Switzerland - living and working conditions

1. How to apply for a job

A job application file in Switzerland usually comprises a covering letter, a CV (which may include a photograph), copies of diplomas and work references. The covering letter should interest the personnel officer sufficiently to induce him or her to take a closer look at your application. It should be typed and not exceed one A4 page in length. State the reasons why you are interested in the job or the company, as well as the skills and experience you have to offer. End the letter by suggesting a personal interview.

The CV should be no longer than two A4 pages and should contain the following information (if possible in the form of a table): full name, address, telephone number, age, nationality, professional experience and details of in-service training, general education (school, tertiary education, vocational training), knowledge of languages, computer skills, specific aptitudes and personal interests (leisure activities, clubs, etc.). Great importance is attached in Switzerland to diplomas and work references, and so you should describe your career progression, if possible avoiding gaps, and state which Swiss degrees or other qualifications your diplomas correspond to.

Another way of seeking work is to submit a speculative application, contacting an employer without knowing if a vacancy exists. Make your covering letter as specific as possible. Standard or duplicated letters are often disregarded. Speculative applications should be accompanied only by a CV. Work references and diplomas should be furnished only if requested or if you have an interview.

2. How to apply for a job

A job application file in Switzerland usually comprises a covering letter, a CV (which may include a photograph), copies of diplomas and work references. The covering letter should interest the personnel officer sufficiently to induce him or her to take a closer look at your application. It should be typed and not exceed one A4 page in length. State the reasons why you are interested in the job or the company, as well as the skills and experience you have to offer. End the letter by suggesting a personal interview.

The CV should be no longer than two A4 pages and should contain the following information (if possible in the form of a table): full name, address, telephone number, age, nationality, professional experience and details of in-service training, general education (school, tertiary education, vocational training), knowledge of languages, computer skills, specific aptitudes and personal interests (leisure activities, clubs, etc.). Great importance is attached in Switzerland to diplomas and work references, and so you should describe your career progression, if possible avoiding gaps, and state which Swiss degrees or other qualifications your diplomas correspond to.

Another way of seeking work is to submit a speculative application, contacting an employer without knowing if a vacancy exists. Make your covering letter as specific as possible. Standard or duplicated letters are often disregarded. Speculative applications should be accompanied only by a CV. Work references and diplomas should be furnished only if requested or if you have an interview.

3. Registration procedures and residence permits

You and your family can enter and leave Switzerland on production of a valid identity card or passport. If the members of your family are neither EU nor Swiss citizens and if a visa requirement applies to their country of origin, a corresponding entry document, as well as, where appropriate, an extract from your judicial record, may be required. You must in any case register with your municipality of residence within eight days of your arrival; the municipality will forward your documents to the competent cantonal authorities.

You are entitled to stay in Switzerland for six months to seek work. After signing an employment contract, you can stay in this country and engage in gainful activity here. In accordance with the general principle of free movement, you have a right of entry and residence simply on production of an employment contract, a valid identity document and written confirmation of engagement by an employer or evidence of self-employed activity.

To engage in gainful activity, you need only produce at the cantonal employment office the document used to enter Swiss territory (passport or identity card) and written confirmation of engagement by an employer or a certificate of employment. If your employment contract is for less than one year you will be issued with an L EC/EFTA residence permit valid for the duration of the contract; in all other cases you will receive a B EC/EFTA permit valid for five years. Residence permits are valid for the entire territory of the host state (i.e. they allow geographical mobility).

4. The social security system in this counrtry

The social security system in Switzerland is relatively fragmented, each sector having its own particularities. This is due to the federal system (where the Confederation lacks legislative power, this is exercised by the cantons) and to direct democracy (with provision for popular initiatives or referendums).

Swiss social security provides covers for old age, death and invalidity (basic scheme and occupational benefit schemes), sickness, accident, occupational diseases and unemployment, as well as family allowances. As regards maternity, benefits in kind are provided by the health insurance scheme and cash benefits by the loss-of-earnings insurance scheme (IPG/APG).

Every Swiss resident is required to have health insurance within three months of birth or of arrival in Switzerland. Insurance is personal; individuals must contact their chosen health insurance fund. Daily-allowance health insurance is optional, unless an individual employment contract or collective labour agreement provides for compulsory insurance.

Persons resident or working in Switzerland are required to join the basic Federal old age and survivors’ insurance (AHV/AVS) and invalidity insurance (IV/AI) schemes. However, only workers whose pay exceeds a specified limit must join an occupational benefit scheme. Cash maternity benefits are payable to women engaged in gainful activity (whether employed or self-employed). Accident and unemployment insurance covers employed workers only. The Federal family allowance scheme covers all agricultural workers and self-employed farmers whose income is below a specified limit. Cantonal schemes cover employed workers; some cantons also insure the self-employed and/or persons not engaged in gainful activity.

The Swiss social insurance schemes are in general funded by contributions from insured persons; with contributions determined by income or wealth. Employers contribute to the funding of all types of insurance except health insurance. Public bodies too contribute to the funding of social insurance, except for accident insurance and occupational benefit schemes. Health insurance is funded by the premiums paid by insured persons on an individual-person basis and not according to income. Public bodies subsidise the less well-off.

Claims should be submitted to the relevant insurer: the health insurance scheme, the accident insurance scheme, the old age and survivors’ insurance fund, the invalidity insurance office or the occupational benefits provider.


Source: EURES