Hi All,

For those who did not read the sequel to my original thread in the complaints section here it is again.

I got my Permit B alright and was pleasantly surprised because it does not happen everyday to hapless chaps like me. Things have shaped up a bit like having the official paper brigades sticking me with an identity and a travel document thrown in for good measure ( that part of the system works and I must give it due credit at least in my case)

Did love very much to move from where I presently am on account of all the employment agencies having told me they only hire carpenters, masons and kitchen aides. I am none of this ( not that I would mind if the opportunity arose but I am afraid it might not). More frightful to to me is the street talk I keep hearing that darkies don't make it into office jobs ( haven't seen one in the 2 years I have been in this place). Could someone kindly direct me to headhunters/EAs in the Zurich area where my CV could be given a second glance. This sounds woolly headed but I really need to get to where people can understand me every time I open my mouth. I am mindful of what I was told in this forum, i.e. I live in one of the most difficult part of the glorious Helvetii confederation.

Hi

What is your experience, what kind of work are you qualified for?

try www.jobs.ch

Headhunters - that depends on your speciality ...
If you work in Finance or IT - there are loads...
also try buying the Tages Anzeiger on the classified 'Anzeiger' days which I think are Tues, Thurs and Friday ...
Good Luck...

Sorry I meant to say Tues, Thurs and Saturday (not necessarily Friday) ..... for the Jobs Pages...

Hi Scott,

Thanks for the advice. Have spent the better part of a year trolling the Schweiz job websites and paper ads with no luck there. Am not in IT or Finance but am looking for MBA entry-level management consulting posts/ Marketing/PR/ Office admin/ undergraduate teaching (business subjects). Would also like working in an NGO environment in projects design and management

As far as I can judge, you would be in a better position to find a suitable position in an urban area. You might have more chances in a multinational company who embraces good english and people of different backgrounds.
How good are your skills in local languages?
Do you need to have a job contract before you can apply for relocation? Or does the new law apply already and you can move *freely* within Switzerland?
Why must it be Zurich?
In Geneva a big employer would be the UN, in Zurich there is the Banking sector very busy...

As for *darkies* not getting job offers apart from cleaning and kitchen aides, it is not true. I know quite a good deal of non-whites who are in offices, from the bottom to the top levels, some even with *aduro* past that put effort in furthering their education here.

There is a business platform www.open-bc.ch where you might make some useful contacts. I have a friend in Zurich who employs but more of the kind of jobs that you mentionend they would only offer to you in Valais.

Hi Lala

Thanks for your reply. What is "aduro"? What you say about people of color getting office jobs might be true where you are but certainly not where I am right now. Non-whatsoever and it's not a figment of my imagination. I was once told by a high personage to leave my academic qualifications, warts and all, at home if I ever wanted to get a job. Besides, I have foreigner friends here who have been sitting on years of experience and PhDs because of that mindset. You got to live here to believe what I am saying, its tough and a pain to say the least!

Zurich is attractive for the simple reason that it has a larger concentration of multinationals and it's a cultural melting port( true or false?). Geneva too, with its UN but its a long shot getting a job in that venerable organization, been trying forever anon!

As for local languages, I have a next to good smattering of French but don't think it's a deciding factor really! Ja! my permit says I can work anywhere, but yes I need to find a job first in order to move and that's exactly what I am trying to do.

Thanks anyway for the leads and believe you me or not, I am holding out for something to give- as in landing an interview then a job in that order.

Oh! you are right, I need to find a job in an urban area because I get the feeling I am not in one even if it's the biggest "urban " place in the whole blessed Canton

"aduro" means asylum seeker, sorry.

I am not disputing your experience at finding an office job as a black.
That is why I advise you again send your application to a multinational, be it Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne or Basel. UBS, CS, Novartis, Roche, Ciba, Nestlé ... Many multinational companys committed themselves against discrimination of emoployers, even (state that they) embrace staff with different cultural background. At least that is what they say the implemented "diversity" Heads for.
I honestly think that your chances with multinatonals is better. You must speak the local languae very well if you want to find an office job in a local company.

I wish you all the best.

Hi,

Thanks for educating me on the word "aduro" whatever its connotations as regards the people it refers to. Have applied for jobs with all the companies you mention, but will keep trying - nothing really beats that. Thanks again for the advice which I take in good faith.

Mambo, as far as I am aware there is no specific connotation with the word. it is just the w.african (ghanian?) term, i think it is equivalent to the english one, with all the connotations self-supporting.

here is a useful directory with joblinks that my friend just gave me:
http://www.jobs-links.ch/jobs_arbeit_schweiz/index.html

don't let discouragement take over you, sooner or later you will enter into to empolyment it is just a matter of time.

BTW- i know you want to work, but meanwhile, if you proove to the RAV (Regionales ARbeitsamt or ORP Office Regionale de ermm qoui?) using their form that you regularly search for a job , register there, they won't give you any money but you have a right to participate to a language course for example. this might help you in your career as well.