by James Cullinan, Founder of Busnet
When we’re searching for a new job, we tend to devote most of our preparation to processing information. Yet, as the old adage claims, ‘it’s not what you know but who you know that matters’. Even in the information age, the evidence shows that networking can play a significant role in landing your ideal position.
Great jobs are like beautiful houses, the best ones are usually already occupied. Business networking, however, is one of the tools you can use to position yourself for the best jobs available and the meteoric career path that follows.
Your prospective employer is looking for candidates who have both the technical ability to perform the required role and the interpersonal skills to fit the cultural dynamic of their company. Nick Staheyeff, Vice-President and CFO of eBay International, spends only 10% of an interview validating the technical skills and 90% of the time assessing the cultural fit.
It’s clear that in Suisse Romande most people prefer to work with those they already know and trust. When we network, we strengthen existing trust relationships and we build new ones. Since trust is such an important factor, this is a powerful component of your job search programme.
Also, big opportunities often emerge through people who are just outside of our personal network – through a contact of a contact. Attending events in the region allows a powerful network to form around you, which extends your reach and helps to create fresh opportunities.
Searching for the ideal job is complicated by the problem of information asymmetry: You know your unique combination of values, skills and talents, but you don’t know who needs them. On the other hand, there are employers out there who know what skills and values they need, but they don’t know which candidates offer these qualities.
The value of face-to-face networking events is that they help cut through the problem of information asymmetry, because they bring people who know about your unique talents into contact with people who know about current job opportunities. Some people are particularly good at making this link and putting you in touch with those who could help you. In The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell describes these people as connectors.
To help this process along, you need a clear résumé-pitch: a simple way of presenting your objectives, values and unique talents in order to win the support of those you speak to. People are more likely to hire you if you can provide the solution to a problem that is causing them pain. Where possible, you should tailor your messages to each specific discussion to keep them fresh and relevant.
Informal conversation is probably the oldest mechanism for developing, expressing and spreading ideas. A one-to-one discussion is great for investigation (e.g. uncovering the salient details of a particular employer’s current needs) and it can also provide a helpful forum for presenting your pitch and getting feedback (there are no mistakes, only lessons!). Vocalising your ideas often forces you to structure and clarify your thoughts more succinctly. 
Often a networking event will have a guest speaker or a theme. It makes sense to prioritise the events that are closest to your desired area of work, since this is where you will come into contact with those who presently work in your target field and are most able to help you with topical information and warm leads.
Initiating conversation doesn’t have to be funny or profound. Most attendees of a networking event are there for similar reasons, so it’s perfectly acceptable to approach someone you don’t know and introduce yourself. Normally you will discover an area of common interest within about five minutes. After all, many of your friends today were strangers once.
To broaden your base of contacts, and get a range of fresh perspectives, you need to meet as many people as possible (what politicians call ‘working the room’). This can seem intimidating at first, but it becomes an easy habit.
Most conversations start with idle small talk and rapport-building, however there are some broad guidelines that can help you become more artful, for example:
- it’s often easiest to start with a topic that connects you
- it’s usually better to be neutral or positive in your outlook
- give the other person the time and space to feel comfortable talking to you
- build the conversation gradually, and try to keep monologues short
- try to stay attuned to the needs of those around you
- reciprocate another persons interest with genuine curiosity about their topics
- think of ways that you could help others achieve their goals
- try to keep the conversation flowing, without monopolising anyone
- if you end the discussion, try to introduce them to someone else
- always give a respectful reason for leaving
After some preamble, it’s perfectly acceptable to share your job search plans. Networking is a bit like speed dating, and you may not have long before that person moves on! Your pitch should be eloquent and clear.
Many job searches begin with a low-intensity phase, when you are still forming your ideas of exactly what you want to do next, and how you plan to get there. It’s fine to share your ‘work in progress’ provided you keep it interesting. You are the captain of your ship, so ensure that you don’t come across as too indecisive or rudderless!
Try to exchange business cards with each worthwhile contact, as this provides a simple way of resuming contact at a future date. Having a good filing system for business cards is a great time-saver. A useful technique is to write a few details about that person on the back of their card soon afterwards, to help you remember the context of your discussion. If you have discovered a topic of mutual interest, that can make it easier to send a follow-up email.
You can only know the true value of a networking discussion long afterwards. It’s a small world, and someone who may not have inspired you when you first met may one day hold the key to your next career move. The personal connection comes first, and the business rationale usually only emerges later.
