Hello everyone,

I am Russell and I'm from Northern Ireland. My background is a Royal Marine and thereafter as a Private Military Security Consultant in Iraq.

However, my partner is Swiss and I love her very much and as she cannot leave Switzerland, due to her studying and family, the only way it can work is if I am here.

In the past, I flew back and forth to Iraq in order to work but I could no longer have that feeling and watch the tears when I had to go back to work again. That is when I stopped doing Private Security!!

Money is soon running out and I am so very afraid that I will have to leave again and go back to work. I really can't bear the thought that my relationship may end because I cannot work here in Switzerland.

I would literally do anything to stay and I would do everything I could to make it happen.

Is there anyone that could help or point me in some sort of direction???

I am studying German and understand a lot, I just haven't got the words yet to reply in German very well.

I hope someone may be able to point me in the right direction and I would be eternally grateful.

Veilen veilen veilen dank

Russell

Changed that for ya

Ok now seriously, the actual help you're looking for. For starters if I understand your post correctly you are actually an EU citizen so you can apply for a Work-Permit etc here and its a heck of a lot easier than if you're non-eu.

Secondly, finding work... well, I don't really know what you're qualifications are so its hard to point you in the right direction. BUT seeing as you have some military/security experience, perhaps there would be some opportunity for you to work with the UN or some such organisation based in Geneva? This is just a wild guess as with no real idea what your qualifications are...

Surely someone with your background would find find a job in private security, Securitas, bodyguard etc. Jobs like that are aplenty I've heard in Geneva. Don't know much about it though. Good luck.

Thank you very much for you help Simon. Believe me, it is very much appreciated and I will look into those possibilties.

Regards

Russell

Links:


http://www.supreme-security.ch/
http://www.dfence.ch
http://www.isc-security.ch/
http://www.jobs.thalesgroup.com/en/c...itzerland.html

Remember, google is your friend. With your background, and better German you should be able to find yourself an excellent, stable and well-paid job in Switzerland. Be prepared however, to jump into a sharp suit, slicken up the CV and go to an interview at every related company in the country. Best of luck.

Thank you very much for your help and advice, it is greatly appreciated and I will look into those links right away.

Many thanks

Russell

There are private security training firms here due to the more lax gun laws in Switzerland. Maybe you can look into that line of business?

With your background as Royal Marine and Private Military Security Consultant in Iraq I'm quite sure you will find a job in Private Security or in one of the International Organisations in Geneva.

I wish you good luck to you and your partner.

Welcome Russell to EF.

Hope that something works out for you soon. Best of luck for your job search.

I guess the below thread can help you in finding work Close Protection Bodyguard Looking for work [Gstaad / Lausanne]

Try airport security (Zürich airport)

There are jobs with the UN security in Geneva and most people have military and police backgrounds. You will need at least some French to get in. The vacancies will be posted here and will look something like this: http://myun.un.org/Galaxy/Release3/v...7-9f567e1edd34

Please try this site tooo

http://unjobs.org/


Jobs here are for many stations including Geneva.

Hi Russell,

Being an old guy whom has fallen down every hole I can definitely relate to your problems.Remember people change and their feelings change, so 5 years down the road you may seriously regret what you do now?

Problem is Swiss Fraus often refuse to leave their village never mind their country!You could suggest that she waits until she finishes her studies.
You shouldn't be the one to make all the sacrifices If you have a career job which you like(yours sounds exciting)don't give it up (too late?).It's unlikely you shall find better in Switzerland.

A lot of folks with Swiss problems are living on border in France.You could
even live in somewhere neutral such as Denmark which is so laid back!

Say after me...... NI society is soft,Swiss society is very hard.Look at the future and what could go wrong.Don't let them see you crying they shall think your ill.At least you have somone to return to and whom loves you. Love is blind,Love is a state of mind,Love shall find a way absence makes the heart grow...Sh--,but you know what am thinking.Chin up,there's nowhere like home G--.

Nonswiss

I want to thank everyone above for all the help and advice and I can assure you all I am looking into every little possibility at the moment. Already I know a great deal more.

Thank you everyone for being so very helpful and friendly, I am very appreciative.

Regards

Russell

Nonswiss I really appreciate your help and advice but although I know feelings can change, these feelings I am not prepared to throw away.

With all due respect, if I do not do everything I can to make my relationship with this amazing woman work, I know that I will regret it for the rest of my life.
I am not a person who lives with regrets, I am the person that does what my heart is set upon or dies trying, so that I am not that person sitting on a rocking chair one day, wishing I had of done this or that.
Nonetheless, if it were to not work out, almost daily, I am offered very good job prospects in other places in the world.
However I love Switzerland and I love my partner, the only place in the world I want to be is right here.

By doing all I can to make this work, there no doors are being closed for me. With a single phone call I can go back to making big money in other areas of the world but all that money will be for nothing, it will not make me happy.

This is the only logical decision for me.

Thank you for your advice nonetheless

Regards

Russell

Well said! However, if you don't have money, maybe another stint in Iraq to pay for a close protection course and language course here - then it's pretty easy from there. Good luck.

There are plenty of dishwasher jobs and factory jobs here in Switzerland.

I spent most of my teen years doing that. Easy money.

Right you are Russel, what good is all the money if you waste your best years in a hostile desert instead of living with the girl you love! Nevertheless, you need to make your stay here work, otherwise it will affect your relationship too.

If this is true, perhaps you could parlay this into an opportunity for you here in the CH.

Lots of agencies that might employ you will either have offices or at least contacts in this country that you could use to secure either flexible employment outside or meaningful employment inside this country. No?

If you are considered an asset then you can always ask for help. I have found that, surprisingly often, help is there if you can ask for it. If you have skills and are genuinely sincere people usually want to help you. If nothing else, it makes them look good.

Good Luck,
Brian.

Russell,way to go big man...as they say.

Still be careful your post shows you are like me.Nonswiss.A Swiss man would always act from his head not his heart.The trouble in Switzerland is that you don't have safety net.Hope you can find a good job.Feel 'unlike me'you might have age on your side?

Wishing you only good,
Nonswiss