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 […]

If you’ve ever felt like you had to “just get on with it” after a significant life transition, traumatic event, or a series of micro-challenges—especially while living abroad—you’re not alone. Many lifestyle expats carry invisible emotional weight that builds over time: unresolved grief from losing their home culture, a tough repatriation, chronic uncertainty, or even high-stress corporate transitions. But here’s the good news: Coaching—when done well—can help you overcome the lasting impact of trauma, build sustainable resilience, and reconnect with your purpose. And no, this doesn’t mean diving into your childhood or treating mental health disorders—that’s the domain of therapy. Let’s get honest about what coaching can and cannot do—and how it might be the missing link in your expat […]

As I mentioned in this post during the early days of the pandemic my mother could not find yeast. Her village in Southern Germany had a yeast shortage. We don’t have a shortage of anything here in Zurich, neither toilet paper, nor yeast, even though demand for both was higher than in “normal” times. My mother likes to bake in normal times but I felt she needed to bake even more in these times.

A guest post by Adriana Gasser This coming Sunday, March 8th, we celebrate International Women’s Day. In Switzerland, this date coincides with important structural debates, such as the vote on individual taxation, which could remove a historical financial barrier to female participation in the workforce. However, as I advance in my professional studies (CAS) at the University of St. Gallen (HSG), a recent finance module brought me a crucial reflection. Changes in tax laws must be accompanied by an adaptation in how we position ourselves in the market. In previous discussions, specifically in the article I co-authored with Angela Weinberger and recently published on my LinkedIn, we covered how the Swiss recruitment market often values linear and local career paths. […]

Once again, this year I started the New Year in Kerala, South India, at 30 degrees Celsius, with an amazing vacation that felt like a trip to paradise. And while it’s cold and snowing now in Switzerland, the warmth and happiness I took with me still light up my heart.  I hope you understand that I also have moments of self-doubt and fear, and that I’m not always the calm, relaxed coach you might know. I can also get stressed and deal with issues similar to those you might experience. However, after disconnecting, spending time with friends and family, and taking time to really rest and soak in the sunshine, I feel thrilled to work again. My desire and ambition […]