Business Archives - Working 2 Live, Living 2 Travel

On the prowl: Job hunting in Switzerland

With my master’s graduation looming in January and finally settling after two years of travel, I’m once again on the prowl for stable employment. Consulting has been a wonderful learning experience that I plan to keep on the side, but it’s time to re-enter the workforce and work with a team.

I’m having feelings of déjà vu to when I was finishing my bachelor’s degree and just entering into my career nine years ago – perfecting my resume, crafting cover letters, and spending countless hours applying for positions all over the United States. This time, though, it’s a CV I’m perfecting and I’m job hunting in Switzerland.

Differences between job hunting in Switzerland and the United States

Before I actually got to Switzerland last month, I had already begun my job search while still in the United States. I also approached the job search as I would in the United States. Search for jobs. Craft a cover letter to that particular position. Send in my resume and cover letter. Get rejected.

Researching best practices for job hunting in Switzerland, I recently attended a professional networking event for career planning in the country hosted by InterNations. Dainel Müller and Julien Lassueur, human resources consultants for the international consultancy talent management firm Mercuri Urval, provided an informational and insightful presentation on the process of job hunting in Switzerland. The tips I gained from the event will hopefully land me a job here soon and help others in the same situation.

1.Have a strategy

A guaranteed way to have your application trashed is to appear to be applying to every position you can find. Successful job hunting in Switzerland requires you to be focused. Müller and Lassueur suggested to first clearly decide what job you want in what industry. Then identify your top 10 picks of companies with that position in that field and apply to them. Messaging of why you specifically chose that position and that company should be made clear through your cover letter and your CV.

2. Use a CV, not a resume

Most European countries prefer a CV (Latin for curriculum vitae), and the main difference between a CV and a resume is the personal information. It’s almost a contradiction in terms when it comes to the Swiss CV. In a country known for its privacy, when it comes to the job hunt, that seems to fly out the window. The first page of a good CV includes a professional photo, your date of birth and marital status. As a woman, I’ve even been encouraged to include if I’m pregnant. All these would be taboo if not illegal to include on your resume in the U.S., but here it is perfectly acceptable and expected.

Typically, CVs are two pages. They include the same information an American resume does – objective, work experience, education, skills, languages, awards and extracurricular activities. You can either structure them chronologically or functionally. In Switzerland, particular attention is paid to clear and error-free content.

3. Apply in the language of origin

There are four official languages in Switzerland – German, French, Italian and Romansh. Whatever language the job posting is in is what you should submit your documents in for consideration. Most job postings require you speak English and the language of the region where the job is located (why I’m currently studying German).

4. Submit all requested documents

When first applying for a job in the United States, it’s typical to only submit a cover letter and resume. In Switzerland, however, even in the first stages you may be asked to submit a cover letter, your CV, your school records, any certificates proving your qualifications, and letters of recommendation. Whatever is requested in the job posting should be followed.

5. Use Pull Networking instead of Push Networking

Networking is important in both countries, but as modesty is more respected in Switzerland, pulling others to find you is preferred to pushing your brand on others. Müller and Lassueur suggested finding ways, such as joining professional organizations, where those you want to meet would be instead of just cold calling.

Professional online networks also differ in Switzerland. Though LinkedIn is a great start, more Swiss professionals can be found on Xing. Job listings are also best found at Indeed.

Informational interviews are not an understood concept in Switzerland. When I was searching for my first professional position, I conducted interviews with public relations professionals in agencies, corporate offices and non-profits just to learn what the job would be like, how I could supplement my experience, and other general career questions. Here, though, there is no such thing. Many Swiss professionals don’t understand the request but think you’re asking for a job interview.

6. The Interview

When deciding to call someone for an interview, Müller and Lassueur said they consider three questions:

1) Is the person qualified for the job?
2) Does the person want to do the job?
3) Will the person stay more than three years?

Once these questions are successfully answered, then a candidate is called in for an interview. Most of the same rules of interviewing apply in Switzerland as they do in the U.S. The questions are generally the same, except for ones that attempt to gauge how well-suited an expat is for life in the country. Back to Question 3 above, companies don’t want to invest in someone who won’t be able to adapt to the Swiss culture. It’s also important in Switzerland to let the employer initiate salary negotiations.

