Abroad

Working in Swtizerland (Geneve) – Pros :

  • + Diversified client portfolio : Bank (obviously), Private Bank, Regional Bank, Watchmakers, Insurances, Energy, Start-up, Luxuruous brand, Administration
  • + Polyglot (French Swiss-German Italian English) and international
  • + High wage (for people working in computer industry)
  • + Fast at working but unstable infrastructure and dev frameworks
  • + Infrastructure with top new technologies
  • + Administration can solve issues
  • + Average places are clean (cleaner than Paris)
  • + Swiss life style (Snow, fondue and chocolate)
  • + Swiss people are kind if you are not acting like an arrogant french.
  • + Very beautiful landscapes

Cons : * My main experience as expat so the main reason there is lot of information.

  • – Very very expensive country (for swiss people too)
  • – Global level in technology is low (internet is slow and unreliable, gms doesn’t work well, computer levels is not good they just follow the trends, forums are expensive and not really interesting). Not because of the swiss people is mainly foreigners working in these sectors
  • – you can lost your work easily (at risk) : Long term contract doesn’t mean insurance to work tomorrow. Same rules for swiss people too.
  • – Some scams with prices or rules (not well described).
  • – Finding home is very hard (high price and low quality rent). I was lucky to be welcomed by swiss people themself. Same for swiss people.
  • – Dishonest and unfair concurrence with French frontaliers/expats (More In Geneva) . My worst experience working with french abroad. Huge problem for Swiss people
  • – Some clients (SII or final client) are not OK : (2/5 bad experience) : Some final client are in bankrupt without telling it (very dangerous). Switzerland work landscape is the Farwest of Europe.
  • – Concurrence issues between colleagues (Building a real teamwork is really hard or artificial)
  • – Mainly it’s seniors and experts ( i don’t know if it’s a real Cons. But there are hackers too )
  • – The expensive heatlh insurance is a scam. You cannot use until a very big accident. I wasted 5000CHF/year. It’s a taxe every increasing year of 5% meaning 5%/year not equat 15% after 3 year but 27% 🙁 … ). It’s an issue for Swiss people too.
  • – No stable infrastructure (due to excessive presence of developper running every kind of work)
  • – Slow and some months are critical (Winter, Summer, Christmas season are very quiet). Don’t expect a feedback for a job hiring processus. The average is around 3 months. Very problematic in case of unemployment
  • – Cold country (need special equipment and warm heater). One reason of the high price. The cost of living is expensive due to the hard weather conditions in some place.
  • – High level of Pollution (higher altitude and the pollution strike harder)… One of the reasons i had to leave after serious health issue alerts.

Working in France (Paris) – Pros :

  • + Diversified client portfolio.
  • + Long term work contrat (CDI) but lower wage.
  • + Advanced technology (easy to find informations, forum, group of work about last technologies)
  • + International but French (Mainly talk in French)
  • + All kind of profiles in Paris ex: Juniors, Seniors, Advanced, Experts, Hackers (ethical), etc
  • + Many concurrence issues.
  • + OpenSource technology supporter and provider.
  • + Affordable insurance health (but level of service is randomized)
  • + Many computer events (riots now)
  • + Big night life

Cons:

  • – Low wages ( really under the international average) -> now it s a problem for french people too
  • – Ultra restrictive taxation -> very big problem for french people too
  • – Life is very expensive -> very expensive now tarif and taxe are increased every month… 🙁
  • – Home not easy to find and under the average standard
  • – If you are not french or not talking french. French people can be rude with you. Advice to see real french artists in Paris for understanding French people.
  • – Many scams (taxi, shops, streets, etc) -> Scam at work too….be careful
  • – Some location in Paris (or close) are very dangerous. Subway after midnight is not safe.
  • – High level of pollution -> Summer months are highly problematic for sensitive persons
  • – Politically VERY instable (now) -> On verge of a revolt now

Working in Asia (capital) – Pros:

  • + International (english mainly)
  • + Wide range of level (some are in the top10 of the best devs)
  • + Hard competition requiring an open-mind and flexibility
  • + Different way of thinking and living
  • + Domestic transportations are easy. Motorcycle are easy.
  • + Home and Food afordable
  • + Huge night life
  • + You can end married

Cons

  • – If you don’t understand asia way of life and culture don’t go for working but visiting (there are many rules)
  • – Not for everybody because of the weather (tropical storm in south east of Asia), epidemia (some vaccins are mandatory), foods (eating local food is very important), fauna&flora (many toxics bugs and plants) ,political situation ( uge events can suddenly change everything)
  • – English is not enough You need an asian language (basic at minima)
  • – Communication at work is sometimes not easy (need of asian language)
  • – Everything is fast. Very fast for european people. Ultra super fast for french people.
  • – Health insurances are very expensive but hospitals provide a (very) good level of service
  • – Many scams (you must be smart and kind)
  • – As foreigner you are invited. Meaning no integration. But Yellow inside people are welcomed.