About Tell Me Panda

At Tell Me Panda, we are dedicated to helping students and professionals achieve their educational and career goals abroad 🌍

Our journey began in 2014 when I, an international student from Moscow, enrolled at ESCP Business School in Paris. This transformative experience not only provided me with a master's degree and a prestigious education in high demand on the international market but also broadened my horizons and deepened my understanding of diverse cultures. However, like many international students, I faced several challenges: securing scholarships, finding internships, learning a new language, adapting to a new culture, navigating work permits and visa issues (spoiler: my visa expired, I had to leave France, but I managed to return with a working visa.)

I felt isolated in my struggles, believing I was the only one facing these obstacles. I realized that there was a lack of experience sharing between international students and alumni. So, I founded Tell Me Panda in 2017, which started as a personal blog on Instagram and then evolved into a website sharing student stories and experiences. In 2019, we launched our first online programs.

Today, we have accompanied more than 700 students in achieving their dreams of studying and working abroad.

Our mission is to bridge cultures through education abroad, helping individuals become global citizens and building a smart, international community.

Let the Panda guide you 🐼

About Elina,
Tell Me Panda Founder

🚀 Career

10+ years in digital marketing, with experience in FMCG, publishing, e-commerce, LegalTech and EdTech
Completed internships at Amazon as an Analyst & Digital Marketer
Participated as a volunteer in organizing TEDxIHEParis – an English-speaking conference
Obtained a 4-year Passeport Talent - Salarié Qualifié work visa
Became Head of Growth & Marketing at 26 in a French EdTech startup, conducted 100+ interviews as a Hiring Manager and built a marketing team
Left a stable, well-paid job to become an entrepreneur and founded the EdTech startup Tell Me Panda, passing selection for the Catalyseur Incubator and Blue Factory at ESCP Business School
Personally accompanied more than 200 clients helping with career and educational goals
Author of online programs in Russian and English: "Tell Me France I Career", "Tell Me France I Integration", "Tell Me Panda I LinkedIn", "Webinar Job in France"
Co-author of online programs and webinars: "Tell Me France I Education", "Tell Me France I IT", "Tell Me France I International Relations", "Tell Me France I Law", "Webinar: Write a Winning French CV: How to Land Interviews", "Webinar: How to Land Your Dream Job in France as an International"

🎓 Education

ESCP Business School (#3 business school in France) - Master in Management
Higher School of Economics (top business school in Russia) - Bachelor in Management & Master in Marketing

Our Team and Experts

Yevgeniya

HR professional I Career Consulting

Book services

Elina

Consultant I Career & Admission Consulting

Book services

Olga

Psychologist I Career & Admission Consulting

Book services

Irina

French Teacher & Translator

Book lessons

Interviews with Elina

Podcast Workshop

"Before being unique, be clear": job searching in France and LinkedIn secrets"

December 18, 2023

Listen

Podcast What's Next?

"Job Hunting in Emigration: Career Plans, Rejections, and the Russian Passport"

November 9, 2022

Listen

Podcast Ne Rabota

"Elina Sarazetdinova discusses the journey of turning a hobby into a thriving career, the importance of self-belief, and the pursuit of new ventures"

June 23, 2021

Listen

YouTube Art of Career

"How to Apply, Relocate, and Build a Career in France?"

January 29, 2020

Watch

YouTube Careerum

"Top Business School in France, Working at Amazon, and Startups — It's Possible!"

March 5, 2019

Watch

Higher School of Economics Alumni

"Lecture by Higher School of Economics alumna and author of the Tell Me Panda project, Elina Sarazetdinova, 'To Paris for a Dream: Studying in an International Environment and Career Opportunities"

April 24, 2018

Read

Graduate School of Business

"Meeting with Alumni of FBM and ESCP Europe (Paris) with Elina Sarazetdinova and Alexander Biryukov"

November 2, 2017

Read

Not a good one 🙈
So learn French and grab a free checklist “French CV Mistake checklist: 9 things to fix before you apply”
To get it comment “checklist” and we’ll send you a link 👇

Thanks everyone for participation 🚀
According to the survey we conducted at Tell Me Panda, 75% of international students and graduates receive few or no interview invitations for their internship or job applications

To help your overcome this challenge have prepared a free checklist “French CV Mistake checklist: 9 things to fix before you apply”
To get it comment “checklist” and we’ll send you a link 👇

I promise🙌🚀 share this with a friend who needs to hear that!

