So, I've been looking for a job in 'Switzerland' (contrary to many lazy immigrants from English-speaking countries, I have enough respect for Switzerland to know its full name...get a grip people) for more than 6 months, and I'm almost at the point of giving up and concentrate to some other country. To summarize - I can speak intermediate German, and I regularly study it. It's far from being fluent...but I totally agree that one MUST show at least willingness to learn it - I know how things work in Switzerland (cost of living, bureaucracy, political system, etc...). I made my homework before deciding to try to move there, contrary to many English-speaking immigrants in "perpetual holiday", who come here with no clue about how the system works...and start to complain because of this - I know that it's not a paradise, and many things might piss me off at the beginning...but I also know why things work in a certain way, why for example Swiss people prefer to keep everything shut down on Sunday...and I accept it. I don't moan, moan, moan like many English-speaking immigrants - I'm willing to integrate in Swiss life, volunteering, contribute to it, try NOT to live in a "expat bubble" - I appreciate the extreme respect of rules of Swiss people...that's one of the main reasons why I want to move there But no, there's no place for me...officially because my German is not good enough, no matter if I'm quite skilled (but contrary to many English-speaking immigrants, I don't go around screaming "I'm the best in what I do, I'm damn good", to boost my self-ego). The truth is that if I'd be a snob immigrant from one of those English-speaking countries, with a colonialist attitude, full of myself, with dubious and tasteless humor skills, with 0 German/French/Italian skills, too lazy to learn it even after years of having lived there, always complaining and moaning about everything (for example complaining about the high prices of things, but never complaining about his/her high salary), not willing to integrate, but...with the "right connections" and aggressive enough, or if I'd be a criminal with lots of money to hide somewhere...then I'd be welcomed to Switzerland. It's not fair...
maybe you should apply for an entry job at the SVP
GOOD LUCK!
This user would like to thank bananafisch for this useful post:
He sounds a bit like the Dutch guy we had over from germany little while ago, complaining how he can't find a job here and is ready to give up, you know the one who wants a CHF 250k job in the "aggressive american culture" or something like that...He was also from germany
I don't think he sounds like him at all... (the saying "assumptions are the mother of all screw-ups" comes to mind)
Have to say there are some strange dynamics on this message board:
* lot's of expats in CH complaining about CH
* lot's of people eager to come to CH complaining about it being difficult
* lot's of expats in CH complaining about people wanting to come to CH
* etc.
I guess the forum provides a useful venting service (aside from some of the entertaining / practically useful advice).
Back on topic, a friend of mine works for one of the larger FMCGs near lake Geneva (he's not Swiss) and privately freely admited the company hates being inundated with CV's from economically challanged countries. They'll post an IT role and get dozens (if not more) of applications from Pakistan, Moldova, or wherever. There's definately a strong implicit preference (despite all the politically correct diversity blabla) towards ""north-western european" shall we say.
Anyway, keep on keeping on is all i can say to the OP.
In meantime:
Much wisdom in that song, or so i learned in a very different context last year.
This user would like to thank desperate for this useful post:
Back on topic, a friend of mine works for one of the larger FMCGs near lake Geneva (he's not Swiss) and privately freely admited the company hates being inundated with CV's from economically challanged countries. They'll post an IT role and get dozens (if not more) of applications from Pakistan, Moldova, or wherever. There's definately a strong implicit preference (despite all the politically correct diversity blabla) towards ""north-western european" shall we say.
I think this has more to do with work permits than diversity
I think this has more to do with work permits than diversity
Judging by the look on his face and his language describing HR's typical response to these applications, I suspect permits isn't the only issue.
Had a similar impression with my current company. We were discussing sourcing technical resources from outside of Germany (where unemployment is higher, salaries lower, etc) and a fellow mgmt team member said: "as long as we don't get Indians" with a disgusted look on her face. Mind you, this was the HR Director saying this...
Exactly...it's really frustrating and unfair to see tons of people flocking from the UK, the US and Ireland (sometimes after having been partially responsible for the economic and social disasters currently playing there), with so little respect for Switzerland, but able to find highly payed jobs, with no knowledge of the local language, and such a bad attitude...only because they have the "right connections".
While someone who would be a good immigrant (a good "human resource" for the country), with a positive attitude, is kept out of the door because he doesn't have the "right connections"...Switzerland will regret this.
Ciao MarcoT., while the coffee is pouring ...
I think most of life is made up of Choices & Circumstances.
Sometimes we make a choice and are so fixed on it and so desperately want it but the circumstances just won't fit and won't allow a particular choice become reality.
Very very frustrating indeed especially when you have to watch others get what you want for yourself.
What can I say ... maybe I'll get some inspiration after the coffee ...
How was the w/end?
This user would like to thank Sada for this useful post:
Oh so this is what happens in the forum when I have no internet connection ... BTW on the topic of people calling Switzerland "swiss", it is actually not seen well here in the EF when people do it. Unfortunately the OP, to me, is just a bit bitter and wanted to vent his frustrations...
Thanks. I am only trying to figure out how to get my butt to ER without exposing my lil one to it, since we are somewhat abandoned here at the mo. My last resort is double dose of ibuprofen, yayyy, I actually hate meds.
Back on the topic. OP, things can be seen all sorts of ways. If you have the stamina and wait out the initial horror of being turned off, you might actually hit the jackpot laters. But if you don't try it, it is very unlikely that it is going to happen.
I was hired immediately, and, am super grateful for my job, eventhough it's a bit challenging and different. My skills are comparable to anglophones, but coming from a tiny country that some people still don't know it exist, I think I don't have a big nation ego (sorry guys, not all, I know), I was actually really surprised it took me a few days, 1-2 in fact, to slip in.
If you keep getting refused, play over your interviews, have others proofread your CV, pay attention to details. And, most of all, don't hard sell yourself. Desperation is unappealing.
__________________ "L'homme ne peut pas remplacer son coeur avec sa tete, ni sa tete avec ses mains." J.H. Pestalozzi
The only difference between a rut and a grave is a matter of depth. S.P. Cadman
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." A. Einstein
This user would like to thank MusicChick for this useful post:
Thanks. I am only trying to figure out how to get my butt to ER without exposing my lil one to it, since we are somewhat abandoned here at the mo. My last resort is double dose of ibuprofen, yayyy, I actually hate meds.
If you keep getting refused, play over your interviews, have others proofread your CV, pay attention to details. And, most of all, don't hard sell yourself. Desperation is unappealing.
Try homoepathic remedies....I hear they work really well. (theres a thread here somewhere)
The following 3 users would like to thank Caviarchips for this useful post:
One word of advice to the OP:
* you want a job in Switzerland
* you voice your displeasure with English speaking expats... on a board which is probably primarily frequented by English speaking expats with a job in... Switzerland
* you may want to consider not having a profile here with your real name as your CV may be crossing the desk of the same people you appear to be pissing off
(Should be far enough...) 
... BTW on the topic of people calling Switzerland "swiss", it is actually not seen well here in the EF when people do it. Unfortunately the OP, to me, is just a bit bitter and wanted to vent his frustrations...
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