Hi ,

I am a spanish citizen, 33 year old and have been offered a job as a senior product manager in a multinational, in the industry sector. The job entails working at an international level with quite a bit of traveling.
Office location is half an hour away from Bern.
After finding some information on the Internet, I thought of asking for a
100K CHF per annum salary.
Do you think this is too much, too little for this type of position?

Thank you very much for any help you can give me !


Anna

IMO you would want more or you would want commission.

Hello Anna,

What sort of industry are we talking about? What is the size of the company? Would you have people reporting to you? What is your background? For a Sr position, I would say from the top of my mind that 100k would be too low... On a first glance, i would consider to ask between 120-160k, plus a 10% - 20% comission. But, of course, that depends on all the above. Also, if you are travelling, ask your employer about overtime. Don't be shy when you ask, and don't take your Spanish salary as a comparison. Swiss salaries can easily triple the Spanish ones for a similar positions...

Hope this helps,

Lucy

Please could someone give me advise when it comes to salary neotiations in Switzerland?

I completed an IT degree last year and have worked in the UK since then. I would now like to move and have applied to some companies in Zurich. I've had two responses and think I may get interviews.

I guess the first question is, do companies negotiate or offer a rate they want to pay and that's that? I'm assuming that there will be some negotiation so will I put potential employers off asking for a higher rate hoping that they'll offer just below it?

Also, something that's confused me is that I've been told some companies pay 13 months salary each year, you get 2 pay packets 1 month each year. Is this common? When given the yearly rate for a job does it include the extra pay packet?

Thanks for any advise you can give.

Negotiation is always down to the skill of the negotiator. Coming straight from University your bargaining chips are rather low and the evidence of ability ie references is not going to be to Swiss standards. I would therefore suggest take what they offer and be happy. As a beginner but qualified expect to earn SFr. 75-90K.
13 months is only a way of dividing the earning. It is becoming less common but around 50% of companies still have it. IT was paid to the "workers" as they were not deemed able to save for Christmas and their summer holidays hence it is either 14 months or the 13 month is split over a payment in June and another in November or it is all in November but with a bonus system paying out in March with no guarantee. It is also tax inefficient but that is another story...

Hi everyone,
I am brand new in this forum. I am Indonesian, married with German, and have been already living in Europe (Germany and Sweden) for almost 12 years. I am going to work in Switzerland next year due to relocation the company where I work. Since I have no idea, what should I expect to live in Switzerland except the living cost will be more higher than Germany, it would be great if the forum could help me to get a picture about living and working there.

Now I am in the process of salary negotiation. Does anyone know, how high should i expect compare with German salary?
I am a Biotechnologist so i will work as an Engineer. Does anyone know which website i can have a look to get a hint how much normally they pay for my experiences in Switzerland.

Another questions, how about all the obligate insurances, such as pension, unemployment, health insurance. How high are they, I mean percentage.

Sorry for the boring questions, but for newcomers, those are really important to know before i sign the contract.

Many thanks for you help in advance.

Best regards from Sweden.

Add 50% & make sure you receive a 13 monat loan, I know some companies (sadly not mine, that are offering 14 monat salaries).

If you are supporting big ticket sales, I would also ask for a performance related bonus.

Viel gluck

P

I am relocating to Zurich. And already got an apartment for 1800. Now is 78 650 or 6655 enough? Or am I pushing it?! Im a bit worried when I see the prices and conversations taking place.
It will be me an my wife. Which, possibly will get a job.
Another question is, where can you save money e.i.( farmers markets instead of a chain store, going out, car or bike, etc)
Please let me know,
Thanks

What industry are you in?
How much experience do you have?
Is that gross or net?
Have you got any perks (company paying health insurance for example)?

The only thing we know is that it's 78K pa.

In order for us to give you proper answer you are going to have to supply us with a little but more detailed information.

