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Out-of-work foreigners boost Swiss jobless rate

The Swiss jobless rate increased in December to 3.4 percent from 3.2 percent the previous month as the percentage of foreigners out of work took another big jump, according to a government report issued on Friday.

Published: 9 January 2015 21:12 CET

Out-of-work foreigners boost Swiss jobless rate

Photo: Canton of Vaud

The number of people registered for unemployment at regional job offices rose to 147,369, an increase of 10,817 from November, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) report said.

The share of foreigners on the jobless rolls jumped to 6.8 from 6.1 percent, while the rate for Swiss citizens edged up to 2.3 from 2.2 percent.

Non-Swiss accounted for 48 percent of registered unemployed in Switzerland last month.

The overall rate remained lower than the 3.5 percent recorded in December 2013.

Although there were variations through the year, the average jobless level for 2014 of 3.2 percent was virtually the same as in 2013, Seco said.

Government forecasters are predicting that after rising in the past six months unemployment is expected to drop again in 2015.

Last month, the official unemployment rate rose in all cantons except Graubünden, where it dipped to 1.9 from two percent.

In Zurich, Switzerland’s largest job market, the rate increased to 3.5 from 3.3 percent in November.

The lowest rate was recorded in the canton of Obwalden (1.1 percent, up from 0.9 percent), while the highest was in the canton of Valais (5.8 percent, up 1.6 percent).

For more information check Seco’s report here (available in French, German and Italian).

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What are the best ways to search for your next job in Switzerland?

The good news is that, as a country that serves as a world centre of finance, pharmaceuticals, and research, Switzerland offers an environment very friendly to English speakers. Unlike some European countries, hiring is a flexible and open process.

That said, some hints will help you in your Swiss job search.

Know where to look

Before beginning your job search, knowing where most of your industry’s jobs are is essential.

As The Local Switzerland has previously discussed, Zurich is Switzerland’s financial capital, whereas most pharmaceutical players are based in Basel.

The life sciences are concentrated in ‘Health Valley’, stretching from Geneva to Montreaux.

Geneva, Zurich, Lausanne, Bern, Basel, and St Gallen also have large universities that employ many researchers from abroad.

Knowing where jobs are based will allow you to concentrate your search, and give you the time to more fully research and understand the needs of particular companies.

READ MORE: Where are the jobs in Switzerland for English speakers?

Develop your Xing as well as your LinkedIn profile

Most job seekers within professional working environments will have a LinkedIn profile to share with prospective employers.

Xing is also a significant player in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, and it’s normal for German-speaking professionals to have an accompanying profile on that platform.

Developing your presence on Xing can demonstrate that you are gaining a greater understanding of the Swiss working environment and establishing yourself as a long-term investment.

READ MORE: Can you find a job in Zurich if you don’t speak German?

Use specialised job boards

While many of the big job boards operate in Switzerland—Indeed and Monster, for example—several job boards focus on Swiss jobs specifically or service a key segment of the job market.

Jobs.ch, jobup.ch, and Jobscout24 are popular sites within Switzerland and are often the first port of call for job seekers. Each has an English version and a user-friendly interface.

Several specialist job boards exist for specialised roles, such as those in the IT or medical research sectors.

Using a profession-based job board allows employers to draw from a more concentrated talent pool while offering job seekers a more significant opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills.

SwissDevJobs.ch is a popular destination for IT professionals, whereas Praxisstellen.ch specialises in pharmaceutical and medical research jobs. SwissTopJobs.ch is an excellent place to look for C-suite jobs in the finance and banking sectors.

Networking is essential

While there is often a perception that job hunting in Switzerland is very process-oriented, you may be surprised to learn that many positions are filled via word of mouth.

Suppose you have friends or former colleagues already found a position within a Swiss firm. In that case, asking what positions are opening and whether you could apply is not unreasonable or rude.

Word of mouth and hiring through connections are common in the Swiss IT field, but they are also common within several other industries, particularly among startups.

Read More: Where are Switzerland’s biggest international companies?

Use your initiative

You may also be surprised to hear that simply applying to a firm with your resume isn’t looked down upon in Switzerland (or the German-speaking world).

This is known as an Initiativbewerbung (or simply ‘application on the initiative’), and employers often regard it very favourably.

To make an Initiativbewerbung, you’ll need your Anschreiben or lettre de motivation (cover letter), Lebenslauf or resume (curriculum vitae or CV), testimonials from other employers, and copies of any relevant certificates or qualifications.

When naming these files, remember to use the German terms—it will help when they are searched for later!

It’s worth taking the time to identify and address your application directly to the head or manager of the particular department you’re looking to work within. This will create a stronger impression, and there’s less chance of losing it in the daily flow of emails and information.

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