Due to the chronic labour shortages, many vacant positions are waiting to be filled by skilled and qualified workers from abroad, especially in some sectors.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean a job search is always a smooth and simple process, and that you won’t face any difficulties at all along the way.
On the contrary, before you actually have an employment contract in your hand, you may have to jump through some administrative hoops — especially if you are a foreign national.
Here's what you should know:
Get a work permit
All foreigners, regardless of their country of origin, need one.
The process of obtaining it is much easier and quicker for citizens of the European Union and EFTA (Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein), than for their counterparts from third countries.
In fact, EU/EFTA employees don’t need a permit at all for the first three months, after which they must apply for a B permit at the Swiss commune in which they live.
These documents have to de submitted: a valid identity card or passport, as well as a confirmation of employment from your employer or an employment contract.
For non-EU/EFTA nationals, on the other hand, the procedure is longer and criteria stricter, as explained in this article:
READ ALSO: What do third-country nationals need to do to move to Switzerland?
Speak the language
That is a challenge with any job in a foreign country, but unless you were hired specifically for a position where only English is needed, then you must have a certain level of proficiency in the language of the region where your job is.
As a matter of fact, if you don’t meet these language requirements, you won’t get a work permit at all.
Purchase the health insurance
Depending on where you come from, the link between the two may not be obvious.
But health insurance is obligatory in Switzerland and no employer will hire you without one.
And if you think the company will provide a health plan for you, in the vast majority of cases this won’t happen.
You will have to purchase your own policy within 90 days of arrival and show the proof of it to your company’s HR office.
‘Swissicise’ your CV
Regardless of what form and shape this document takes in your country, employers in Switzerland like the curriculum vitae to be ‘just so.’
For instance, while the general content is likely the same everywhere — your education and professional experience — the Swiss attach special importance to a well-written CV, so watch out for grammar and spelling mistakes.
Bear in mind, too, that the CV should be written in the language of the advert; if not sure, write it in the language of the region where the company is located.
READ ALSO: How to write the perfect CV for a job in Switzerland
Be ready to put in the (long) hours
A ‘typical’ work week in Switzerland is 42 hours on average for full-time employment, though in some jobs it could go up to 45 hours. (If it is any different, it will be spelled out in your employment contract).
This may seem like a long work week if you are accustomed to working less in your country.
But under no circumstances should you try to negotiate fewer hours or longer vacations — unless your employer is very flexible and open to such changes.
Accept the terms
Many jobs in Switzerland don’t come with individual contracts, but with the Collective Labour Agreement (CLA), which spells out everything from wages and hours to working conditions in general.
READ ALSO: What is a Swiss collective bargaining agreement — and how could it benefit you?
It is meant to protect workers and employers alike, and conditions set therein are not changeable once this contract is negotiated by trade unions and employers’ organisations.
Therefore, you must accept (and sign) this contract as it is and not ask the employer to change this point or that.
If you don’t agree with everything in it, the job is probably not the best fit for you.
What other key advice would you offer to foreign jobseekers in Switzerland? Share in the comments section below.
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