Switching jobs in Switzerland can be incredibly challenging, even if you're highly qualified and possess exceptional skills, especially without proficiency in German.
Hello Everyone,
My name is Ayush. I’m originally from India, but I’ve been living in Switzerland for the past 10 years. I’m a software engineer, and in my current company, everyone communicates in English—at least when I’m involved. Because of this, I didn’t feel a strong need to learn German initially.
That said, I have completed some German courses, totaling over a year of study. My proficiency is at an A2.2 to B1.1 level. However, now that I’m planning to change jobs after working in the same company for 10 years, I’ve realized that my German skills might not be sufficient.
I hold a Master’s degree in Computer Science and have 14 years of experience in software development, specializing in languages like C++ and Java. Despite having a solid background, I’ve encountered two recurring responses when applying for jobs:
- Your profile does not match our requirements, even when the job description closely aligns with my expertise.
- We require at least a C1 level in German.
This has been quite frustrating for me.
Do you have any suggestions for addressing these challenges or improving my chances in the job market?
Thank you in advance for your advice!