We are moving to Switzerland (Zurich) from the US in summer for my job. However, I'm wondering what would be the best strategy for looking for a job for my husband.
Inputs:
- EU citizenship (Czech Republic) and US citizenship
- Fluent English and German
- ~10 years of work experience in Finance (Financial Planning and Analysis), currently in the management role in the Silicon Valley tech company
Any ideas and starting points are appreciated.
Tom
Really helpful you two.
There’s a sticky in this section of the forum for English speaking job hunting which might be useful.
Also try
www.jobs.ch
www.jobup.ch
www.monster.ch
to see what’s available. Make sure to state that EU citizenship on any job application, otherwise employers will assume they need to go through the non-EU hiring process.
Concerning the CV, it's sooooo different to the US. Include: date of birth, citizenship, residence permit status, civil status, and a profile photo. Unless it's a multinational aligned to US culture, all that info is expected to get a call.
About salary, that info is not mentioned on ads. It's more about negotiation. So, talk to people with more details to get a good estimate.
General: As mentioned by Axa, ensure that your CV meets Swiss standards. Search the internet for a "Schweizer Lebenslauf" to use as a model. Also, prepare an appropriately Swiss application letter (Motivationsschreiben) to be adjusted to the job offering.
- The CV language should match the job offer's requirements so it might be advisable to have a German language and an English language CV.
Publicized jobs: Consider using a job search spider such as indeed.ch or jobagent.ch (subscription required). See this list for an extensive list of internet job boards in Switzerland, including the mentioned job search spiders:
https://www.ag.ch/media/kanton_aarga...lenboersen.pdf
Non-publicized jobs: It is estimated that around 70% of job openings in Switzerland are not formally publicized, although the percentage varies widely by sector and by position and level within sectors. Ways to find a "grey market" job include:
1. Activate your network of colleagues, ex-colleagues and personal contacts
2. Update your LinkedIn and/or Xing profile, mentioning that you are open to new opportunities in Switzerland
- Recruiters scan these profiles regularly
3. Write spontaneous (unsolicited) applications to departments/ departmental heads within companies of interest (also to HR departments)
- A fine list of mid-sized to large companies can be found at this link:
4. Request exploratory interviews with identified companies
5. Actively contact recruiting firms focused on financial jobs in Switzerland. These firms include: Michael Page, Robert Walters, Robert Half.
Just some thoughts. Good luck with your job search!
This is a good suggestion. There are outplacement/ training companies that assist job-seekers for a price. This is one that offers a training course in English:
MANY of us have managed to find jobs who did not come on IA's. With all information available on the internet, if OP was able to get to the English Forum, you'd think her husband could also google "Job search Switzerland" etc etc etc. The links provided in replies above, I was able to find all on my own when I started job hunting for Zurich 12 years ago.
Today IA benefits tend to be more meager - unless of course the seconded employee is seen as a critical player in the success of a profit-center venture. Healthy IA packages still exist for key seconded employees.
Bottom line - much boils down to one's negotiating skills. If the company needs you, if the move is at the company's request rather than yours, you are in a stronger position to negotiate. And so you should - your life, your familly's life, is being disrupted for the benefit of the company. You and your family should not lose out due to the IA.
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I agree with your point that one would think the partner, given experience, position, and language skills should already have someideas how to go about the job search.
But Switzerland is it's own little world with it's own quirks, so asking here is never a bad idea. That's what the forum is for, after all.
And, as a public forum, other job-seekers likely read these threads which should benefit them.
I understand the "you'll never get it unless you ask" mentality, but there is a fine line as well. I have seen expats throughout my career that have taken it a step too far with their requests- not leaving the best impression at the start. (not saying that asking HR for help is such request, but it could be, depending how/who HR is in that company)
I believe people consider every aspect of their lives including spouse, spouse job and kids' education and quality of life overall. If it wasn't to their benefit (financially as well), people can decline.
And absolutely, the forum is here to help. I've received great information and advice over the years. But "How to look for a job?" is totally basic, it's the kind of question you ask when you have done zero research yourself, but that's just how I feel.