Threw my very good Swiss friend that ive known for 13 years we have already checked and i can get legally get a residency permit in Switzerland. I want to go to Switzerland if i can find work. I have alot of experience in constrution and computers. But really my computer experience is very spread out all over the spectrum and not an expert in any one field. My Swiss friend tells i could go down the local job centre and get some quick temp work of say 1 month. But he says that as i cant speak swiss-german ill have an impossible time to find a job. Im happy to do the very lowest of jobs in construction or computer related fields. I am very hard working as ive worked in some very unhospital places of the planet. Does anyone know if a construction company would hire someone that could not speak swiss-german? Im guessing that youd think that the boss of a construction company could speak basic english. Thanking you in advance.
Imagine you job chances in Canada if you spoke only German - and wrote it fairly poorly to boot. It's not quite a direct comparison, but to imagine that the boss of a Swiss construction company would speak basic English just for you, is to put it politely, not realistic. What would you speak at the local job centre?
There are people who work here without a knowledge of German and you will need to approach International/British/US companies and have a specialised skill that will make them employ you over someone who speaks half a dozen languages...
English is the worlds international language and in many of the countries i got on fine with only Englsih. Further what if i had skills that the locals could not do or did not want to do. What im really after is if the Swiss bosses can or mind too. When i lived in Norway it was not a problem at all. So are you telling me that its ok for the people of Norway to speak English but its not ok for the Swiss?
English may be the world's international language, but that will only be to your advantage if you speak and write it extremely well, with near-flawless grammar and spelling.
For the low-wage "jobs that locals could not or do not want to do", you'd need to speak German and Swiss German would be a distinct advantage (in the German-speaking region, of course. Italian or French would apply in those regions).
I don't know what you think AbFab was telling you, but I'm telling you that it is OK for anyone to speak English. But don't expect people to all speak it here. That's one of the great Swiss myths, that everyone speaks English.
Norway, being a Scandinavian country, will have a higher saturation level of English speakers. When I lived in Sweden, I encountered only a few older people who didn't at least speak some English. Here, you will encounter many who can't say more than "hello, please, thank you". Part of the reaosn for this is the educational system, part is because (as I am sure you noticed if you lived in Norway) TV shows in English (or other foreign languages) are not dubbed into the local language as a rule. They're subtitled, with the original soundtrack.
Keep in mind that apprenticeships and experience are highly valued in Switzerland. For a simple office cleaning job, you'll be asked about extensive experience. Window washer? Same thing. Construction worker? Unless you're just shifting heavy rubble, you'll need an apprenticeship. And those shifting heavy rubble jobs are fewer and fewer. High German would be mandatory and Swiss German would be needed to at least understand the boss.
We are happy to help with your questions, but please do not be so offended when we point out the reality of living here.
thanks for your reply. I very much apprectiate it if members of the forum can be help even if it is constructive criitism. Also i should say that all the scandanavians not only they did not mind speaking English but many also were more than happy to as way for them to further brush up on there English. My Swiss friend of the longest time speaks perfect Englsih. I did work with him in asia. Im almost getting the impression from talking to everyone ive known abroad that knows more about Switzerland than i do that the Swiss are arrogrant and closed minded. Its just seems very strange for me to see this as my Swiss friend constantly went on about how Switzlerland is the best country in the world for everything. And even boosts how the Swiss are so good that even the Germans of WWII avoided them but took everywhere else instead. And the thing is too that my Swiss friend is amazing at languages. Even when were in Asia i never meet an expat that his ability to quickly learn any languages.
One thing i want to say if it was not clear that im really happy just to have a job any job really. Im not expecting the best jobs.
Also if Switzerland is not a good idea for me. Can you recommend other places of europe that could be ok for me? When i say ok im really after just saving money as i have considerable responsiblities abroad. I just thought as one my best friends was in Switzerland he could greatly maximize my experience. Whereas in the other places i dont have friends so i would not have any guidance.
With all due respect to what AbFab and evilshell are telling you, you need to keep in mind that those are simply just two ways of looking at the situation.
I live in Fribourg. Come from California. To put the change of scenery into "international" terms, to me it was like when an ostrich sticks its head in the ground.
Having said that, I will add that EVERYWHERE people speak English when you least expect it! So don't give up! If you want to come here, DO IT, Brother! It is a fabulous place to live!
Keep AbFab and evilshell's advice in mind - they are basically telling you that you most probably have to struggle until you learn one of Switzerland's 4 national languages. But life is about the struggle...if it was too easy, you wouldn't have any fun!