Hi all,

I am new to CH and currently settled in Basel. I have recently spoken with a recruiter from Zürich who told me that it can be hapless trying to find a job without speaking any German. And he even went as far as saying that it is unwise coming here without speaking German. He managed to disregard my assertion that I still speak a national language -French. He also said that a BSc in finance from outside CH -mine's from the US- is basically not worth much. How true is this rubbish?
I am trying to find a job in finance and did find one with a company in Neuchâtel -ETEL- more an accounting job than anything else.

The problem is the 2.20 hr commute each way, 5 days a week. I dared not do it

I have spoken with an EF member and she is very helpful -thank you.

I would like to hear your advice as well!

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ça m'est égal

you need to stay in Basel? if not consider moving to french speaking Geneva the other financial center in switzerland. Plus the commute geneva-neuchatel is 1hour while you find another job.

Basically the recruiter has a point regarding the language. Basel is German speaking so speaking French will not get you very far. Applying for jobs in the German speaking part of Switzerland without speaking German is possible but your chances of a match are not good.

Regarding your qualification - the recruiter is wrong.

I would suggest signing up for a German course or moving to the French part. Then you will have more chance of finding a job.

Yes unfortunately. I have to stick around in Basel due to my family agrrr otherwise, I am not exactly in love with city.

Thanks. I signed up for an intensive German course today. If you have any other advice toss it at me

I would not commute that far; also, it would slow down your learning German.
Perhaps some telecommuting job? not sure how much there is to be found though. But you could try to approach the folks in Neuch and ask if you could telecommute 3x a week, and be on site the other two (or the other way around).

Go to another recruiter. If you are open to other possibilities, try to look in Zürich, Baden, Bern, and Olten as well.

A recruiter I used was http://www.oprandi.ch.

Herr Gysin helped me quite a bit. They are very friendly and have good
contacts.

If push comes to shove, and your personal and financial circumstances fit, look at renting a studio or sharing a flat in Neuchâtel to stay in during the week and cut down the travel.

This course I've signed up for is actually not bad at all. I am continuing my job search. It looks like German isn't as bad as I had thought. Unfortunately, I cannot move to neuchatel during the week and come back on weekends only

If you guys get anymore ideas, give me the heads up!

thanks a mil