hi cécile,

to quote you

"I seriously don't get this. I want to work. I need a job"

exhibits exactly the mind set which is causing part of your failure. to be desperate, and needy

will not attract anybody to employ you regardless of your skills and qualities.

remember, it's not about you......it's what they need, so try and communicate in that vein.

think of it this way, as a marketing approach. you want to sell your car, you would not advertise that 1:you need the money. 2 you don't need the car any longer.3: the insurance  costs are too high,3: you would like a smaller compact car asap.

you can always send me a private message, perhaps i can help you.

also, for 200 applications the average result would be 2-3 interviews, in today's world.

best wishes

roger (aka epicure)

Cécile, 

I have so many friends in the same position, really bright, qualified people who have a lot to offer but still finding it hard to convince future employers of their worth. Frankly, these employers seem to be very short sighted as you would definitely be an asset to any company. I know many people as have been in GEneva for a long time. Should I hear of anything that might interest you, I will let you know. In the meantime, have you thought of doing a CELTA, in order to teach English. This of course would be a short term solution in your case until you find your dream job but at least you would be giving back and I know that English in great demand.

Cecile

We sympathise, as when we emigrated to a very large island in the southern hemisphere which shall be nameless, we were both faced with the same problem as you now have. When we used wording which we thought appropriate at interviews and on our CVs, we were met with blank stares, as obviously the locsls did not understand what we were talking about.

Finally we both managed to find suitable employment with would-be employers who had been through the same rather traumatic process as us when we emigrated, and who knew our worth. My advice would be to relax your CV somewhat, and then to look for people from your own country who understand your qualifications. Good luck, as easy it isn't!

Do you speak French? Back in 2011 I've missed a couple of opportunities because my French wasn't good enough.

Two years later, speaking maybe B1 level I managed to break through the interview in French and things got easier. I must admit that in IT it's easier to get a job than in other areas.

My advice would be to improve your French as much as you can. Not the only thing you can do, but sure a good thing to do.

Anohter advice would be to do some volunteer work until you find a real paying job. That helps to get into the Swiss market and get to know people.

Thank you, geojusto... I do speak French. In fact, I was born and raised in France. I am also Polish (and use my Polish citizenship in forms, where necessary).

I have repeatedly been told not to mention the fact I am French here, but I do of course specify that I am fluent in French. I speak five languages, so that's not the issue... 

Dear Roger,

Thank you for your input. My "desperation" comes across in the above message, but certainly not in my letters of motivation, CV, or interviews. I know better. I changed my tone here on Glocals because I'm at my wit's end and need help from others.

I do know how to sell myself based on what people are looking for and always emphasize their needs and priorities rather than mine. To be clear, I have had a few interviews during or after which recruiters and department heads have called me a "godsend", "exactly what we've been looking for", etc. One of them even asked me "where have you been hiding all this time?" In spite of these encouraging comments and even though I always follow up with a very compelling, personalized thank you note, I don't get called back or offered anything. I just don't get it.

So... At this point, I do need a job and I am not afraid to say it -- here. I have bills to pay like everyone else and I have always worked. I need that to feel balanced but mostly, again, useful (the focus is definitely not on me, you see). That's why I mentioned that I will gladly take anything that pays until I can find a long-term job/career or start something on my own again. 

Cheers,

Cécile 

delseta9_ -- Thank you very much for your message. So many people I have met here stare at me and ask, "How the hell do YOU not have a job?" I am sure I could find something more easily elsewhere, but I am stuck here for now because my husband can't move at this point...

I have thought of teaching English. I could teach French, too. The CELTA option is a good one, but unfortunately I can't afford the CHF 3,500 fee required to get certified!

Thank you, Sheila. I am glad you managed to find employment with open-minded, lucid people who value your background and active contributions. It does help to run into people with a similar background, who can relate to your situation. This is why I followed my friends' advice and finally started this thread.

I think I need to target/find potential employers who (1) understand the U.S. market and training approach (NB: I never worked in France prior to moving to the U.S. at the age of 20), and (2) get AND value the rich experience I have acquired in and beyond the academic world. That's not easy... 

I have modified my CV so many times that I barely recognize it! I feel like I need to hide my accomplishments as though they were shameful. I have worked so hard, selflessly, and diligently to get to where I am today! It is disheartening, to say the least... I spent fifteen years working with refugees, torture victims, former child soldiers, rape victims, political prisoners -- it's always been about helping others and I thought that would play in my favor in a city like Geneva. But no... 

Geneva is a place of many contrasts, very superfcial in some ways and all about the bling due to the abundance of rich people living here and yet welcomes the UN and many other humanitarian organisations.

Dear Cécile.

I've just read your post - and I totally agree with Roger.

My two cents, and I work in HR since many - many years;

Keep your CV short (max 2 pages) - and make sure that you have a good cover letter, that's "the key" most of the times, but than again, it dependes also on who is seeing your CV first.

In todays world - in Switzerland, - it is normal to get over 700 - plus applications per job.

Good luck!

Cécile, I was just then discussing the employment situation with another group. It's amazing how many people are in a similar situation. It's very clear to me that the job market here is over-saturated; then age, nationality, being overqualified, etc. . . everything's an excuse to exclude people.

Personally, I'm job-searching for FP&A roles since September last year and it's becoming a nightmare. I've had recruiters who interviewed me both tell me that my CV is good and to keep applying, but other than that, I've had no post-specific interviews yet. It's just maddening to apply to positions you fulfill (or exceed) all requirements for, to take time to write a thorough cover letter highlighting all those competences. . . just to get a generic "nope" email response. 

I digress anyway. . . As a trailing spouse which I understand you are, have you checked if you can apply to the local ORP? They are not great but they have a "job search" program (CV/ cover letter/ professional networking)  and two different programs to do an internship some where (with the specific objective of breaking into the Swiss job-market; a stepping stone). In fact, one of them involves the ONGs in Genève. . .

