The Swiss job market is currently not working for many people, including expats and their partners. Many expats arrive in Zurich with valuable skills, experience, and ambition. Only to find themselves sidelined. They struggle to navigate a system that does not recognize their qualifications, networks that function on outdated assumptions, and recruiters who do not understand their resumes or professional branding. At the same time, job seekers often approach networking with a “taker” or “matcher” mindset, missing the opportunity to build meaningful professional relationships. Role profiles in Switzerland are rigid and narrow—yet paradoxically, companies expect candidates to be Avengers, combining three roles into one. The result? A hiring process that is broken, non-inclusive, and riddled with systemic bias, reinforcing barriers […]

Eveline Rosa is a Swiss entrepreneur and founder of XLINGUA, a Zurich-based online school combining technology with the human touch to help professionals move from understanding a language to speaking it confidently in real-life, high-stakes situations.  Born in Lucerne with Swiss German as her mother tongue, she is fluent in German, English, French, and Italian. Eveline has built and successfully sold multiple businesses across Switzerland, the United States, and Italy, including a language school in Lugano, a fine-wine boutique in Los Angeles, a Pilates studio in Utah, and a luxury rental villa in Sicily.  Working closely with international clients, she identified a recurring challenge: professionals who understand a language well but struggle to speak under pressure. This insight led her […]

The hidden job market, particularly in Switzerland and Germany, consists of positions that are not publicly advertised. Research shows that up to 60-80% of roles are filled through personal networks and informal methods rather than open job listings. Many companies find it more efficient and cost-effective to rely on referrals or internal recommendations to fill roles, especially for niche or highly specialized positions. For example, industries like agriculture, education, and healthcare often use informal hiring channels more frequently than high-tech sectors, where roles are often advertised more widely. In Switzerland, studies by the University of Zurich’s Swiss Job Market Monitor reveal that while jobs in certain sectors remain hidden, about 80% of available positions are NOT publicly advertised on company […]

Benjamin Oghene is a digital inventor and the CEO and Founder of The Cozm. During his tenure as Global Product Innovation Lead at a leading Big 4 firm, he pioneered digital products and solutions for business travelers and remote work. Driven to push the boundaries of innovation through intelligent automation, Ben founded The Cozm to build smarter, more efficient solutions for global mobility. He is passionate about simplifying complex compliance issues and transforming how businesses manage a globally mobile workforce. By augmenting human and artificial intelligence as part of an integrated business strategy, Ben helps organizations gain a competitive people advantage while mitigating human bias in the hiring and management lifecycle. 🛋️ My Red Couch Talk with Benjamin Oghene Benjamin […]

Moving to a new country can be an exciting adventure, offering the promise of new experiences and opportunities. However, along with the excitement comes unique challenges, particularly for expat partners who often find themselves navigating unfamiliar territory personally and professionally. In a recent conversation, we delved into the three “I’s” that shape the expat experience: Identity, Isolation, and Influence. Identity: One of the fundamental challenges expat partners face is maintaining a sense of identity in a new environment. The familiar roles and routines they once had may no longer apply, leading to feelings of disorientation and loss. As one participant highlighted, the influence they once held may diminish as they adapt to their new surroundings. However, finding ways to redefine […]