Does anyone know if it is possible to do some English writing in Switzerland? Magazines, newspapers, anything that I could do with a degree-in-progress and limited French? Okay, it doesn't matter if it's writing-oriented or not, I just need to make money. Think I could work at Starbucks? Aren't the drink names all the same anyway?

Any ideas or suggestions are more than welcome.

Yes, there is a shortage of people with English writing skills.

Preferably you should have some editing/publishing experience.

I am an editor of the customer magazine of a major company. As it is distributed internationally it is written in English. We have hige difficulties finding suitable people to fill our vacancies.

Right now we don't have any vacancies, but stay tuned. I am sure that other companies must be in a similar situation. So why don't you try to identify such publications (check the website's of all the CH-based multinationals) and then contact the responsible staff?

You could also try working freelance as there are many companies who may have one-off English publications that need ghostwriting or copy-editing but not enough to actually justify employing a regular.

Your first step is probably to find out your eligibility to work in Switzerland. You mention in your earlier threads that you are not married to your Swiss partner and, as you aren't EU, this might be a hurdle you have to cross before you can put down roots.

It's probably worth a call to the commune/parish to where you intend to move. Tell them your situation and ask what they can suggest. With the high volume of us English speaking johnny foreigners in Switzerland you can bet they have someone speaking English working there.

Thanks! This is such useful information. By profession I am an English editor, and have been looking for work in my line for the last year, but in vain. Moved here for love and it's not the best idea for my career. But, reading your post gives me some hope :-D
Will follow your advice.

Wow, this is news to me.

In Neuchatel, we don't have many English publications. I used to work as a subeditor for an international publishing house and as such, upon my arrival here, I tried looking for some writing jobs but alas, no luck there. =.=

Hm, maybe I ought to hit the books and check out publishers who do run that once-in-blue-moon English edition for any freelance subbing or writing. Thanks!

I am also keen on an English writing job in Zurich.... I have experience working for a magazine. Let it be known that I am available and more than happy to submit my CV.

While on the subject of CVs. What is a CV? How is it different from an American resume? Are they easy to draw up?

Also, for an english-speaking/writing job, like the one that amogles described, what qualifies as experience? Obviously a degree helps but, what is the approximate minimum time at a job to qualify for enough experience to get you to the second round of interviews and closer to a potential job? I've had about a year of experience in communications at a boarding school working as an assistant and writing up articles and press releases as well as editing my and my colleagues' works. Since some of you work in my area of interest, it would be extremely helpful if you could tell me, more or less, where my experience thus far gets me in a candidate search.

I think the good thing about being a writer is that you can do it from anywhere and work for anyone in the world. Why limit yourself to Switzerland? You can work for a magazine in the US or UK or for a website online.

it's what i do! the internet is a wonderful tool.

Do tell more! How can I get my hands on a job like this?

Have a look at this Google search as a first step.

http://www.google.com/search?name=f&...+cv+%26+resume

A couple of quick differences:

On a Swiss CV, you will put your nationality, your permit status (to work in Switzerland) your date of birth, marital status, number of children and normally a photo. This information would not put put on an American Resumé.

While most American Resumés are one page, you can normally go to two pages in Switzerland without people getting too upset.

Keep in mind that American paper is 8.5 x 11 inches and Swiss paper is A4 standard (a bit longer and not as wide). So, try not to send your CV from the USA as a Word document but rather as a PDF, which will print out without any problems. You can get a free PDF printer off the net.

Hope this helps.

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