A very important point, why should any employer choose "a trailing spouse / husband" ??

(insider info; most willl not....)

Here in Switzerland it is well known that expats earn far more than most Swiss people with a family.

If you're looking to market yourself for your next career move, it's important to have experienced professional advice. Every negative reply to your present CV is a missed opportunity if you haven't gone through this process. Why wait until you become desperate.

Hi Cécile! If my math is correct, you're technically not a trailing spouse. You didn't follow your husband here because he came to Switzerland for work. Rather, he's been established here for 13 years and you moved in 2011... Correct? 

I honestly don't think that's going to be your main concern. Surely you're not mentioning your husband in your CV or cover letters! Anyway, recruiters don't need to know that, and they probably won't ask you pesonal questions about why you suddenly gave up your career in the U.S. at the height of success. If they do, of course, you can prepare a clever answer that shows you didn't just "tag along" when your husband relocated to the area. That's similar to dancing around questions about your kids (which guys luckily seldom have to deal with).

You sound like you had a thriving career actually, and a solid foundation to build upon when you were in New York. You chose to leave that behind for personal reason XYZ and that shouldn't be held against you here... You may not like being dependent on your husband right now, having always managed on your own before, but it sounds to me like you are still very independent (maybe not financially, OK), driven and certainly hungry for more, and able to fend for yourself. That's definitely the right attitude to have! Chin up and best of luck! 

Thank you for your encouragements, Eric... Good math skills! I agree with the fact that the trailing spouse label may not apply to me. I didn't follow my husband here and no one needs to know why I chose to move here when I interview for a job. I can always vaguely explain that I came back for family reasons, which is true anyway given that my aging parents live an hour away from here!

Anyhow, I do seem to have bigger concerns, indeed... Hey, at least I don't have kids and won't have any -- if that's any help! 

Hello Helen! Thank you for your valuable input. I do have a very readable 2-page CV and usually write compelling, catchy cover letters. If no one sees them amongst 700 other applications or if they are fed to some kind of computer software, however, I am not sure that helps. This is why I would like to network more efficiently and actually meet the right people face to face. It is much easier to introduce and sell myself, and to make a great first impression when I meet people in person.

As far as the "trailing spouse" issue is concerned -- oooh, I dislike that phrase so much! To bounce off what I wrote in response to Eric’s message above, let me just reiterate that I have never thought of myself as such. My husband and I met in New York when I lived over there and I moved here in 2011, but he has been here since 2002. “Trailing spouse” carries such a pejorative connotation. It makes the “follower” sound so passive, submissive, needy, and perhaps even despondent. I don’t identify with any of that, even though I have felt a bit discouraged lately...

More to the point -- how/why would a potential employer know that I am a "trailing spouse"? I hope I can firmly stand on my own, given my professional "pédigré", and without an ugly label related to my marital status. I don't need to be defined through or by my husband, do I? After all, the added value I will bring to an organization has nothing to do with the fact I am here "because of" my spouse, and everything to do with the rich knowledge, skills, and abilities I have demonstrated in the past... Do you really think that I am going to be set back because I am married to someone who has worked here all his life? If so, I might have to rethink this marriage thing. :)

Also, why does it matter what my husband earns? Have I now lost the right to be gainfully employed, actively contributing to the Swiss economy, and financially independent simply because I am married to someone who works here and may or may not make more than a Swiss national? Can't married women work anymore? Maybe I am misunderstanding what you are trying to convey here...

In any case, Hubby hates seeing me unemployed and I feel utterly useless. I can be an excellent and happy housewife, of course, but that's just not who I really am... I have spent the past 17 years fighting for others, giving a voice to disenfranchised people, and improving lives across the globe. Going from that to doing nothing (grocery shopping, sweeping, and ironing notwithstanding) is not my idea of a life well spent. And don't even get me started on the turn my social life has taken...   

You're going to love this:

http://blogs.wsj.com/expat/2015/07/06/portrait-of-a-trailing-spouse-dependent-dejected-and-learning-to-give-herself-some-slack/

And forgive me, but... Maybe "Hubby" needs to cut you some slack, too! You don't sound like you're moping around the house or waiting for a golden opportunity to fall on your lap.

Point taken -- Hubby ruined me professionally and he needs to chill out because he should be the one guilt tripping today... Oh, he's going to LOVE this! 

If you have so much time on your hands, might I respectfully suggest that you start contacting some of the locally based humanitarian organizations to offer your skills and experience on a full- or part-time voluntary basis.  Most of them are in desperate need of experienced practitioners so you are likely to be welcomed with open arms.

Agreed,  you won’t be earning anything but you will be gaining hands-on experience of the local workplace, how to respond to local regulations, etc.

You’ll also be free to attend interviews and chalk up brownie points when you say you are volunteering for “X” or whoever while you search for a paid position.

And who knows, maybe the organization for whom you volunteer will find funds to take you on the salaried staff.  I know of more than one instance where this has actually happened.

Alternatively, take a training course as I think someone else has suggested.  In any event, find something to get you out and about and do something be it  helping in a charity shop, stuffing circulars into envelopes, helping asylum seeking women with their English or French, the openings for volunteers are endless and the contentment you’ll have at the end of a day when you helped someone to achieve a personal milestone will help to compensate for the lack of centimes in your purse.

All the very best, R.

What 'self-employed' jobs could you do?  For example could you become the employer of people with a particular skill set whose talent is in demand?

Could you get into trading?  E.g finding something which is in demand in Switzerland and importing it, or exporting Swiss goods?   Check Ricardo or EBay for ideas.

could you run fee paying business courses, such as the ones offered by ecole Migros?

Have you checked Yellow Pages to see what businesses are out there?   Maybe you would find one which you could do.

