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Posts Tagged ‘jobs’

Big Decisions

19 Mar

It has been a busy couple of weeks around here. Ever since fasnacht I have been doing a lot of traveling for work. It seems like spring always brings a rush of new activity both at work and home.

While all that has been going on my wife and I had also been debating what to do about our expat status. The fact of the matter is we are fast approaching the end of our 5 year stay and we needed to decide if we we wanted to go back to the U.S. or continue in Switzerland and give up our ‘free ticket’ home by switching to a local contract here.

We had a lot of long discussions and debates and looked at both sides. But in the end we are enjoying ourselves here, work is for the moment going well for both of us and it seemed like it made sense to stick around a bit longer.

It will of course mean that when we do want to go back, it will take a bit more effort because the responsibility will now be on me to find a job, and a ticket home. But that is a risk I am willing to take. I still believe the experiences I have gained over the last couple of years will make me a valuable candidate on the job market anywhere I should want to go. That may be a little bit of my American cultural background saying that, but hey, that’s who I am.

So for now, we stay.

 
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Swiss Volunteer Fire Department

02 Jun

Liestal Fasnacht Parade

I had a friend who received a letter in the mail in German.   Not really an all together exciting occurrence I suppose considering all the junk mail I get.  As his German is not very good, he ignored it.  A few weeks later he received a similar letter and decided it was time to maybe figure out what it was all about.

He brought the letter to the office and learned that the letter was informing him that since he did not respond to the first letter asking him to join the volunteer fire department he would be assessed a 80 Swiss Franc fee, unless he responded to the letter.

He then took the letter to the city hall to ask what was up.  The confused city employee told him he’d have to trek over the fire house and ask what was the issue and to resolve the matter there.

A few words with the guy at the fire house resulted in the fire chief calling the city again, where he had just been, to ask what the problem was.  Returning to my friend a short conversation with the fire chief found a clear ‘Swiss’ solution to the problem.  Since my friend does not speak fluent German he could either volunteer for one of the many other tasks as a volunteer fireman that do not require German language skills, or he could pay the 80 Franc fine.

To me this seems like it isn’t really a ‘Volunteer Fire Squad.”  To me it sound a bit more like conscription, slavery, forced labor, call it what you want.  But, having lived here for almost 4 years I am not longer surprised at such bizarre behaviour.

That reminds me, I really need to ask my friend what he decided to do about the situation.

 
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5 Strange Things About A Swiss Job Search

11 May

Having moved to Switzerland both looking for a job and being in the hiring manager’s seat I’ve noticed a few things that strike me as unusual from my American perspective on searching for a job.

One thing is clear, if you are not from Switzerland get ready for some elements of the job search that might strike you as a little different.  Here is my top 5 list of things that might make you do a double take.

1.)  Job descriptions that include m/f (male/female)

Yes it is acceptable to suggest that a position is suitable for one or the other sex. I find that just a little strange in today’s world.  But the Swiss conservative view seems to prevail.

2.)  Candidate must be between 25 and 35 years of age

It also acceptable to post an age range in a job posting.  Are you 36, sorry, you might be over the hill for that check out clerk job at the local food shop.

3.)  Photo, Family Status, and Nationality on your Resume (CV).

Better include your photo on your resume (CV as it is called in Europe).  People will want to see your mug shot, and I’ve even seen a few with a family photo as well.  Why not include your age and marital status on your CV too.  Makes sense, its probably relevant to that job you applied for to shelve books at the library.

4.) Can you Send My Resume Back?

If you apply for a job in Switzerland and you decide it’s not the right choice, or you fail to make the cut you have the right to ask for your copy of CV back.  Why not, you paid a good 3 Francs to get a copy so you are intitle to get it back.  Did the hiring manager accidentally through it out?  Ask for compensation.  Thats a little extra trinkgeld for you to help you get through your sorrows.

5.) Ready to move, give ‘em 3 Months Notice

Most jobs require a 3 month notice period if you decide to leave.  If you have put in a significant amount of time with your current employer or hold a senior management position it could be as much as 6 months or a years notice.  Check your employement contract as the conditions may vary.

What are your experiences with the job search in Switzerland?

 
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Dear Miss Thompson – Jobs Are Not A Sure Thing

04 Aug


NEW YORK (CNN) — A recent college graduate is suing her alma mater for $72,000 — the full cost of her tuition and then some — because she cannot find a job.

Dear Miss Trina Thompson,

I am sorry to inform you but obs after college are not a gaurantee. Just because you spent 70,000 USD does not mean you will have a spot at a prestegious corporation. Sorry to be so blunt, but life is not fair.

At 27, it sounds like you have a lot of life experiences you have yet to experience. Tought times, and a difficult job search are obviously the first lesson you must learn.

The second thing you should know, something that is sadly overlooked, is that like it or not grades don’t count for much in the real world. The real world to a great degree does not care where you went to school or what GPA you received. Life is about dealing with people. You need to communicate well, be empathetic, and have strategies for winning over people that will support you in this world.

Such lessons are difficult to learn. Some people just have the gift, others can learn it, and yet others will never quite get it. From your actions it seems that you haven’t figured this one out yet, but I hope you will learn.

Remember just because you wen’t to college doen’t mean you are entitled to anything other than that piece of paper. The rest of the things in life that you want to achieve must get gotten on your own.

Best of Luck,
Swissmerica

 
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Posted in Daily Life