My interests lie in the design, engineering, and automotive fields. I am as happy behind a computer operating 3d CAD software as I am lying under a car, covered in oil & spinning a 14mm ratchet spanner.

What I'd like to know is, what type of jobs exist in Switzerland in which I'll be able to combine my design engineering skills with my mechanical knowhow?

If I am to move back to my home country I would like to get an idea of where to start looking for potential employment, and what type of pay I can expect to start with.

Any help would be much appreciated, cheers!

I'm just wondering what kind of answer you expect here ? If you are half swiss and can read german then it must be easier for than most to research the industrial profile of switzerland and its cantons: just as I did.

Then you can drill down (sic) from your macro analysis and identify prospect companies and then do what everyone does: apply for a job.

dave

I have a somewhat different approach to most people. I won't send a CV in via post or e-mail, hoping someone will read a bunch of text and have the attention span to actually take the information in, and then hire me on the basis of whether my wording was superior to that of another individual.

I'll just walk straight in and talk to the boss face to face, introduce myself, tell them what I can do, and ask for a job.

I have not streamlined my education into a specific field within which I want employment, but rather a more general area as I do not wish to be limited. The point of my post was to outline a range of skills which are applicable in many situations & fields, and perhaps to get suggestions from people as to where to begin.

I can't read German, only familiar words. I'm fluent in speaking Swiss German, which is not a written language. Obviously I'll pick it up once I live in a country in which this is prevalent, but presently it limits my ability to research things in this way. Hence I've begun my research by posting on a forum with actual people who can read my queries and provide helpful replies.

Hi,
If you are Swiss, you should realize that this is no way to present yourself. There are reasons CV's are made and if you impress them on paper (short and concise), then you can really dazzle 'em face to face.
There are generally "weeders" to save the managers precious time, and prevent the non-corresponding CV from blocking those who have what it takes. Maybe you need to invest in someone from CH writing your CV for you so it looks like a Swiss national is applying for the job.

I do not wish to debate the merits of a good CV, and I will take your advice and get my CV looked over by someone from CH to ensure it's going to be suitable... but please understand that I am also a kiwi and I like to represent myself, I do not want an easily dismissed piece of paper to represent me. I have been most successful in job applications via cold calling and surprising managers with my honest and up front approach. Most jobs are not even advertised, and it goes a long way in demonstrating just how much one wants a job. Anybody can hide behind their computer and submit CVs, but it takes testicular fortitude to ask for a job in person, and I will stick to the method that works for me.

The point of my thread is not to discuss the best way to go about applying for a job, but to get ideas from people where such engineering & automotive businesses are.

Try here:

http://www.rieter.com/main/default.aspx?lang=en

The jobs in Hinwil with BMW are normally advertised on autosport.com/jobs the other one would be the company that builds trains I believe is near Winterthur, I’m not sure if Smart have any design or production in Switzerland.

DC

Thanks guys, I will check out those leads. *favourited*

Any further suggestions are much appreciated