Thank you, Ritchie. I have volunteered with many organizations in the past and certainly have been doing that here, too. I absolutely love it and, you're right, it can often be more rewarding than a paycheck. At this point, however, I really can't afford to sign up for unpaid work anymore... And everyone I have been in contact with via volunteer opportunities tells me there is no budget to gainfully employ people on a part- or full-time basis, or no position that fits my "extensive experience" (another overused phrase I dislike) -- as if it couldn't be tailored to match their needs!

Further to the above, we had friends in the same country who were both highly qualified but were oriental. Because of discrimination, despite that the man was a university lecturer in mathematics, and the wife a paeditrician, both had to eventually work as cleaners until they could slowly work their way up the corporate ladder.

I am not suggesting for one moment that you have to stoop to this level, but only to point out that there is unfortunately far worse discrimination in other parts of the world.

That said, if we can be of any personal help please feel free to contact us by private EM as we completely understand what you are going through. Keep your chin up.

You need to meet dozens, scores, hundreds of people.  People get jobs here because they know people.  That's it.  It's not really a big city.  There are small networks here and that's usually how things happen.

Because you have a Master in Laws you are welcome to join our networking event:

http://www.glocals.com/things-to-do/geneva/85212.htm

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4818966

Best wishes,

Steve

I confirm that fp&a positions are available on "paper", but impossible to get in GE/VD, at least for past 18 months. 

Hi Cecile,

Very recognisable situation, unfortunately. 

What has worked (a bit) for me, is to contact headhunters and 'keep them warm', go for coffees with them, ask if they'd agree to put you in touch with other people on their LinkedIn profile (after all, the headhunters earn money from matching candidates with jobs, so you could help them here). 

Networking opportunities can also be found with the local chapters of the alumni groups of the universities you attended, American chamber of commerce, LinkedIn and Facebook groups, and so on. 

I know that even all this can be insufficient, though. I've been in the same situation, and after one year decided to leave Switzerland temporarily, imprrove my German through a 2-month course in (affordable) Berlin, and try my chances in Germany, Austria, and german-speaking Switzerland. It get's you out of the job hunt and 'why not me?' mindset, you gain some skills to put on your CV, and you're more employable in other countries (also good for potential travel during the next job). 

I hope this helps, and please don't take it too personal. Switzerland is a very tough market. 

All best,

Paul

Hi evanescence! I actually do all of that not-so-hunky-dory stuff all on my own, in a big house, without any help. I refuse to get a housekeeper (which drives my husband nuts) because I don't like the idea of someone touching my stuff. We tried before and ended up with broken valuables and stolen items. That was a huge turn-off for me!

I am a bit of a "clean freak", admittedly, so I take care of the house every single day, and did that even when I worked fuill-time and lived alone in a sizeable apartment in NYC. I cook, bake, wash & iron clothes, and clean the oven just about every day, too. My husband works long hours and has made it clear that "house chores are a waste of precious time", so I am definitely in charge here -- and I should add that he has two kids who wreak havoc on their room every two weeks and seem to go through more clothes in two days than I do in a month, so I certainly have a full plate...

But you know what?! I love cleaning and I certainly LOVE cooking and baking. It's always been fun and strangely therapeutic for me. It got "worse" when I had to travel a lot and spent most of my time in developing countries, where the concept of "home" is often stronger than in our culture. Taking good care of my home and husband is time-consuming, yes, but it anchors me and relaxes me. Even after a long, tiring day at work...

Thank you, Paul! I will contact more people, as suggested. 

I have been in touch with headhunters since Day One, but they keep telling me that I am in the wrong field for this geographical area. Evidently, things would be easier if I specialized in finance, IT, luxury goods or pharmaceuticals. That's definitely not a change I can effect at this point. I am not going to reinvent myself as a commodity trader or a high-end watch complication expert overnight, and starting a whole new course of study is not an option today -- that's what HR reps have told me repeatedly, too, given that I am "already 37" (but not so long ago, I was "only 32").

Perhaps someone here can recommend headhunters who are open to jobseekers outside of these "traditional" specialty areas. I can't seem to find any! I am open to any employer between Geneva and Lausanne, but also beyond La Côte (within reason, I guess). Maybe I should look more intently in the Lausanne region...

I like the idea of boosting your language proficiency to better your chances outside of Switzerland. Hopefully that worked out for you! I can travel for work but can't move, however, because my husband does not wish to be uprooted. Hence my need to dance around that and adapt to a situation I have little control over.   

Thanks, Steve! That is my point: "dozens, scores, hundreds of people"! That's the kind of networking I naturally and happily promoted while I was working full time and I understand that it is even more crucial here and now. I just don't know where to start because the few circles that look interesting or promising seem closed. My husband and friends keep telling me that "Geneva is like a village where everybody knows everybody", but so far I have found that (perhaps like typical villagers) Genevans -- locals or "imports" -- aren't too keen on letting outsiders in.

So, thank you for reaching out! I will be at the networking event on March 9. I am looking forward to it!

Hi Cecile,

Thanks for the quick comment. I see your points. How about some of the free-lance sites like 

https://www.jobserve.com/ch/en/find-jobs-in-switzerland/

https://www.jobagent.ch/freelance-jobs.html 

Perhaps someone else can suggest other sites. The interim jobs pay well, and it's a way to collect experience in Switzerland and get a foot in the door.

Hi Cecile, may I just thank you for voicing your thoughts. It feels somewhat comforting to know that you are not alone in your ongoing struggle to find a meaningful job in Geneva. Best of luck to you, to me and all those female jobseekers out there!

evanescence -- I fully agree with you. Quite frankly, my most valuable and impactful work has always been unpaid, unrecognized, and yet, so deeply rewarding (emotionally, intellectually, and humanly) and beneficial to others! 

My inner life is rich and I make a point to nurture and preserve it. It is a vital force and I wish more people paid attention to that in this hectic world we live in. We would surely be surrounded with less toxic, more decent people.

