Thomas,

Are you seeking an assignment in event management or IT?

Chris

Thomas i'm on the jobhunt too, if you're looking in the financial sector try efinancialcareers.com  they've got stuff all over the world, and even just registering for this i've got calls from people with actual jobs rather than some of the shite i've received from moster/jobup etc. if you find any good IT places that you can recommend please share though!!!

Hey Chris,

Im in the sales(customer management) side of things, with lexmark it concerned printers/IT, but it could just aswell be Heineken or chocolate for me. Event management I would really like, but very hard to find.

Hi G,

Im not looking for anything in the financial sector although I have applied for something at a bank, but that concerned relationship management.

I'd say Jobup most have enough IT offers, but I guess you haven't had a good experience. In the passed Ive had quite some interviews through them, but I never applied very actively.

Can't really help you with IT as I know nothing about that business, but if I come across something I let you know.

ok thanks for that. even if its some good sites or agencies you find would be greatly welcomed in any case! good luck with the hunting in any case

G,

A recruitment partner named Elan IT is hosting an event on 16th June at undisclosed venue in central Geneva  from 6pm that I have been invited to attend.  Note that drinks and food will be served throughout the evening (that is why I do not disclose the venue).

Message me your full name and I'll have the recruiter prepare you a badge.

Chris

Hi,

I am also looking for a job!

Do you know some recruitment events but in financial sector?

Thank you in advance.

Olga

try the site i mentioned above as they specialise in that sector. haven't heard of any fairs that they organise though. 

Olga,

I can get you in touch with an acquitance who works at UBS. Drop me a note, see what I can do.

Gerald - sent you a message re:drinks event.

Thank you guys, this site is very useful. I will try it.

I might be a bit off topic, but still within the same theme...

I have the feeling that the job market in Switzerland is opaque, and if not so, too fragmented. I have applied to many positions, but have not been called even once. To be more precise, only once somebody from Zurich replied to my application saying he was interested to interview, then the next day he sent another e-mail saying that I didn't fulfill the 2-year min experience in a certain field - thing that was not in the job requirements anyway. I brought up this issue in my reply, but he never replied even after several attemps I made to contact him.

Maybe I am putting too much of a value on my global MBA and another masters, and several foreign language and international experience... I am wondering, should I be launching some rocket somewhere to impress ...???

I understand it all depends on the specifics of the employer's requirements but I get the feeling something is wrong -  of course, not excluding the high probability that I might not be presenting myself adequately. Just lately, I decided to resend my resume to Manpower. The next day someone sends a standard e-mail that it does not correspond to what they are looking for at the moment. I have enough reason to believe somebody just glanced at the profile and then straight to the recycle bin... A similar thing happened before with Adecco and other local employment agencies.

Being too frank never helps and certainly might not help me in the short or long term, but I did write two words to the Manpower people to disclose their rules of the game so that I don't waste my time just so that I end up in the bottomless well of their recycle bins.

By the way, just to specify, as this detail might explain a good portion of the puzzle, I am non-EU. non-U.S., Canada or Australia or any other developed country citizen...

In the context of this job search thread, does anyone know of any agency that takes international candidates seriously? I am just interested to know who they are really after, or better say, which headhunter could be after me so that I don't waste my time with the rest of the crowd...

Well, it is true, it is difficult without Swiss or EU citizenship to get a job because it is too difficult for the company that employs you to get it for you (they have to do all the job and Swiss authorities have too vague requirements for this, they can reject your application even if you suit all the requirements). Therefore it only makes sence for non-EU citizen to apply for the job in international organization (like UN) because in this case you don,t need work permit at all.

http://www.justlanded.com/english/Switzerland/Switzerland-Guide/Jobs/Work-permits

I think with a lot of Swiss agencies it comes down to supply and demand. They know they can fill most positions so can be very demanding – i.e. waiting for a PhD with 5 languages and size 7 shoes!

Secondly, (and this isn’t a slur on Swiss people, just a LOT of people who work in agencies) in my experience they genuinely couldn’t give two sh-ts about the candidate. Again, I would stress that this is just in my experience. To give you an example, I saw a position posted a few years ago and applied to the agency. I called a couple of times to see if they’d managed to arrange an interview and was told not in so many words ‘to p-ss off and leave me alone!’

This dragged on for a couple of months all the while being given excuses about someone’s on military service so someone else is covering so everything shut down for a few weeks. When he was back from military service, the person covering him went on holiday for two weeks! In the end I didn’t bother.

Another time, I was actually temping for a Bank in Geneva. I got on well with the team, my boss was incredibly pleased with the work I was producing and I was chosen by one of the main Directors to head off a special project. So I went to see the HR Manager just as a formality to become permanent. I was asked, and I’m not kidding,

“What makes you think you could this job?” (Bear in mind she had my file in front of her).

 “Probably the fact I’ve been doing this job for the last seven months, have implemented several new processes and was sent here to become permanent by my line Manager.” I replied, slack jawed in amazement.

“Yes, but what makes you think you could do this job?”

In the end, I was contacted by a head hunter in the UK, who arranged an interview the next day in Switzerland, flew me over to the UK the day after and gave me a decision three days later.

My point is when it comes to Swiss Job agencies and the whole job application process, in my experience they are shite! You may luck out and find a few who will help but very few have no idea of competition. If a US, Canadian or UK average Head hunter came over here, they’d clean up as they would actually fight your corner and sell you to the employer.

If I’m wrong about this then please prove it by putting Thomas and Afrora in touch with people who will genuinely help them!

Right, rant over. Now for the practical info how I got something:

1)      If you’re a member of any professional body, that would help. I got my current position through their own UK based job agency as I said in less than a week. If you’re not then join one and see if they have any recommendations for job hunting.

