Working in Zurich as an American
Hey everyone, so I know there are a lot of forums on Zurich but I wanted to reach out to anyone who has worked in Banking in Zurich just for some advice.
I am a Finance major at a non target school in San Francisco, CA and I really want the experience of living in Europe even if its just for six months-1 year. I see Zurich as a great place for banking because it has a lot of banks and the salaries seem higher than in other parts of Europe.
My German skills aren’t great but I am learning.
My goal is investment banking but I am open to other positions.
Does anyone have any experience or advice for me in terms of Finance in Zurich and is there a better European city in your opinion. Thanks.
I would think London is a betterEuropean city for someone who speaks English. Although many in Switzerland speak English with it being such a globalized country.
Speaking in German would just more be out of respect, I guess
Thanks for the input. I plan on learning German as much as possible before going. I heard that business in Zurich is mostly done in English but I could be wrong.
Business in Zürich is done in Swiss german. Source: am Swiss. Salaries are higher but cost of living is MUCH higher compared to rest of Europe...
For Zurich or Swiss in general:
Your German must be on point, even then once they hear you speak they will just speak English to you as they will assume their English is better than your German.
You better be fucking smart, because for you to get a permit.... preferably a B permit your employee needs to prove no Swiss citizen can do what they want you to do.
Utilize a recruiter, they will help immensely. If you are white of European descent it will help better as you'll have to send a picture attached to your CV, employers are allowed to discriminate in Switzerland and due.
Info from Uncle who worked in Switzerland for 8 different banks, 2 financial consulting firms and a startup from mid 80s - early 2000s
Much easier to get a job in the UK.
So I am of European Descent. Half Italian, then the other half is Swiss-German and English. I am trying to have my Italian passport by the time I graduate because I think that will help my chances of landing a Finance job in Zurich.
I will look into London too. Its much easier to get a job there but how are the salaries and taxes compared to Zurich?
Get the Passport, pray brexit is continually delayed and try and land at job in London the passport will make it very easy. If you speak Italian, Milan is a very cool place to work... other EU cities such as Frankfurt "if you improve your German" or Paris if you choose to give up and just learn french.
Obviously the Salaries are comparative because it's banking and if one country paid leaps and bounds better they wouldn't be able to retain their talent. $ amount wise Zurich will be a larger number but expenses will directly reflect this. You'll be laughing at tax time tho and likely only pay 28% all in.
Is your Swiss German descendant still alive and how many generations of separation are there? You could potentially aquire another passport, I've seen this done.
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