Banking, insurance, tourism, pharmaceuticals, watch production, electrical and mechanical engineering, and logistics are the major job markets of Switzerland, with recent growth in molecular biology and biotechnology. Salaries are among the highest in the world and unemployment is low.

Expats in the Job Market

In Switzlerland, unskilled expats typically find work as seasonal workers in tourism or, if highly qualified, in IT and financial services. There are shortages in the fields of communication system engineers, biotechnologists, economists, finance specialists, lawyers and German language teachers. Workers from other EU countries are able to move and work easily in Switzerland.

To increase your chances, it is recommended that expats be able to use the language of the canton where they work. According to Swiss law, foreign workers have to be employed under the same salaries and work conditions as Swiss citizens. It is often easier to find a position than foreigners believe, but the visa process is complicated. However, Switzerland has a high expat population and many people are successful in both finding a job, and making a life as an expat in Switzerland.

Resume / CV

Resume versus CV

• Resume- brief overview of work and educational experience. Prominent in the US when applying for employment. Typically one page.
• CV (curriculum vitae)- more in depth look at work and educational experience. Prominent in Europe and the Middle East. Typically two or more pages.

Layout

Switzerland usually uses a CV.. International companies stationed in Switzerland may prefer a resume, but this should be specified in the ad. Prepare both a German and English versions of your resume only if you are fluent in both languages.

The Resume should contain:
• Contact Information: Relevant personal contact information at the top of the page including: name, phone number, fax number, address, email address, date and place of birth, gender, marital status and number of children. Resumes may be kept on file for long periods, so any contact details you give should remain accurate long-term. It is common for a professional photo to be included.
• Professional Experience: Usually this information is listed chronologically. List your work experience with: your title, the name of the company you worked for, the dates of your employment, and a brief description of your achievements in that position. Any gaps in work history should be explained.
• Education: This section should come before work experience if you are in school or have been out of school for one to three years, depending on your level of work experience and how relevant your education is to your career. Big name universities can catch a recruiters attention.
• Certificates & Diplomas: Courses, seminars, congresses or conferences that are relevant. Note if you received any special honors.
• Languages: This is extremely relevant to an international job. The major language in Zurich is German, but the business language for multinational employers tends to be English. List which languages you speak and your level: advanced, intermediate or beginner. Point out if you can translate, speak, or write in each language and list any associated degrees. If you are submitting your resume in a language other than your native tongue, be sure to have a native speaker read it first.
• Computer Skills: Programs, applications, word processing, database, Internet experience, etc.
• Interests: You may include personal interests such as hobbies, sports, activities.

Tips

• Switzerland is a very conservative country and CVs should be straightforward and serious. Flashy style is not respected.
• Use standard paper and a simple font, such as Times New Roman (12 font) or Arial (10) font
• Print original copies on high quality paper - don't send photocopies.
• Be neat. Take care with the presentation, design, spaces, and spelling of your resume. Punctuation and grammar are extremely important. Don't use abbreviations.
• Make sure your CV is as organized as possible, so the information can be found easily.
• You do not need to date or sign your resume.
• Have a base CV that you can adjust to each job you are applying for.

Cover Letter

A cover letter usually accompanies a CV in a job application. In the format of a letter, it establishes your tone and intent. Also known as a cover letter, covering letter, motivation letter, or letter of motivation.

Format
• Header - Standard business letter style, with the sender's address and other information, the recipient's contact information, and the date sent after either the sender's or the recipient's address. The final part of the header is a salutation (e.g., "Dear Hiring Managers").
• Introduction - The introduction briefly states the specific position desired, and should be designed to catch the employer's immediate interest.
• Body - Highlights material in the resume or job application, and explains why the job seeker is interested in the job and would be of value to the employer. Also, matters discussed typically include skills, qualifications, and past experience. If there are any special things to note such as availability date, they may be included as well.
• Closing - Sums up the letter and indicates the next step the applicant expects to take. It may indicate that the applicant intends to contact the employer, although many favor the more indirect approach of simply saying that the applicant will look forward to hearing from or speaking with the employer. After the closing is a valediction ("Sincerely"), and then a signature line. Optionally, the abbreviation "ENCL" may be used to indicate that there are enclosures.

Resources

For some basic templates for CVs and cover letters, try Career Lab, Great CV's, or the Career Resource Center.

Job Search

A checklist of what you need to start your career:
• Write a curriculum vitae (CV)
• Research potential employers
• Find job opportunities
• Write cover letters
• Complete job applications
• Interview
• Follow-Up
• Get hired!

After you have completed your CV, it is time to search for jobs.

