Hi Eric,
I'm an English Speaking ex-pat who came here with no other languages, no job and hardly any money. The beginning was difficult. I've now been here for 17 years and still loving it, so I'd like to give you some tips that I learned for the two most important necessities that may help you for your start here.
You are a Swiss national, which helps massively as you do not need to go through the immigration aspect of your move. You also have some cash -but most of all you have the will and drive to strive for something better.
This will keep you going.
JOBS:
As an English speaker, you need to base yourself in a large city where the opportunity for finding work in English is greater. There are many companies in Switzerland who work in English.
Zürich is business - look into corporate companies and what jobs you could do within them, also international banking offers good opportunites to English speakers. Basel is basically grounded on the Pharma sector with the two giants, Hoffmann La Roche and Novartis employing a huge number of English speakers from many different professions and backgrounds. (Google "pharma companies in Basel" for further information). Geneva is HUGELY international and open for good opportunities for English speakers - United Nations is also based here who employ people from all over the globe.
Whatever your situation - get started on the internet and make a list of the companies that interest you, then dig deeper into them.
(As a temporary measure, working in the Alps during the ski season can be a great way to get you through for a while). Check out the "working in Switzerland" sector on this site, there is some useful information here.
www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html
ACCOMMODATION:
Accommodation is expensive but there can be cheaper alternatives as already mentioned. Hostels, apartment sharing and also, see if it's possible to have lodgings as part of your job.
One thing which is worth noting is that Basel is literally a stone's throw away from Germany and France - France being the cheaper of the two. It is possible for you to actually LIVE over the border in France with your Swiss passport and travel daily to Basel to look for work - this would definately make your money last a little longer until you find a job that can accommodate the expense of an apartment in Switzerland. (You can get accommodation for as little as 30 Euros a day). Google "Hegenheim" and "Saint Louis", both are in the region of Alsace in France. You will not need a car as you can literally WALK or take the bus over the border to Basel.
The prices may be shocking to you, but generally Europe is more expensive than the States. The advantage is that it's all relative. Switzerland is expensive, however it offers the salaries to accommodate.
Switzerland is an extraordinary country and has been far beyond what I expected.
Wishing you all the best for your move and your future!
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