Hi everyone,

After 8 years with the same company I quit my job last year because I was in a tight spot in the organigramme after a major reorganisation. This company was the reason I transferred to Zurich from Sydney in 2010.

During the last year I have tried vehemently to secure a new position in marketing with no success. Possible reasons could be 1) my age and cost, 2) English only speaker, 3) limited other fashion related companies in ZH.

To add the the fun, due to the fact I met someone and had a baby here in 2012, I also have the limitation that I am legally bound to stay in ZH to ensure my other joint parent has adequate access post separation last year. No we are not married, but Swiss law timed a large pendulum on mothers freedom of movement in July 2014 in favour of the father.

Yes I hired the executive coach who agreed to work with non-executive me, networked where I could and worked out to no avail. Can anyone offer me some tips (except go to school and get your B+), a job, even a voluntary one? After a year and a half I really need to work.

No. Things happen for a reason. You may stumble on some great opportunity, you never know. Patience is a virtue and all, and I know that it is easier said than done but use this as a chance rather than a setback. Been in those shoes ample times.

No, my career is not over? or No, you can't offer me a job?

No your career is not over and no, I cannot offer you a job.

For sure, it has been the longest stretch of desert I ever faced, and this challenge has completely changed my perceptions and sure Ive grown up a lot, especially spiritually, and Im thankful for that...but on a practical level Im going round and round in circles.

Yeah, I know what you mean. Now I don't know you from atom, but judging from my personal experience, I suggest to break the routine with something completely different. Is your skill-set and expertise only limited to that particular industry or would you or have you tried going a completely different route?

Sad to say, but yes, your career is over. Unfortunately it has been over for 8 years as you reported. So now enjoy the ride

1. Tessin/ Ticino is often called "fashion valley" because of the numerous fashion companies located there, e.g., VF, Zegna, Guess, Boss, Abercrombie, Armani, Versace, Tom Ford, Bally, etc. VF alone has 700 employees there, with plans to increase to 1,200, according to this article:

http://www.the-financedirector.com/p...ashion-valley/

Have you considered looking there? Starting in December with the opening of the base tunnel, the trip between Zurich HB and Lugano will be about 2:10.

2. Your post did not mention RAV. Although it is quite possible that after 1.5 years you are no longer registered at RAV, what did your RAV advisor recommend?

3. Have you looked at self-employment as a consultant to the fashion industry or in another area?

Withoht know exactly what you do, it's a bit tough to offer specific advice. but there are at least a few clothing companies around, particularly sport clothes. As was said there are a couple in Ticino. Not sure about 'fashion'.

Have you made a list of all the companies that you could work in? You really need to network something fierce. Get in touch with people at those companies and ask questions. Send spontaneous applications. Another option is to look for opportunities abroad where you can work as a freelancer/consultant.


And what about going back to the previous company now that the reorganization dust has settled?

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+1 on Ticino, there are a lot of fashion companies here, though there used to be more, and English is what they use most.

Tom

Duh, they quit their job last year after 8 years with their company.

Well, no idea what you do exactly, but I read Marketing and Fashion and it's quite obvious that Switzerland doesn't have a huge number of opportunities in those areas.

You might want to look for sort-of related industries and attempt a change. Maybe you've done so already, but if you have, it's not clear from your post.

It was completely unwise, reckless even (unless you were suffering from extreme and debilitating emotional stress), to quit a stable job in those circumstances without first having something else lined up.

Of course your career in CH is over. You've been in ZH for 6+ years and you don't speak fluent German.

Yup. I did this, too, and instantly regretted it. I left because the company was crap and I was going nowhere. Leaving just showed me that the company went on just fine without me and I was the one holding the shitty end of the stick.

OP, you might want to broaden your horizon a bit. Don't concentrate one the fashion/manufacturing industry. What else can you do or can you adapt your skillset towards?

Apply for all sorts of weird and wonderful jobs just to see how far your CV will stretch. If you get an interview in a certain field you hadn't considered, that might be a direction worth exploring.

Register with the RAV. You might not qualify for full support straight away seeing as it was you that resigned but they will definitely offer you all their resources for job search and maybe some language courses.

My dad drilled it into me never to quit a job unless I had something lined up, but even without that all you have to do is imagine life without a stable income in Zürich, and if that doesn't scare you then nothing will. It would take only the most severe of situations for me to do that, and I can't help but think some people really cut their nose of to spite their face by making life-affecting decisions that seem mostly emotional rather than practical. Of course sometimes in other contexts good decisions are made based on emotion, but I don't see quitting a job with no firm plans and nothing lined up as one of them.

While luckily I love my job and company, even if I were dissatisfied with things I value my continued quality of life in Switzerland far more than having the perfect job and it would take only the most severe circumstances for me to threaten that.

However, I wish the OP luck, and I am curious as to his/her age and % that they want to work. I must admit I also find it more than a little nuts that in this last 1.5 years without work he/she has not been doing intensive German lessons. By not doing so he/she is simply not doing everything he can to increase his chances of finding a job.

I think OP is a she...

OP: you mention you have a child... at the risk of derailing... is there a chance you may be also suffering from post-natal depression? Have you spoken to your GP? What support systems do you have here? I ask because although you feel like you are in a bind, you may also not currently be able to see the wood for the trees.

I can't help employment-wise but others have offered good advice here. I wish you well.

EditEd to say baby in 2012, it may not be post-natal any longer, I believe the "cut-off" is a couple of years. Seeing your GP maybe a good starting point.

You may want to change your occupation on your profile. It isn't unknown for potential employers to check forums etc for potential employees

Btw, while I'm sympathetic to a point, saying in your profile that "your career is over thanks to the Swiss", well that is a bit rich, isn't it... It was your decision and yours alone to quit your job without another one lined up. That is a very stupid thing to do anywhere in the world.

That being said, as said, if you actually shared what it is you do exactly and where you have been looking, people might be able to give additional advice.

Ouch- I was going to say something similar but was trying to find the words to say it a bit less abruptly. But I'm afraid, yes - I just don't get this...
in order to be able to work abroad I had to work very hard at learning the language- until I could a) do an Honours Degree in a UK University, and then quickly climb the steps to senior level. Not easy- hard work - but I don't get why you didn't realise that would be essential for progress here.