4 ms·

In Germany you have to master at least C1-level, preferably C2-level of German, which is a huge time sink (3-5 years of studying). Only then you would be accept

by bitL 9y ago

In Germany you have to master at least C1-level, preferably C2-level of German, which is a huge time sink (3-5 years of studying). Only then you would be accepted for positions/contracts >100k, even if you are a world-class person smashing code/deep learning/etc. like crazy. I'd recommend anyone that doesn't know German on such level to avoid both Germany and Switzerland; you'd probably be better compensated even in Romania as I've heard. Avoid UK in any case, they don't value techies at all and salaries there are just jokes. Try Norway/Denmark for better luck or make a Delaware/Nevada LLC and do your business in the US while residing in Europe.

DyslexicAtheist 9y ago
agree on the German requirement that can be hard. Though I have contracted out many times Americans and Brits to my clients. The biggest difficulties I have had placing foreigners were Munich (anywhere in Bavaria), and Stuttgart (strangely). Best places to place foreigners were Berlin (start-ups in Berlin often have no money to even consider well paid consultants) but there are some firms (Soundcloud & Co) who I am aware have some real international rockstars on their portfolio. Well funded Berlin based start-ups are well positioned to hire from the same pool as Apple, Google & Co. In case of Switzerland I think it is similar: Switzerland has one of the highest rates of foreigners in their workforce in all of continental Europe. The options there are limited (if you're in Banking, Insurance you should have no problem around Zurich/Zug and even work on some exciting blockchain stuff) Other areas in CH would be security (both start-ups and well established mobile operators looking for experts). The typical SaaS landscape is too small both in CH and in Germany to compete with high traffic platforms from the US (some small "regional champions" excluded). You can certainly find something in both Germany and Switzerland (even you don't speak German) provided you have the skills.
raverbashing 9y ago
> I'd recommend anyone that doesn't know German on such level to avoid both Germany and Switzerland; you'd probably be better compensated even in Romania as I've heard. I just love these completely unfounded assertions You work for a company that works in English as many exist and get paid a regular salary. A lot of people do that, your claim is baseless
- bitL 9y ago
  Sure, but if you want to fight for better positions at BMW, Daimler-Benz, VW related to machine learning/Big Data, they won't even talk to you unless you know at least C1-German. If you want to work for 2nd tier companies, they are often desperate, so English is sufficient, but compensation is even lower. But don't expect to be promoted on merit; German-speaking employees will have massive edge over you unless you are an international superstar.
  - raverbashing 9y ago
    Then get a 2nd tier job there and learn German in the meantime

by bitL 9y ago

DyslexicAtheist 9y ago

agree on the German requirement that can be hard. Though I have contracted out many times Americans and Brits to my clients. The biggest difficulties I have had placing foreigners were Munich (anywhere in Bavaria), and Stuttgart (strangely). Best places to place foreigners were Berlin (start-ups in Berlin often have no money to even consider well paid consultants) but there are some firms (Soundcloud & Co) who I am aware have some real international rockstars on their portfolio. Well funded Berlin based start-ups are well positioned to hire from the same pool as Apple, Google & Co. In case of Switzerland I think it is similar: Switzerland has one of the highest rates of foreigners in their workforce in all of continental Europe. The options there are limited (if you're in Banking, Insurance you should have no problem around Zurich/Zug and even work on some exciting blockchain stuff) Other areas in CH would be security (both start-ups and well established mobile operators looking for experts). The typical SaaS landscape is too small both in CH and in Germany to compete with high traffic platforms from the US (some small "regional champions" excluded). You can certainly find something in both Germany and Switzerland (even you don't speak German) provided you have the skills.

raverbashing 9y ago

> I'd recommend anyone that doesn't know German on such level to avoid both Germany and Switzerland; you'd probably be better compensated even in Romania as I've heard. I just love these completely unfounded assertions You work for a company that works in English as many exist and get paid a regular salary. A lot of people do that, your claim is baseless

bitL 9y ago
Sure, but if you want to fight for better positions at BMW, Daimler-Benz, VW related to machine learning/Big Data, they won't even talk to you unless you know at least C1-German. If you want to work for 2nd tier companies, they are often desperate, so English is sufficient, but compensation is even lower. But don't expect to be promoted on merit; German-speaking employees will have massive edge over you unless you are an international superstar.
- raverbashing 9y ago
  Then get a 2nd tier job there and learn German in the meantime