I certainly work to live, not the other way around. In my humble opinion, your job should work around your lifestyle, not control or define it... Over the years, working with Tibetan refugees and victims of wartime rape in particular, I have cultivated compassion and further developed the empathy I have always felt towards others. My work has always centered on relieving the suffering of others, one way or another. Everything I do revolves around other people and improving their situation, however difficult it may be. This is why I feel so useless today -- not because I am unemployed per se, but because I am resourceful, creative, inspired, and efficient, which all seems totally wasted at this point. I can bake a mean red velvet cake and sew up torn dresses like a champ, but that's just not my calling!   

For the past 10 years or so, I have placed much more emphasis on seeking the right balance daily and nurturing all the aspects of my life that have nothing to do with public praise or a paycheck (meager as it was in academia). Most of my colleagues were so full of themselves and counting how many citations they got in obscure journals to prove their worth -- to themselves and others. I actually asked one of them once what he would have to reflect upon and feel truly fulfilled by on his deathbed and he answered, "my bibliography". Dead serious, too! That deeply saddened me. It makes you think... And that's also why I got out of that environment and didn't hesitate to drop everything to move here and focus on more important things... Now I'm here and I still have that draw towards helping others, of course. It never goes away!

Oh, I will gladly attend one of your meditations! Thank you! I love meditating. I wish more people did that, too! I'm sure it would calm them down and help them be kinder to themselves and others... 

I know what you meant re: making friends. I should have been clearer, too. I definitely don't need work to make friends. I just need to go out and be in contact with people, but I don't get to do that (beyond my professional networking efforts) because my husband works late and doesn't want to go out during the week, and takes issue with my being out alone in the evening. I suppose I understand that, to some extent... It strikes me, in fact, that he -- like many others I have met here -- only hangs out with current or former colleagues. And talk about work. Or he goes running on his own, or with colleagues, and thinks/talks about work. When I'm not working, I need friends, dancing, food, music, laughter, culture, books, movies, concerts, yoga, photography, museums, and so on. But maybe that's for another thread... :) 

Hang in there, Ozoda! It will happen. Keep your chin up and your spirits high! And if you ever want to vent or think of something else, we can meet up for coffee or tea (or a stiff one!) downtown.

Cheers,

Cécile

"Monteur d'échafaudages" in Lausanne sounds like fun! 

Thanks for the links, Paul! I did not know these sites. 

@Cécile: You have no idea how familiar all this seems to me.

I think you write very well. It shows in your impromptu usage of the double-hyphened em dash. (: I think you should try the Consultant approach in Genève instead of looking for work and offer your competences as a service.

In the Anglophone world, we tend to look at how best we could utilise all available resources while that is a concept unknown here. Productivity of engaged resources is priority on the continent. That makes employers love specialists and frown upon jacks (or jills) of all trades who integrate teams, projects & processes.

In networking & interviews, this is taken few steps further. People are conditioned to tune out to job-seekers and end-up sympathising rather than empathising. They tend to look at what are you doing now? Oh chomage...la/le pauvre.

Stop writing your personalised thank you notes unless it's exceptional. Set yourself up in a coworking space for a few weeks (it's cheap) and you will meet people at work feel the spirit of working in a team. Do your own thing until you start feeling you no longer need a job, while continuing to network to find "projects" rather than jobs. 

To get around this, start doing today what you truly want to do in a job, even if it's for cheap, free or even unsolicited. Follow UNHCR, UNOCHA and all the other agencies that interest you. Write to smaller NGOs who find it difficult to keep good employees and ask to meet someone. If & when you do meet them, use available/own research to wow them with work that would help them reach some of their goals.

Finally, ask for what you are truly worth rather than what you really need. To get one's foot in the door is never spoken aloud around here. Asking for anything less than the amounts one is worth or the job should pay is considered asking to use and to be used. And desperation.

Use? We are in a culture where restaurants and small businesses close their doors for a few weeks in summer.

One thing I've realized is that the typical "American" cv is not what European employers are looking for. Typical resume would include birthdate and photo. I

If you have a Swiss work permit this is also a key point to put prominantly on your cv. My impression is that new restrictions are making it very difficult for Swiss companies to hire non-EU folks without a permit. Remove this hurdle, and you may prevent your cv from being "binned" by HR.

Good luck!

Welcome to Switzerland.   

It took me 7 years to find work (volunteered and started my own business to keep me "busy" in that period) and only after I sent over 200 applications in a 6 month period did I start to see a return in interviews... and then was hired due to "networks". 

Employers will know you are a "trailing spouse" or unemployed European based on the fact that you live in Switzerland and have a work permit, but are not currently employed.  

Hi Rachel!

Coming from academia, I did not have a typical "American" CV to begin with, so I really had to reformat it when I arrived here in the summer of 2011. I have revised it slightly or completely overhauled it multiple times since then, depending on what I am applying for.

I do have dual EU citizenship and a valid B permit. Two major hurdles out of the way... Both "pluses" are mentioned prominently at the top of my CV. 

Good points re: birth date and photo -- headhunters have told me to remove the photo because it's distracting and to only mention my birth year when explciitly told to do so. Do you recommend I include them? If so, why?

All the best,

Cécile

Hello Julia! Thank you for your comments. If you are suggesting I go back into academia, then I can assure you it's easier said than done. I kept writing but have not published very much in the last 5 years, so my CV has a big hole in it re: scholarly publications. That is a major inconvenient when applying for research positions, but maybe not for university teaching jobs. The other issue then is that there aren't many openings in Geneva or Lausanne. I check at least once a week, trust me!

The idea when I left NYC was to get as far away from academia as possible anyway, and for very good reasons (briefly touched upon above). You mention a "Swiss Ph.D.", but I am not sure that applies to me. I already have a Ph.D., a very good and universally recognized one, on top of two master's degrees – and that seems to be a huge problem for most recruiters! So, I can probably do without a second doctoral degree. Seriously, most of the job ads I find mention a bachelor's or master's degree, so when I apply with a Ph.D., I apparently get automatically disqualified for being overqualified. Or so the headhunters and HR experts tell me... If I remove it from my CV, however, most of my professional experience will disappear with it since it would have been impossible without it!  

