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Jobs in European Regional Headquarters of American and other International Companies

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When watching CNN or any other of the USA based TV and information networks and commentaries, one gets the impression that the whole of Europe is falling apart. No doubt, there are severe economic problems in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy and some other EU countries. The problems are are being dealt with, in the customary slow European way, which might often turn one to frustration. Unemployment in some countries is at record level, especially in some areas of Spain and Italy were it has reached close to 40%, and over 20% for the country as a whole. Though, lets make no mistake, if the USA would count the unemployed the same way Europe does, there are many areas in the USA, where unemployment would easily reach 25 to 30% as well. In addition, many of the currently created jobs in the USA are replacing past and existing jobs at a far lower level of earnings and benefits, than those that existed before the crisis.

As slow progress is made after the fall-out of the economic and financial crisis, countries like Germany, Austria, Holland, and the Scandinavian countries have companies exporting more technical, chemical pharmaceutical and engineering products and equipment, than they have ever done in their entire history.

Some American and Asian companies in Europe have been severely affected by the economic downturn, while others make record profits and continue to employ new staff. In some European countries, well qualified staff is hard to get. The past low birth rates, has largely been the cause of that, as European countries, like Japan, as the population is aging rapidly.

If you look for a job and are well qualified, well educated and do not mind change, Europe is still a good destination to search for a job.

There are many European Headquarters sites of American, Asian, Canadian and other International Companies. Most of them tend to be based in countries that offer some tax advantages. Headquarters are usually expense centers, rather than revenue generating units. That makes the tax regime important. Though, some are attached to manufacturing or distribution sites. If you would rather have a a line job, than a staff job, in a foreign subsidiary in your country, go to the European HQ site first and then see whether they have national manufacturing or distribution sites.

Switzerland has always been the home of many "knowledge based companies" and industrial giants like IBM, Yahoo, Google and many others, maintain large facilities, requiring highly qualified (Masters and Ph.D level) and, often, multi-lingual workers there.

Switzerland, Germany, Austria

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Switzerland is the home of many regional headquarters (usually Europe, the Middle East and Africa) of foreign companies. Most of these can be found in the Cantons (Canton = State) of Geneva, Vaud (Lausanne), Neuchâtel, , Zug, Fribourg, Basel and Zuerich. Though, more recently, other Cantons have also become the place to locate a headquarter. Geneva has been hardest hit in the current recession and some people, especially in the finance sector, have been laid off.

While taxation used to be the main reason for locating headquarters in Switzerland, this has for some time, despite assertions by populist politicians, no longer been the case. In a recent survey we did amongst 250 foreign companies that had regional headquarters in Switzerland, only two placed taxation issues amongst the top ten reasons for location in Switzerland. Other factors, such as, stability, a top level infrastructure, a very well educated workforce, business friendly cantonal and municipal governments, good and easy international travel from and to their Swiss and international location, were far more important to the employers surveyed.

Germany and Austria attract fewer headquarters. But, especially Germany has large numbers of foreign manufacturing companies settled within its border.

In general, if you are looking for a job at a regional Headquarter, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, the United Kingdom and Ireland are the places to look for that. See our special Swiss page, which will give you information about work permits and general living conditions. On the other hand, if you look for high level manufacturing, engineering, R & D and distribution jobs, the German subsidiaries of international companies are more likely to offer these jobs. Both countries, Switzerland and Germany attract a large number of top level foreign scientists at their universities and research organizations.

You can also look at some pages in conjunction with jobs4work.com

Companies with large Foreign Operations and Regional Headquarters in Europe

Having a Résumé that will get you the right Job

The initial contact point between a potential employer or his recruiter and a candidate is generally the résumé and your cover letter. Thus, the quality of presenting yourself to a potential employer or an executive recruiter is crucial in your job search. Remember, you have, maybe, 5 minutes to convince your counterpart, when he looks at your résumé, that you are the person for the job. That is why having a top professionally written résumé is an important investment!

There are numerous good résumé writing services available to help you create the right format. You can find some of the ones we have tested at our Resume Advice Page. You can also find some advice on job searches, resume writing and lots of other things, in a series of pages about having lost your job.

You should also look at our Interview Advice page with tips for a successful Interview!

Some Help, if you do not have the Time to look for a Job

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Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg

Belgium and Luxembourg have a long tradition of attracting foreign company headquarters. Belgium, especially Brussels for obvious reasons. It has been since the 1950's and the first "Contracts of Rome" the de facto "European Capital". The existence of a talented multilingual workforce has also been a huge bonus to the country.

Luxembourg has become a financial center that in many respects rivals London and Switzerland. Although, it might not be as large as that of London, the quality of life in the small Duchy has attracted multiple talents. Here again, they found a fertile ground amongst a very talented and educated population.

The Netherlands have always been a very open and liberal country with its own industrial giants like Phillips. It is the home of many international logistics and maintenance centers. Multi lingual abilities of its population as well as good universities and research facilities have contributed to that.

Britain, Ireland, Scandinavia

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The United Kingdom has long been a favorite for locating European Headquarters. A certain commonality of language, especially with the U.S.A. has helped. But high costs, especially of office and accommodation rents have recently made many companies move their HQ's. Changes in the tax regime have also contributed to that. But London and the surrounding country side are, no doubt, attractive. The easy of getting to London from other places in the world, also plays a part in selecting that location. We have special pages that deal with the UK, if you want to know more about it.

Since Ireland joined the EU, it has grown in leaps and bounds. Even though, at the moment it has been affected more than some other places by the economic downturn. But many American companies, especially in the software industry, have settled there and will continue to do well. Unlike the UK, Ireland has accepted the Euro as its currency.

Scandinavia has not been a choice as headquarters for international companies. High personal and corporate taxation may have plaid a part in that. On the other hand, Scandinavia itself has become the center for many indigenous international giants such as Electrolux, Ericson, Nokia, Volvo, Skandiavabis and others. Norway is a major oil and gas exploration and support center for the Nordsea and is heavily involved in oil platform engineering.

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France, Italy, Spain, Portugal

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