I'm hoping that someone here might be able to offer me insight into the Swiss Industry. I'm 36 and speak various languages, have a diverse career so far in Hotel and Accommodation Management, and am finalizing a Master's in Hotel Business Management in Spain.

I'd like to make a jump into the industry in Jungfrau Region. So far I seem to be over or under qualified for the posts I've applied for, and I sense a hesitance from the HR people I speak to. This is probably due to some fairly ambitious applications on my part in the 5-star sector, where I have no experience. I also suspect it due to the fact that I don't come from the typical Swiss Hotelfachschule background, but rather gained working experience and then took a Masters to complement my experience.

I don't know how competitive the market is. I'm not that interested in the ultra-high end. I hope I have a fighting chance against all the Swiss Hotelfach boys.

very little chance with all the hotelschools we got here. there is very little reason why they would get a permit for you if they have pickings from all the schools here. Masters doesnt do you any good in the hospitality industry. you still start at the bottom. all it allows is that you can climb the ladder faster and higher than someone who doesnt have the paper(granted you are good in what you do)

Im also a grad from a hotel school. why would you want to work in the swiss hotel anyway? the pay is low and it is a VERY expensive country. They know no customer service here (even the hotels ).

A masters will get you far however in Hotels in Dubai and azian countries. your languages will be much more appreciated there also


good luck, but i would honeslty not recommend to come and work in the Swiss hotel industry. Just my opinion

I was absolutely remiss to fail to mention that I'm a Swiss citizen with working experience in CH and speak 3/4 languages, though I'm a native English speaker. My primary motivation to go to CH isn't to get into the industry per se, I want to go there to be closer to my parents and to raise my own family in a country which functions. Hotel Management just happens to be what I do.

I understand what you mean about the languages there though, hard to impress the Swiss with that.

BTW if you think Swiss salaries are low, try Spain

Any more thoughts you have will be appreciated, especially your further opinions on the value given to Master's in Hotel Business, do the Swiss dismiss it off-hand? Are you currently employed in the field?

I do not have a diplom from the hotelfachschule or a master but work here
as a manager in a hotel in zurich.
I started as a "Kellermeister", advanced to a Chief Steward, now I am a
Manager (all in under 3 years).
My Work is purchase, Inventory and controlling.
The Industry is very hard, sometimes you have to work 18 days without a break (with a high number of overtime), the boys from the hotelfachschule
think when they wear a suit , they own the hotel and behave like they are the real GM.

ok if you are swiss that changes things. I promised myself I would never work in a hotel or bar again due to the horrible lifestyle and low pay. Salaries are low compared to what you can do with it. if you can live with the rents then you can save ....but do you really want that .

The masters is like I said, you will still start at the bottom. As the guy/girl above me did and make your way up. Masters will only speed up that process and allow you to go up higher.

Also in the hotel industry it doesnt really matter what your position....how many people do I know that got hired for reception ended doing up housekeeping several days a week.
It is a fun career but so filthy, unfair, ungrateful, and badly paid. once again, IF you have the chance go to azie or middle east when you still have the chance. with your experience and the masters you will go up much faster there....but again no family there....