I am not looking for something to merely keep myself "busy", mind you. I am very busy all day, every day – as in, actively engaged in meaningful activities, not just shuffling air or running around like a chicken with its head cut off. I’m definitely not idling away until my husband gets home, not a bored housewife, and not having a mid-life crisis... I just want to be professionally active and productive as I have always been, beyond the cook-and-clean context mentioned earlier.

Thank you very much for your insightful and encouraging message, Arun! I like the coworking space suggestion. Good idea!

I have never dreamed of selling myself short, but I am quite baffled by the assumptions that people are making re: my salary expectations before I even open my mouth, simply based on the letters after my name and my "impressive résumé". Executive assistants get paid more here than what I made as a professor in NYC, so I am certainly not someone who is going to come in with surreal $$$ demands. Then again, I probably need a reality check re: salaries in Switzerland because they all sound ridiculously high to me!

Little anecdote -- Three years ago, I took a job that was wayyyy below my abilities, paid CHF 1700 per month, but very interesting content-wise. It turned out to be one of the most excruciating experiences in my life! My supervisor was an incompetent, mean-spirited, and pompous killjoy who made everyone miserable. Three people quit in our team of six, then I left and the other two are now gone, too. She ended up getting fired and the big boss called me in for two interviews. Everything went well, but I didn't get the job because someone said they didn't want a person from the previous team to make a stain on the organization.

To lighten the mood a bit...

http://www.rts.ch/play/tv/26-minutes/video/26-minutes-plus-tot-les-expats-ne-se-sentent-pas-bien-accueillis-en-suisse?id=7436384

And the new one: https://youtu.be/FeBHr5TJ6K4

NB: I am NOT Stacy! 

Have a nice weekend!

Hi Cécile, First I wish you all the best with your search and finding something. I was in the same position for over a year having been made redundant in 2013. I took the consultancy option and working for myself is something I've not regretted for a moment.

That said, I had to invest in myself to get up and running. If the only thing which is preventing you from doing this is CHF 3,500 could you not consider getting borrowing this money to get started? If not from a bank then maybe a family member or friend? Clearly you're more than intelligent and qualified enough to obtain this and it would be great to do something you enjoy. Just a thought.

All the best. 

hi cécole, just a thought which may be revealing. if YOU won't inverst in yourself, why would anyone else ?

Hi Roger! It's not because I don't have CHF 3,500 to invest in a certificate that I am not ready to invest in myself! I have financed 11 years of study, including 7 in the not particularly affordable U.S., on my own, through hard work, fellowships, and more hard work. When I arrived here, I launched my own business and that cost money, too (to set up and to run efficiently). I had zero help from the French government since I never worked in France -- they graciously gave me 11 euros for 6 months, and then I was left to my own devices, which was actually fine. I signed up for special training courses that were not free, and even helped others with their business plans and "launchpads" so I could network more fruitfully.

I am resourceful and it's not all about money anyway... Getting certified to teach English at the tune of 3,500 francs is just not a priority today. That's all I was saying. Teaching English would be a temporary fix, so I would rather invest my or other people's money more strategically.

Thank you, Rich! 

I loved the consultancy approach, too! It was intellectually rewarding, to say the least. On the other hand, I must say I often found it hard to establish myself as a woman intervening in mostly male, highly toxic environments. For instance, I had to deal with businessmen who insisted on calling me Dr. Blondie and were happy to publicly make crass comments about my "big boobs" during conferences and workshops I gave on sexual harassment. Several top managers have told me I am "too pretty to be so smart". Talk about a turn off… It didn't unsettle me in situ because I've handled much worse situations in the past, but it did make me rethink my purpose here.

As far as financing a project is concerned, I've been told I can't ask a bank since I just got here, regardless of the high quality of my business plan (and especially not if it's "just" to sign up for a course). My own savings have vanished after 5 years and a business adventure, which is normal. My parents have already helped as much as they could. My husband won't assist me financially.

I've always been independent, so not being able to rely on others today is not a major setback for me. I am more than willing to invest in myself, contrary to what Roger assumes rather harshly, but perhaps need guidance on how to do that properly here. It's a completely different culture and I would rather ask before I make discouraging and potentially costly mistakes. I don't have much room for error at this point, but plenty of room for learning and continuous improvement, of course!

Enjoy your weekend,

Cécile

Let me just add that I have met multiple headhunters in the Geneva area over the past few years, and worked with professional coaches who promised me the moon in exchange for heavy fees. I even helped some with their communication strategies or Websites, organized free workshops for them, etc. ROI? You tell me...

This is why I am asking for guidance and constructive comments here on Glocals. And a different perspective, maybe... I am not looking for unfounded criticism or unjust, judgmental comments.

I can’t help wondering why your husband won’t help you financially given all you do to keep  house and home spick and span.

You are very welcome, Cécile! Coworking is a great concept and you will meet loads of talented folks. Consultants of all sorts, web/app/graphic designers, tech & social startup teams, individual contributors from multinational companies and within a few weeks in there, you are sure to start bartering skills to set yourself up, while helping a few others in need do the same. We're beyond Web 2.0 and the world is your market.

One can never say, there might be a social+tech startup someplace that targets some aspect of the EU refugee crisis. Here's one I found and they have an event coming up in Paris: http://techfugees.com/cities/paris/

If I understood correctly, what you miss first is the buzz of the workplace. I believe it's quite normal - once one's got a taste of leadership (blood), there's nothing else one misses more.

