Switzerland is home to around 400 alumni. Dominique Falque (E76), Head of ESSEC Alumni’s Switzerland Chapter, tells us more about the local community – and the services he offers to them.

ESSEC Alumni: How famous is the ESSEC brand in Switzerland? 

Dominique Falque: We have been organizing ‘speed job dating’ sessions with major headhunters in Switzerland for ten years. This helped improving ESSEC’s visibility noticeably among recruiters and employers.

EA: What makes it interesting to live in Switzerland? 

D. Falque: The political system is quite unique, as it is a semi-direct democracy with many laws put to the vote at local, cantonal and federal levels. Swiss people’s reliability, punctuality, and discretion are also proverbial, which proves to be a strong asset in the working environment. Another distinct feature is the great quality of public transports, as well as the striking beauty of nature and landscapes. In a nutshell: Switzerland offers a high quality of life. This comes with one setback: the high cost of living (+40% compared to France).

EA: What are the profiles and backgrounds of our alumni in Switzerland? 

D. Falque: Most are coming from abroad, with 20% being bi-national and 10% Swiss. They have the talents this country needs for its economic pillars: international organizations and NGOs, headquarters of worldwide corporations, wealth management banks and businesses such as mechanicals, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, food, or watches. They usually work as marketing and sales managers, controllers and financial analysts. 

EA: Where do they live in Switzerland? 

D. Falque: Switzerland is a confederation made of 26 cantons. 250 alumni work in the French speaking part of Switzerland (6 cantons), mostly around Geneva and Lausanne, a few in Bern, Fribourg and Neuchâtel. Another few are in Tessin, the Italian speaking canton. About 30 are in the Basel area, the chemical and pharmaceutical hub, and about 100 in the Zurich-Zug area. Also note we have a regional French group, ESSEC Romandie, as about 200 alumni working in Switzerland choose to live in France and cross the border to work.

EA: What is the current economics situation in Switzerland? 

D. Falque: It is very good. Unemployment is only 3,7% overall, and a bit higher (about 6%) near the German and French boarders. CHF currency strengthened 30% against EUR and USD over the last 15 years. Exports are strong in niche top end markets.

EA: With that in mind, what are our alumni’s prospects and opportunities in Switzerland?

D. Falque: Opportunities are mainly for specialists rather than generalists. Most needs currently are in digital and coding. Competition is fierce with candidates from all over the world.

EA: What advice do you have for our alumni moving in Switzerland to work there?

D. Falque: Build and inspire trust. Be tolerant. Do not criticize hierarchy nor peers or subordinates. Be modest. Be a team player. Be pragmatic. Be punctual. Aim at Quality. Also, speaking German is a plus.

EA: What are the offer and services of ESSEC Alumni’s Switzerland Chapter? 

D. Falque: A first focus is helping alumni settling in the country. We have a welcome pack available upon request, and monthly career transition sessions with certified, bi-national coach Isabelle Laugier (EXEC M07). A second focus is organizing events for the community. Most of our gatherings happen in Geneva, Basel, Zurich and Lausanne, but we can also offer a ski weekend in Valais, a horse-riding tour in Jura or Saturday picnics in Bern. Last but not least, our chapter is also the initiator and co-founder of ASAGE, which regroups 20 Swiss, European and Canadian alumni associations. 

EA: How and why did you become the Head of ESSEC Alumni’s Switzerland Chapter?

D. Falque: Damien Keller (E98) created the chapter in 2006. I got involved in 2007 to organize ESSEC’s 100^th birthday on Lac Léman, then I took the lead of the chapter. That being said, all are most welcome to join the team and help in organizing our activities or launching new projects! 

Reach out to ESSEC Alumni’s Switzerland Chapter’s team: 

- Basel area: Hubert de l’Hermite (EXEC MBA 99), hubert.delhermite@gmail.com

- Grand Zurich area: Marie-Luce Baudelet (E06 & ISFOGEP 10), marieluce.baudelet@gmail.com 

- Romandie area: Dominique Falque (E76), dominique@falque.ch

- Geneva area & Communication: Julien Laurent (M15), julien.laurent@essec.edu

- Digital: Karim Bangoura (M15), bangoura.k@gmail.com

- ESSEC+ program: Christian Albrich (EXEC MBA 99), calbrich@gmail.com, & Isabelle Laugier (EXEC M07), isabelle.laugier@essec.edu

Interview by Louis Armengaud Wurmser (E10), Content Manager at ESSEC Alumni 

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