You’ve perfected your CV, written a stellar cover letter, and finally landed a job interview in Switzerland! Well done. Now it’s time to prepare so that you can present yourself well on the day.
Interviews can be an intimidating prospect even in your home country, but when you’re abroad, facing unfamiliar customs and perhaps even having to interview in a language that’s not your mother tongue, they can be really worrisome.
This guide goes through all the basics of attending a Swiss job interview, giving you some tips on how to prepare and behave on the day, and some advice about the kinds of questions you can expect to be asked, and how to answer them.
Swiss job interviews
The best and most important piece of advice when it comes to job interviews in Switzerland is to prepare. This will help you feel confident on the day and make sure you leave the interview feeling like you gave it your best shot. While interviews will depend on the position advertised, the industry, the company and the interviewer, generally they follow a fairly standard format, which gives you a good idea of what to expect and how you can prepare.
In Switzerland, interviews tend to be formal affairs, so you should dress professionally and address the interviewers respectfully. You should also arrive punctually (at least 10 minutes before the advertised start time). It can be a good idea to bring a copy of your CV and any relevant documents like your certificates, just in case you’re asked to show them.
Video and phone interviews
If you’re applying for a job in Switzerland from abroad, you can expect to have at least your first interview via phone or video call (indeed, even if you are based in Switzerland, many companies do the first round of interviews remotely).
If you are having a video interview, check your internet connection and the audio and video functions on your device before the interview, to avoid last-minute problems. Find a clean and tidy space to take the call from, and to be on the safe side it’s a good idea to wear professional attire.
Recruitment tests and assessments
Although most interviews in Switzerland take the standard format of a formal conversation between the interviewee and one, two or more stakeholders, some companies may ask you to complete a task during the recruitment process. Some also use assessment centres, where you will be asked to carry out some tasks together with other applicants.
Interview questions about you
Naturally, you can expect to have to answer some questions about yourself.
Can you introduce yourself?
This question often comes first. Although the purpose of this question is usually to ease the candidate in, don’t miss the opportunity to spin it into a way to talk about what makes you a good fit for the role. This is your classic “elevator pitch” introduction. The focus should be on what makes you an ideal candidate for the job, perhaps with some information about your interests thrown in. It’s key to keep it relatively short, no more than two to three minutes.
Can you tell us about some of your achievements?
This gives you the opportunity to show off a little, without overdoing it. You should focus on some recent and relevant career highlights, and explain how they had an impact on the company you were working for at the time.
What are your strengths?
This common question is asking how well-qualified you are for the position. It’s a good idea therefore in your answer to focus on the skills that make you a good fit for the job you’re interviewing for. Be sure to give some examples to back up your answer.
What are your weaknesses?
It’s good to be honest here - but not brutally so. Keep the job description in mind as well: if you’re applying for a role as a PA, don’t tell them you’re scatty and constantly losing things. Try to put a positive spin on your answer, for instance by talking about a weakness you’ve recognised in yourself and taken steps to improve.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Lots of interviews will feature a question like this that focuses on your long-term trajectory and ambitions. Basically, the interviewer is asking how this job fits in. They want to know if you’re going to stick around, or if you’ll upstick as soon as you find a better opportunity. Focusing on both your short- and long-term goals, explain how this role and the company fit into your career plan.
Swiss job interview questions about your work experience
You can be pretty sure that your interview will also include some questions about the advertised role, your current role and any other work experience you have.
Why did you apply for this job?
This specific question requires a super-specific answer. It’s no good saying you’re a data analyst and this is a data analyst vacancy; the interviewer wants to know how much you really want the job, and what makes you a good fit for it. Explain, giving examples, why you would be suited to the role, and what you would focus on if you were hired. You could also talk about things you know about the company that appeal to you.
Why are you the best candidate for the job?
This question is asking what makes you stand out from the other candidates. Of course, you don’t know anything about the other candidates. Instead, you need to prepare a confident and concise summary of what you have to offer, and why it aligns with what the company is looking for. It’s a good idea to check the job description once again when preparing an answer to this question.
How do you deal with stressful situations?
Not every day at work is always a good one. By asking you this question, the interviewer wants to know how you deal with stressful or conflict situations. Rather than claiming that you never experience stress, you should give an example of how you successfully managed a stressful situation in a previous job.
What are your salary expectations?
Plenty of people clam up when talk turns to salary expectations. However, you should expect it, so do some research before the interview so you are able to present a salary range that’s reasonable based on your job title, experience, skills and location. Salaries in Switzerland vary widely depending on location and profession, so make sure you don’t over- or underestimate how much you can expect to be paid.
Job interview questions about the company
In most job interviews, there will also be a few questions about the company. Interviewers will want to know that you are interested in the role and specifically in working for their company.
What do you know about the company?
You’d be surprised how many people fail to do their homework and prepare even a few sentences about the company, so you can score some easy marks here by doing a little bit of research. Don’t bore them with details they already know (“The company was founded in 2008 by Joe Bloggs”), but prepare some key talking points about the department you’re looking to enter. Did the company recently pass a major milestone? Is there an important launch coming up? You can also discuss how the company’s brand, mission or values align with your own personal values or career goals.
Why do you want to work for this company?
This is a kind of hybrid of the question above and the question about wanting this specific job. Again, it pays to be super-specific and give the interviewer what they want: an indication that you’re truly enthusiastic about the role and the company. What is it that appeals to you? Show that you have done your research, and choose a topic that genuinely interests you and allows your personality to show.
Interview questions about your previous job
Your interview might also include some questions about your current job role or previous work experience.
Why do you want to leave your current job?
When answering this question, it’s important to strike a balance between being honest and being positive. Even if you are leaving your current job under difficult circumstances, avoid being negative or critical about the company or your manager, and don’t share too much information. Rather than listing all the things you don’t like about your current job, explain how the new job fits into your career trajectory.
What will you miss about your current job?
Be positive, but not overly so. Explain what you like about your current role, and then turn your answer towards your new potential employer, picking out aspects of the role that you’d enjoy just as much if not more.
What questions should you ask at a job interview?
Most interviews will usually end with an opportunity for you, as the candidate, to ask some questions. This is another opportunity for you to show your interest and showcase your skills, so don’t pass it up by saying you have nothing else to ask.
It’s a good idea to have a selection of questions prepared in advance. You could touch on details about the potential employment contract and working hours, but avoid asking too much about holiday leave and remuneration. Some potential questions you could ask are:
- Is this position advertised because someone is leaving, or is it a newly-created role?
- What would my primary responsibilities be?
- What would my key performance indicators be?
- How do you see the position developing over time?
- Is there potential for employees to take training or develop their skills in the company?
- How would you describe the company culture?
- When can I expect a decision?
More Swiss job interview questions
On top of the questions covered in detail above, you might also be asked some other job interview questions in Switzerland, such as:
About you
- How would you describe yourself?
- Tell us about someone who has had a special impact on you.
- How do you manage your work and personal responsibilities?
- What is the biggest mistake you’ve made?
- How do you handle setbacks?
- What motivates you?
- What are some of your career goals?
- What is your preferred style of leadership?
- How would you describe your communication style?
- How do you handle conflict?
- How do you respond to criticism?
- How do you handle competing priorities?
- How would you go about planning a project?
About your work
- What were your main responsibilities in your previous job?
- What do you expect from your colleagues / line managers?
- What is something unique that you will bring to the role?
- How would you describe your style of working?
- How would your previous colleagues describe you?
- What goals would you have for this job?
About the company
- What attracts you to this company?
- What did you think of your previous boss?