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Swiss with ‘foreign-sounding’ names ‘less likely to get job interviews’

Swiss with a migration background are required to send in one-third more applications in order to get a job interview, regardless of their qualifications or experience.

Swiss with ‘foreign-sounding' names 'less likely to get job interviews'
Photo: Depositphotos

A team of researchers from the Swiss Forum for the Study of Migration at the University of Neuchâtel tested identical resumes, changing only the names. 

Where the CV included a foreign-sounding name, applicants were required to send 30 percent more resumes in order to get a job interview, when compared with applicants with ‘traditional’ Swiss-sounding names.

Swiss with backgrounds from Kosovo, Cameroon and Morocco are among the most discriminated against, despite being born in Switzerland and having achieved identical qualifications.

READ: How employers and landlords in Switzerland ‘discriminate against Swiss citizens of immigrant origin’

Rosita Fibbi, one of the authors of the report, said the goal was to get a better perspective on the nature of discrimination in applying for work. 

“This study aimed to take stock of the situation of the integration of the children of migrants who grew up here, who have the same qualifications and who know the language, to find out if, on the labour market, they manage to argue their qualifications exactly like Swiss of Swiss parents,” Fibbi said. 

The discrimination was especially high for Swiss of Kosovar origin, who needed to send 40 percent more applications in order to get a call back. 

Fibbi said the results showed that job seekers’ concerns about the existence of discrimination were well-founded. 

“Often, the difficulties of access to employment for migrants and their children are explained by shortcomings in their linguistic or educational level,” she said. 

READ: ‘I pay taxes but have no say in Swiss life’: Your views on whether Switzerland should allow all foreigners to vote 

“What our study shows is that even when the contract is fulfilled, they are discriminated against. 

“It is not up to them, but to the way society looks at them, who still cannot see them on an equal footing.”

Part of a broader trend

While the results may be troubling, they appear to be part of a broader trend in Swiss society. 

In addition to employers, landlords have also been shown to discriminate against naturalized citizens in Switzerland. 

Discrimination on the basis of race is illegal in Switzerland. 

Approximately one in four residents of Switzerland is foreign-born, in addition to a large proportion of the country which are considered second-generation Swiss. 

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

Looking for a new job in Switzerland? We've put together some tips on where to search for that new role.

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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