Back to remuneration; 1 700 CHF is WAY too low & if you asked for anything that is close to that, I understand why the other serious, potential employers didn't call you back. You MUST research on the remuneration your profile commands and it is also important to know what the role is worth. To be taken seriously, what you ask for HAS to make a balance between the two. People don't change jobs as frequently on the continent and salaries are frozen for the first few years. So yes, you need a reality check; salaries are high for a reason - Genève is one of the most expensive cities on the planet and employers know that.

No employer with integrity will hire anyone who asks for an amount lower than the decent minimum living requirement (which is about 4 000 CHF gross, I think). It makes them feel ashamed and touches a nerve that sets them apart from the scores of employers who use with impunity (meaning take advantage of) the churn of talent that Genève is used to. Plus, headhunters would be wary of recommending you as you might hurt their bottomline. After all, there are only so many jobs.

Oh, no no... I didn't ask for that amount of money. I'm not THAT clueless or naïve, Arun! It was a short stint with a local NGO that I wasn't expecting to get any kind of salary from. I did it for the sake of meeting new people and being helpful to a struggling organization. They said they could scrap 1,700 per month for three months, and that they would try to find more funds to "reward" me with. I didn't say no, of course... They even told me that I could hop on board permanently if I wanted to (for 2,600/mo.), but I couldn't stand it there while the other person was in place. And you already know what happened after that... 

Fair enough, stop taking offense! I tend to try to idiot-proof as much as possible, un vrai défaut professionnel.

If you would like to invest in yourself to carry forward your skills from academia into the humanitarian sector, I highly recommend checking out http://www.thehumanitariancoach.com. Kritte's an amazing person with massive experience at UNHCR and I was very fortunate to have worked with her on a reporting project a few years ago.

All the best!

Super! Thank you, Arun. Have a lovely weekend!

Cecile

You have opened up a very interesting and proactive debate here. It seems that not only are there many people who have been in a similar position, but the majority of contributors have been at pains to help you, although whether or not it will assist you actively in your current situation remains to be seen.

As previously said, having been in a similar position, albeit 30 years ago [is it really that long ago]? we sympathise and therefore urge you, if and when you find suitable employment to meet your skills and qualifications, that you post again letting us know of your success, which will surely come sooner or later - let's hope it is the former

Here's something else that just popped up on my FB: https://www.globalcareersfair.com/event/global-careers-fair-9th-edition/

Bon weekend!

What a pathetic post Julia.

I am not Swiss (I'm French) but I just had to react. I have studied here, worked in many places (USA, UK to name a couple). You just don't understand Switzerland. Worse: you actually mis-understand this place.

Surely you must think the country's unparalleled economic success is a case of luck? Or maybe "mediocre people" (your words) yield some kind of strategic advantage... 

Have you visited companies like Rolex, Givaudan, Bobst, Nestlé, Pictet, Geberit, Décision, Pilatus, Novartis ?. Have you been to EPFL or EHL, talked to expats there? Mediocrity ?

I can assure you the Swiss are very very sharp people and they know exactly what they are doing. Granted, the job market is difficult, but such primitive Switzerland-bashing is no solution. 

Cécile, do not lose hope. I bumped into someone "like you" 4 months ago, found out he was out of a job and could not believe it. I hired him on the spot and carved a job for him. Happy ever after ( I admit of being tired trying to keep up with his formidable enegy though).

it appears in the present day economic situation that the swiss and perhaps other commercial entities ) do not feel the need to hire good people, but rather, just good enough!

would you not want the best, "over qualified" brain surgeon to operate on you if needed ? would you tell the insurance company, that you didn't want this surgeaon because he was over qualified?

when you are told you are over qualified, do you ever ask "how is that a problem"? if they say you would get bored after 6 months, do you really believe they care if you're bored. how many people who are in a job tell you that the are bored ?

the reply should be, " so, if over qualified people get bored, what are you doing to keep these good people?" 

nowadays, they don't hire good people ( for the reason above) but rather, just good enough.

except when your own brain surgery is required! but then you say, "well, this is my life we're talking about" and i ask, well, what about the life of your company?

Julia, your definition of "criminal" opens a whole new can of worms. I will address it separately if you insist. For now, I'll consider you're just throwing another toy at the wall.

I'll remain focused on this Switzerland-bashing, because I believe it is relevant to Cécile's quest and we are her "guests" here on this thread.

You get nowhere in this country with such a childish rejection of the whole thing. A teenager would trash your arguments in a heartbeat in a face-to-face conversation.

You say that Swiss companies that make mediocre products thrive because the Swiss consumers are also mediocre. Last time I checked, Switzerland was bravely aiming for a population of 8 million. Do you really think that worldwide leaders in their respective industry such as Rolex (very mediocre by the way), Swatch group, Nestlé, Bobst, Geberit and any of the companies I already named depend on the Swiss market?

And you carry on: "Switzerland does not build rockets after all".  True - they only build business aircraft, precision instrumentation and machinery used in aerospace and many highly critical industries, the world's most advanced mechanical watches, the best adhesives (SIKA) and connectors (LEMO) money can buy, the most sophisticated elevators, world leading sanitary technology, etc... all mediocre crap designed by cheap staff (your words) and sold to 8 million mediocre Swiss consumers.

Do you think mediocre Swiss consumers are the reason for this?

http://reports.weforum.org/global-competitiveness-report-2015-2016/competitiveness-rankings/

EPFL and its relentless push to attract worldwide talent/genius/funding is ONE proof of how the Swiss are leading Europe in innovation. A friend from Singapore even told me how they sent a delegation to Switzerland some time ago to formally learn from the Swiss. Singapore is number two now. And Julia didn't you recommend that Cécilia gets back to academy "because PhD is a paid job here"? Where does paying PhD's fit in your landscape of generalized mediocrity?

Another one I need to correct: If you think Swiss consumers only have money for cheapest staff (did you mean stuff?), go to Germany and the Netherlands, make a fair comparison and report back.