You are right, I was very vage! Sorry about that.
Ok, so I will have a gross income of 78650 CHF, I will be working in the financial industry, sort of middle managment.
I get insurance covered for me and my wife.
And get a 4000 USD bonus to sign in, plus an anuall bonus of 15% of my salary.
Now, I got an amazing apt for 1800 in K. 6 so for apt Im all set.
But, for life, food and the rest. Is it possible?! Or am I going to be poor all the time.
I hope this is a better explanation

To be honest, it doesn't sound that much for 2 people in Zurich to live off. Including a flat for 1800 it won't leave you too much at the end of the day. Better get youself the migros and coop saver cards when you arrive and get used to not eating fish and meat everyday...

did you say you always wanted to be a vegan ...? Ok, not that bad, but remember you can't guarantee that your other half will definitely get a job (unless she speaks fluent german..?).

Not to discourage you...but 78k for middle management sounds low to me.

So, would I be able to do things?(Like Ski, travel, even once a year?!) or am I going to be, literally, poor!?
What is an "ok" salary then. Because Im still sort of negotiating my compensation.

Get a general idea here. I think it's more than a little low. Even with a 15% bonus (which gets taxed as gross salary...) you're not coming out with an awful lot for two people.

For example. Basic health insurance paid for by your employer. You need to find out what level of insurance they are giving you. If it's the basic level (grundversicherung) this is only a savings of 400-500 a month for both of you.

minus deductions, tax, pension contributions, travel, food, electricity, phones, internet, tv licence, life admin costs (like paying for permits, renewals etc)

No, you've got to ask for more, I think they're taking you for a ride
, even with 4k USD gift and 15% bonus. Your wife is going to have to work.

This might sound like a philosphical question, but how much is enough?
When I mean this, I mean, what amount will be (gross or net) good for a comfortable living.

Just so I have a major idea. Im not in the country and I dont know the prices.
by the way, thanks for your honest realistic answer

Put it this way

I know people just doing administrative duties who get around 80k per yr

If you are middle management - I would expect 95k upwards - but I am not a manager so dont know the scale you should be looking at

This is an annual global salary survey done by UBS. Not comprehensive, but has some comparisons of common job positions.

http://www.ubs.com/1/ShowMedia/ubs_c...2&name=eng.pdf

Living here when you take everything into account (heath insurance, tax, food, general spends) doesn't differ wildly from, say, london.
Depending on how frugally you're used to living, could you happily get by on £33k in London?

Also, if you're working for a financial company and will be managing people, chf79k seems VERY low. I know people in similar positions taking home chf130k. Anything less than chf100k is kind of taking the piss.

Good luck with the negotiations...

Guestimate:

So let's say you get 6655:_, after tax and pension deductions you're left with 5000.

Initially you are going to incur costs for buying furniture, buying half tax cards for travel (150:_ a year for half price fares in Switzerland), admin costs for permits etc say, 200:_ moving always has hidden costs. For example are you being offered a relocation package, is your employer offering you a corporate apartment for an initial period or are you supposed to pay your way as soon as you get here?

After you've sorted yourself out and you're clearing in the region of:

5000
-1800 (rent)
-200 (+- travel)
-600 (food)
-50 (phone)
-25 (internet)
-20 (electricity)
-300 (misc)
-40 (+- TV licence)

these are rough estimates. so let's say you're left with about 2000:_ after being tight. That's a lot to put away every month.

But a ticket to Geneva for the weekend will cost you 80:_ return per person. A day trip skiing will cost you 150 per person, a coffee will cost you 5:_

So if you save 1500+ a month, that leaves you more than enough for an annual holiday.


I hope this gives you some idea. Hopefully someone here will tell me I've reckless estimates and that you'll be better off.

Best of luck and see if you can push for more, really.

I guess Mr. and Mrs. Swiss do not earn enough to get by, if you go along with what the others are saying.

Ok I guess that comment wasn't necessary, but I would say that amount is more than enough to get by on and would be more than what the average Swiss would typically earn (not in your sector, just in general).