50 views and no replies :) kind of says it right there....
Lawcom, Jan 19, 2009 @ 04:24

Ha! I'd like to know too. It seems like no one really knows if no one has replied.
magrosezub, Jan 19, 2009 @ 04:34

To put it into context:

Try getting a job in Edinborough or in London without speaking a word of English...
MarmarK, Jan 19, 2009 @ 09:46

I found a job here without any international company having brought me here and my French is (lets say) 'limited'... the thing to do is know your market. There's no point trying to get a job in a business area where knowing French is essential, but there are so many businesses in Geneva where the standard language of business is English - they will be willing to give you the benefit of the doubt if your other skills make up for it, especially if those skills are in short supply. I saw you were in IT and I dont know enough about IT to know what is the hot commodity in short supply these days but that has to be the path of least resistance. Make your international history/contacts/perspective a positive rather than your lack of local language a negative!
hucklewoo, Jan 19, 2009 @ 11:29

Many people live and work in London and other major cities in the UK without a single word of English , this is because we have an open door policy with immigration, and so much so that although we only have a single official language (OK I know Wales has it's own) many documents in local communities have to be translated into a variety of Indian subcontinent languages and also a few of the eastern european ones. My old company a Japaness multi-national now provides job specifications in Polish as well as English.. We have whole communities that work in a bubble , just like the Anglophones do here..



But having French is more than just being able to get a job , it helps with integration in workplace, you'll understand all the jokes told around the coffee machine.
britabroad, Jan 19, 2009 @ 12:45

oh ! there's a few bitchy ones here :) lol ..

Thanks for your replies..

Nope I have no work permit, I have no French, but I can work on both of those things.

I am in internet project manager, which normally means I need to talk to people, but at this point I'm just looking for a way to survive if I move there, while learning the language and settling, I am thinking more of a long term move, so will do pretty much anything to get going and realistically that must be around 6 months to a year of language learning..

I thought perhaps others here with more experience may have had a similar story and wondered how they went about it or people they knew went about it or perhaps I could be lucky enough to be pointed to a specific company who employs english speakers.. etc

My thinking is, it can't be impossible although I agree it looks very difficult.. Just trying to get to a place I want to be, while getting to know people there already, that's ok isn't it !!!
Lawcom, Jan 19, 2009 @ 17:04