Try to renew good relationships at regular intervals, as this will make it easier for you to ask a favour of your new contact when they are in a position to help you. Using your network is all about reciprocity. Unless you are very lucky, you normally need to give help before you can get it.
Building your network is a bit like planting a forest. As we all know, the best time to plant a forest was ten years ago, the second best time is today. It’s highly likely that networking will play a central role in finding your next career move, so it pays to embrace it and to enjoy the process of making new contacts and sharing ideas. This is an essential part of what makes your job search pleasurable!
James Cullinan is the founder of BusNet [‘biz’net] a ‘network of networks’ designed to help individuals collaborate. Based on the mantra of 'Right Place, Right Time, Same Wavelength' they provide an ‘at-a-glance’ listing of business events from over 50 business networks in Suisse Romande [www.localbusnet.com]. James also writes a fortnightly blog on networking.
Top 10 tips for event networking:
1. Know what events are on [www.localbusnet.com]
2. Prioritise those meetings with a relevant theme
3. Do your background preparation [desk research]
4. Clarify your résumé-pitch
5. Work the room, captain your ship
6. Find areas of common interest
7. Connect with the connectors
8. Speak with confidence and purpose
9. Swap business cards
10. Follow-up afterwards
The following is a list of professional counselors who have been recommended to us:
Croft Coaching Services
Geneva to Vevey
Debbie Croft
079 918 85 71
www.croftcoaching.com
Personal and professional coaching for individuals who feel stuck at a crossroads, be it in their career or in life, as a result of relocation and/or parenthood. Customized programs to build awareness, clarity and conviction; so that you can make powerful choices to create fulfilment and balance.
Duru Consulting
Career Management and Development
Ch. de la Plaine 4
1055 Froideville
Sedef Duru
079 697 97 86
021 652 82 25
www.duruconsulting.com
Supports professionals to develop career management skills to reach their goals. See page <OV> for full description.
Includera - Counseling and Psychotherapy
8B, ch. du Joran
1260 Nyon
Rani Treichel (MBACP, ASCA)
078 928 80 85
www.includera.org
An in-depth, holistic and compassionate approach to discovering more of who you are, where you may be stuck and accessing the tools to create meaningful personal and professional changes.
Mind-Body Center
1, rue de la Combe
1260 Nyon
Sheila Walsky, SGfB, ASCA
078 685 7050
www.sheilawalsky.com
Sheila Walsky, founder and owner of Mind-Body Center S.A. provides psychological counseling and coaching to adolescents and adults. She holds an MBA, an MA in Counseling, a Swiss Advanced Federal Diploma in Psychosocial Counseling, and post-graduate diplomas in body focused trauma therapy, Somatic Experiencing and Internal Family Systems therapy.
MJ Cabanel Coaching
5, ch. de Montelier
1275 Cheserex
Mary-Jeanne "MJ" Cabanel MBA, CPCC
www.mjcabanel.com
Coach, consultant, and trainer. Her mission is Happiness at Work and she promotes this by partnering with multinational corporations, organizations to create aligned teams, and inspiring leaders. MJ also works with individuals. She has MBA and CPCC diplomas.
SCC SARL CENTRES
Geneva, Nyon, Lausanne
Diana Ritchie
078 808 35 97
www.scc-centre.com
Diana Ritchie is the owner and founder of SCC Sàrl, which provides coaching and training for individuals and organisations, who are seeking Self Development, Talent Development and Performance Development. She makes use of a large palette of methods and techniques to deliver great success to her clients.
Owl RE
2c, ch. Martinet
1291 Commugny
022 776 62 13
076 325 62 13
Glenn O’Neil
www.owlre.com
Supports organizations in analyzing, assessing and evaluating activities in the communications, training/events and development fields.
Thriving Talent Solutions
Ch. des Tattes 18
1195 Bursinel
Natalie Wilkins
Deborah Croft
www.thrivingtalent.solutions
Helps organizations to support employees with the transition to parenthood; crucially keeping talented mothers and fathers engaged and helping mothers return to work after maternity leave.
Walk The Talk
Sunita Sehmi
076 532 21 37
www.walkthetalk.ch
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Walk The Talk provides Executive Coaching, Training, Facilitation and Consulting services, locally, globally and virtually. Sunita's deep interest is creating personal transformational learning experiences that enable clients to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to excel. Call her for a free needs analysis session.
