Probably the most important caveat on relocating to Switzerland is that one should actually have found employment there before relocating. The difficulties of obtaining work and residence permits, which are linked to employment, although certainly not insurmountable, cannot be emphasized enough.
My most relevant advice on relocating to the Geneva area and finding employment there relates to international Geneva. "International Geneva" refers primarily to employment within the United Nations (UN) and the international organizations (IOs), most of which are part of the UN system. Each IO has its own website where vacancies are posted, together with the preferred method of receiving applications. I certainly am no expert in this area, nor do I have significant insights, but I did work within those systems myself for 13+ years. I do know how my own experience worked and how I myself recruited staff.
In my own experience, I had already worked for several years in public service in a field directly relevant to the job opening for which I applied. I had significant professional experience and educational credentials that related directly to the job description. I had also previously lived and worked abroad and I speak languages other than English fluently. Still, much of my own experience is now out-of-date because in those years, we were a paper-based society. Now, much can be done on-line from wherever one is in the world. One can learn about the employment market, peruse listed vacancies, and apply for advertised positions on-line. In fact, some things, such as completing a P. 11 form for consideration by the UN, must be done on-line.
As for languages other than English, in the Geneva-Lausanne area, French is the best second language to speak. Not only are the administrative and operational languages of the UN and IOs in the Geneva area English and French, Geneva is part of French-speaking Switzerland. While many Swiss also speak English fluently, for regular interaction with all aspects of Swiss public life, at least some French is absolutely necessary. If individuals are interested in relocating to Zurich or elsewhere in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, there are some helpful suggestions here.
Information about the kinds of jobs available with the UN, IOs and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can be found at the main UNOG website link provided above. One must usually create a login and complete a P. 11 form first or the vacancies may not display at all. If one wishes only to see what types of vacancies exist, one can also find compiled listings of such vacancies at UN Jobs or Geneva Jobs. Many of these vacancies are cross-posted. Individuals may also seek employment through their national diplomatic missions or consulates, although most such employment, other than local hires who are either Swiss nationals or who already have valid Swiss work permits, is managed and administered from the various national capitals. For those fortunate enough to find employment within the UN, IOs, NGOs, or with their national diplomatic missions or consulates, Geneva has an on-line Welcome Center that provides very practical information for expatriates planning to relocate to the city or who are already there.
Information about employment within the private sector can be found at the websites of international companies that are located in Geneva and its surrounding area. A non-exhaustive list of such companies can be found here. One list of vacancies in the private sector, compiled in French, can be found here, together with a list of employment agencies. Other private sector vacancies can be found here and here.
For those professionals who seek opportunities to teach abroad at K-12 levels, there is the International School of Geneva, with its three campuses. Another large international school in Geneva is the Collège du Léman. There are several other private schools in Geneva with curricula in English. While one can certainly apply from abroad, most actual recruitment is done at international educational job fairs. A list of the most prominent international English-speaking K-12 schools in Switzerland can be found here, although this list is by no means exhaustive. There are also opportunities for teaching at the University of Geneva, although most American professors in Geneva teach at Geneva branches of US-headquartered universities, such as Webster University, or special programs such as this one offered this summer by American University. One list of universities in Switzerland can be found here.
These are just a few of the on-line resources that can be found to see what is available and whether one's own background and qualifications might be a good fit. Finding new employment is never easy. Finding employment in a foreign country is usually more difficult. Finding employment in Switzerland is extremely difficult. It is a beautiful country with an excellent quality of life and there is global competition for any position. One thing that many Americans in the United States naively do not realize, or have not recognized, is that our global competition is not only numerous, but exceptionally well-educated and well-qualified. That competition is also usually not only bilingual, but multilingual, which gives it an immense advantage in the global workplace.
No comments:
Post a Comment