Search Engines

Online recruitment websites (Jobsboersen / sites web d’emploi) allow for customized job-searches and alerts of new positions. You can also submit a CV for hiring managers.

• Kompass
• Job Search
• Public Jobs
• EasyExpat Switzerland Job Listings

EURES

As part of the EU, job seekers can access the European job mobility portal EURES. This resource provides information about job vacancies and the labor market. It also provides information on the living and working conditions, and a CV posting service.

Newspaper

Newspapers post job offers (Stellenmarkt - offres d'emploi) in their classifieds section. Most are posted on daily newspapers (Wednesdays & weekends) and specialized trade magazines and journals. Job-seekers can also post a wanted ad for a fee.

• Le Temps
• 24heures
• Tagesanzeiger

Career Fairs

Career fairs offer a great view of the Swiss market and positions available. There are usually a range of employers, often featuring a specific industry. Applicants should come prepared with a CV, business cards, and qualifications. At some fairs, applicants send their CV in advance.

Teaching English

English-speaking expats are in high demand for teaching English. Language schools usually require applicants to have TEFL course certificates and a college degree. You must have adequate visa clearance and registration. Most schools will supply you the intent to employ so you can secure a visa.

Schools

The easiest way to get started teaching English is to find a school. The best situations are companies that pay adequately and aid in getting visa paperwork completed. These positions may be difficult to come by and there is fierce competition for the largest.

Applicants usually submit their resume and application, and if the school approves, the applicant will be asked for an interview. The interview may consist of a sample lesson or a grammar test. Some schools will throw teachers right in for a 90 minute class where the school observes and either offers the job, or does not.

Positions are much more readily available in private language schools. Salaries are lower than in the state run schools and contracts may not benefit the teacher so read carefully. Switzerland also has many finishing schools and private boarding schools that often have teaching vacancies. Many of these also run summer courses and camps.

It is common for new teachers to only receive a few classes at first. If they are able to prove themselves reliable and are able to handle a class, they will gradually be given more classes. Some teachers work at two schools or also give private lessons.

Teaching in the state sector is the most lucrative strain of teaching. These jobs are hard to come by without experience and the best qualifications. These positions offer the paid holidays, excellent salary, and a good pension.

Schools:
• Berlitz
• Ecole Club Migros
• Flying Teachers
• Global Citizen
• Inlingua Zurich
• Native Speakers

Private Classes

It is also an option to work for yourself by giving private lessons. These are usually more profitable per hour, but require a lot more work finding customers. The best way to get private students is to post advertisements in business newspapers, on bulletin boards, or offer your resume on expat site's like Easy Expat's job listings. Having basic native language skills will help expand your clientele as you can then work with beginners.

The English Teacher's Association is Switzerland is a great resource for networking and finding positions.

Pay

In Zurich, qualified teachers can make as much as CHF 100 an hour for a class. In smaller cities and in the country, pay is much lower.

Teaching English Certificates

TESOL (also known as TEFL) is the acronym for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. A TESOL certificate is the most common qualification required to teach English abroad. There are a wide variety of TESOL courses available, ranging from 4-week intensive, classroom based TESOL courses with TEFL International, to TESOL courses studied online. It is even possible to combine a period of online study with a shorter classroom based course. In addition to standard TESOL certificate courses there are also more specialized courses such as courses for teaching business English, or teaching English to young learners. There is also the more advanced TESOL diploma course.

Interview

Interviews are a chance for a company to get to know you before hiring you. Research the company before the interview to discover their missions and direction. Practice a basic "speech" about who you are and what you do. Try to use the same keywords you used in your CV. The initial Swiss job interview usually lasts an hour.

• Dress neatly and conservatively.
• Arrive early. Swiss are extremely punctual and you should arrive at least 10 minutes before the job interview.
• Bring your CV, business card, and copies of the certificates.
• There is great respect for age and professional titles, so address all present by title and surname.
• Ask questions. Demonstrate your knowledge and interest.
• Thank the interviewer for their time. You can also send a follow-up thank you card.

Temporary Agencies

If you are in need of short term work of any kind, there are agencies that will find you employment with another company. As an added bonus, sometimes short term work can lead to longer contract.

Work Visas & Permits

A Work Visa (national visa, type D) is for people intending to work in Switzerland. All foreigners wishing to work in Switzerland need a special residence permit, regardless whether an employment contract has been concluded by a Swiss or foreign company or whether the work is paid or unpaid. Activities of temporary and interim employment agencies also require a work permit. A work visa must be obtained before entering Switzerland.

People wishing to work in Switzerland must apply for their visa in person at a Swiss Embassy or the Swiss Consulate General. The procedure takes approximately 6 – 12 weeks. For complete info, consult the "Passport, Visa & Permits" section.

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