The following is a list of personal coaches who have been recommended to us:
Age Esteem
5, rue de la Tertasse
1204 Genève
Bonnie Fatio
076 379 60 01
www.AgeEsteem.com
AgeEsteem® motivates and challenges you to reach new heights as you age. Through inspirational interactive talks, workshops and personal coaching she teaches you practical concepts and techniques to embrace your life today, and every day, at the age you are. Feel confident. Build a positive outlook and attitude. Recognize, support, and celebrate the person you are. Age with vitality and purpose!
Croft Coaching Services
Debbie Croft
Geneva to Vevey
079 918 85 71
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.croftcoaching.com
www.genevacoachalliance.com
Debbie mixes individual coaching with workshops and training. She has structured programmes for those at a point of career transition (through redundancy, relocation or burn out), who want to maximise this time to explore and define their most fulfilling career, and to best align with their strengths, values and passions. Debbie also works with individuals who are on a personal growth and /or professional development path, with a passion to help professionals better manage their work/family balance so that they are fully present and enjoying both.
Adapting to change has been a constant in Debbie’s life and “relocation” feels part of who she is. As such, she fully appreciates both the challenges and the delights that relocation offers. One of her passions is to help others move from a frustrated and negative perspective of change, to one of opportunity, so that accompanying spouses can clarify their identity and sense of purpose here.
Elizabeth Ballin - Mental Health and Life Coach/Mindfulness Practitioner
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
https://ballincoaching.ch
As a long time member of the international community in Geneva, Elizabeth Ballin has been coaching adults and students from all parts of the world. She has coached business professionals, musicians/artists, couples, families and adolescents. She is a fully accredited Life Coach by the International Coaching Federation. She writes blog article for knowitall.ch at this link.
Before you begin working together, schedule a free 30-minute consultation over the phone, followed by free 60-minute Discovery Session. During this preliminary session, Elizabeth will walk you through her coaching method and you'll get a feel for what you can hope to achieve. By the end of the session, you’ll come away with a clear picture of what she can do to help you reach your goals.
Includera - Counseling and Psychotherapy
8B, ch. du Joran
1260 Nyon
CH-1260 Nyon
Rani Treichel (MBACP, ASCA)
078 928 80 85
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.includera.org
Counselling, coaching and psychotherapy for individuals, couples, adolescents and families. Specialised in couples, relational dynamics, trauma, depression, anxiety, stress and family. Offers a wide range of in-depth approaches that are designed to address issues and help you to create more balance and freedom in your life.
Mind-Body Center
1, rue de la Combe
1260 Nyon
Sheila Walsky, SGfB, ASCA
078 685 7050
www.sheilawalsky.com
Sheila Walsky, founder and owner of Mind-Body Center S.A. provides psychological counseling and coaching to adolescents and adults. She holds an MBA, an MA in Counseling, a Swiss Advanced Federal Diploma in Psychosocial Counseling, and post-graduate diplomas in body focused trauma therapy, Somatic Experiencing and Internal Family Systems therapy.
SCC SARL CENTRES
Geneva, Nyon, Lausanne
Diana Ritchie
078 808 35 97
www.scc-centre.com
Diana Ritchie has provided Career Coaching, Consciousness coaching and soft skills training for over 10 years. She uses a holistic approach, taking clients on a journey of self-discovery, to achieve their desired outcome. By providing clarity and redirection in their lives, and offering support with stress, burnout or other setbacks, Diana helps clients to attain a wide range of goals, such as their ideal job, setting up a business or simply having greater fulfillment from life. Diana coaches and teaches Conscious Awareness through one-to-one training, using dynamic meditation and self-awareness techniques.
Transforming Lives
68, rte de l’Etraz
1260 Nyon
Kamy Lavanchy
079 325 07 30
www.transforminglives.ch
Working together to achieve your dreams. Find out what is blocking you from having what you say you want and find positive solutions to make effective changes to get you where you want to be.
Walk The Talk
Sunita Sehmi
076 532 21 37
www.walkthetalk.ch
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Walk The Talk provides Executive Coaching, Training, Facilitation and Consulting services, locally, globally and virtually. Sunita's deep interest is creating personal transformational learning experiences that enable clients to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to excel. Call her for a free needs analysis session.
by Local Recruitment Specialist, Francine Constanty
Owner and manager of proDEPHIE for the last 13 years, Francine Constanty is particularly experienced at helping women find jobs in the region, whether they be long-standing Swiss nationals or newly-arrived expatriates. Here are some of her comments:
The labour market in Switzerland has got strained, particularly in the Geneva region. But companies are always interested in employing people who can bring some experience picked up abroad, even if the competition is significant.
