Practical Information

Finding a Job

There are a number of avenues for finding a job in Switzerland, and if you are member of an EU/EFTA the task is more easily accomplished. There are only 4.000 work permits issued annually for non-EU/EFTA nationals, and they are generally offered only for very highly skilled jobs, such as in information technology and medical research.

The internet is one the most widely used ways to look for work in Switzerland. Online job websites allow you to make customised searches where you can specify the sector and even the region where you are looking for work. The Swiss government has a job search site, Job-Area, where you can search by canton or for jobs throughout Switzerland.

Job offers can be found in the classified sections of daily and weekly newspapers, and many newspapers and magazines regularly include details of vacancies in their region through job-opportunities inserts or periodic special supplements such as:

• the jobs insert of the newspaper Tages-Anzeiger (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
• the jobs insert of Bund (Wednesdays)
• the Emploi et formation supplement of the newspaper Le Temps(Fridays)
• the Emploi supplement of the newspaper 24heures (Thursdays)

Some listings can also be found in monthly city magazines and specialized trade magazines and journals. A wide range of job offers can be found in the official Confederation’s vacancy bulletin. For a steep fee (ranging from 250 to 600 CHF), you can place a job wanted advertisement in many job sections, although this is generally not very effective for the money spent.

Employment agencies and recruiters can be useful, however, many agencies only work with candidates that are Swiss or EU/EFTA citizens or foreigners with a B or C residence permit. The employer pays a “finder’s fee” to the agency if they employ you. Only a prospective employer can apply for a residence and work permit on your behalf, something employment agencies can’t do.

If you are interested in working for a specific company, you can send a speculative application to the head of their human resources department. Some companies file these applications, and if a position becomes available they check these applications before advertising the position or contacting state employment offices.

One good way to get on overview of the Swiss job market is to visit a job fair. A range of employers attend, often from a specific sector or industry. You may have to apply in advance by sending in your CV, and employers will then decide on whom they want to meet. Besides getting general information on employment in different companies, it is also often possible to arrange an interview in advance.

EU/EFTA Citizens | EU/EFTA citizens have the same right to assistance by the employment agencies as Swiss citizens. For this assistance you need to register at your regional employment office (Office Régional de Placement / ORP).

The EURES network is a partnership between the different state employment services in the EU/EFTA to support free movement of workers. This network provides access to information on job vacancies and living and working conditions in each member state. EURES has 500 specially trained staff who specialise in the practical issues surrounding employment in the member states, and can assist workers who wish to start a career abroad and help companies to find suitable employees from all over the EU/EFTA. More information can be found on the EURES website.