Interview with Angie Weinberger

of Global People Transitions

Angie Weinberger runs Global People Transitions Ltd, a Switzerland-based company that aims to help international professionals develop their careers. She also runs a program called ‘HireMeExpress,’ designed to help people find work in job markets they are not familiar with. She wrote a book about transitioning employment called ‘The Global Career Workbook.’ NewInZurich had the opportunity to interview Angela recently and was given insight into how her company began and why career transitioning can be so difficult.

What are the key goals of Global People Transitions?

We help expats, international professionals, and managers to develop better careers across the globe. Our goal is to help them further their careers.

What inspired you to begin this company?

I worked in Global Mobility and HR for the last 25 years, where I perceived a gap between what companies provide to international assignees and their career aspirations. So I’m trying to find a way to fill that gap.

Why do you think people find career transitions to be so difficult? Is there a common issue people face?

First of all, there is the aspect of career couples; couples where one partner is asked to move to Zurich, and the other partner suddenly doesn’t have a job anymore. It’s difficult as a foreigner to find a job without a functioning professional network here. Even if you’re highly qualified and have a work permit, most expat partners who come here completely underestimate that challenge.

Another challenge is that companies look at international mobility through their own interest. For example, if a company wants to develop a new market, say in West Africa, what might be essential for you as a company might not be the same as what’s important for the assignee and their family. The company might not really care how you want to educate your children in such an environment, but for you as an individual, this might be the most essential thing in your life. So, of course, there is a gap between what the companies perceive to be important for their assignees and what the assignees perceive to be important for their lives.

What advice would you give to people looking for new jobs abroad?

The most important thing is to develop a strong network and to develop it as fast as possible.

Workbooks by Angela Weinberger

You’ve written a book called ‘The Global Career Workbook.’ How long did this project take you, and what ideas does it promote?

It took me two and a half years to finish and print. I’m currently offering a coaching program for expat partners and international professionals coming to Zurich called ‘HireMeExpress.’ The main idea of my book is to help anyone find a job in Switzerland more effectively by explaining the Swiss job market context and providing exercises to learn how to adapt their practice to the local standards.

You also wrote ‘The Global Mobility Workbook.’ Who is it written for, and what will they learn from it?

It’s a handbook for Global Mobility professionals, those working in HR, or line managers who need to manage assignments. This book will help them understand the basics as well as the trends in the field so that they can manage their work more strategically. It’s a tool to help professionals develop policies and guidelines and better explain to the assignees what to expect, how it works, and how to better prepare for the move, but also how to integrate faster, navigate daily hardships, and where to get help when needed.

How do you see the future of expat job markets?

That’s a complicated question. I’m optimistic about the job market, and more people are hiring outside Switzerland. However, Switzerland is quite a high-cost country, and some of its advantages might not remain forever. So if you would like to read more about Angie Weinberger’s company or have a call with her, please visit the Global People Transitions website.

Angela Weinberger

Global People Transitions

Address: Forchstrasse 179, 8032 Zürich.

Email Angela here: angela@globalpeopletransitions.com

Calendly: See here.

HireMeExpress mailing list – see here.

If you would like to get a copy of The Global Career Workbook why not pop down to your favourite bookstore.

***********************************

For more information about things to do in Zurich check out our What’s On Page here or subscribe to the blog for regular updates.