Just to underscore what LIB says...
In the present political and economic climate, it is very, very difficult for an American - actually, any non-EU citizen - to immigrate to Switzerland.
From a political standpoint, there is a growing feeling that 'the boat is full', calls for curbs on immigration are becoming ever more strident. There is a great deal of anti-immigrant feeling among the general population.
Switzerland can do nothing to limit immigration from the EU, thanks to the free movement of people treaties. What they didn't expect when those were signed was that the world economy, Europe in particular, would go down the drain. Suddenly EU folks are immigrating to Switzerland in far larger numbers than ever before. Switzerland is a tiny country, and simply can't absorb the numbers that are coming.
So since there can be no limits place on EU immigration, when met with demands to reduce immigration the only response the Swiss government can make to severely restrict non-EU immigration.
In order for a non-EU person (non-famiy reunion) to obtain a permit, one must first have a job offer. In order for a job to be offered to a non-EU, a company must first prove that there are no CH or EU citizens who possess the skills needed and who are available and willing to take the job. The authorities are cracking down on this. To give you an idea, in better economic times my husband's company used to get whatever permits they requested, for anyone - the process was more or less a rubber stamp. Nowadays they are being told that even after an extensive search for a CH or EU candidate they still may not hire non-EU. They are being told to lower the requirements so that a CH or EU candidate will qualify.
And it gets worse - permits for non- EU employees are not being renewed; people who have been here years are being told 'sorry, this job needs to go to a CH or EU citizen, time to go home".
This by the way, is a very large MNC.
(The company has stopped hiring non-EU all together, and is instead moving open jobs to other countries.)
So unless you are highly skilled - actually, unless you possess unique skills with many years of experience behind you - you will face very high barriers to entry.
Life for a non-EU citizen here is very precarious these days. Even those of us with C permits (permanent residence) are getting a tad nervous.
Now is not the time for a non-EU citizen to be dreaming of the Alps. Well, you can dream, but you would be better off establishing your career first. Until you can bring something to Switzerland that no one else can, until one is a proven money-maker, proven positive contributor, Switzerland has no incentive, or reason, to let a non-EU person in.
Harsh - but that's the reality for non-EU folks in these difficult economic (and political) times.
This could all change once (if) the world the economy improves. But until then, concentrate on getting yourself established. Keep dreaming - but be practical.
I truly wish you all the best.