Thank you notes should be delivered in the method you accepted the interview. outlining the key points of your interview. Keep them short and professional as too much gush will be viewed as insincere (remember, modesty is valuable in Switzerland).

How do you approach job hunting?

It has been said the process of job hunting is a job in and of itself. Job hunting in Switzerland certainly feels that way. Have you searched for jobs outside your home country? What tips worked best for you?

-Monica

Penny Pinchers: 6 tips for saving money while traveling

I wish I was rich like you. I wish I could afford to travel. How nice it must be not to worry about money.

Chris and I love to share and swap travel stories with others – it’s one of the best parts about traveling, getting to know others and learning from them. It seems, though, that when we share these stories with those who don’t travel, or at least don’t travel much, we’re routinely met with the tongue-in-cheek comments above and the like. It’s a slap in the face.

Though I don’t believe it’s intentional, statements like these only prove to embarrass or enrage me. I consider myself a modest person. I like to share my travel stories, but I’m more interested in hearing about others than talking about myself. Just recently we learned how one of Chris’ former co-workers worked the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta – personally meeting athletes, watching the opening ceremonies on the front row, and how a late train was the only thing that kept him out of Centennial Park at the moment of the bombing. It was a great story and something we never knew about this person. I’d much rather hear about others’ experiences than being told how they wish they could be like us or do what we’re doing.

The presumption of these statements is maddening. Last time I checked, I’ve never been featured on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, and I’m not all that prone to sharing my bank account information with random people. How curious is it then that these statements somehow seem to have some inside information that we’re not even aware of about our financial status? Another pet peeve, stop wishing and start doing. I’ve heard plenty of excuses for people not traveling, but those all they are, excuses not reasons. “I don’t have the money” they say as they drive off in their Dodge Chargers whilst illegally driving and texting on their iPhone5. “I have kids.” Let me introduce you to just a few parents of the now more than 3 million children attending international schools worldwide. “I don’t want to travel/I couldn’t live like you.” OK, I’ll give you that and respect that decision. At least you make no ands, ifs or buts about it.

Tips for saving money while traveling

As I step down off my soapbox now, there are ways of saving money while traveling. Chris and I employ all of these tactics so we can continue to travel, and it’s all about sticking to them.

1. Set your priorities

The first and most important of our rules to travel budgeting is knowing what’s means the most to you. If traveling is your No. 1 priority, then you have to sacrifice in other areas. As of yet, we have found no other way around this. When I’m in the US, I drive a 13-year-old car that has its fair share of aging problems. Except for a one-month period, I haven’t owned a smartphone since we started traveling. Partially due to my hatred of shopping, I only buy clothes now at markets and on-sale, out-of-season pieces. Find the extras in your life you can cut back.

2. Give up hotels

No, it isn’t anything like the horror movie. Hostels are budget accommodations where you meet a ton of really nice and interesting people. Yes, you will share a room and bathroom (unless you pay extra for a private room), but consider it like being back in camp dorms. Couchsurfing is even better. Made up of a community of open-minded travelers, Couchsurfing allows you to connect with a local host who is typically more than willing to show you around. Just be sure to pay the kindness forward. If Couchsurfing is just too far out of your comfort zone, check out Airbnb. A site where people rent out rooms or entire homes for some extra income, you can find places all over the world to stay cheaper than a hotel. Except for the occasional splurge, Chris and I have hosteled and surfed our way through Brazil, Argentina, China and Europe.

3. Join every rewards program you can get into

Though they can be a pain, if you are willing to take the time to manage airline, hotel, restaurant and other rewards programs, you can end up saving tons. As members of each of the major US airlines rewards programs (and they all partner with foreign airlines when traveling abroad), we’ve received free and next-to-nothing transcontinental and trans-Altantic flights. I will be staying two nights free in Syracuse, N.Y., next month due to my points with the Starwood Preferred Guest program.

4. Go public

In transportation that is. Public transportation and good ole’ Pat and Charlie (your feet) get you around cheaper (and healthier) than any rental car. If you’re going to be in an area for a week or more, look at unlimited ride cards that can be purchased for a week, month or year. The unlimited seven-day pass for the New York City metro provides more value for the buck than paying for each ride separately.

