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Where are the job vacancies in Switzerland in 2021?

Despite the Covid-19 crisis, many new jobs are advertised in Switzerland at the beginning of the year. Who are the most sought-after professionals right now?

Published: 5 January 2021 12:51 CET

Where are the job vacancies in Switzerland in 2021?

Medical personnel is much in demand right now. Photo by AFP

The rate of unemployment has increased in Switzerland during the pandemic — the number of job vacancies is 13 percent lower than it was 12 months ago, with hotel and restaurant sectors being among the most affected industries.

However, there is positive news as well.

Employment rate remains the same as it was in the summer of 2018 and significantly higher than in the period between 2012 and 2017, SonntagsZeitung reported.

More than 174,000 job vacancies are listed in Switzerland at the start of 2021, according to latest figures from the online job search engine X 28.

Who has the best chances of being hired right now?

Not surprisingly, healthcare personnel is in high demand at the present time, as are social workers.

READ MORE: Is Switzerland 'pilfering' health workers from France during pandemic?

And the pharmaceutical industry is also offering more positions than it did at the beginning of 2020.

Switzerland’s postal service, La Poste, overwhelmed by the increase in mail order sales during the pandemic, is also high in the ranking.

Similarly, delivery companies are hiring more personnel as well.

Among companies recruiting more employees now than than last year are retail chains such as Coop, Migros, Lidl, Dosenbach-Ochsner, Manor, and Denner.

Public entities like the City of Zurich and the cantons of Bern and Vaud are also looking for employees, particularly for social work.

And X 28 data also shows that Switzerland lacks craftsmen, artisans and people working in ‘green trades’ that focus on climate and environmental issues.

READ MORE: Switzerland tops rankings for ability to attract most talented workers

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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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