www.owit-lakegeneva.org
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OWIT Lake Geneva (based in Geneva and Lausanne, Switzerland) connects professionals across industries, providing networking, development, and social opportunities. Drawing from public, private, non-governmental organization (NGO) and inter-governmental organization (IGO) sectors, OWIT Lake Geneva’s members represent a diverse spectrum of cultures and industries. Their members benefit from a world-wide network of like-minded women and men interested in expanding their professional networks, sharing ideas and best practices, and continuing their education.
OWIT Lake Geneva is a non-profit organization and chapter of the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT), which has approxiamately 3,000 members in 30 chapters throughout the world.
OWIT Lake Geneva offers countless networking and development opportunities through:
- An interactive website
- Community partnerships/programs
- Creating connections and bridging networks
- A rich calendar of monthly events & networking happy hours
Annual membership fees: Fr. 120.- regular fee / Fr. 80.- students and pensioners
Special reduction on Diploma, Certificate and A La Carte courses at Infinite Beauty School
The Infinite Beauty School in Gland is offering knowitall.ch clients a special 10% discount on a selection of its training courses if they enroll before the end of August.
The offer is particularly attractive for those of you interested in taking up a new career as a beauty consultant, as it applies to the school’s popular 10 month Diploma course, as well as its Certificate and A La Carte courses.
With more than 25 years of experience and over 100 certificates and diplomas to her name, the school’s founder, Elisabeth Genovardo, has a clear understanding of the skills required to achieve the highest standards in this highly competitive industry. By employing versatile teachers with different teaching styles, Elisabeth ensures that her students are able, if needed, to adapt their skills to the wide variety of techniques used worldwide.
If you’ve been out of the workplace for a few years or more, you may well be wondering how any potential employer will consider an application from you with such a gaping hole in your CV.
Not only will you be missing essential skills that you would normally have acquired through the process of continuing professional development, but many employers will doubt your ability to be “on the ball”, and respond to work situations with the same speed and efficiency that you did before you embarked on your career break.
Obviously one of the simplest ways of addressing the skill shortage is to enrol on a suitable training course, in your field of work. Getting up to speed with the necessary “technical” skills required for your job, will undoubtedly open up a few more doors – but the big snag here is cost. Since many of these courses are run with professional organizations in mind, they can be very expensive, charging equally “professional” fees. Generally speaking, they don’t take into consideration the needs of applicants who have not had an income for several years.
A local French group is helping women get back to work after spending a period of time out of the workplace.
Called Back to Work Léman, the group aims to provide both locals and expats with the skills they need to take up employment again. By putting on a wide variety of presentations and workshops in the Pays de Gex region, the organization hopes that many of its members will gain the confidence to apply for work in the area.
With 120 people on its mailing list, of which 50 are active members, Back to Work Léman has become increasingly popular in recent months. With activities ranging from presentations on how to prepare a business plan and social networking, to workshops on public speaking, IT and CV preparation, it is no surprise that membership has increased so rapidly since the organization was launched in 2009. With an enrolment fee of just 20 euros it represents excellent value for money, even with the additional registration costs required by some of the events.
Whilst most of the presentations and workshops are run in French, the organization acknowledges that many of its members are English-speaking and aims to provide more sessions in English in the future. However, according to Back to Work founders Marie-Christine Delafontaine and Véronique Deruaz, many of its Anglophone members are actually grateful for the opportunity to practice their French in a warm and welcoming environment with like-minded individuals.
She adds,” Many of our presenters, such as those working in the UN and the NGOs, prefer to speak in their mother tongue. We are happy to let them speak English since most of our francophone members understand the language and it is a wonderful opportunity for them to brush up on their language skills too!”
Before you start applying for jobs in Switzerland or France, it can be a good idea to acquaint yourself with the local customs and cultural differences that exist between here and your home country. A bit of time invested in learning more about your local environment and the people who live in it, can go a long way to helping you in the interview process, and ultimately in your new job!
Below is a list of organizations that have been recommended to us and have been set up to help expats through this learning process. Many of the activities they organize are great fun and they provide a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and make friends.
Some of these organizations (and others not listed below) run seminars on getting to know Switzerland and its customs. Browse through our Workshops & Seminars calendar to find an event near you.
Bureau de l'integration des Etrangers
88, rte de Chancy, 2nd floor
1213 Onex
022 546 74 99
www.geneve.ch
General information is given on living in Geneva through the above link in English: housing, health, employment, schooling, child care, culture, etc.
Note: Other brochures are available on the first website link but if you don't read French, you might not be able to find them.
Le Cafe Vivant
079 277 86 36
www.lecafevivant.ch
Fun French Language Programs©: Play Français – Sing Français – Cook Français – Dance Français. Immediate immersion into local language and culture by stimulating all your senses through action, movement, fun, and lively experiences.
Artistic activities linking locals and internationals.
Living in Lausanne course
American International Women’s Club of Lausanne
La Maison de la Femme
Av. Eglantine 6
1006 Lausanne
021 320 26 88
https://iwc-lausanne.org
The AIWC runs a series of information sessions about Living in Lausanne and the Canton of Vaud. Please check the website for details.
Newly Swissed
www.newlyswissed.com
Lifestyle blog about Switzerland for expats and locals alike; culture, design, oddities, tourism and tips on how to settle.
Settling Here
Geneva and Pays de Gex
Aislinn Delmotte
0033/673 36 96 56
www.settlinghere.com
www.facebook.com/settlinghere
Practical help and advice for people moving to, living in and moving from the Pays de Gex and surrounding area. Friendly and professional services offered by people who have gone through expatriation and understand your needs. Personalized individual assistance as well as regular information sessions with speakers and experts on the subject chosen.
