Go Back   English Forum Switzerland > Help & tips > Employment  
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02.11.2016, 23:37
Newbie 1st class
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Zurich
Posts: 24
Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanked 58 Times in 21 Posts
Wannagohome has earned some respectWannagohome has earned some respect
Is my career over?

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.
Reply With Quote
The following 3 users would like to thank Wannagohome for this useful post:
  #2  
Old 02.11.2016, 23:42
lost_inbroad's Avatar
Forum Legend
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Town or region
Posts: 11,487
Groaned at 655 Times in 417 Posts
Thanked 16,388 Times in 6,379 Posts
lost_inbroad has a reputation beyond reputelost_inbroad has a reputation beyond reputelost_inbroad has a reputation beyond reputelost_inbroad has a reputation beyond reputelost_inbroad has a reputation beyond reputelost_inbroad has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Is my career over?

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.
Reply With Quote
The following 12 users would like to thank lost_inbroad for this useful post:
  #3  
Old 02.11.2016, 23:44
Newbie 1st class
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Zurich
Posts: 24
Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanked 58 Times in 21 Posts
Wannagohome has earned some respectWannagohome has earned some respect
Re: Is my career over?

No, my career is not over? or No, you can't offer me a job?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02.11.2016, 23:45
lost_inbroad's Avatar
Forum Legend
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Town or region
Posts: 11,487
Groaned at 655 Times in 417 Posts
Thanked 16,388 Times in 6,379 Posts
lost_inbroad has a reputation beyond reputelost_inbroad has a reputation beyond reputelost_inbroad has a reputation beyond reputelost_inbroad has a reputation beyond reputelost_inbroad has a reputation beyond reputelost_inbroad has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Is my career over?

Quote:
View Post
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.
Reply With Quote
The following 3 users would like to thank lost_inbroad for this useful post:
  #5  
Old 02.11.2016, 23:51
Newbie 1st class
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Zurich
Posts: 24
Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanked 58 Times in 21 Posts
Wannagohome has earned some respectWannagohome has earned some respect
Re: Is my career over?

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.
Reply With Quote
This user would like to thank Wannagohome for this useful post:
  #6  
Old 03.11.2016, 00:13
lost_inbroad's Avatar
Forum Legend
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Town or region
Posts: 11,487
Groaned at 655 Times in 417 Posts
Thanked 16,388 Times in 6,379 Posts
lost_inbroad has a reputation beyond reputelost_inbroad has a reputation beyond reputelost_inbroad has a reputation beyond reputelost_inbroad has a reputation beyond reputelost_inbroad has a reputation beyond reputelost_inbroad has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Is my career over?

Quote:
View Post
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?
Reply With Quote
The following 2 users would like to thank lost_inbroad for this useful post:
  #7  
Old 03.11.2016, 02:10
sniveri's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Winterthur
Posts: 205
Groaned at 5 Times in 5 Posts
Thanked 115 Times in 58 Posts
sniveri has earned the respect of manysniveri has earned the respect of manysniveri has earned the respect of many
Re: Is my career over?

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
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03.11.2016, 05:57
Mullhollander's Avatar
Forum Legend
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Aargau
Posts: 2,823
Groaned at 11 Times in 10 Posts
Thanked 4,072 Times in 1,762 Posts
Mullhollander has a reputation beyond reputeMullhollander has a reputation beyond reputeMullhollander has a reputation beyond reputeMullhollander has a reputation beyond reputeMullhollander has a reputation beyond reputeMullhollander has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Is my career over?

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?
Reply With Quote
This user would like to thank Mullhollander for this useful post:
  #9  
Old 03.11.2016, 07:05
miniMia's Avatar
Forum Legend
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: romandie
Posts: 9,970
Groaned at 101 Times in 92 Posts
Thanked 9,106 Times in 4,522 Posts
miniMia has a reputation beyond reputeminiMia has a reputation beyond reputeminiMia has a reputation beyond reputeminiMia has a reputation beyond reputeminiMia has a reputation beyond reputeminiMia has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Is my career over?

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?
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03.11.2016, 07:45
st2lemans's Avatar
Forum Legend
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Lugano
Posts: 33,511
Groaned at 2,862 Times in 2,005 Posts
Thanked 40,805 Times in 19,270 Posts
st2lemans has a reputation beyond reputest2lemans has a reputation beyond reputest2lemans has a reputation beyond reputest2lemans has a reputation beyond reputest2lemans has a reputation beyond reputest2lemans has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Is my career over?

