Interview and selection process in Switzerland

Visas, Permits, Passports and Naturalization
1
I live in Amsterdam, NL. I am in the interviewing process for a position in Montreux. I have already pass through the recruting firm and had a telephone interview with the company's HR. The interview obviously went well because I am now invited to Switzerland for an interview in person with a panel of 3, including the HR.

Question:

(1) How many interviews would be considered normal in Switzerland for the selection process?

(2) Who should pay for my trip to the interview? Is is the usual for the job candidate or the company or the recruiter? Even if the amount is reimbursed, it is about "when". I recently had an interview, in the UK in early Nov. and even though the company is to reimburse me, I still do not have the money in my bank. A couple of these interviews and I will be seriously cash stricken. Would it be improper to ask the company to arrange for the ticket, etc ?

(3) What sort of relocation package is reasonable?

(4) Although I have already given a salary range, I wonder whether the the salary is enough and where is it possible to check on salaries for Switzerland?

Many thanks in advance for the kindness.

Jones

2
I can answer some of the questions based on the experience I had so far.

The interview process is usually split into two parts. One i.e. technical related to your expertise and the second with HR maybe to see how you handle real-life situations. Again the technical part may be split into two. For eg., they might have an initial interview on phone to see if you are really worth the effort to call for the face2face.

The relocation depends on the position really, but usually b/w 5k and 8k or actual costs i.e. moving, ticket etc for the average joe. Again, I have known expat deals where quite a bit of money was involved. But, it depends totally on the position and how bad they want you. But with the market not so great and if you are not going in for a Managerial position do not expect more than 8k.

As far as your salary range, unless you tell your field and give more details, its not possible to say is it worth or not.

Look around the forum using the search button as theres a lot thats discussed before.

3
Many thanks for the information. I've taken your advice and looked at other forums.

4
I hope someone can shed more light on the hiring process with in Switzerland. I'm in the middle of the interview process.

I was wondering, is it unheard of to be hired with out an in person interview? What is the normal process, ie. couple of phone interviews, in person interview, then offer to hire?

Would a tentative offer to hire ever be extended pending an in person interview? (something like, we are interested in hiring you, but need to conduct an in person interview before extending an offer).

Would a company call you by phone just to tell you...you did not get the job or send you a letter or ding you by e-mail?

Is the process different for job seekers with in CH vs. job seekers from outside of CH. I am a long distance hire, as I'm in the US and of course both the company and position are in CH.

Any insight is appreciated.

5
It depends totally on the position and also on the individual manager within the organisation. If its in Europe, they would definitely like to see you after the initial technical interviews are done. But US, they mite skip that process or even ask you to go to one of their US offices.

6
Its always better to do a follow up after your technical interview is done. Just thank them for the opportunity (blah blah) and that you would appreciate their feedback.

Yes, its a different process for job seekers living in CH compared to abroad. Most likely CH job seekers already hold some kind of permit and for someone from the US, they have to prove that theres no local resources available (ads etc) and then apply for a permit for you. Once it gets to a stage it can take anywhere from 2 to 5 months.

7

They would definitely want an in-person interview. As far as getting

dinged, I have had companies call, send e-mail, and do absolutely

nothing. I say this depends on the company.

8
Thanks for the input. I know it is hard to make generalities about the process as everyones situation hinges or something different. So, I will keep this post updated to help others going through the interview process from outside of Switzerland ie. overseas (United States). I will know more about my application status soon.

9
If anyone is curious, yes the Swiss may call you by telephone to let you know you did not get the job. In the US this would be very rare, as you most likely get the "thanks for trying out" letter in the mail, if your lucky.

My scenario went like this (legal field): ( 3/20 - 5/13) this was for an immediate need position.

1st job application by e-mail to company address (no response, waited 8 days)

2nd e-mail directly to HR person's e-mail address (response in 5 days)

3rd several e-mails regarding scheduling phone interview with top guy (aka big cheese)

4th Initial phone interview with the big cheese (1hr -covered everything, bkgd of office and company, duties of position, my CV qualifications, my practical work experience) (at the end of the interview big cheese told me next step was another phone interview with a few members of the office)

5th Second phone interview with big cheese, and two staff members ( 1.25 hrs, covered bkgd of staff members and operations of office, responsibilities, few question about my practical experience, not as intense as initial phone interview, a little more like get to know the staff and opportunity to ask questions) (ended by big cheese saying next steps would be call with HR (because HR was on vacation during the above) then possible interview with at the US office location of the company)

6th Third phone interview with HR, strictly get to know you, position title, pay scale/range, opportunity to ask questions about hiring process, visa applications, contract terms, benefits, termination rights...

7th Fourth phone call- I did not get the job.

I can tell you after each phone interview I sent a thank you e-mail with some substance and reiterated my interest in job. As you can see this was nearly a 2 month process. In the end, I was told I was overqualified (which they knew from the beginning) and found someone else that could start sooner (also, being overseas- visa application can take minimum 4-6 weeks, even with big company, they also knew this from the beginning).

I did not ask for a certain salary amount, just asked them what the salary range that was being offered for the position.

Good luck to others!

10
I can tell you after each phone interview I sent a thank you e-mail with some substance and reiterated my interest in job. As you can see this was nearly a 2 month process. In the end, I was told I was overqualified (which they knew from the beginning) and found someone else that could start sooner (also, being overseas- visa application can take minimum 4-6 weeks, even with big company, they also knew this from the beginning).

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This 'overqualified' reason is all too common....any ideas on getting around it would help expats.

11
"Overqualified" means that they found someone that would work

for less money even though the person is less experienced.

12
...or they couldn't think of another reason to reject you and it sounds least offensive.

dave

13
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true, and often the position required less experience than the overqualified candidate had. Or so it seems.