First make sure that you can get a work permit. Positions are usually open to Swiss and EU nationals. The Service Etrangers et Confédérés (tel. 022/546 48 88) can provide a lot of useful information if you come from another country.
If you are a Mom with small kids, daycare institutions (crèches) provide a pre-education program, which will leave you some hours to work away from home! Finding a baby sitter or a nannie should be one of the first steps in job hunting.
If you don't speak French at all, some lessons would be useful. A lot of people do speak English in Geneva, but the region remains French
speaking and it is highly appreciated if you can understand and communicate in French.
Some tips:
Write your CV and set up a file with copies of your diplomas and reference letters. Please note that reference letters in Switzerland are very important. Your CV should be attractive, with no mistakes, and easy to read. HR Managers only have a first glance of a few seconds, so make sure you emphasize your skills. Write a presentation letter where you explain your interest in the job and in the company.
You are now ready to go ahead and send off your application. International companies will be interested in receiving your file as your international experience can be considered as an extra skill. Employment agencies may also help you. Job announcements in local newspapers are usually published weekly. Often companies will publish the same open positions in all three places simultaneously. Each company has its own website. Apply only if you see a suitable position.
www.portailemploi.ch is a great website that has links to all the major employment agencies. There are some useful tips and information, but the website is in French. This is not a problem if you just want to make use of the excellent links on the site.
www.jobup.ch groups agencies and companies together with a description of their open positions. You can apply directly on line.
www.genevainternational.org lists NGOs with a direct link to each one. Proficiency in English is a must and international experience may be valued.
www.optioncarriere.com is a useful resource for jobs in neighboring France.
If you get an appointment for a first interview, make sure you are well prepared and have researched as much as you can about the company and the job, in order to be able to ask questions and to have a positive discussion with the person to whom you are speaking. Be prepared to answer questions such as: listing your skills, your weak points, what you expect from your job, from your employer, from your team, etc. Stay natural.
If it doesn't work, don't get disappointed - it rarely works the first time. Try to understand why you didn't get the job, by calling the HR department or the person you met, so that you can do better next time!
If you would like to find out more about job opportunities in the Lake Geneva region, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
When new couples arrive in Switzerland, it is often the case that just one of the partners has been offered a new position with one of the local companies. The other may decide to take a career break to look after children or set up the new family home. When the time comes to start looking for work, the process will inevitably be more difficult than in the couple's home country, as job seekers struggle to come to terms with factors such as work permits, not to mention language and cultural barriers.
To help accompanying partners find employment, a number of organizations have been set up in Switzerland. Details are listed below:
C2YOU!
Avenue Gratta Paille 2
1018 Lausanne
021 641 11 90
079 462 50 88
www.c2you.eu
C2You! provides Career and Integration services for English Speaking Professionals. Specialized in supporting partners who move to Switzerland for their spouse’s job. Example services: Job Search, Career Change, Business Start-Up, Integration consulting and coaching, and much more. Schedule a free intake to discuss your situation and get an offer.
Lutz & Partners SARL
8b chemin des Couleuvres
1295 Tannay
Carolyn J. Lutz
022 960 70 50
079 417 09 00
www.lutzpartners.com
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lutz & Partners is an all female company whose speciality is placing top female talent in consumer, luxury, healthcare, and general industry. They work for multinational headquarters of well-known brands on positions based in the Geneva area or elsewhere in Europe.
SCC SARL CENTRES
Spouse Career Centre
Swiss Career Connections
Geneva, Nyon, Lausanne
Diana Ritchie
078 808 35 97
www.scc-centre.com
Provides career coaching and job search support: individual support as needed throughout the job search process, with research, coaching, and networking to leverage portable skills for the local job market, career reorientation, educational support leading to a new job, entrepreneurial support to launch a new venture or import a foreign activity, social integration support, employability assessments and self-assessment tools.
UNLESA-Geneva
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Voluntary-run organization whose aim is to encourage the employment of UN expatriate spouses/partners by: connecting them with potential employers; providing members with information about employment within and outside the UN system, self-employment, training opportunities and volunteer work; and supporting the spouses/partners in keeping and improving their professional qualifications during their stay in Geneva.
