Move to Lucerne

Welcome and Introductions
1
Hi

I’m British female in mid 30’s moving to Lucerne mid year. I am seeking administrative/PA/hotel receptionist jobs. I don’t speak German or Swiss German but I’m learning. Is it easy to find work in Lucerne as a native English speaker?

What’s the average rent and salary in Lucerne?

What suburbs are the best to live in Lucerne?

Any good job sites I can look at?

Any good recruiting agency I can contact for admin jobs?

Thanks

S

2

No, of course not. English is a bonus language here so you’re likely to need German as well for most admin/PA/reception positions.

Why are you thinking of moving?

3
It's quite hard to find a job but not impossible. The Swiss have aquired a high level of English now so being a native English speaker is no longer an advantage.

4
https://www.englishforum.ch/search2....zern&logic=and

https://www.englishforum.ch/search2....erne&logic=and

https://www.englishforum.ch/search2....ites&logic=and

https://www.englishforum.ch/search2....ency&logic=and

HTH.

Nick

5
Not impossible, but you may have a steep uphill climb ahead.

You are seeking work in areas where language skills are paramount. Your competition will likely multilingual, especially for hotel front desk jobs.

As for admin/PA jobs: Even in companies where English is the official working language the PA often needs multiple languages. It's not uncommon that the person you are working for is a foreigner with only English and so the PA needs to be fluent in German (and French and Italian).

Keep trying, hone your CV to emphasize other skills you have to compensate for the lack of German - you may get lucky. But be aware of the importance of local languages skills here, and start working on your German as soon as possible.

I see you also speak Gujarati; do you speak other Indian languages as well? You might consider trying one of the Indian tour companies. That could be a springboard to other opportunities in the tourism sector.

Good luck with the move.

6
Thank you for the information. I am moving to be closer to my family as I have been living in Australia for last 5 years

7

Well, be aware that as an EU national you can be here for up to 90 days as a tourist without having to register as being resident. If you can’t find a job in that timeframe then if you want to continue job hunting here, you’ll have to register to become a resident, assuming you have sufficient funds to continue to support yourself. General figure to work to is CHF100 per day so you’re looking at around 9,000 for the second 3 months to get the permit.

Have you done any admin/PR/receptionist work before? Because I see from your profile that you have social work down as your profession. If you have no experience/qualifications in those other areas that will also count against you when it comes to finding a job here.

8
This is the same advice I would give you. There's a good sized industry in Indian tours because of all the iconic Bollywood films that have been made in Switzerland, and that would be your 'in'. I have experience in hotel reception and hotel management, but without German language skills at a Goethe B2 level and above, there's little hope of employment in that industry.

9
I am a social worker and you have to do you own admin in my job. But I also have experience work in HR, recruitment and administration.

What other jobs would be recommended if I am not a Swiss German or German speaker? I absolutely loved Lucerne the mountains and lake was beautiful.

But would I better be off in Zurich or bigger cities where there are more English companies?

10
I think you will have a hard time anywhere in Switzerland without local language skills. You may be better off looking for work in England and doing long weekend trips and holidays here, still closer than Australia

11

Depends on what you’re willing to do.

https://www.englishforum.ch/employme…fications.html

Things like waitressing, shop assistant, etc, are still going to need German.

Have a look down in the Employment section of the forum. There are a couple of sticky threads there with details of companies who may want English speakers.