2)      Try to bypass Swiss agencies for the above reasons. Check on line for some UK based ones who deal with Swiss companies and are actually quicker. One I know off the top of my head is “XB Consultants”. UK based but deal with Swiss Romande area.

3)      Talk to people. Sounds obvious but I got a position from a throw-away comment I made. “Got any need for a Credit Manager?”. “Yes, when can you come in for an interview?” Got the job very quickly.

I hope this helps and I wish you all the best in your job search.

Rich

Thank you Rich! Your message is extremely helpful and has great hints on a wise and efficient job search. I spent about 3 years in the U.S. and can't agree more with you on what you mention about competition. I guess the business model here is completely different - it works somehow ... still, I don't get it how it can sustain itself for a long period of time.

I agree with almost everything you've said above. In addition, I've found that many of the HR people are often from France.

My personal favorite of all the HR "techniques" here is the hand-writing analysis. I am not kidding here; sometimes the application calls for hand-written letters. I heard that there are even people who will pen these letters for a fee...

If your career does not run in a perfectly straight line, many HR people here do not seem to understand how skills sets might be applied across sectors...

Thomas:

We're looking for a super star sales person for the glocals group-buying site BuyClub.ch. Here's the job description. If you're interested lemme know. 

For translations, I often use a great translator who is fast and affordable. Contact Achraf on choucri AT videotron DOR ca

Pls tell him Nir refered you, so he knows I appreciate his work...

Nir 

Hi there,

I would recommend the agency "MG Job" here in Geneva. It is a very very small agency (they don't even have a website!) but they were very friendly, quick, and found me a good job. Four years later the lady who placed me still remembers my name! I think they could be of help if you are looking in the events sector.

http://www.web-expert.ch/emploi-ge/mg-job-sa-travail-temporaire-et-fixe-1204-geneve.html 

Also, you may want to give MCI, the events agency, a call.

Good luck!

Dear all,

Reading about everyone's feedback on the Geneva job market has been very informative for me especially as I have been on both sides of the table as a job seeker and recruiter, I even learned some new sites or tips.

I found one job search engine today for people to look at especially for English speakers.  It is new I think but worth checking out.

http://www.jobsingeneva.com/

I found jobs (in account management) at

www.michaelpage.ch

http://www.vacancy.ch/

And this book helped me a lot for my interviews:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Answers-Tough-Interview-Questions/dp/0749435526

RIch,

I think that everything you have said about Swiss based recruitment agencies is spot on.

I have experienced being on both sides of the fence and think that in London, recruitment is quite a cut throat industry. This is because if as an agent, if you do not actively find jobs and place your candidates in roles then you will simply lose out to the competition.. I suppose much of this is to do with the work permit situation you mention, but really just how much...?

My experience in Geneva as a candidate is quite different because it seems the agents don't seem to work on behalf of the candidate!

I currently work in HR in house and we handle all recruitment processes and thus have no need for agencies (thankfully)

Anyone else out there thinking we need to sent up a recruitment agency to market the talent we have in Geneva but doing pro-actively and the anglo-saxon way?? If so drop me a line.

Good luck everybody and hang in there!

Regarding translating your CV to French - Sadly it is NOT a good idea - simply if your language is not at a competent level it may mislead employers or recruiters into thinking you are competent

I'm looking for a Customer Service Agent for my team. If you are interested please write to me at [email protected]

thansk

Francesca

With all due respect it would be wise to include a brief job description

"My experience in Geneva as a candidate is quite different because it seems the agents don't seem to work on behalf of the candidate!"

Who pays the agent calls the shots and 99% of the time thats employers

 did not want to make advertising here but here you are

We are recruiting individuals to expand our European team in the challenging position as

Customer Service Agent

Full time position in Zug

Your new duties and responsibilities

The customer service agent will communicate with our European customers via telephone, email, or fax on daily basis regarding orders, product availability, promotions, delivery times, and shipments.

Your profile

Your benefits

To apply for this position please send your CV and motivation letter as Word documents in German or English by email to [email protected]

Hi Thomas,

Have you succeeded in finding a job?

My girlfriend is finding it really difficult to find a role. She does not speak french, and this seems to be causing a headache.

Do you have any suggestions please?

Didnt see the replies in this topic as I havent been on much lately. But yes I found a job straight away. Applied at 3 companies. Wasnt that motivated to apply as I could have done with a break for a few weeks after my last job, but no chance for that. Well rather a job then a holiday and unemployed...

@ Mitch: My advice is to go on company websites and not only the search engines. A lot of jobs are not advertised. I dont speak French, but my German has helped a little as Im the only one in my department speaking it. Good luck!

@ Francesca: thanks for your help anyway!

Hi Afrora,

I am also looking for a job now and can understand your frustration. I have experience in project management and relationship management field in London.

I have had meetings with several representatives of Swiss job agencies and when it comes to work permit, they told me clearly that if I wasn`t EU citizen, our meeting would end in 5 min time as they don`t want to deal with non-EU citizens because it is just a waste of time. 

Also, they prefer candidates with Swiss work experience.

Hey, but I have had an idea - maybe we all - jobseekers should come together for a drink and discuss this topic in detail? :) Those interested, please let me know.

Your sister in sorrow,

Evita :)

Hello All,

Thanks a lot for your advise. I have been looking for a job . I have IT experience and whilst there are many advertisements on jobsup. My biggest problem has been with the permit since am not an EU citizen . I do have a Ci attestation  that allows me to apply for a work permit only if the company offers a job and does it on my behalf. I think most agents either do not understand the Ci attestation that is given to spouses of UN guys or just the fact that am non EU and the work involved to process the work permit may be a lot for them.

I will be looking through the suggested links and the hustle is still on. I am sure I will get something out there!

Christine