Geneva - Post Report Question and Answers
What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
There are EFM jobs at the mission that much less than the local market. It is hard, very hard, to get a job on the local market. If you don’t speak French, it’s practically impossible, unless you are a certified teacher, you might have a chance. I have hustled and been able to find work at the school my children attend. Work is made more difficult by the cost of childcare which is 3000-4000/month. - Jun 2022
Work permits can be difficult in Switzerland. Salaries are far superior to the US. - Jul 2018
There are some though they are competitive. You'll do best if you speak fluent French. - Mar 2014
Its getting harder and harder to get a visa to work. - Mar 2014
Yes, but you should speak French. - Mar 2013
Not really, unless you speak fluent French. Not many US Mission jobs for EFMs and what's here isn't extremely high level, but there are a few that are excellent. There are some professional associates jobs (maybe 3 at the moment?). You'd think you could find something at the UN or other international organization here, but people say they have no luck finding anything there. It is a very closed system that's hard to break into. If you aren't fluent in French, don't even bother to try, I'm told. - Feb 2012
Not really. The standard method of obtaining an interview is to create a CV (similiar to a resume) that contains information about race, language, martial status, etc. and any of these points can be used for discrimination. The qualifications for jobs are a bit over the top (master's degree or doctorate, with 8-15 years experience required). The language barrier for those who do not speak French will prevent most interviews from taking place. With this said, those who can tele-commute to their job back in the States will find the all the needed computer and phone connections here. Self-employment in CH is a long paperwork battle in French, but it may be possible; just be prepared. - Jul 2009
