Hello,
I am a recent MBA graduate of a Swiss school and am, of course, having a difficult time even finding someone to interview me for a job. I am a US citizen and have been here for the length of my studies, about 1.5 years now.
Even the major banks are turning down my internship applications. I am not sure if this is because of my qualifications, or because of my need to be sponsored by one of them.
If you have any insight or experience, it would be greatly appreciated. Any companies that are willing to sponsor? Is it even worth it for me to go through the hours and hours of applications and then the deflation of receiving all of the denied letters?
(or do i just need to get my boyfriend to propose? )

Sincerely,
N.

Do you speak any of the local languages?

it is strictly VERBOTEN to give up! otherwise what should we all do?
and no, relying economically on a man is not the first option, maybe the second or third... but first give it a good try.

sorry not to be able to help you concretely, but I'm sure you will find an internship, although I don't think sponsorships (you mean for university studies?) are widespread in europe as in the USA for instance.

maybe you need to look for a Trainee Program over here?

good luck with your search!

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right." Henry Ford

Like Venice said, trainee programs are a great idea. GE in Switzerland has a couple of trainee programs as do a lot of the larger companies (Nestlé etc). Have a look on google, but here is the GE one http://www.ge.com/careers/students/entry-level.html

The only thing is that they may make you move around Europe etc but a lot of the people I know who did the GE programs were able to do two rotations in Switzerland.

Graduate/Trainee programs are as close as it gets to a company sponsoring a visa for a new grad.

NEVER EVER marry for a work permit in Switzerland (I know you were joking but still), then you can't break up for between 3 and 5 years to keep it. Don't ask me how I know that

I expect the major Swiss banks are not so inclined to employ US citizens at present, they do tend to be quite high maintainence costs involved with anything to do with Swiss banks and US interests.

Try harder.
Switzerland is a wealthy country.
If you try harder you will find one position which fits exactly your qualifications and then you fell like success. I promise.

Like what everyone said, keep on truckin'.


I just got my Masters in the States in January... got married to my Swiss boyfriend in December.

.... I've been applying to jobs in CH since last August, and let me tell you, being married to a Swiss citizen now doesn't make it that much easier.

I guess everything about Swiss is difficult. You may get married but have to wait ages for passport.

Especially the getting the pilot license bit.

I can echo this advice. That's how I came over in the first place after my MBA, albeit to Germany first and then transferred over to Switzerland.

Good luck!

I know people who are hiring.....you'd have to start on 70-80k tho I imagine

As everyone else in the forum keeps suggesting, it takes a long time and a bit of luck to get any decent position or lucky break in Switzerland.

There is a hiring freeze at UBS at the moment and in several other companies which are retrenching or restructuring. The banking sector is still feeling the repercussions of Lehman bust in 2008.

I have been looking here solidly for last 3 weeks and things are going really slowly.

Good luck

lol like UBS trying to hire experienced finance foreigners for measly 90k. lowering all salaries for others. back in 2006, a 21-year old without university was making 90k fixed +100k bonus per year. now they want experienced and educated people and are offering pathetic salaries. whats next? outsourcing to india?

MBA <> Experience.

Bullsh!t.

Unless you meant 90k kuna, of course.

Nur??

Next? We already do

swiss francs! i worked in a team with a 21-year old Swiss, who earned that much back in 2006. total comp 190k SFR.

times have changed.

time to outsource swiss banking to india for 10k?

That's what he told you he did... although after ten years in four different banks I actually still have to meet someone who will disclose his / her salary.

So there still is a certain smell about your story...

Get married and pop out some kids. That'll give you at least a 10 year break from the job hunt...