Hi everyone

I have been staying in Basel since late September and have been learning German as well as applying for jobs since then. My German has improved significantly but finding a job seems to be extraordinarily difficult.
I graduated in 2007 with an IT degree, worked for 2 years in IT in Ireland and moved here as my girlfriend lives here. After 100+ applications, I have had 2 interviews - 1 place cited I was over qualified and the other that I was underqualified.
I want to start work as soon as possible and have started applying to the UK. Should I keep trying in Switzerland or accept that I need to be fluent in German first before working here? I enjoy the way of life here but ultimately do not want to read rejection emails for much longer...

Many thanks for reading

Hello and welcome to the Forum.

It can be very tough slogging your way through application after application. Many, many people on this Forum have had the same ordeal. Take some comfort from the various threads suggesting ideas and strategies. Good luck, and keep going.

I think for most IT jobs, German is not really required. I have friends who have been here for 10 years and they still don't speak German good enough as they have always worked in English speaking companies.

For you, it might be the large number of unemployed people that is getting in your way. When there are so many applicants for an opening, they probably go for people who speak German.

I think you might try to stick it out at least until your 6 months is up.

If you've done 100+ applications suggest 2 things:

# Firstly there maybe something in how your CV is written that isnt working for you (maybe too long/written with most recent employment at the end etc)

#Re apply. Most companies dont hang onto historical applications so wait three months and then apply again

#PM and I will have a quick look at your CV for you

Since you have not told us your area of expertise or locations you have been seeking employment it is difficult to be very constructive on the feedback...

However I would say that without German, Basel is a very limited market - the big international players have outsourced much of their IT and most of the UBS stuff is now in Zurich, so that really only leaves the local companies....

English speaking companies I've contracted for in the past in Basel include: Syngenta, Roche and UBS. Others I know of include BIS, Novartis and Swiss. If that is any help to you.

On the other hand if you have made over 100 applications and only got 2 interviews, then perhaps there is something wrong with your techniques.... If you would like some pointers on the CV etc... send me a PM.

Good luck with that,

Jim

Is your CV in German with a photo on it?

It might help.

I have versions of my CV in German and English including a photo. I have previously worked in Quality Assurance and Purchasing. I have knowledge with SAP MM, CA Clarity, networking and advanced MS Office.
I have applied for apprenticeships and internships with all the big players mentioned but feel that they require French and German as English seems to be taken for granted as a prerequisite.

If you have been applying for this kind of stuff, I would not be at all surprised that you are getting kicked back. These positions are almost exclusively designed be bring in new Swiss blood - almost all the instruction is in German, at least in my company, so you'd have no chance!

Jim

If you have your IT degree plus work experience, than you are beyond applying for apprentice work or internship...you must apply for actual full time open positions.

You can also try mentioning that you are ready to work as a consultant, just to get your foot in the door. That way they can test you out without committing, and vice versa. Ask 90 CHF/hr., that is a pretty attractive rate. Once you are in and have several months experience in the company, it is a small step for them to switch you to full time.

I just did that last year, worked 4 months as a consultant. They liked my work and hired me on full time afterwards, and it has been great ever since.

A few pointers:

- Be prepared to go in for the long haul, many people on this forum would not consider Sept-Feb to be much
- find other things to do besides jobhunt (for the sake of your sanity)
- consider hiring a career coach, they will ensure you are targetting the right positions AND they have a very good network in the Swiss market
- do you speak french? Consider looking for contracts in Swiss Romand to keep you going
- Are you looking EVERYWHERE (geographically I mean)? Please dont tell me you have restricted your apps to Basel and around or I will beat you. In this market you cant afford to be picky...living in the same country as your gf is a step better than being unemployed, home alone in Ireland (where the job scene is worse than here i suspect)

If its any consolation, I have several qualifications, more years of experience than you, speak fluent french and a little german, have been looking for work since June and just signed last week.

Its a freaking jungle out there....

Sorry to hear that you found it hard also GS - glad you got sorted! How did you pay for health insurance, rent etc?
I have been looking all around Switzerland, don't worry. Thanks for the advise, will keep slugging away..