how to apply in switzerland

The following information may help you to get a job in Switzerland.

What to join to the application file?

• An application file contains:

  • A cover letter in which you describe your skills and why you apply for the job.

  • A CV containing personal information, education, working exprience etc.

  • A copy of your diplomas.

  • Reference letters from your former bosses. (If you don't have reference letters, you can ask your former employers to write reference letters even in retrospective.)

If other documents are required, it is normally indicated in the job ad. If you are not sure what to join, you can always call and ask.

• Languages: Switzerland is a quadrilingual country, but not every Swiss speaks all four languages, and language skills are not required for all jobs. It is generally indicated in the job ad which languages are required. Universities or international companies often publish their job ads in english. More national oriented companies or institutions often look for employees speaking German, French or Italian, and their job ads are often published in one of these languages. It might therefore enlarge your chances to get a job in Switzerland if you speak - at least basically - German, French or Italian. Anyway, languages are considered as important in Switzerland. Mention therefore in your CV in a paragraph your language skills - even if they are basic.

• Note:

  • In Switzerland, it is usual to join a photo with your CV.

  • Indicate your family status, and, if you are not Swiss, your residence permit in your CV. In a last paragraph, you can add personal interests.

  • Your CV should look different if you are applying for a job in a company or at university. If you have questions about how to apply for a job outside university, you can use our application service.

Job interviews in Switzerland

• If an employer is interested in your resumé, he will invite you for a job interview. This can be a short talk with one person or a long assessment during several hours with several persons. Sometimes, the employers takes the decision after one interview within a short time, sometimes several rounds of interviews are organised. 

• The most important thing: enjoy the job interview. Don't be nervous. It is a possibility to present your skills and to learn more about your future job. Even if you won't get the job, an interview is always a good experience.

• Get informed about the university / company and about the kind of job you are applying.

• How to dress? The dress code depends on the kind of job you are appling (PhD, junior researcher, manager, ...) and where (university / industry). In case of doubt, chose a suit (with tie), no baskets, no mini-skirt, no plunging neckline.

Salary

• In Switzerland, it is not usual to indicate the future salary in the job ad. This issue will be discussed during the first or second job interview. Usually, the employer asks you about your salary expectation. Thus be prepared to this questions and have a salary range in mind. To have an idea about which salary you can expect, look at our salary section.  

• Swiss don't speak about salary. They normally don't know what their colleagues, neighbours and even friends and relatives earn. Don't be surprised if nobody answers your salary questions. 

• The salary the employers suggests can always be negociated. 

• Get informed about the tax systems and the extended benefits you get: How many % of taxes are deducted from your gross salary? Which amount will you really get each month? What is included in the salary (holidays, health insurance, bonuses, ...)?  You will find more information in our daily life section.

• Get also informed about the living costs in Switzerland: A salary might seem to be high/low compared to the incomes you are used to, but the living costs are finally deciding. Check out what you will have to pay for an appartment, food, public transport/car, childcare etc. in the section cost-of-living.

Tips for getting a job

• Focus your job search: One of the most important steps in any job search is figuring out what you want to do and then identifying companies and career paths that match your interests. Once you identify some fields or companies you're interested in pursuing, find people who work there and talk to them about what they do. Ask your friends, teachers, colleagues... It is also important to build your network.

• Make your résumé stand out, but keep it relevant: The résumé is often a recruiter's first impression of you, so make sure it doesn't contain any spelling errors or grammatical mistakes. Find somebody to look at your résumé to check for mistakes and make sure that the information makes sense.

• Don't distort the facts: It's okay to promote yourself on your résumé, but be honest. To much exaggeration may eliminate you from consideration.

• Use technology the right way: Social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn can help you stay connected. But keep in mind that even though these networks can play a role in your job search, they shouldn't replace traditional job search methods. It's relatively common these days for people to have a personal website. By referencing it on your résumé, you can direct employers to additional information about you that might reinforce your case. They can include publications, research summaries, and information about other relevant activities that won't fit on your résumé. One note of caution: Anything posted on the Internet is public, so be careful what you post and keep it professional.

• Be well prepare: If you're lucky, you will be invited to an interview. Get ready for the interview. Be e.g. prepared that he interviewer asks, "Do you have any questions for me?" You should have a list of questions prepared ahead of time, and don't be reluctant to ask them. Interviewers expect candidates to ask questions.

• Introverted? Use it to your advantage: Although extroverts are natural communicators, introverts have a strength they may not realize. Introverts are excellent listeners, and they are very perceptive when it comes to body language. Introverts have a great advantage over extroverts in that they are doing an audience analysis all the time. They can learn to be great performers and that this skill can win over hiring managers during an interview.

• Send a thank-you note: A simple thank-you note can increase your chances of getting hired. These days, an e-mail thank you can be just as effective as a handwritten card, but make sure you have a clear subject line so that the e-mail doesn't get lost in an interviewer's mailbox or spam folder.

• Be patient and persistent: Job hunting is not easy, and success doesn't come overnight. But the previously mentioned skills can be applied over and over throughout your career. And someday you might find yourself offering these tips to a new job seeker.

Tips when applying by email

• Indicate in the subject line for which job you apply.
• Ad a cover letter to explain why exactly you want the job.
• Use common formats for the attachments (doc, pdf). No ppt and no attachments of megabites.
• Don't send your application to info@-addresses but to personal addresses. Ask to which person you should send your application.
• Don't forget to indicate your postal address and your phone number.  

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