Spousal and Dual Career Support

There is no doubt that a healthy work-home life balance is an intrinsic part of an effective relocation. Family happiness within the home leads to a well-balanced, realistic and productive work sphere. For more than 20 years, research has shown again and again that the single most common reason for overseas assignment failure is spousal dissatisfaction. The inescapable conclusion is that all expatriate training and coaching workshops need to include ample attention to the expatriate spouse, whether female or male, and to supporting dual career couples.
Our “Crossroads” workshops are tailored to explore career alternatives and combine classic career counselling (self-assessment and job-hunting techniques) with country-specific employment, personal fulfilment, and networking information. Our aim is to get through that “go – no-go phase”

Objectives:

• to gain awareness of the opportunities and obstacles to finding work in the new location
• to develop a realistic view of employment possibilities in the new location
• to enhance the spouse’s personal repertoire of job-hunting skills
• to facilitate the entry in the local job market

Career Orientation
The first step is to determine your career profile. Who are you, what values are important to you? What are your qualities, competences and interests? What working experience do you have to contribute? What does this time in the Switzerland mean to you? What would you like to experience, give or learn?
To help provide the answers to these questions we will sometimes deploy professional profiling tools to help you rediscover and understand yourself in your new setting.

Labour Market Orientation
In the first phase it will become clear what kind of work and working environment suits you and your needs. The next step is to focus on the Swiss labour market. We will help you approach the Swiss market in an efficient and effective way.
Together we will look at you C.V., letter of application and skills. If it is helpful we will practise job interviews in role-playing settings. We will also acquaint you with the various ways to approach the Swiss market .
And last but not least we will make you aware of your networking possibilities. Networking is an important way to find a new position in Switzerland. Recent studies have shown that in some areas up to 80% of the vacancies are filled via networking while only 20% ever reach the newspaper or internet.

Career Counselling - Starter Kit
To allow a smooth start for the associate’s spouse who wishes to continue his/her career in Switzerland, by providing tools, coaching and solutions to help you help yourself.

Full Career Coaching
Individual support as needed, with personalized guidance, research and career advice to leverage their transferable skills for the local job market.

Settling In Support
To allow a smooth start for the spouse who does not wish to pursue a career but needs support to feel personally connected and networked at the highest and most dedicated levels possible.