Good luck Yasmine..as a trailing spouse I have long given up getting work here.. Have a look at website called serviceathome.com and see if that may help.

Cheers

Thanks Jeffery, 

I'm not going to give up, the kids will start school in August and I will have nothing to do with my days for the next 40 odd years! 

I'm sure my husband would love to spend  all his days at  the country club but it doesn't appeal to me  unfortunately. 

I will definitely check out that link .

Forgive me for asking but if you are 24 now, have over 5 years’ work experience and have also taken some time out for baby-rearing, how old were you when you left school and what “certificate” do you have?  The Genevan environment has always been very diploma-conscious, and all the more so at the moment when even university graduates with an honours degree are queuing to get a mere interview let alone a job.

And what about your linguistic skills?  Are you at ease in French?  If not, consider taking an intensive course to give an extra dimension to your CV.

The admin. sector is saturated right now so think what else you could do, even something more hands-on perhaps.  If you really want to work there can be just as much job-satisfaction in being a good manicurist or an efficient sales assistant or a caring home-help as there is in keeping an office diary which, incidentally, most executives handle themselves these days.

So sit down and have a good think as to what you’d really like to do, explore the training opportunities locally and on-line, get yourself a qualification, and take it from there.  At least you’ll be making good use of any free time you have now.  

Good luck, and all the very best,

R.

Sorry, “certificate” should read “certificates”.

More haste, less speed …

R.

Hi Ritchie,

Thank you for your comment.
I left school at 18 with A Levels.
I worked from 14 as an office junior whilst still at school on Saturdays and holidays, when I was 16 I gained more responsibilities and increased the hours. I studied my A Levels part time at college whilst working any remaining hours.
Whilst I agree it appears unconventional, this is my experience.

Switzerland does focus on the educational background of employees yes, which is a hindrance.
Personally I'd rather employ the enthusiastic competent person with a family to provide for than the guy who spent 3 years partying and studying around hangovers to get a piece of paper so he could demand a better salary. However that's my biased opinion.
Yasmine F, Jun 18, 2014 @ 21:51

Regarding persuing other avenues, I did train as a hairdresser during my traveling period and whilst I found it enjoyable, something more challenging, intellectual, and ultimately office based, would be more satisfying.

I am looking into online degrees, and have started intensive French lessons as it appears to be a definite requirement for many jobs.

Thank you for your advice, enjoy your evening.

Yasmine. 

Hi Yasmine,

Ritchie already covered the most pertinent issues, so allow me a general observation. Employers these days tend to be a lazy and, unfortunately, unimaginative bunch. Don't throw all of your experience at them at once, hoping that something may stick. Rather, focus on one particular area of expertise, whatever the job may require. Plus, not too late to go back to school for some of those flashy certificates ;)

HTH

Mike 

Thanks Mike for your advice  :) 

Thanks  for the support Lisa! 

Hi Yasmine,

I was also a trailing spouse though only for about a year and have settled nicely in Geneva. Admin type of jobs are difficult to come by here unless you have the profile they're looking for. That is many Swiss French people who want to work in admin take a very specific educational path and acquire a certain diploma (I forget what it's called). If you are having difficulty finding a job try volunteering in admin/receptionist related positions. That way you'll at least have something on your CV that shows you have work experience in Geneva. Or try interning first. When I first came here I did both and soon after I was able to find a job. Once you have your foot in the door, you can then aim higher you just need to be open-minded.