Hello all,

First of all I'd like to apologize if this is the wrong area to post this. I'm simply seeking the advice of those who know the system (and I don't want to anger the people in the employment forum)

For a long while now I have been wanting to live in Switzerland, and have tried to read everything online I can find. I grew up in the US, I have Swiss citizenship and have been living in Japan for 10+ years. My native language is English, and I am fluent in Japanese (reading/writing/speaking.) My German/Swiss-German, however, needs work. My speaking is quite rusty though I can understand a good 60%-ish of people's conversations and the news on TV. I feel that six months to a year would get my level up quite well.

I went to school for design and illustration, and I have IT experience (nothing major, and certainly not development.) I'm not looking for a CEO position, in fact I'd be willing to work at a Migros stocking shelves if they'd take me (and I made enough money to live.)

I'm just wondering what my chances would be. Can anyone hazard a guess?

With swiss citizenship and the will to start at the bottom, I can't see a problem at all...

you quite often see people in stores or kitchens who haven't got very good german and still getting along alright.

That's good to know I have no confidence in cooking, but I am willing to start at something simple. I see it as a way of getting into the country and getting my Swiss-German back up to speed.

I wonder if I could put my Japanese to use, perhaps in the tourism industry. I know they frequent the mountains a lot

I'm sure you could. You should check if there is a Swiss chamber of commerce in Japan. The members will of course be Swiss companies doing business in Japan. You may find one of those would be interested in your profile, even if you have to work on your German/French, etc.

And of course, tourism would be a good option too.

Good luck!

If you are a Swiss citizen then I believe there is a scheme where the government will in fact help you find your place in the swiss community - i.e assist you with finding a job and learning the language before and once you are in the country. I would contact you're local embassy / consulate to enquire about it.

Indeed, the Soialhilfe fuer Auslandschweizer, SAS. Your local Swiss embassy will tell you the details.

They might even pay your flight ticket to come here!
http://www.bj.admin.ch/content/bj/de...wanderung.html

Wow, thank you everyone for the information. I guess there IS hope then

Welcome back then!!

Your language skills and work experience could land you a perfectly comfortable position (mine did!). Even if you didn't find that immediately, stocking shelves at Migros would more than keep you alive.

I'd consider regularly checking a few good job search sites using japanisch and/or englisch/english as keywords.

I'd like to thank everyone again for the advice. I'm sorry I never posted any more responses, although I have been reading a lot of other threads in the Employment forum. The "No German, no job" thread was quite scary, I must admit.

Unfortunately since I have barely two Francs to rub together, it will be a while before I can make it to Switzerland Still, I'm doing my research, reading about the RAV, etc. Unfortunately the Swiss Embassy in Tokyo wasn't very helpful.

I have a few questions ...
1.) If I were to land in Switzerland with no money, no place to stay, etc. what they do? Tell me to sleep in the park? I've read that they try to find relatives to support you first.

2.) I believe I'm registered in Zurich. Since I'm not planning on doing #1, how much money should I plan on bringing? 5000CHF looks like it wouldn't last very long at all.

3.) Are there age restrictions for jobs in Switzerland? The US is usually okay about this, but Japan is very straight forward: "we want someone under 30" for example. I'll be 40 in a few years, which I think wouldn't be all that attractive to a potential employer.

Thanks again for everyone's help. Sorry to ask so many questions.