+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
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 03.11.2016, 08:39
Medea Fleecestealer's Avatar
Forum Legend
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 23,441
Groaned at 464 Times in 360 Posts
Thanked 18,744 Times in 10,370 Posts
Medea Fleecestealer has a reputation beyond reputeMedea Fleecestealer has a reputation beyond reputeMedea Fleecestealer has a reputation beyond reputeMedea Fleecestealer has a reputation beyond reputeMedea Fleecestealer has a reputation beyond reputeMedea Fleecestealer has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Is my career over?

Quote:
View Post
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
Duh, they quit their job last year after 8 years with their company.
Reply With Quote
The following 2 users would like to thank Medea Fleecestealer for this useful post:
  #12  
Old 03.11.2016, 09:43
Samaire13's Avatar
Forum Legend
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: CH
Posts: 4,331
Groaned at 128 Times in 102 Posts
Thanked 7,258 Times in 2,761 Posts
Samaire13 has a reputation beyond reputeSamaire13 has a reputation beyond reputeSamaire13 has a reputation beyond reputeSamaire13 has a reputation beyond reputeSamaire13 has a reputation beyond reputeSamaire13 has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Is my career over?

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.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 03.11.2016, 09:46
Forum Legend
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Zurich
Posts: 14,194
Groaned at 1,440 Times in 953 Posts
Thanked 21,498 Times in 8,207 Posts
Chuff has a reputation beyond reputeChuff has a reputation beyond reputeChuff has a reputation beyond reputeChuff has a reputation beyond reputeChuff has a reputation beyond reputeChuff has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Is my career over?

Quote:
View Post
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.
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.
Reply With Quote
The following 3 users would like to thank Chuff for this useful post:
  #14  
Old 03.11.2016, 09:50
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: geneve
Posts: 731
Groaned at 287 Times in 110 Posts
Thanked 1,374 Times in 546 Posts
idefix has earned the respect of manyidefix has earned the respect of manyidefix has earned the respect of many
Re: Is my career over?

Of course your career in CH is over. You've been in ZH for 6+ years and you don't speak fluent German.
Reply With Quote
The following 2 users would like to thank idefix for this useful post:
  #15  
Old 03.11.2016, 09:55
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Re: Is my career over?

Quote:
View 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.
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.
Reply With Quote
The following 5 users would like to thank for this useful post:
  #16  
Old 03.11.2016, 10:07
Forum Legend
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Zurich
Posts: 14,194
Groaned at 1,440 Times in 953 Posts
Thanked 21,498 Times in 8,207 Posts
Chuff has a reputation beyond reputeChuff has a reputation beyond reputeChuff has a reputation beyond reputeChuff has a reputation beyond reputeChuff has a reputation beyond reputeChuff has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Is my career over?

Quote:
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.
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.

Last edited by Chuff; 03.11.2016 at 11:14. Reason: Edited for gender uncertainty. :p
Reply With Quote
The following 3 users would like to thank Chuff for this useful post:
  #17  
Old 03.11.2016, 10:14
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Re: Is my career over?

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.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 03.11.2016, 10:21
hairybadger's Avatar
Forum Veteran
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Geneva area
Posts: 544
Groaned at 2 Times in 2 Posts
Thanked 751 Times in 302 Posts
hairybadger has a reputation beyond reputehairybadger has a reputation beyond reputehairybadger has a reputation beyond reputehairybadger has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Is my career over?

You may want to change your occupation on your profile. It isn't unknown for potential employers to check forums etc for potential employees
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 03.11.2016, 10:27
Samaire13's Avatar
Forum Legend
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: CH
Posts: 4,331
Groaned at 128 Times in 102 Posts
Thanked 7,258 Times in 2,761 Posts
Samaire13 has a reputation beyond reputeSamaire13 has a reputation beyond reputeSamaire13 has a reputation beyond reputeSamaire13 has a reputation beyond reputeSamaire13 has a reputation beyond reputeSamaire13 has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Is my career over?

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.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 03.11.2016, 10:36
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Re: Is my career over?

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

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.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
employment, hague, separation, volunteer, work




Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Career change is it feasible? WAA Education 15 01.10.2014 13:21
My life is over :) cdcdoc Daily life 0 29.05.2012 18:39
On facebook? Please help my little sisters new career! grumpygrapefruit General off-topic 29 03.07.2011 01:34
Looking for some guide related to my career nabeel.a Employment 2 28.03.2011 22:29
My Heart is broken, how to get over it?!!! marcopolo Daily life 124 03.02.2010 18:43


All times are GMT +2. The time now is 00:15.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2023, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
LinkBacks Enabled by vBSEO 3.1.0