"A happy spouse has long been, and continues to be, the best predictor of a successful move"

How an overseas job can affect family life, by K.Gittleson- BBC News

BBC News New York has today published a very good article on the situation of the accompanying spouses and the impact they have on the success of an oversee assignment.

10 Predictions for 2012: The Top Trends in Talent Management and Recruiting

I have selected this article from Dr. John Sullivan who is a well-known thought  leader in HR. He is a frequent speaker and advisor to Fortune 500 and Silicon Valley firms. 

10 Predictions for 2012: The Top Trends in Talent Management and Recruiting

In this article, Dr. John Sullivan is outlining that one of the top trends will be retention.

In Region Swiss Midland, retention has also been a hot topic during these last months and I believe that it will keep on being part of the HR organizations top priorities in the next years.

At job4U2 we believe that top talents retention is greatly facilitated when a good work/life balance is achieved. We participate to that objective by supporting the employee’s spouse in settling in the region and in finding self-fulfillment in a local career.

Outlook on the Swiss job market for Q1 2012

Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, 1st quarter of 2012

In the region Swiss Midland, the recruitments volume will be moderate .
The job net forecast will show major progress compare to last quarter (+12%) and 4% on an annual base.

Pitch perfect to reach a Perfect Pitch

Pitch perfect to reach a Perfect Pitch

Dual Career and expatriates 2011 survey digest

"In October 2011, Sandrine van den Oudenhoven, job4U2 and Claudio Ravasi, University of Fribourg sent out a questionnaire to about 200 companies, mainly located in the Swiss Midland region.

More than 90% of the surveyed companies are located in cantons NE, BE and FR and covered most branches of the industry concerned by global mobility issues..."

Read more

All your comments, questions or ideas are welcome!

The most common mistakes accompanying spouses are making?

• Expect too much from the « expat » partner
• Spend their days emailing, skyping, calling home.
• Expect social contacts to follow the same rules as in home country.
• Consider the assignment as an interlude before going back to “normal” life at home.
• Ignore that there are many differences in looking for a job here compared to home country

Copyright 2011 job4U2

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." - Seneca

Accompanying spouse: Who are they?

The accompanying spouse, also known as the trailing spouse is the one in the couple who is coming along with his/her partner:

While the partner is relocating « on request » often from a large company, The trailing spouse main reason for moving to Switzerland is to insure the family/couple remains under one house

Who are they?

• Women ( 80%)

• Married (90%)

• Between 25 and 44 years old (75%)

• Polyglots (80% speak 2 or more languages)

• Highly educated ( 80% hold university qualifications)

• Experienced in relocating ( 60% )

• Professionally active prior to relocation (90%)

• Not professionally active during the assignment (75%)

• Wish to work (85%)

The Swiss culture shock: Best Intercultural Reads for everybody

Best Intercultural Reads

by Sanda Ionescu

The surprising truth about what motivates us

A great prensentation!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6XAPnuFjJc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

International Cost of Living in July 2011 by Steven Coleman

Coleman, S. (2011, July 4). International Cost of Living in July 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2011, from http://ezinearticles.com/?International-­Cost-­of-­Living-­in-­July-­2011&id=6398566
extract:

" The 10 most expensive cities in Europe:
1. Switzerland, Geneva
2. Switzerland, Zurich"

Archive:November 2011, job4U2 Newsletter

Here in November, the fog is covering our beautiful Swiss Midland’s countryside; But job4U2 has prepared a new version of the monthly newsletter! Read our news!

Information published by Great Place to Work® Institute Suisse

greatplacetowork

Vote for French speaking Switzerland women entrepreneur

http://www.lesquotidiennes.com/concours/finalistes-entrepreneures

Relocation, Our vision

Discover our vision for an ideal relocation: job4U2 Relocation vision

From your experience, should some roots or branches be added?

Swiss Labor Law Platform: The hrswiss blog is on line!

Swiss Labor Law Platform: The hrswiss blog is on line!: I today open this new platform to provide help and guidance about the subject Swiss labor law to any interesting person. In the coming days...

Trailing spouses: Why are they so important?

Their qualification and profile make them very valuable to the Swiss society.  
They are the cause number one of  early assignment interruptions  
Their well-being has a major impact on the well-being of the expat partner, thus on his/her performance at work.  
They are the family social integration facilitator.  
They usually take care of the whole relocation  practical side.

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 Any other reasons you can think about?

Copyright 2011 job4U2

Talk at the Anglo-Swiss club of Fribourg tonight

I am looking forward to the today event in Fribourg where I will give a speech for the Anglo-Swiss club of Fribourg "the specific situation of expatriates in the Swiss Midland and the situation of the accompanying spouses"

job4U2 has a blog!

Hello,


From now on, you can post your comments/questions/remarks on that blog!