Fifteen years. That is exactly how long my professional journey in Ukraine lasted, where the concept of “job hunting” in its classic sense existed for me only in theory.
In my own country, at home, I never had to send out resumes or face periods of unemployment. Yes, I changed jobs a few times, and yes, I went through interviews, but it always happened through recommendations from colleagues who already knew my work in practice. These meetings were not exams but dialogues, each ending with a successful job offer.
My main asset was my reputation, which worked for me in my country and within a familiar legal framework.
But then came the relocation — and everything changed.
I found myself in a country where I knew absolutely no one. The entire professional authority I had built brick by brick over 15 years, my whole reputation, stayed at home.
Here, in Switzerland, I became just another line in a database, a person with no local history or connections.
In such a situation, every qualified specialist first translates and adapts their resume. I did the same. It seemed to me that a solid background in finance and analytics, along with my knowledge of English, should speak for itself, even where nobody knew me. The English language gave me a sense of international grounding. I started sending my resume for vacancies in Geneva, expecting the familiar scenario: an open professional dialogue.
Instead, I faced entirely different market demands and selection systems. My inbox was filled with polite but completely identical automated letters:
“Thank you for your interest in our company. Unfortunately, we have chosen another candidate whose profile more closely matches our requirements...”
Finding yourself in a situation where you receive templated rejections without any live feedback is a serious challenge. It forces you to completely rethink your approach to integration.
I was fortunate enough to get an internship at Geneva Business News and receive professional support.
Accounting requires maximum precision and, in my opinion, a high level of French — one that would be fully sufficient to understand and perform the complex tasks in this field that I was used to. However, while developing this strategy together with my career coach, I was completely honest. I frankly admitted to him that internally, I did not yet feel the 100% language confidence required for the flawless financial work I was accustomed to. Going into this conversation, I was prepared for any outcome — even for being told “goodbye.”
But instead of treating my doubts as a limitation, my coach immediately adjusted the approach and decided to assign me completely different tasks.
An important step on this journey was taking a specialised personality profile test. Its results amazed me: the questions seemed simple, but the analysis was so deep that it highlighted my strengths with pinpoint accuracy, reshaping my self-perception. And Geneva Business News (GBN) used exactly this approach: focusing on foundational skills that can be adapted to different tasks.
Currently, my internship is ongoing, and I am performing tasks unrelated to classic accounting, while continuing to familiarise myself with the specifics of local accounting practices. I am doing these new tasks for the first time in my life. It seems to me that I am managing them — at least, if these tasks are not being taken away from me, that is a good sign.
Although, of course, it is not for me to judge, as the final word always rests with the team. Nevertheless, this experience has proven that my background has transformed into a unique perspective that works.
Understanding the intense demand and fierce competition in the Geneva job market, I still do not lose hope. I know that I will definitely find my place, because the main thing is a sincere desire and inner self-confidence.
Of course, to be honest, in this difficult situation, my self-confidence was shaken. Facing a completely new environment after years of stability is psychologically challenging. But I have been incredibly lucky to work with professionals who were able to see my potential and genuinely believe in my abilities. At this stage of my life, this became incredibly important to me. Local support and the faith of other people restore your own footing and give you the strength to move forward, despite any barriers.
Therefore, to everyone who now finds themselves in a similar situation, who has temporarily paused or simply does not know where to move next, I sincerely advise working with professional coaches. These are people who know how to find what you can lean on in the future and will help you find your unique path again.
My experience is a mirror reflecting thousands of specialists in Switzerland. An important conclusion can be drawn from this experience:
Do not be afraid to be honest with your coaches and mentors. Frankly admitting your feelings does not close doors; instead, it helps professionals find the best direction of growth for you. Take tests, agree to internships, and boldly take on tasks you have never done before. Your core skills will definitely work for you in a new role.
Thank you to the Geneva Business News team and my coach for hearing my honesty, believing in my potential beyond familiar numbers, and becoming a bridge to my professional future. Restarting a career in another country is a challenge, but it is precisely here that I am learning the most important lesson:
My strengths always stay with me, no matter what specific tasks I perform.
Accountant | 15 Years of Experience | VAT, Financial Reporting, Banking Operations
