Do you know what a “Trottinette” is? They honestly get on my nerves everywhere, but they also seem to be THE mode of transportation of Gen Z, so I assume all of those digital main characters are currently flogging to work with their trottinettes, e-bikes, or the good old 11-Tram in Zurich. When I think of going back to school, I think of refilling ink cartridges, buying notebooks, and getting school books bound in weird yellow plastic covers. Oh, the smells and horrors of those things. Isn’t it so much nicer to just open your MacBook on Monday morning after Yoga class and jump on a Zoom call at 11 AM when you have had your third filtered coffee? This […]

Did you go to a party last night and ask Karen, the other Expat Spouse across from you, how she managed her transition to Switzerland? And did Karen say: “Just reinvent yourself!”. This is a dreadful sentence to tell any newbie in a new place.  This sentence is advice you often hear when you lose your work or are still looking for a new job in Switzerland.  You are a New York, London, Frankfurt, or Mumbai professional. You have a career stamped on yourself. Telling you to reinvent yourself is like saying, “Why don’t you just run a marathon after recovering from COVID-19.” People make it sound so simple; it makes you feel guilty and shameful because it seems to […]

By Angie Weinberger Finding a job in Switzerland—or anywhere in Europe, for that matter—can often feel like standing at the foot of the Matterhorn looking up. It is majestic, desirable, and promising, but the path to the summit is steep, and the weather can change in an instant. If you are an international professional, an accompanying partner, or a “Global Nomad,” you might currently feel like you are knocking on heavy, closed wooden doors. You send out CVs into the digital void, receive automated rejections (if you are lucky enough to get a reply at all), and wonder if your skills have somehow evaporated since you crossed the border. I want you to know two things immediately: You are not […]

The Expat Hub Job Market: Understanding local hiring cycles and cultural nuances. https://youtu.be/EWRrVLhp-wk Professional Connections: Building your “Social Capital” from scratch. The “Top 20” List: Identifying target companies that align with your mission. 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 […]

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 […]