I have been an entrepreneur for the last 23 years, mostly here: this IS a great place to do business. Customers (at large) here are the opposite of mediocre. They are high-end, cautious and loyal.

Once you find the keys to the trust of a Swiss customer they will trust you for the long term, let you earn good margins, and (if the customer is a business) treat you as a partner in their own quest for better performance. Easy it is not, but well worth the effort, ask me how I know.

Infrastructures work, the state is corruption-free, the environment is amazing - and well preserved, kids are (relatively) safe. I could go on an on...

I was recently on a train trip back from Germany and had incurred major delays there. When we reached Switzerland, on the final leg in an Intercity from Basel, I heard an announcement that we were running 3 (three) minutes late and an apology... 

I consciously, genuinely, rationally value this place - it is not where I was born, but it is where my ex-wife and I decided to raise a family, at a moment in our life where all options were open. We did look very openly, explored options and could not find a better place.

I hope the above helps you, Cécile, put this temporary struggle in perspective. 

You will find a way to get back into the work world. Don't let anyone make you hate this place, because you can't win with such a mindset.

Look at the half-full glass, think positive. 

I read through most of this thread (stopped around Julia's post). If I may: the advice I like most was to get yourself into English teaching. Forget about this certification hurdle, just get going.

Start (very) small by running free ads (Anibis, Ikea, Migros, GHI etc...). Go to private and public schools and offer your services. They do have demand and connect pupils and teachers.

And if you'd like to have a face-to-face chat - I can only give mediocre advice though, been here too long!  I'll spare the time for a coffee. You obviously need someone to cheer you up and help you shake this thick layer of frustration that is weighing on you. 

You WILL make it Cécile. Forza!

Ernst & Young AG

http://www.jobup.ch/fr/emplois/entreprise/6339/ernst-young-ag/#3/1195997

Many thanks to all the people who have paid attention to this thread, taken the time to respond with positive and encouraging words, offered constructive criticism, and sent me private messages to share helpful suggestions and offer valuable advice. I see temporary solutions in several of the recommendations made above. Surely I will find the right path and my new career soon.  

No thanks to the people who blasted me via PM, for being a "feminist" or wanting to be financially independent... It seems that, to many men (and even women) out there, ladies should remain as vocal as a doormat. Well, let me happily say that I am not sorry that my willingness to work, contribute to society as I always did until I moved here, and be useful to others ruffled some feathers... I shall let you ponder the wise words of Aung San Suu Kyi: "In societies where men are truly confident of their own worth, women are not merely tolerated but valued."

Definitely NO thanks to the users who asked for my phone number so they could "take better care of" me... And, no, what I have is not "enough". Life isn't about having a nice house, a husband with a good job, and time to do house chores or go grocery shopping whenever I please. I am protecting myself in a way by preserving my identity and nurturing my dreams, and making a stand for what I believe is right (i.e., not staying home to scrub tiles and bake cookies all week long). There is no need for name calling, husband bashing, or disrespectful comments about "showing [me] how it's done". I know "how it's done" and that starts out there, through genuine engagement in the community and meaningful actions that have a profound, durable impact on others.

--

"When a man gives his opinion, he's a man. When a woman gives her opinion, she's a bitch." - Bette Davis

http://zenpencils.com/comic/130-sylvia-plath-the-fig-tree/

Cecile, it is hard to offer any constructive advice or suggestion without knowing enough specifics about your training and experience, what your employment targets have been and what specific approach you have used. So, we can only offer generalities on approaches, which, judging from the 72 posts on the thread, do not seem to offer much that is new to you. Otherwise, we can only co-commiserate with you.

But let me try anyway. Years ago, I saw a much better version of this cartoon, which unfortunately I can not find, but this version makes one important point, which is: a choice is made in comparison, not in isolation.

Employers look only at, and compare, the candidates who have applied.

And in comparing candidates, the person(s) making the final decision about who to hire, do not hire the best person, generally speaking, but the person who best fits the position and best fits the group of people who make up the existing team.

So every negative response is not a reflection on you, but, at best, a reflection on the fit, and at worst, it may tell you something about the group that you were lucky not ending up working for.

My apologies if this is not new to you, but in writing your cover letter and brief resume (which really should be a 2 page summary, they will ask for more if they are interested), what you want to convey is that you are a good fit.  Not that you are so incredibly talented that they would be lucky to hire you . You and others have already identified that it can actually be a reason for them not to hire you (For example: they may think you would expect a higher salary or position than they can offer you, you will not stay long with them, you might make someone less talented look bad, your supervisor may not feel comfortable, you will be bored with your job).

Read the advertisement carefully, and try to understand clearly what they want, and tailor your resume and letter to that.

It is not a matter of taking out or including items from your CV, but of carefully tailoring the 2-3 sentence description that follows the listing of each position you have held. For every one of your past positions, describe only the aspect of what you did that directly applies to the position you are applying for.

Avoid presenting yourself as multi-faceted, having diverse experience etc. That will come across and they will appreciate it only if you get past the key hurdle: demonstrating that you have  training, experience and accomplishments in the area they are looking for.

You want to convey the unifying thread in your experience in law, behavioral science, education, research, higher education administration, and strategic management and shows that it applies to this position. You want to show that in each of those experiences, you acquired and used skills that are relevant for the job.It is great if you can identify that what they want is someone good, say, at communications, and/or research skills, and then highlight those aspects in each of your past positions. It is usually stated in the job description or TORs.

As for the cover letter, you are probably already doing this, since you said you tailor them to each position, but the key is to fashion your cover letter, in a credible way, to the position's advertisement. It is in the cover letter where you do leave out a lot, and just focus on your experience in what they are looking for. What you mention about the rest can be very short, extracting only what is applicable (ie, my work in xxx required extensive use of my xxxx skills)

The question foremost in their mind is: in comparison to the other applicants, is she the best person for this job, is she likely to be the most committed and motivated, stay with us for long, does she have the skills and experience for this job, does her resume show that this is what she really wants to do and knows how to do it or, if it is something unique, that she is poised to learn how to do it?