Gift 🎁
To help your overcome this challenge have prepared a free checklist “French CV Mistake checklist: 9 things to fix before you apply”
To get it comment “checklist” and we’ll send you a link 👇

It was quite an emotional rollercoaster, but I managed to come back - check the highlight “visa 💔” to see exactly how I got a working visa 🇫🇷

I know thousands of international students can relate to my story and have experienced the same emotions - stress, fear, frustration… 🥹I want to support all of you who are currently going through a tough time.
You are not alone💗
According to the survey we conducted at Tell Me Panda, 75% of international students and graduates receive few or no interview invitations for their internship or job applications

To help your overcome this challenge have prepared a free checklist “French CV Mistake checklist: 9 things to fix before you apply”
To get it comment “checklist” and we’ll send you a link 👇

1. Using the wrong format:
Such as a 3–4-page CV, too much creative design, bright colors, mixed fonts, or too many icons - may make your CV look unprofessional❌

2. Listing all experiences from different fields and roles: May make your CV too long and unfocused. French recruiters could struggle to understand the position you are targeting❌

3. Including unnecessary personal details:
like nationality, date of birth, gender, or marital status is not required - may lead to discrimination and do not add professional value to your CV❌

6 other mistakes you definitely want to avoid you will find in our free checklist:
“French CV Mistake Checklist: 9 Things to Fix Before You Apply”

Comment “checklist” below and we’ll send you the link👇

According to the survey we conducted at Tell Me Panda, 75% of international students and graduates receive few or no interview invitations for their internship or job applications👇

Why? Of course, there are many reasons why you might not be getting interview invitations, but the most common one is: not tailoring your CV to the standards of the French job market 🇫🇷
That’s why to help your overcome this challenge have prepared a free checklist “French CV Mistake checklist: 9 things to fix before you apply”
To get it comment “checklist” and we’ll send you a link 👇

Here’s the breakdown by the 15 job functions – find yours in this carousel🚀
🚀 The future is definitely about adapting to AI, and AI literacy is an important new skill. However, as LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky said:

« ...don’t forget the human element.

No matter how advanced our technologies become, the need for human empathy, ethical judgment, and leadership cannot be replaced by AI...

Think about how you can use AI not just to advance your own career, but to make a positive impact on the world.

You have the chance to apply these incredible tools to solve pressing global challenges, from climate change to healthcare » 🌍

Are you developing your AI literacy?
Let’s discuss in the comments👇

1. Improve your French skills. I mean it - 90% of internationals don’t even get an interview because of their lack of French skills. Even for English speaking roles.
2. Make each application count. Stop sending 1,000+ applications. Think about what you really want and create a job search strategy. Quality over quantity.
3. Work on your CV and cover letter - they should “sell” you and be tailored to the French job market, so recruiters can easily “understand” who you are and wat value you bring.
4. Develop your network; it’s key! If you don’t you miss opportunities.
5. Join our webinar, “How to Find a Job in France 🇫🇷”, co-created with an experienced French HR professional.
We’ve shared everything you need to know to land a job in France 🌍 and build your bright future in the country you love. We know how you feel now, because have experienced the same, but managed to make it and now happy to accompany you on this journey🇫🇷

Want a free preview? Just comment “free” to receive the link! 👇

Can you relate?🥹😓

Here are 5 things to do as an international candidate in the French job market 👇

1. Improve your French skills. I mean it - 90% of internationals don’t even get an interview because of their lack of French skills. Even for English speaking roles.
2. Make each application count. Stop sending 1,000+ applications. Think about what you really want and create a job search strategy. Quality over quantity.
3. Work on your CV and cover letter - they should “sell” you and be tailored to the French job market, so recruiters can easily “understand” who you are and wat value you bring.
4. Develop your network; it’s key! If you don’t you miss opportunities.
5. Join our webinar, “How to Find a Job in France 🇫🇷”, co-created with an experienced French HR professional.
We’ve shared everything you need to know to land a job in France 🌍 and build your bright future in the country you love. We know how you feel now, because have experienced the same, but managed to make it and now happy to accompany you on this journey🇫🇷

Want a free preview? Just comment “free” to receive the link! 👇

I mean it🤌it will solve 50% of the problems you’re facing 🙌

However, that’s just the minimum.

You also need the right job search strategy, a CV and cover letter adapted to the French job market, and a strong professional network 🇫🇷

We explained exactly how to do this during our webinar “How to Find a Job in France 🇫🇷 “

You can get a free preview - just comment “free” to receive the link! 👇

Many people believe that marriage is the easiest (or even the only) way to obtain French citizenship. It’s sad that such misconceptions keep spreading.

