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