Working in Switzerland
Expats planning on working in Switzerland can look forward to what's likely to be a high standard of living and a high salary. That said, the “good life” that accompanies a well-paying position only comes after expats have landed a job and waded through the residence permit process.
Switzerland employs an incredibly restrictive, quota-based immigration policy, and foreigners wishing to work in this bastion
of neutrality must prove that the job that they've come to do cannot be done by a Swiss citizen. It follows that expats who are granted the right to employment are generally highly skilled and highly educated.
Most foreigners coming to work in Switzerland occupy positions in the IT or financial services industries. Additionally, foreigners can often get permits to work in jobs created by seasonal tourism. Alongside these sectors, biotechnologists, lawyers and German language teachers are in demand.
Though many multinational organisations in Switzerland use English as their preferred corporate language, expats with no knowledge of German, French or Italian will find that their job opportunities are instantly limited.
The good news is that Switzerland weathered the global recession relatively well, and that its economy continues to grow due to foreign investment and corporate spending. In 2010 it was ranked number one by the World Economic Forum's Competitiveness Forum for the third time.
Though the path to securing a job in Switzerland can be long and somewhat challenging, once you've done so, the returns are well worth the cost of the initial effort.
Switzerland employs an incredibly restrictive, quota-based immigration policy, and foreigners wishing to work in this bastion
of neutrality must prove that the job that they've come to do cannot be done by a Swiss citizen. It follows that expats who are granted the right to employment are generally highly skilled and highly educated.Most foreigners coming to work in Switzerland occupy positions in the IT or financial services industries. Additionally, foreigners can often get permits to work in jobs created by seasonal tourism. Alongside these sectors, biotechnologists, lawyers and German language teachers are in demand.
Though many multinational organisations in Switzerland use English as their preferred corporate language, expats with no knowledge of German, French or Italian will find that their job opportunities are instantly limited.
The good news is that Switzerland weathered the global recession relatively well, and that its economy continues to grow due to foreign investment and corporate spending. In 2010 it was ranked number one by the World Economic Forum's Competitiveness Forum for the third time.
Though the path to securing a job in Switzerland can be long and somewhat challenging, once you've done so, the returns are well worth the cost of the initial effort.
Salaries in Switzerland
The Swiss are notoriously discreet and intensely private. In line with these characteristics, salaries tend to be well-kept secrets, and expats may struggle to find information that can help them negotiate their contract.
Wages are rarely listed with job advertisements and are almost always negotiable. That said, the cost of living in Switzerland is high and getting higher, and expats should make sure they're adequately covered.
Keep in mind that salaries differ depending on the region of work. Businesses in Zurich typically offer the highest salaries in the nation (5 to 10 percent higher even than salaries in Geneva).
To glean some idea of what you can be expect to be paid, consult the government-sponsored web site Salarium. This interactive application, only available in French, German and Italian at the moment, allows expats to plug in a number of personal characteristics to receive a corresponding estimate of what their gross monthly salary in Switzerland may be.
Applying for a job in Switzerland
Once you've consulted various company web sites, networked with fellow expats until you've lost the ability to smile, and perused an inordinate amount of online and newspaper-based job listings, it's necessary to “Swissify” your CV (résumé).
It's recommended that expats apply for the job they'd like in the language in which the job was advertised. Thus, if the job
listing is in German, prepare to employ a translator.Keep in mind that the Swiss work culture is performance-based, and thus work experience and employer references are important parts to be included in your application. Additionally, personal data, educational background, language skills and computer skills should be present. The Swiss are detail-oriented people, and your CV should satisfy this trait.
Résumés should be roughly two pages long, should include a professional photo, and should be sent along with a cover letter, copies of university diplomas and work/language certificates.
Expats should also plan to submit a letter of recommendation ("Arbeitszeugnis") from their former employer.