And yes, who you know, how many people you know in the work environment (UN organizations, NGOs, academic institutions) you want to join, helps enormously to be aware of openings, and what exactly they are looking for. It also helps to have an advocate, someone, who will say, "I know her, and she is great, she will fit our team well," or at least, "you should take a look at her." They will also tell you if it is really an open position, or if, as is often the case, they already have someone in mind.

In the end, once they get to the final choice, the key question they will ask themselves, whether they say it openly or not (usually not) is: do I want to work with this person every day?

Again, my apologies if this tells you nothing new. Feel free to PM me, however, if you find this useful and you want some more thoughts or specific suggestions about where you may want to apply.  I also have a diverse profesional background and experience and have repeatedly found that it is not necessariiy an advantage in a world where a high degree of specialization is increasingly favored. I currently work at a place where someone talented and multi-faceted can find a home, so you may want to keep an eye out for openings there.

Good luck.

Thank you Cécile ! Happy Women's Day to you and all the women !

Thank you for your message, JR. It is true that recruiters compare candidates and sometimes favor one over the other because of a silly detail or personal preference. Let's not forget that it is also true that nowadays many recruitment processes rely on computers to sort through hundreds of applications, looking for keywords and things only "unbiased" algorithms can figure out in a split second.

With that in mind, I have worked hard to personalize my CV and adapt it to every single job ad I have responded to. Trust me, I leave out A LOT each time and really focus on what the organization is looking for, based on the ad itself and the info I have gathered about the place, its mission, values, and people. Ditto with the cover letter. That's why each and every job application takes me hours to complete. It is very time-consuming and draining, for sure, but I can't think of a better way to approach this. That's really just Phase One, though, and clearly there are other forces involved once the application file is out of my hands.  

Note that I don't respond to just any and all ads, but rather select the ones that correspond very closely to me and vice versa. My Ph.D. (and related rich interdisciplinary experience) is typically a key hurdle I obviously can't jump over. Someone recently suggested again that I should remove my Ph.D., but then most of my professional background would have to disappear with it! I have also been reminded that many organizations post ads for jobs they already have an internal candidate ligned up for because they are legally required to publicly announce the opening. A couple of headhunters have even told me that a "major concern" (aside from my gender!) is my age: I seem to have "accomplished too much already", as one put it, but it's hard to explain in my CV that I got my LL.M. at 20 and went on to take on heavy responsibilities and lead high-risk international projects in my early to mid-twenties.

So... I have been networking a lot for the past few weeks, meeting people left and right, and getting extremely valuable feedback in face-to-face meetings -- my favorite kind of interaction! All hope is not lost! Quite frankly, I was overly worried and slightly discouraged last month after 4 months spent dealing with a broken leg and foot, and being busy with a great performing arts project. It felt as though my job search had been totally derailed and I was at a loss. That's behind me now!   

I have always been a go-getter and it's just in my blood to speak up, reach out, shake things up, and effect lasting changes around me. I really don't want to stop any time soon! Somewhere out there, there is a person/team/organization that needs someone just like me and we just have to find each other. I have the "high degree of specialization" you referred to, but I am also a generalist in other areas. Something will have to click eventually... 

Anyway, thank you for (re)emphasizing that we all need to build each other up, not tear others down... PM coming your way stat! Have a nice Wednesday!

You got this, Cécile! Enjoy your day and don't let toxic people pollute it. 

Ha! Nice! :)

I'm sorry I don't have time to respond properly. I've got some baking to do! 

Hi,

Perhaps you should read this piece as well. I am not implying anything, but it's useful from the gender perspective:

http://www.bilan.ch/economie-plus-de-redaction/systeme-suisse-decourage-travail-feminin

Good luck!

The article is based on a chart on the best and worst countries to be a working woman, published by The Economist. It shows that Switzerland ranks 26 out of the 29 countries compared. The US, by the way, ranks 19, and the UK 24 out of 29, and both are below the OECD countries average.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2016/03/daily-chart-0

But then again, while France ranks 7th, that does not mean that you will have an easier time in Annemasse or Gex.

If Cécile lived in France for over 4 years and couldn't find anything then, I doubt she'll want or be able to get a job in Annemasse now that she lives in Rolle. Just saying. 

Good point, Eric... I asked to move to Switzerland for a long time, as my husband has always worked here and people kept telling me my French address was a big problem. We finally moved to Vaud last summer, when my husband became contractually obligated to live in Switzerland, and now it feels like I am starting all over again. In a good, long overdue way... 

NB: I had a 2-hour daily commute (roundtrip) when I lived in New York, so I'm not scared of public transportation. I am actually quite grateful for the reliable network we have here! If I could choose, however, I would rather take the train towards Vevey/Montreux or north of Lausanne than have to drive to Annemasse/Thonon from Rolle every day! Plus I don't think we need to add a double taxation hurdle in the mix here. Let's keep things relatively simple, if possible! 

In Geneva, 90% of finding (and keeping!) a job depends on who you know, not what you know.

For this reason, it is very important that you participate in events related to your field.

The problem here is that Switzerland is a very conservative country, and exceptional profiles such as yours tend to scare recruiters that don't know how to pigeonhole you.

Have you ever paid a visit to the Cité des Métiers? They offer workshops and general advice. I'm not sure how much this could be useful to you, but it's worth trying.

Good luck, and don't let yourself get discouraged.

"In Geneva, 90% of finding (and keeping!) a job depends on who you know, not what you know."

This is a fairly interesting thread that I was following six months ago. Could the OP share whether she managed to find a job (last post dates from March)?

yes! please let us know how it went... this feels like a reality-show narrative that everyone follows now. "Did Cecile make it?"

Here’s hoping that her six months’ silence means she did.