 'Our Professions' section.
18 - What are your starting salaries ?
Starting salaries at Total are in line with the market (or, more specifically, similar to starting salaries in comparable large and international companies).
So your salary will depend on your profile (i.e. training, etc.), experience (long internships, work experience abroad, etc.) and your specific skills.
For more information on the Group HR policy, we invite you to consult the HR section of our 2004 Corporate Social Responsibility report | 