Of course, if you’re married, you can apply for citizenship through marriage. But ladies, you don’t need a French husband to become French🇫🇷

You can obtain citizenship without marriage if you are professionally integrated into France. That’s the path I took: 👇

✅ Lived in France for five years (or two years if you studied here) – I completed a Master in Management at ESCP Business School
✅ Speak French – In 2019-2020, they didn’t require a test since I studied here, but I was fluent and demonstrated it during my interview
✅ Work and pay taxes – I had a CDI (permanent contract) and had filed three tax returns
✅ Share French values and culture – I added proof of participation in several associations to my application, and I explained the rest during my interview

Obtaining citizenship itself isn’t that difficult, but the journey to get there wasn’t easy.
I struggled to find a job as many of you, faced visa issues (my visa expired, and I had to leave France), had my trial period terminated, and even experienced burnout at my dream job - but in the end, I made it🥳

So, bon courage🫶🇫🇷 to everyone still on this journey!

If you need a help with finding a job in jour our webinar, “How to Find a Job in France 🇫🇷”, co-created with an experienced French HR professional.

We’ve shared everything you need to know to land a job in France 🌍 and build your bright future in the country you love. We know how you feel now, because have experienced the same, but managed to make it and now happy to accompany you on this journey🇫🇷

Want a free preview? Just comment “free” to receive the link! 👇

We are here to bridge this gap. Here are 5 things to do as an international candidate in the French job market 👇

1. Improve your French skills. I mean it - 90% of internationals don’t even get an interview because of their lack of French skills. Even for English speaking roles.
2. Make each application count. Stop sending 1,000+ applications. Think about what you really want and create a job search strategy. Quality over quantity.
3. Work on your CV and cover letter - they should “sell” you and be tailored to the French job market, so recruiters can easily “understand” who you are and wat value you bring.
4. Develop your network; it’s key! If you don’t you miss opportunities.
5. Join our webinar, “How to Find a Job in France 🇫🇷”, co-created with an experienced French HR professional.
We’ve shared everything you need to know to land a job in France 🌍 and build your bright future in the country you love. We know how you feel now, because have experienced the same, but managed to make it and now happy to accompany you on this journey🇫🇷

Want a free preview? Just comment “free” to receive the link! 👇

1. Learn French. I mean it - 90% of internationals don’t even get an interview because of their lack of French skills.
2. Stop sending 1,000+ applications. Think about what you really want and create a job search strategy.
3. Work hard on your CV and cover letter - they should “sell” you and be tailored to the French job market.
4. Develop your network; it’s key! 🇫🇷
5. Join our webinar, “How to Find a Job in France 🇫🇷”, co-created with an experienced French HR professional.
We’ve shared everything you need to know to land a job in France.

Want a free preview? Just comment “free” to receive the link! 👇

Today is International Women’s Rights Day, and in many countries, there are demonstrations to support feminism. In the country I’m from, it’s simply Women’s Day, and we celebrate by congratulating women - moms, grandmothers, friends, teachers, and colleagues - by giving flowers and small gifts and praising how amazing we are 💐

As someone with two homes and two cultures within me, I believe both are equally important 🙌

I know that I am followed by fantastic women from all different parts of the world, and the situation with women’s rights can often be very difficult and heartbreaking 💔 (I read your stories in private messages)

I wish every woman could live a free, fulfilled, and happy life ❤️

Education is often the key to a better life, and it’s one of the most important values at Tell Me Panda 🐼. We are honored to accompany ambitious, intelligent, strong women of different age from all around the globe toward their freedom and dream lives 🌍 We know your fears, your doubts, and your struggles, but each of you is amazing, and sometimes you don’t even realize your potential🙌

I want to remind each of you, ladies, to remember your incredible inner power🥰

You don’t have to settle for less.
You don’t need to prove you can (of course you can, the question is do you want)
You don’t need to compromise your values.

If you’re going through a hard time and don’t feel powerful, that’s okay - it won’t last forever.

If you need a support, simple leave a comment, mention where are you from and how do your feel, and I will respond to each of you❤️

International Women’s Day 💕💗

French it will solve 50% of the problems you’re facing 🙌 Especially if you want to work here 🇫🇷

However, that’s just the minimum.

