Securing a job in Switzerland can be a bit challenging as Swiss employers keep a set of specific requirements in mind while screening resumes/CVs. Keeping their expectations in mind is vital to get a chance for an interview.
This article covers all such key expectations including,
Keep digging in!
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Swiss CV Sample / Example
Photograph:
Adding a professional photograph is favorable here. The photograph must be taken in a professional setting with appropriate clothing rather than inserting a casual photo which can be added to the top left or right corner of your CV Switzerland as depicted below.
The summary statement:
When writing your summary statement, try to make it precise, measurable and in a way that it highlights your key strengths as a prospective candidate. Check out the sample summary statement of An Accountant below.
"Accomplished accountant with a proven record of achieving precise financial analysis, consistently meeting accuracy targets, and maintaining zero discrepancies in financial data management. Skilled in developing budgets with a 1% variance and ensuring 100% compliance with accounting principles, leading to successful audits. Seeking an opportunity to leverage these achievements for the financial success of a progressive organization."
The compulsory fields for personal details are,
- Name in Full
- Accessible Contact Number
- Address of residence
- Email address
- Date of Birth
Optional details are,
- Marital status
- Nationality
Employment History:
Here, you can either use the Chronological order (oldest to latest) or the Reverse - Chronological order (latest to oldest). For each entry, make sure to include,
- The employment period
- Name of the organization followed by the country (if offshore) or city (if onshore)
- Brief indication of your duties which are only applicable for the position you apply for. Also, try to make them measurable as much as possible.
Education History:
In the Education section, normally it's expected to include your higher educational and university qualifications. Make sure to indicate,
- The specialism of your course
- The awarding body/ university/ college
- The duration of your study.
Also, if you have other professional certifications, don't include them under Academic qualifications, but dedicate a separate section for that.
Other Sections in a Curriculum Vitae Switzerland
Skills - Skills should be relevant soft and technical skills that you possess according to the job description. When including skills, list them in brief wordings as Swiss employers don't appreciate verbose descriptions.
Languages - Languages play a vital role in your Swiss resume as Switzerland has four official languages. Therefore, make sure to include your language competencies in their official languages even if you are at a beginner level.
References: Adding at least three references is advised for Switzerland jobs. Each reference record should consist of the person's name, contact details, and designation. When choosing references, it's compulsory to make sure that the person is willing and available to respond if contacted by the employer.
You can now request a CV Template Switzerland for free download from below.
Do's when writing a Switzerland Resume
- It's vital to make your Swiss resume completely aligned with the job description that you apply to. That means if you apply for multiple employers, each of your resumes should be tailor-made for what they look for in a prospective candidate.
- The language that your resume is written in matters! Four official languages are used in Switzerland: Swiss German, French, Italian, and Romansch. Make sure to write your resume in the language of the job description, unless specified otherwise.
- You need to be concise and clear when recording your qualifications. Adding too much of descriptions under your records makes your CV for Switzerland too lengthy and less professional at the same time.
- Adding a cover letter is favorable and expected in many cases.
Don'ts for Swiss Resume
- Do not use buzzwords in your resume. Buzzwords or cliches can be too generic and may not give out the precise meaning that you intend to convey, hence can downgrade the overall quality of your CV. You can now use the Buzzword Checker tool below, and within seconds it outputs the buzzwords that should be omitted from your resume.
- Don't waste your employer's time by adding all the unrelated work experience and academic qualifications. This can frustrate the reader and leave a negative impression on you.
You can also explore the German CV writing Guide, Italian Resume Guide, French CV format, Denmark Resume Format, and many more from the International Resume page!
FAQ on Switzerland CV Template
If I don't speak German, French, or another official language in Switzerland, can I send my CV in English?
Yes, you can send your resume in English if this is the case. However, the chance of an interview solely depends on your experience, skills as well and language competencies.
Is a cover letter compulsory for a Swiss job?
Whether you apply for a job in Switzerland or any other location, adding a cover letter is always a safer move as it shows your professionalism as well and you can give a gist of your competencies through a cover letter. Take a look at how to write a job-winning cover letter here.
Is it compulsory to speak one of the official languages in Switzerland to apply for a Swiss job?
According to the Swiss labor market, required knowledge of the German language is mandatory as the vast majority of the Swiss population speaks German. If you have a basic level which is known as A1 or A2 is enough for some jobs.
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