firstly, you know you  only get one chance to make a first impression.

in your introduction, the word "kinda" does not exist

i'm sure you already know that, but i'm just saying........

Sure Epicure, I know, but this is not my CV, it's just a friendly post.

Thank you anyway!

Hi!

Persistence, persistence, persistence.

I wouldn't depend on online job platforms, but still use them as much as you can. Activate your personal network (former colleagues from your afformentioned internships). Have someone proof read and look over your CV layout might help too. However, having said that, quitting your studies altogether midway through does not look great on a CV despite your very interesting and various professional experiences. Perhaps look into a professional degree (CFC) that you can do alongside work, because the Swiss work environment is not so friendly to those without the right papers.

Good luck!

Sorry to disagree epicure. But the word does exist. see below.

contraction of
kind of : I think it's kinda funny.

Language is a living, breathing and dying animal.  Orwell discusses at the end of Down and Out in Paris and London the disappearance/appearance/acceptance of many cuss words for example.  A history of the origin of the Oxford English dictionary also illustrates the dynanism of language (Caught In The Web of Words: http://www.amazon.com/Caught-Web-Words-English-Dictionary/dp/0300089198/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315157379&sr=8-1

And finally http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/kinda

Ottavia I sympathise but cannot help.  I've been looking all over western Europe for over a year for a job as a physician in the pharmaceutical industry after being restructured out of my last position.  I've sent my CV out hundreds of times, had hundreds (no exaggeration) of phone conversations with recruiters, countless e-mails with the same and only six face to face interviews.  I have two coming up with one looking very hopeful.

Persistance and don't give up hope (it's the best we possess in personal character) and have friends and family to support you as well as other activities to save you from boredom and defeatism.

It's tough out there with a contracted or static economy (unless you count the increased MacDonalds jobs) and lots of competition from people with equally good qualifications.  You just have to hope it will 'click' personally between you and the interviewers and you have to answer WIFM (what's in it for me) for the company to which you apply - not just your qualifications but what benefit could you bring the company, what added value, which of their needs could you fulfill or their problems solve.

A concise (no one likes to read) cover letter saying who you are, what achievements (perhaps first) you have and what added value you can bring to a company might help as well as your impressive qualifications.  Reach for the stars but keep your feet on the ground and good luck!

tks richard, i kinda got it soooo wrong :-)

A+

roger

As a translator I'm sure the word "kinda" exist because, as Marksist said, languages are living and evolving animals. Plus, it appears on the dictionary. Anyway, for an official document I'd rather use "kind of" then the abbreviation form... It's all about the context.

Thank you all for your tips. No news until now but I'll keep you updated!

Cheers,

Ottavia

Have you tried setting yourself up on Linkedin? I know a couple of my friends who got jobs after posting their profile on there. I wish you all the best of luck.

If you are preparedto relocate to Zurich, drop me a line I have a project that I will be staffing up in the next few weeks.

Certainly worked for me, how I found my job in Geneva!

I spent many hours looking through job boards and sending my CV out for potential opportunities. It was very frustrating as I got a lot of negative feedback. I found the recruitment consultants also very unhelpful in Geneva.
I ended up finding a job through a friend who knew the CEO of the company I now work for.
Maybe you could talk to your friends and see if anybody has contacts within companies that you might be interested in?

Good Luck and if you want something badly enough then you'll make it happen :) 

I'm following all your precious tips. I have some interviews in the next few weeks...

Fingers crossed...!

Thank you all once again for your support! 

Ottavia

kinda - jargon.

but yes Ottavia can use it whenever she wants over blogs. :) But yes, it's not really professional to use.