• Want to receive the latest contracting news and advice straight to your inbox? Sign up to the ContractorUK newsletter here. Every sign up will also be entered into a draw to WIN £100 Amazon vouchers!

Working abroad

Probably best speak to TonyEnglish - he's in Switzerland now I think.

Have you got SAP? I'd imagine that these skills are pretty much in demand.

No SAP, I am an Enterprise Architect on the MS Technology Stack, or Lackie to give me my proper title.
 
What is the lifestyle like?

What is the market for contractors like when you are there.

Would you considered taking the family with you and live in Europe

Have only worked in UK for 5 years since starting contracting in the early 80's.

Would recommend Luxembourg or Eastern Europe if you you are a heavy drinker.

Amsterdam or Paris for night life, South America of the Far East if you like to travel to interesting places. Vienna (where I contract currently) if you like a refined, relaxed lifestyle with excellent transport that is also a central hub for the rest of Europe if you want to be a weekend tourist. The Middle East if you want to build a huge tax free war chest in a couple of years (worked in KSA for 2 years and saved enough to buy 2 houses for cash).

Not been happy working in Italy, France or Turkey for no particular reason and would not work in Nigeria (took an AK47 bullet in the leg) or the Philippines (stabbed) ever again.

Would not recommend taking your family with you if you can get away with it.


Let me know if you need any specific info.

PZZ
 
Last edited: 22:26
Mrs BB and I are considering trying to find a contract in Switzerland for a year. She speaks the lingo perfectly and I can speak loudly and slowly so no probs there.

Just fancy the lifestyle and the experience (and those lovely alpine roads,and rock climbing and skiing).

However, is it very much the banking sector that is recruiting or are there other sectors. I have lots of finance experience but no banking.

My views on this place have been somewhat tainted but I can see it's appeal. If both of you were heading over then I'd say do it - the lifestyle, from what I have seen, is good but it is hugely expensive. But if both of you are working you should have a decent standard of living. The locals and those imported to here who don't travel back on a weekly basis seem to really like the place. You can't fault the place in terms of safety and it's stunning to look at in places. I've only been based in Geneva but I understand that other towns are a lot cheaper to live in.

Besides banking and financing they do a really good trade in pharma business....oh and nazi gold.
 
There's quite a lot of niche engineering businesses in Switzerland still (often in pharma related work) unlike the UK where we closed them all down. Alstom are a very big engineering co and often have work available in Switzerland. I've been there for short term visits as part of a bigger project but I would consider working there.
 

Advertisers

Back
Top