Unemployment in Switzerland hit a high in 2010 but has fallen significantly in 2011 and at time of writing is down to 2.8%. This is now below the average rate, which was calculated to be 3.38% in the period 1995 - 2010. This does not mean it is easy to obtain work in Switzerland and, when the unemployment percentage is sub-divided according to Swiss citizens and foreign nationals out of work, it should be noted that the rate is lower for the Swiss and higher for foreign residents. Unemployment hotspots in 2010 included Geneva and the cantons of Vaud, Neuchâtel and Jura in the French area of Switzerland, and the Italian speaking canton of Ticino. Bear in mind, however, that even in these areas the percentages were lower than in the neighbouring countries of France, Germany and Italy.

In reality, your success at finding work in Switzerland can vary greatly according to your country of origin and particular skill set. Bilateral agreements with the EU mean that Switzerland now has to allow greater flexibility to nationals of EU/EFTA countries, whereas in the past Swiss jobs were first and foremost intended for Swiss people, only resorting to foreigners as a last resort. The flip side of this is that it is even more difficult for non-EU/EFTA nationals to find work and there are quotas in place that will limit the annual intake of non-EU workers, which are further limited to set quotas per canton. Feelings within Swiss politics do run high on employment and immigration issues, despite the statistics suggesting that Swiss citizens have not been disadvantaged. There could well be measures voted in to limit foreign workers in the near future.

As residence permits for workers are issued only after a job offer has been made and accepted, you will normally conduct your job search from your home country. As mentioned elsewhere in this guide, if you are not from a Schengen member state you would be expected to leave the Schengen zone to formally make a job application and to subsequently apply for an entry visa to work in Switzerland. Many international companies with offices in Switzerland plus some Swiss companies actively encourage speculative applications, particularly from highly-skilled candidates. It is always worth checking the jobs section of a particular company's website to see whether they welcome this approach. If there is no information you may still send out speculative enquiries (Spontanbewerbung) but be prepared that not all employers will respond. You may improve your chances if you send a Swiss style CV, unless applying to a multinational. Presentation is also considered to be very important when applying for a job in Switzerland and the written reference carries a lot of weight. Well-organised and concise is preferred when submitting a CV. You can find sample CVs and other job application documents online (it is sufficient to use those for Germany where the application process is similar). Switzerland does not follow the non-disclosure of gender and age that is observed in countries such as the UK. As you are obliged to include a photo, you may find you are also disclosing information on your racial background, and it is also common practice for job application forms to ask your religion. If applying in English, take care to add information on whether you speak any of the Swiss national languages and to what extent.

It is relatively normal for a job in Switzerland to involve two interviews and possibly more for senior positions. Being efficient and well-prepared in the interview situations is very important. Both your attire and behaviour should be formal.

Highly-qualified candidates with hard-to-find skills have been successful in obtaining work speaking only English. If you have a good knowledge of the language spoken in the region in which you are job-seeking, you will increase your chances of finding work. Failing this, demonstrating a commitment to learning the language by taking language classes may be looked on favourably. Multinationals, particularly in Zurich or in workplaces with high numbers of foreign workers, may conduct meetings and other business in English. In other workplaces, if you don't speak the local language (which is likely to mean Swiss German in much of Switzerland) you may find yourself feeling left out of more social interaction. At job application stage, you may find your application is accepted in English but won't necessarily be replied to in English.

To apply for jobs in Switzerland via an English-speaking agency, try international agencies such as Hays and EuroLondon. Online job search service Monster also covers Switzerland. JobsinGeneva collates jobs for English-speakers both in and beyond Geneva. Large Swiss recruitment agencies include Swisslinx (website in English) and TopJobs. The 'Job' section of Search.ch offers an online listing of current vacancies. SECO, the Swiss Directorate of Labour (G: Direktion für Arbeit, F: Direction du travail), is the federal agency responsible for unemployment issues and advertises job vacancies throughout Switzerland on its website.

You should not attempt to work illegally in Switzerland and will not be taken on by a reputable employer. If caught, you can be deported and your employer will face heavy fines. Your activities within Switzerland would in any case be severely limited without a permit, for example you would have difficulty opening a bank account and obtaining medical treatment. You also should only work if you have the correct permit, e.g. you would be breaking the law to enter under an au-pair permit and then seek other work. You cannot stay on in Switzerland to work after your tourist visa has expired (i.e. without obtaining a work permit) and can be fined or imprisoned for up to a year. If you have an L residence permit as a dependant, you will be able to change this for a work permit if offered work. If you have a B residence permit and entered Switzerland as a dependant you may seek and accept work.

Temporary work is available as an au-pair if aged between 18 and 25, but you must leave Switzerland on completion of this visit and no later than 18 months after arrival. You will be issued with an L permit. Seasonal work is also available in tourism.

Useful Resources

Hays
Swiss division of international recruitment agency
http://www.hays.ch/ (English can be selected from the drop-down box)
Hays (Schweiz) AG, Nüschelerstrasse 32, CH 8001 Zürich
Tel: +41 (0)44 2255 000
Email: info@hays.ch

Euro London Appointments
Recruitment agency for people with language skills
http://www.eurolondon.com/
EuroLondon Zurich Office, Dreikönigstrasse 31a, CH 8002 Zürich
Tel: + 41 (0) 44 208 3 234
Email: zurich@eurolondon.ch

JobsinGeneva
English-language job search for Geneva and surrounding area
http://www.jobsingeneva.com/
4sight SPRL, Avenue du Directoire 59, B-1180 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 380 63 08
Email: support@jobsinhubs.com

Swisslinx
Recruitment agency primarily for banking and financial services
http://www.swisslinx.ch/
Tel: +41 (0)58 268 1000 Zurich
Tel: +41 (0)58 268 1010 Geneva
Email: switzerland@swisslinx.com

TopJobs
Executive recruitment agency
http://topjobs.ch/
jobs.ch ag, Carmenstrasse 28, CH 8032 Zürich
Tel: +41 (0)44 254 69 00
Email: info@jobs.ch

Monster
Online job search in Switzerland in German or French
http://monster.ch/
Email: Use contact form

Search.ch
Online job search in Switzerland in German or French
http://job.search.ch/
Email: Use contact form

SECO
Online job search facility from the Directorate of Labour
http://www.jobarea.ch/jobsuche/Jobs/einfache_suche/
Email: Use contact form

GreatAuPair
US-based matching service for au pairs (and other care givers) and families
http://aupair-visa-switzerland.greataupair.com/
1329 HWY 395, Suite 10-333, Gardnerville, NV 89410, USA
Tel: +1 775 636 8302

OSEC Business Network Switzerland
http://www.osec.ch/internet/osec/en/home.html
OSEC Zurich, Stampfenbachstrasse 85, P.O. Box 2407, CH 8021 Zurich
Tel: +41 (0)44 365 51 51
Email: contact@osec.ch