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Monday, July 16, 2012

Interviewing Skills- Job4U2 - Q&A


What information should you gather about the company, the interviewer and the position when preparing for an interview?
 "Knowing the market, the trends, the competitors, key customers and Key vendors is extremely important and not only for commercial roles. It’s also interesting to check information about people working in the targeted department (future peers, direct reports, and line manager), their name, background. Linked in is a very useful tool for this purpose.”

How to address questions that may be controversial in other/your culture(s)?
"Swiss interviews are unusually extremely respectful, to such an extend that sometime the recruiting side does not dare to ask these embarrassing questions, I recommend to provide the answers even to the non-ask questions all along the interview so be sure that they are not rejecting your application because they still have doubts "

How to address flexibility and mobility (versus duration of your stay)?
 "Such questions are difficult to answer even for locals but a way out could be to answer by returning the question: “ that was actually one of the questions I had on my list, How does your company handle dual-career mobility?"

How to show motivation?
 "Well selecting the companies and roles you’re targeting will insure that you are truly motivated for the role your are interviewed for. In such case, being natural and open is the best way to succeed. Being well prepared and making sure its visible sends a very positive message ”

How to address salary questions?
 "For top management positions, where the range is very large, I recommend to discuss it very openly which head-hunters you trust, asking for confidentiality. But this should not be discussed too early with the hiring company. “I am sure that if there is a mutual interest we will find easily an agreement on the conditions ” could help delaying the discussion. Anyway, offered conditions in Switzerland are usually to a very acceptable level”

How to address negatives experiences and gaps in your CV?
 “Every life experiences make you a different person: Be prepared to explain the learning of each phase of your life, professional or not”

How to end and follow up an interview?
 " Confirm you want the job before leaving the room and thank each participant personally and individually by mail within 24H ”


If you liked that post, share it with your network!

Sandrine van den Oudenhoven, job4U2

Copyright job4U2 2012

Monday, July 9, 2012

Networking for expatriate partners


Now it's for sure: you are moving with your partner (and family) to Switzerland!
After the " oh my god" all excitement phase, you start hearing this little voice telling you "...but I do not know anybody there, my entire my life, my entire network is here..."

It is indeed an essential step when moving abroad to take as early as possible action to grow a new network at the new place, this is not only what will make the whole process easier but also much more enjoyable.
Like 85% of the accompanying partners, it is probably your intention to continue your career abroad; this makes the need of a network even more obvious.


We have put together 5 basics tips for building a network when relocation to Switzerland.

1- Start from your existing network! Use LinkedIn to take your existing network with you and develop it towards your new place of interest: Inform your current network about your departure to Switzerland, be positive about it and ask if they have contacts that to whom they could connect you.

2. Use LinkedIn to find out people in your former companies or in you alumni who are currently based in Switzerland.
Write a personal message explaining that you are about to relocate to Switzerland. Be open minded in building your network, anybody here has anyway a personal precious experience of what is life in Switzerland and probably know people you need to know... 


3. Propose to call them when you arrive to go and have a coffee (this is common practice in Switzerland) and DO IT!

4. Network with your future local Community, people you will be able to meet on a regular base once you will be settled. A great networking place is internations.org (it works with personal Invitations, you can get one from me upon request)
If you are a parent of young kids, join bebe.ch, it's amazing the amount of help/tips you will receive from other parents on that forum.


5. Take time off: leave the moving boxes unpacked for a few hours, and join networking events, go and meet people you have already contacted, visit your new city, treat yourself to a few hours of being a tourist in your new region.
Of course, if you are already in Switzerland, it is still time to build your network and the tips can still apply.

Job4u2 is placing networking at a central place in the 4U2 program offered to the accompanying partner.
We support the partners in establishing a local professional network serving the professional projects targets.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you want to know more about the 4U2 program method and content and please share this blog with your NETWORK!

Sandrine van den Oudenhoven, job4U2 

Copyright job4U2 2012