How To Find Jobs In Switzerland As An English Speaker

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How To Find Jobs In Switzerland As An English Speaker

Switzerland is a country that offers a wonderful lifestyle for those who work there and many people would be keen to take up the opportunity. Study in Switzerland have written a guide on how to find a job in Switzerland for those who do not speak German and have agreed to allow us to publish it here.

Written by StudyinSwitzerland.com

Since you are interested in knowing how to get a job in Switzerland without any German fluency – then you have surely considered the odds of moving here. Or, perhaps you want to try your luck for a few months, considering that Switzerland is known for its limitless earning potential.

The country has three other official languages except for German. And we can easily squeeze in English in there if we want to, considering that most Swiss citizens have English fluency.

Anyhow, we are here to enlighten you with some of the ‘hows’ related to finding jobs in Switzerland that don’t involve any German and are mainly in English.

Getting A Job In Switzerland Without Speaking Any German: The Basics

The work permit

At this point, you are probably aware that in order for you to work in Switzerland, you must possess a work permit. What you should know in advance is that regardless of the period of time you plan to work in Switzerland, the government has a quotas system already set. So you have to make sure you apply in advance, check with the criteria and your eligibility, and make sure to complete everything that is asked in your application form properly.

The job hunt

Every individual nowadays is equipped with some tech skills. So, the first step in finding a job should be to google about job vacancies in Switzerland for foreigners. Once you start this process of online searching, you will be exposed to countless job opportunities. You should be very careful when reading the requirements, and specifically, pay attention to the company that is recruiting.

Small local companies will probably look for German-speaking skills, so you might want to skip them. Look for international companies based in Switzerland, who could use your French, Italian, or English fluency. Also, check language schools and universities with open calls for non-German speakers. There will be plenty of the sort.

The application stage

Once you have identified your potential recruiter, you should start ‘Swissifying’ your application. Yes, there is such a term. We are talking about adapting your job application to the requirements of a typical Swiss recruiter. What they want from you is that you provide every single information that relates to your previous work experiences in detail.

Note all the competences you had, education, reference numbers, and important skills that you think will add more value regarding the position you are applying for.

The Swiss CV requires lots of personal information from you – which you may find odd at first. To add up, in most cases, you are also required to include a picture of yourself. So make sure you invest enough time on leaving the best first impression.

Negotiating your salary

You ought to know that Swiss vacancy announcements do not publish the salary that is complementary to the position announced. So it is up to you to calculate things prior to your final stage of the application process and think about what amount you will be offered as your future salary.

Bear in mind that we are talking about Switzerland, one of the countries with the highest income rate. So ask for larger numbers than what you would actually get in your home country. And negotiate, the Swiss go by this principle all the time.

Networking

Searching online is one step closer to your dream job in Switzerland. However, you don’t have to stop your searching there. Once you have set up a basic knowledge of living in Switzerland, start benefiting from the friendships and co-working relationships you create there. Start participating in social events, meeting locals or expats that have some time living in Switzerland. These people can provide you with relevant contacts of recruiters who are constantly hiring foreigners, for a different type of jobs.

Job Vacancies In Switzerland For Foreigners

There are multiple ways of working in Switzerland as a foreigner. More specifically, as a student, you will probably look for more flexible choices that will give you enough time to study as well. Luckily, your student’s residence permit allows you to perform part-time or full-time jobs, as long your university provides a statement confirming that your employment will not prolong the length of your studies.

You can start your job hunt by looking for vacancies within your university, as there are ongoing positions for teaching assistants or lab assistants. You can visit the placement office within your uni, and they can provide you with information on student employment.

Job searching databases from Swiss universities

Unfortunately, the Swiss country does not have a central database of open positions at universities. Instead, you can use EURAXESS SWITZERLAND to see a collection of direct websites for vacancies in the Swiss higher education, or you can check the online databases directly, in the following links:

Best job portals in Switzerland

However, if you want to expand your job search and seek for opportunities outside your university, you can always use other resources available. Here are some of the most famous job portals that students in Switzerland tend to visit:

Teaching job portals

The most convenient way to use your skills in other languages is surely by teaching. And the payment for teaching jobs in Switzerland is very rewarding, specifically for native English speakers. You can find teaching jobs on these websites:

Although we oriented you to links of several online job platforms, don’t let that stop you from searching vacancies in newspapers and other printed media. Visit www.onlinenewspapers.com for a list of all Swiss newspapers, and keep an eye on the job vacancy announcements. There will certainly be plenty of options for non-German speakers.

We wish you a successful job hunt!

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.