How to enter the Swiss labour market successfully

Multilingualism in Switzerland is a key variable to bear in mind when looking for a job. Having a command of at least one national language is virtually essential if you are looking for employment. Foreign languages can also be a major advantage in multiple sectors, such as companies with an international presence, hospitality and tourism. These language requirements can, nonetheless, represent a barrier for Swiss citizens looking to return to Switzerland.

The same goes for the cost of setting up home or returning to live in Switzerland. The latter situation frequently drives Swiss people returning from abroad to prioritise regions in which their family or friends live, even if only to obtain assistance with housing. This strategy is obviously legitimate, but Christine Joray, a labour market and reintegration expert at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), stresses the importance of giving due thought to the issue in advance: “Evaluating the potential businesses and employers in your preferred region is vital to ensuring your professional integration in Switzerland is successful.” It is important, therefore, to be properly informed when choosing your future home.

“Speaking a foreign language is a genuine advantage in job-seeking.”

Christine Joray, SECO

A skills assessment can also prove helpful in terms of defining your intended career in advance. As part of this, having your qualifications officially recognised is often expressly required by law in order to be able to practise a profession in Switzerland. The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) has the authority to recognise foreign qualifications. The international ENIC-NARIC network encompasses the qualification recognition bodies from the Member States of the European Union and/or the Council of Europe. For health-related qualifications, the Swiss Red Cross is the competent authority.

Checklist for returning to Switzerland

- Have a strong command of at least one national language
- Be aware of the costs involved in returning
- Have your qualifications recognised in advance
- Look into the labour market in your region of choice
- Activate your personal network: friends, family, etc.
- Webinar in collaboration with the FDFA, ASO and Soliswiss on employment and the labour market in Switzerland: www.revue.link/arbeit
 
 

Looking into the various formalities required in advance is important to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Some qualifications cannot be recognised, which can be very frustrating. Alternative options should be considered. Christine Joray stresses that: “Including international positions on your CV can really give you a competitive advantage.”

The Swiss Abroad undeniably have their selling points when it comes to applying for jobs. Their international experience and the intercultural skills they have picked up by living abroad are particularly prized by international companies. Flexibility and resilience are also sought after by most employers.

“In Switzerland, in virtually every sector, many companies are suffering from staff shortages.”

Christine Joray, SECO

Swiss people returning to Switzerland can also find opportunities in unregulated professions. For a wide range of jobs such as hairdresser, self-employed gardener, painter and decorator, community manager and marketing consultant, there are no laws or federal regulations to impose any strict conditions. It is therefore down to the employer in question to evaluate the level of your qualifications.

There is no central list of regulated professions in Switzerland, but several federal and cantonal authorities do maintain a list of the professions that require authorisation, recognised qualifications or registration. It is also important to emphasise the differences among cantons. Working as and being allowed to call yourself an architect, for example, is regulated in the cantons of Geneva, Vaud, Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Lucerne and Ticino.