 | | 
10.04.2019, 22:14
| Newbie | | Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Singapore
Posts: 1
Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
| | Marketing, Chinese and English Skills
Hi everyone,
I'm planning to move from Singapore to Zurich, but I need a job near Zurich first. I have a Bachelor's degree in Marketing & PR and 3 years of entry-level experience. I thought that together with my Chinese and English language skills, I might be an interesting candidate for the luxury industry in the area. My reasoning behind this is that Swiss luxury brands have many Chinese-speaking customers, and with my language skills and clearer understanding of their culture, I could provide valuable insights in a marketing position. Sales would also be an area that comes to mind, since then I'd directly communicate with Chinese-speaking customers.
However, I have only very basic German knowledge, so that's a big disadvantage. I'd be willing to accept a wide range of positions (even internships), but the above seems to make most sense to me.
Does this sound reasonable, or am I way off? Would you recommend other industries to target on my job search? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Nicole
PS: Are there any other Singaporeans on this? Or are there maybe some networks of Singaporeans in Switzerland that I might join?
| 
13.04.2019, 12:57
| Member | | Join Date: May 2015 Location: Geneva/Lausanne
Posts: 247
Groaned at 2 Times in 2 Posts
Thanked 107 Times in 69 Posts
| | Re: Marketing, Chinese and English Skills
Most Chinese speaking sales/marketing folks I’ve met in Switzerland ALSO speak fluent English and the local language. You are at a disadvantage already.
It would be much easier if you can also put German or French on your CV.
| 
13.04.2019, 14:58
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kt. Bern
Posts: 4,348
Groaned at 205 Times in 162 Posts
Thanked 7,059 Times in 3,151 Posts
| | Re: Marketing, Chinese and English Skills
You simply would not qualify for a work permit as you have nothing to justify it.
- Entry level experience in the market means you do have the expertise to justify it
- A primary degree does not justify it
Learn one or more of the local languages, add a masters degree and get about 10 years experience and there might be a chance.
Alternatively find and marry a Swiss.
| 
13.04.2019, 16:00
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Switzerland
Posts: 21,842
Groaned at 391 Times in 302 Posts
Thanked 16,784 Times in 9,471 Posts
| | Re: Marketing, Chinese and English Skills | Quote: | |  | | | You simply would not qualify for a work permit as you have nothing to justify it.
- Entry level experience in the market means you do have the expertise to justify it
- A primary degree does not justify it
Learn one or more of the local languages, add a masters degree and get about 10 years experience and there might be a chance.
Alternatively find and marry a Swiss. | | | | | This pretty much.
"Admissions are limited to managers, specialists and other qualified workers. ‘Qualified workers’ primarily means individuals with a degree from a university or university of applied sciences who also have several years of professional experience. Depending on the profession or the field of specialisation, individuals with special training and several years of professional experience can also be admitted." https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home...zulassung.html
What you currently have to offer an employer here isn't enough to make it worth their while to go through the time and expense of applying for a permit on your behalf because they know the application would fail.
| 
15.04.2019, 15:47
| Newbie | | Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Zurich
Posts: 3
Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
| | Re: Marketing, Chinese and English Skills
Does this mean that somebody without masters and less than 5 years of experience will not get a work permit even if he has an offer from a company?
| 
15.04.2019, 15:53
|  | Moderately Dutch | | Join Date: May 2011 Location: Zurich
Posts: 10,759
Groaned at 357 Times in 298 Posts
Thanked 13,260 Times in 6,242 Posts
| | Re: Marketing, Chinese and English Skills | Quote: | |  | | | Does this mean that somebody without masters and less than 5 years of experience will not get a work permit even if he has an offer from a company? | | | | | Check the offer from the company if it has a clause that the contract is only valid if you will get a permit?
There are always exceptions to the rule. Depends on you, your future employer and your job.
| 
15.04.2019, 15:58
| Newbie | | Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Zurich
Posts: 3
Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
| | Re: Marketing, Chinese and English Skills | Quote: | |  | | | Does this mean that somebody without masters and less than 5 years of experience will not get a work permit even if he has an offer from a company? | | | | |
Does it depend also about nationality?
| 
15.04.2019, 16:04
|  | Moderately Dutch | | Join Date: May 2011 Location: Zurich
Posts: 10,759
Groaned at 357 Times in 298 Posts
Thanked 13,260 Times in 6,242 Posts
| | Re: Marketing, Chinese and English Skills | Quote: | |  | | | Does it depend also about nationality? | | | | | It all depends on nationality.
But the quota for non EU hirings are not split by nationality afaik.
| 
16.04.2019, 11:02
| Newbie | | Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Zurich
Posts: 3
Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
| | Re: Marketing, Chinese and English Skills | Quote: | |  | | | It all depends on nationality. 
But the quota for non EU hirings are not split by nationality afaik. | | | | |
So for EU you don't have that much requirements for getting a work permit? My gf and me (polish and spanish) are looking to move to Switzerland. Thank you | 
16.04.2019, 11:15
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Switzerland
Posts: 21,842
Groaned at 391 Times in 302 Posts
Thanked 16,784 Times in 9,471 Posts
| | Re: Marketing, Chinese and English Skills | Quote: | |  | | | So for EU you don't have that much requirements for getting a work permit? My gf and me (polish and spanish) are looking to move to Switzerland. Thank you  | | | | | Nope, you just need to register as being a resident here before you start work. https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home...z-eu-efta.html |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Thread Tools | | Display Modes | Linear Mode |
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | All times are GMT +2. The time now is 19:06. | |