5. Cheap eats

Our biggest splurges are on food. You certainly don’t want to skimp while trying the local cuisine as it is such an integral part of any culture, but there are still ways of saving money while traveling on your food expenses. Look for street food, a truer taste of the local culture than some fancy restaurant and lots more affordable. Pick up some staples at the open-air market and have a picnic in the local park. Check out Urbanspoon to see local ratings for cheap, medium and high priced venues.

6. Go where the locals go

If you venture away from the streets with hoards of tourists, you’ll find more authentic events, foods and decor, likely for a lower price. If you used the tip above on affordable lodging, you’ll usually get much better recommendations from hostel employees and Couchsurfing members than from hotel bellhops and desk clerks.

Your tips for saving money while traveling?

Did we leave anything out? What money-saving tricks do you use?

-Monica

5 ways to find international jobs

Chris posts ~~a lot, almost all~~, let’s just say he’s a hard core fan of Facebook when it comes to sharing our travels. You can actually follow his page here. Whenever he posts about visiting a new place or shares a photo of one of our trips, he always seems to receive at least one or two comments in the vein of “What do you do for a living? Do you ever work? I wish I had a job where I could travel.” To answer for him, “He’s a business management trainee accepting a permanent project manager position for an international company. Yes. You can.”

How can you land an international job?

More expats than ever before are making the leap to find international jobs. From our own experiences of working abroad and meeting other working expats, here’s our list of the top five ways to go international through work.

1. Work for an MNC

To be specific, a multiple organization is defined by communications theorists Drs. James and Larissa Grunig as “an organization with subsidiaries or affiliated companies spread across the globe, several business units, or large and relatively autonomous subunits.” To be simple, a multinational corporation (MNC) is a company operating inside and outside US borders with international offices. This is the route Chris has taken. The international engineering firm he’s employed with has its headquarters in the UK with offices in more than 50 countries.

Finding employment with a MNC is the most secure way to work overseas, but understand you may need to work your way up to a transfer. Start off your search with companies that have a strong overseas presence, such as Coca-Cola or Starbucks, and research their international opportunities. Many MNCs have training programs where you can work in an international office for a limited time or do an exchange with foreign employees.

2. Create a niche business in an under-served market

Many locations abroad are ripe for services that haven’t penetrated the local market. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and are up for the challenge, you can export your skill set to meet the international demand. With my freelance public relations firm, this is the path I’ve taken. Aubia Communications specializes in strategic communications planning for expat entrepreneurs looking to stand out in their industries and new locales.

Do some research on where your skill set is most lacking. What can you bring to the market and why is it needed there? After developing your plan to enter the market, be sure to check with the local country’s governing standards on work visas and other business startup regulations.

3. Teach

In our travels, we’ve met a ton of expat teachers. From teaching English as a Second Language to children to visiting college professors, there is always a need of teachers abroad. The most common international jobs for teachers are ESL training and international schools in larger foreign cities.

Check out the resources provided by the State Department or find a legitimate organization that specializes in placing teachers in international positions.

4. Try the simpler life

Many expats find working the here-and-there odd job, just enough to cover their travel and lodging, is the way to go. No contracts, no long-term commitments helps them to keep moving. Be warned, though, this type of working could put you in some legal trouble if you’re not on a working visa and your pay most likely comes under the table.

If you’re not afraid of some heaving lifting, a (legal and legit) offering is the World Wide Opportunities On Organic Farms where WWOOFers put in some hours in the field in exchange for a full day’s meals and accommodation.

5. Join the military or the Peace Corps

Though not as flexible as the other options, both of these government entities have the opportunity for work abroad. The US military has installations in countries throughout the world, such as Germany, Belgium and Japan, and the armed forces are frequently deployed abroad in protective and peacekeeping missions. Though a foreign station or deployment is not guaranteed, international jobs with the Department of Defense as active-duty military or civilian employee are obtainable. The Peace Corps, though not a paid international job, can teach you skills to invest in future employment. During your time abroad, your lodging, meals and medical care will be covered.

