Dear Forum,I am trying to find consulting opportunities in Geneva, Switzerland and finding it extremely difficult to get any interviews.Appreciate this is not the best economic period, but grateful for any guidance?I have 7 years experience working with utilities and energy clients.Thanks.G

Do they even have an economy over there?What's the population, like 100 people or something?

Hi. I work in Consulting in Geneva.It's difficult, but not impossible to find interviews. It does help if you speak French - but the real issue is the work visa. Many job adverts will only accept applications from applicants with work permits - or at least frontalier G permits.

Rubbish! all EU citizens will receive a "B" residents permit. "G" permits are issued to those who live over the border in France. There is consulting work here but you have a much higher chance if you speak French and German. Banking is in demand.

How good does your French have to be?I can (just about) order things from a coffee shop.

Anecdotally, visas are a big issue. Correctly or not, employers still see the visa process as a big deal and, given the choice, many Swiss still prefer to work with Swiss.Good article on Swisster a couple of weeks ago - http://www.swisster.ch/news/society/foreigners-bear-brunt-unemployment-rise.html"Switzerland’s jobless rate hits a 12-year high in December, jumping to 4.4 percent as almost 9,000 people are added to unemployment rolls. Figures released by the federal government show that the percentage of foreigners in the country without work remains considerably higher than for Swiss and prospects are expected to worsen in the coming months, analysts tell Swisster."