Hello people!

I have been reading all the posts regarding job opprtunities in Switzerland and I was wondering if anybody would have some advice for myself.
I move here three months ago (caused I am married of course) and so far I have been aplying for jobs without any results which is getting on my nerves.
I have mostly worked with American companies in the administration area before and I am very fluent in English and I speak Spanish as mother tongue. I also have 5 years of experience as a professional translator.
My specific problem is that sometimes I find jobs here in Zurich that match completely my skills and language requirements and after I apply I normally get an "We are very sorry but you dont meet this or that requirement"
It looks like they always find a detail to say you are not the right person for this job...to sum up I dont really understand how the Swiss work...so if anybody know American companies or American recruitments agencies I would apprecite very much this info.....

Thanks to all in advance!!
Cintia

Same old answers, learn German to start with.

I don't know if you are not from the EU, but if you are not, that might be one of the reasons.

They take care of their own first

German will widen your choices enormously. However, it really does matter what particular skills and experience you have. So, and without additional info, I have no reason to doubt that the HR people are telling you the truth.

It took me over 6 months to find a new job when I was trapped in the most tedious job in the world down in the Geneva area. I even quit my old job with no job lined up it was that bad.

The three most important aspects for job hunting (IMHO) are:

1. Market research - what are the companies, where are the jobs - keep a list - bookmark agencies and companies (try and apply direct)
2. Personal development plan - if you spend 6 months applying for jobs and neglect your skills then you are doomed.
3. Action Plan - I always target a certain number of applications and follow-ups, each week I allocate time to browse for jobs online and stick to it (don't spend too long on this max 1 hour per day as it can be depressing). I create a plan and stick to it.

Finally, are you sure your CV is making the most of your skills, qualifications and experience? I've never seen a CV that didn't need fixing. Another thing - do you have your CV available in German? You don't speak German but that's no reason not to have a German language CV. I had my CV translated into French long before I could speak it and this helped enormously. Make sure you get a high quality translator - it doesn't pay to submit a poorly translated CV.

It's the German (or French, depending what part of Switzerland you live in). Invest in a 6 month intensive course and try again.

Although I agree a German CV will help when the hiring contact is a native of Switzerland, I fail to see how it can help in the case when British or American people are the ones having a look at it and if the position is advertised in English, is there any point in sending a CV in German? And wouldn't that imply you speak German?

Age discrimination is rampant here also. They are backwards in the fact that they want your age, marital status etc.

Yeah, I see your point, but the OP is not going to learn German to business quality in 3 months (unless they go through intensive training). In all language versions of the CV should be marked clear: German, Level - beginners.

My point is as a candidate you are making an effort to integrate - starting from the very first thing you do i.e. apply for a job. It's just a small difference between asserting your desire and demonstrating it.

That'sone way of looking at it, but maybe they want, what they feel is the right person in the job who fits in with an existing team and company personnel, instead of being ultra liberal and politicaly correct.

Thanks for all your answers. To clarify some of the questions
I speak German but on a basic level, I am fluent in English and my mother tongue is Spanish. Regarding my work experience I have five years as a Spanish - English Translator and I have studied translation at the University.
I have also worked as an Operations Manager for a U.S. based company an as an Assistant Manager for other two companies, for a total of another five years.
All of this somehow doesnt seem to help...oh and regarding the question about EU citizen I am not but I have a B permit and this allows me to work here and because my permit is for family reason I dont count as a foreigner. Anyway I think I answered most of the questions now, is there any other advice than improving my cv? This I have done and I have it in German also, I am taking a German course by the way but it seems it will take me forever to be up and ready with it...
By the way thanks again for all the answers so far!!!

Hiring someone not based on their age , makes the company ultra liberal?

Not in the least but if you want a German speaking male between 35-45 married as this is what other members of the team are, it is far easier to say so up front rather than word some very vague advertisment where everybody applies and of which 80% are not what you are looking for.

Be up front, the job will suit somebody so it's one less person looking for a job.

How boring to have everyone on the team the same. Might as well just hire robots

Welcome to Switzerland, but it does usualy lead to less internal tensions.