If you want to take the active-duty military route, check out overseas installations to determine the skill set the units stationed there possess, and then visit your local recruiter to discuss the opportunities for training. If you would rather go the civilian employee route for the DOD, check out postings for civil servant jobs at USAJobs. To pursue volunteer opportunities with the Peace Corps, start the application process on the organization’s website.

What international jobs interest you?

There are so many varying international jobs with extensive travel opportunities. We’ve only covered our top five ideas here, but for more check out the mastermind on the topic, Turner, and his Around the World in 80 Jobs blog where he’s worked from everything as a reality TV production assistant in Bangkok to a pizza maker in Rome. Let me know what your dream international job is in the comments, and let’s see if we can’t help you to make it a reality.

-Monica

I have a Swiss bank account: No, I’m not a millionaire

A Swiss bank account may still have the aura of James Bond style appeal, but it’s realistically not what it once was. A recent crackdown by the IRS following high-profile cases of Americans, even presidential candidates, holding Swiss bank accounts has led not only to the end of secrecy for Americans but Swiss banks no longer wanting to deal with the trouble and hassle of doing business with Americans.

More than ever before, Americans living in Switzerland and other places abroad are now giving up their American citizenship so that they can again complete simple tasks like paying bills. Additionally, our international accountant has told us that the United States is the only country in the world to continue charging its citizens taxes throughout their lives, regardless of how much time they have been away.

As we began researching Swiss banks, we found that cantonal banks would likely fit our services best. Cantons, like states but much smaller and maybe more resembling counties inside of a state, each have their own cantonal bank. You do most of your business in your local canton but can withdraw money for free from ATMs at any cantonal bank in Switzerland.

We also read stories of newly-arrived Swiss residents wandering into the first bank they found and being told that the establishment they had entered was a “private” Swiss bank with a minimum balance of much higher than the amount they planned to deposit (usually at least $300,000 USD). As we wandered down Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse, nicknamed “the most expensive street in the world,” we noticed several of these private banks, more likely to be holding Romney’s and Obama’s money than our own.

After completing our research, we walked to our nearest cantonal bank and attempted to sign up for a bank account. The banker, who had never seen an American passport before, gave us some paperwork and advised us to return the next week, giving himself time to prepare the documentation for our account or maybe secretly hoping that we would take our low profitability account elsewhere.

We returned the following week with our initial paperwork and passports. At this time, our banker gave us additional paperwork that the bank had determined was required by the American government for our account. He translated German documents for us and asked us to expand his knowledge on the American/English documents and the meaning of social security numbers. Again, we had documents to take home with us for another return.

On our third visit to the bank, seated beneath large posters of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro reminding us of our most recent home, the banker told us that we should now have everything complete and to wait for the bank to process our account. He asked us several questions about whether we intended to invest in Swiss funds, what our typical balance would remain, and other questions where the bank management could gauge profitability while balancing efforts spent on creating an account for Americans.

After waiting approximately two weeks on a bank decision, we contacted our banker and found that we would be approved but that the bank once again required additional paperwork for the unusual nuances of hosting an American. This time, the banker agreed to come to us and visited our apartment to finalize paperwork and give us our new account number. He accepted a Coca-Cola to drink as we talked, a change of taste from the usual Swiss preference of Rivella and recalled a recent business event where he drew awkward stares from Swiss co-workers after ordering a Scotch at the bar, a lesson for the young banker who was still learning his own business culture as well.

Our Swiss account remains open but simply so that we don’t return to the hassle of a long process should we ever need it again, not for any Bond-esque benefits. The Swiss government had begun more open communications with the American government until Snowden recently revealed that he had worked as a spy in Geneva, leading us to be asked many times whether we were CIA/NSA employees as we traveled in western Switzerland. The scandals have now spread to other countries and taken down some leading characters.

Meanwhile, we’re now in China, where as long as someone who speaks and translates Chinese accompanies you, a bank account can be opened in five to 10 minutes with no minimum balance.

-Chris

photo credit: [Jim] via photopin cc

Working 2 Live, Living 2 Travel

Category: Business

Differences between job hunting in Switzerland and the United States

How do you approach job hunting?

Tips for saving money while traveling

Your tips for saving money while traveling?

How can you land an international job?

What international jobs interest you?