SQL and database support are skills that always needed. The market
is getting better for sure.

Is there a chance you might marry the girl?

Well yes we are engaged, but we are not trying to rush things. The idea of moving there for a few months is two fold. One is to try to find work. The other is to spend time together to work those other things out...

I hope you have a lot of money saved, because learning German is not easy here with the Swiss German dialects. Also,be prepared to spend 2-3x the amount of money here, than in America for most things. You can learn where to shop, such as LIDL and ALDI and find good deals, but German classes are not cheap and its really tough to find a job without a residence permit. Just my experience. I am now married to my once Swiss boyfriend and I have been here over a year and while our relationship is good, I am still struggling with integrating here, the climate and finding a full time job that can support my now modest lifestyle.

P.S. You can apply for the Fiance Permit in America, it takes about 3 months to get, then you can come here with the intent to marry in the following 6 months. Maybe not something you want, but a legal way to stay here longer. Also, maybe better to come after the holidays, many people and companies are off and not hiring from Christmas to New Years.

How is Zofingen? I once worked near there. The people were very
closed-minded. I think Zürich or another big city is better for integration.

I just remember bumping into ya at the trainstation.

To be quite honest, I hate living in Zofingen. Its so far from everything I need, but my husband works here, although we have been trying to move to Aarau, so we can be in the middle of Zurich and here. I would like to live even closer to Zurich since I work in Baden and the Golden Coast. Moving is quite difficult here though. The plan was to move closer to Zurich when I arrived, but we are saving money here, but I am losing my sanity

Lost-Inbroad..yeah I was caught off guard when I saw you..we should get a drink sometime. How's Olten?

Well face up to it, it's unlikely you'll get a job here, so your other option is marriage.

By the way, it's exactly the same for me if i ever wanted to go and work in your country.

You should try Canton Zug. It is quite international and close to everything. Your husband would have a bit of a commute though.

Everything's alright.....I'll be on vacation soon, but anytime afterwards is fine with me.

I heard Zug is quite expensive due to all the rich people going there to benefit from the low taxation.

I think coming here doesn't make it much easier to get a CV through. A valid work permit does help, though. If I were you, I would become a CV sending monster already, sending CVs with well written cover letters. It often takes months the companies here to respond. And try also the smaller ones - they have more problems attracting people for their average salaries.

Do you include pictures and all that on the CVs you send?

yes, definitely.
For men, a portrait picture in a suit either grey or navy with a discreet tie and white shirt for contrast. Serious but pleasant.
Background of the picture should be neutral cold color, light grey or blue.

Add reference letters. Ref. letters are very much appreciated in Switzerland. No worries that they may be in English. What they want to know is what another employer thought of you and your work.

It is not that much more expensive. We pay about 300CHF more for
an apartment, but we save that on taxes.

So Ich bin in die Schweiz!...

Anything changing? Looking up?

Merry Christmas, by the way...

Hey, there is often technical writers in english type jobs advertised.

I think you will have no great trouble finding work, good luck with it and feel free to PM if you want any assistance in searching for work tips.

In fact, keep an eye on Leica Geosystems job website as they are often after technical writers (application engineers) and are not far from St Gallen. It helps to have a geomatic background but if not then your IT and writing background might be advantageous.

To be honest, with your qualifications, passport, and lack of local language skills, your chances are close to nil. Your best chance is through marriage, which will entitle you immediately to a residence permit which is a short hop to a working permit. So, concentrate on your relationship, that's your in.

Merry Christmas, and welcome!

Oh, and keep working on your German. It talkes time ...

Do you have a fiancee visa to be here, or are you a tourist here for
three months?

My fiancee lives here, so I'm staying with her for 3 months as a tourist. We aren't looking to exploit the marriage angle just yet. We are in St. Gallen, but she is more than willing to move as far away as Muenchen (Munich)