Job hunting & adapting your CV

Where to look

• General portals: jobs.ch, jobup.ch, indeed.ch, LinkedIn (used far more heavily in Switzerland than in Spain).
• Public sector and international organizations: especially relevant in Geneva — most have their own dedicated career portals.
• Pharma/tech sector: company websites often outperform generic portals in Basel and Zurich.
• ORP / RAV (regional employment offices): cantonal employment offices, useful if you register as a jobseeker.
• Networking: the Swiss market moves a lot on internal referrals — don't underestimate LinkedIn and reaching out directly to people in your field.

What a Swiss CV looks like

• Professional photo: unlike the US or UK, a formal headshot is still common (though not mandatory) on Swiss CVs.
• Reverse chronological order, very clear, with no unexplained gaps.
• Language: German, French or English depending on the company and canton — many multinationals accept English, but a CV in the local language earns extra points.
• References: commonly 1-2 references from past employers, or "references available upon request."
• Work certificates (Arbeitszeugnis): it's standard in Switzerland to request a detailed performance certificate from a former employer — if you're coming from Spain, prepare equivalent recommendation letters.
• Length: 2 pages is the norm, no unnecessary flourishes.

The hiring process

Tends to be more formal and somewhat slower than in Spain: 2-4 interviews aren't unusual for skilled roles, sometimes including a technical test or assessment. Punctuality and direct communication are highly valued — avoid vague answers and be specific with dates and figures.

Salaries: look at gross, not net

Swiss job postings almost always quote the gross annual salary, often split across 13 payments (a "13th salary" is standard, not a bonus). Deductions (AVS/AI/APG social security, accident insurance, LPP pension, tax at source if applicable) can take 12-20% off the gross figure. Use the quiz for a reference salary range by sector.