Kim, that explains the name!
If your "carte de séjour" is for an extended visit only, not for work, you will have trouble getting a job. All employers must by law check their employees and register your employment; they will ask to see your carte de séjour. When you get your carte de séjour you have to tell them your address, and inform them if you move.
The rules of this site are that you must not promote anything illegal. So I didn't tell you this ☺. Some people have been known to work for private individuals, and be paid cash. This is known as "Schwarzarbeit" (working on the black) in German, I don't know the French phrase. This is mostly unskilled work, for example house cleaning or gardening. The authorities are stamping down on it, both parties are breaking the law.
Getting to surrounding countries is no problem. Travellers are not stopped at the border, but there is customs for commercial vehicles. The nearest French town to Lausanne is Évian-les-Bains (where the water comes from), directly across the lake. There is a ferry from Lausanne to Évian-les-Bains, it is an easy day trip.