You also need the right job search strategy, a CV and cover letter adapted to the French job market, and a strong professional network 🇫🇷

We explained exactly how to do this during our webinar “How to Find a Job in France 🇫🇷 “

You can get a free preview - just comment “free” to receive the link! 👇

Share this message with anyone who needs to hear it now❤️

—
@elina.sarazetdinova - studying and building a career abroad, Paris, and chasing dreams ✨ follow for getting useful tips, support, and motivation 🌍

You also need to speak French, have the right job search strategy, a CV and cover letter adapted to the French job market, and a strong professional network 🇫🇷

We explained exactly how to do this during our webinar “How to Find a Job in France 🇫🇷 “

You can get a free preview - just comment “free” to receive the link! 👇

If your goal is to land an internship or job in France in 2025, our new webinar “Write a Winning French CV: How to Land Interviews 🇫🇷 “ is what you need

Watch a FREE preview to discover:
- ��3 powerful steps to take before crafting a French CV (which most candidates skip)
- ��The 2 main reasons why you’re not landing interviews (and how to fix them)
- ��What to do if you’re the perfect candidate but still not getting noticed by recruiters and how to handle situations where you don’t match French recruiters’ expectations
Comment ´CV’ to get a link 👇🇫🇷

No, I didn’t marry a Frenchman ❤️

I arrived in France in September 2014.
I submitted my documents in April 2019.
I had my interview in October 2019.
I saw my name in the official decree in December 2020 - one day before the Christmas Eve 🎅🎄

So, the whole process took six years 🇫🇷 (It could have been faster - many factors influence the timeline. I also applied during the COVID period, so my wait was longer than usual)

Many people believe that marriage is the easiest (or even the only) way to obtain French citizenship. It’s sad that such misconceptions keep spreading. Of course, if you’re married, you can apply for citizenship through marriage. But ladies, you don’t need a French husband to become French🇫🇷

You can obtain citizenship without marriage if you are professionally integrated into France. That’s the path I took: 👇

✅ Lived in France for five years (or two years if you studied here) – I completed a Master in Management at ESCP Business School
✅ Speak French – In 2019-2020, they didn’t require a test since I studied here, but I was fluent and demonstrated it during my interview
✅ Work and pay taxes – I had a CDI (permanent contract) and had filed three tax returns
✅ Share French values and culture – I added proof of participation in several associations to my application, and I explained the rest during my interview

Obtaining citizenship itself isn’t that difficult, but the journey to get there wasn’t easy.
I struggled to find a job as many of you, faced visa issues (my visa expired, and I had to leave France), had my trial period terminated, and even experienced burnout at my dream job - but in the end, I made it🥳

So, bon courage🫶🇫🇷 to everyone still on this journey! I’ll answer your questions in the comments 👇

I am openly sharing my story to support those who struggle now …💪 check the highlight « visa 💔” to know the whole story

[study abroad, study in France, education, career in France, career abroad, business school, Paris]

To know what happened after check the highlight « I lost my visa » @elina.sarazetdinova

Ps: yes, ESCP business school is the world’s first business school, as it’s the oldest, established in 1819❤️
In terms of ranking it’s in top 3 in France, top 5 in Europe, and also:
👉 #1 worldwide (Master in finance)
👉 #2 worldwide (Executive MBA)
👉 # 6 worldwide (MIM)

I am sharing my whole journey in France, check the highlight « my story » @elina.sarazetdinova ❤️🇫🇷 it was an emotional roller coaster 🎢
-
I’m Elina, founder of Tell Me Panda🐼, an educational and career abroad consulting startup in Paris - we help you get into top universities and secure jobs abroad 🌍
Follow @elina.sarazetdinova for useful tips, motivation and support and Parisian lifestyle🫶

Love this 💗
Follow @elina.sarazetdinova for more about life in Paris and useful tips about studies and career abroad 🌎

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@elina.sarazetdinova

About Tell Me Panda

About Elina, Tell Me Panda Founder

Our Team and Experts

Yevgeniya

Elina

Olga

Irina

Interviews with Elina

Podcast Workshop

"Before being unique, be clear": job searching in France and LinkedIn secrets"

Podcast What's Next?

"Job Hunting in Emigration: Career Plans, Rejections, and the Russian Passport"

Podcast Ne Rabota

"Elina Sarazetdinova discusses the journey of turning a hobby into a thriving career, the importance of self-belief, and the pursuit of new ventures"

YouTube Art of Career

"How to Apply, Relocate, and Build a Career in France?"

YouTube Careerum

"Top Business School in France, Working at Amazon, and Startups — It's Possible!"

Higher School of Economics Alumni

"Lecture by Higher School of Economics alumna and author of the Tell Me Panda project, Elina Sarazetdinova, 'To Paris for a Dream: Studying in an International Environment and Career Opportunities"

Graduate School of Business

"Meeting with Alumni of FBM and ESCP Europe (Paris) with Elina Sarazetdinova and Alexander Biryukov"

​

Follow us on Instagram

About Elina,
Tell Me Panda Founder