Reply to: Working abroad

[DiscoStu]

I know you asked about Europe but we're loving it in Melbourne...

See you there next year

[gadgetman]

I know you asked about Europe but we're loving it in Melbourne...

[Fred Bloggs]

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.

[BoredBloke]

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.

[pzz76077]

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

[darmstadt]

Going to work in the UK is abroad for me nowadays (definitely not exotic unless working in Southall!)

[BlackenedBiker]

oh do they speak German? as wondering what it was. Anyway whatever it is I can't understand it.

Loudly and Slowly = lingua franca. Always works with Johnnie Foreigner. And they respect us for it.....

[BlasterBates]

oh do they speak German? as wondering what it was. Anyway whatever it is I can't understand it.

[BlackenedBiker]

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.

[BlackenedBiker]

Are you not aware that more than one language is spoken in Switzerland? French will not be of much use in a German speaking canton

Thanks MrM. Yes I was aware, but we were going to go for the French cantons.

[MrMark]

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.

Are you not aware that more than one language is spoken in Switzerland? French will not be of much use in a German speaking canton

[Menelaus]

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.

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.

[BlackenedBiker]

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.

[dang65]

I think it's one of the huge benefits of contracting that you can go off and work somewhere "exotic" (i.e. not England) for a few months or a year without any hassle. If you take permanent work abroad then you're instantly dragged in to all the bureaucracy and complexities of the local system, and you'll probably be expected to permanantly relocate there. A few months is like a holiday. You only see the good things and don't get involved in the stuff the locals moan about.

Looking forward to trying a few new places in the future anyway.

[expat]

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

All depends where. Obviously if you go and live in Frankfurt you might find a good market, but if you go and live somewhere else you mught find yourself heading off to Frankfurt on a weekly commute like quite a few German contractors! OTOH at least you wouldn't have to go through LHR to do it.

Taking the family is far from easy, if the members of your family each have a life in the UK, possibly as important as yours. The children's education will certainly be highly impacted. Maybe for the better (our kids have later thanked us for the experience but I know - now - that it was very difficult for them). And your spouse or partner may not find it as easy to find work, unless they too are in IT or already know the language well.