If you plan to live in Switzerland, either alone or with your family, you will have to find a job in Switzerland. From starting a business to international companies, Switzerland is a business-friendly environment with many different job sectors and specialisms to choose from. This page offers some useful advice and links to help you with finding a job in Switzerland.
In 2023, the rate of unemployment for Switzerland was around 2 percent, meaning that many companies look to abroad for skilled labour. Indeed, around a third of the total Swiss workforce has a foreign passport, and more and more jobs are nowadays offered in English.
If you are looking to find a job in Switzerland, it is important that you find the right job for your skillset and experience. Switzerland has a highly skilled workforce, specialising in manufacturing, services and tourism. Whether you have just graduated from higher education or are already an experienced professional, Switzerland will have a job for you.
However, in order to lead a successful job search, you need to start things off with a solid application that meets the expectations of hiring managers in Switzerland. This section offers some tricks and tips that can help.
If you would like to find a job in Switzerland, a recruitment agency is the place to start. There are many different agencies in Switzerland, with some catering specifically to expats. Not only do they specialise in matching jobseekers up with suitable vacancies, but they can also offer you career advice, CV analysis and job interview prep. Their job boards are updated regularly and will be able to offer you all the different career options for Switzerland in one place.
When applying for jobs in Switzerland, its good to know what is expected in your application. Before offering a work contract, Swiss managers like to receive an application that is personal, professional, and tailored to the sector you plan to work in.
Navigating this system can be challenging to expats who are used to other methods when applying for jobs. To help navigate you through, you can check out our CV guide.
A well-written cover letter is a key component of any job application in Switzerland, and so it's worth familiarising yourself with how this document is written in the alpine nation. Read our guide to cover letters in Switzerland to pick up some top tips and give your application the best chance of progressing to the next stage.
If your CV and cover letter pique the hiring manager's interest, you can expect to be invited to a job interview in Switzerland. Learn how to prepare for your interview, how you should dress and behave on the day, and read some common questions and answers that could come up during your job interview in Switzerland.
While you are hunting for jobs in Switzerland, it's also a good idea to familiarise yourself with both the job market and working environment, so you know what to expect if you are called in for interview or progress onto contract negotations. There are some keys things to understand about working in Switzerland, including:
If you are struggling to break into the Swiss employment market, you might consider consulting with an English-speaking career coach. They can not only look over your application documents to pinpoint areas for improvement, but also offer holistic guidance to help you transition to the Swiss job market or execute a career transition.