Understand expectations of labour market in

Switzerland

and handle your job search successfully

Topics:

• How the Swiss Job Market works: agencies, head hunters and job portals

• Composing a CV and selling your skills in your resume

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One-stop-shop for employers

We are a unique association and the only one of its kind in Switzerland!

Instead of being in a competition situation we work together and

complement each other in providing solutions for employers.

(30 Member companies working together since 2005)

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1. How the Swiss Job Market works: agencies, head hunters

and job portals

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Job portals

Jobs.ch, indeed.ch, jobs-in-hr.ch,

Social media job portals

LinkedIn, Facebook, Xing, Zug4you,

Agencies

• (Large) Agencies maintain a database with candidates.

• OK to ask them to register you.

• Keep in contact with them so that you are not forgotten.

• Check their websites regularly.

Headhunters

• They only do searches if they have a mandate from a company.

• They do not introduce candidates to companies without an order from the

employer.

• Most do not offer the possibility of registering with them.

Companies‘ own job portals

Apply directly – ensure that key words are in your resume

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Optimizing LinkedIn Account

Jobs posted in groups

Regular job posted in LI

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Best practice in dealing with recruiters

• Deal with the recruiter as a ‚partner‘, be honest and

transparent

• Understand the ad, call before sending the resume if not sure

• Your resume is the ONLY sales document to open the door!

• Do not mail huge files (2MB max)

• Resumes should not exceed 2 pages

• Contact them if you do not get feedback

• Understand that they have limited influence – their client is the

employer

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2. Composing the CV

There is no ‚Swiss‘ CV

..but there are bad ways of presenting yourself

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Basic elements of a CV

Name and contact details

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Short summary of skills/experience and qualifications

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Work experience

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Additional information

Personal details

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• Voluntary Work

• Special (job relevant..) Training

• .......

ALWAYS tailor your resume to the job ad!!

• Highlight the experiences that are crucial for the role (don‘t elaborate

on skills that are not asked for)

• Offer SOLUTIONS rather than experiences

• Leadership, analysis, strategic thinking, hands-on, etc.

• Mention success, projects, numbers

• Use key words in the ad in your resume because only then the EMS

(electronic matching system) will qualify you as a suitable candidate

The reader of your resume will spend 8-12 seconds to decide

whether he wants to pursue you application or not!

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2001 – 2007 Sales & Accounts Administrator, BBBB Ltd, Dublin, Republic of Ireland

BBB supplies, installs and maintains commercial passenger lifts. My role was defined as an assistant to the Managing

Director and Accountant. This encompassed the following responsibilities:

Order processing administration and project management of all new lift sale projects in consultation with Managing Director.

Establishing, monitoring, updating and assuring accuracy of company’s file records, spread-sheets and databases, all in

accordance to ISO 2000 accreditation.

Drafting correspondence letters, lift specifications, reports and similar.

Preparing, assembling and issuing pre-commencement and handover information to main contractors and clients.

Controlling freight activities and scheduling delivery of equipment.

Co-liaising with building companies regarding company’s on-site requirements are met prior to delivery of equipment.

Preparing and reporting to monthly Sales Meeting on activity levels for current and forthcoming period.

Ensuring that company’s ISO procedures are adhered to and company’s files are maintained up to date for regular six

monthly inspections by ISO Auditors. Assisting with successful implementation of new policies and procedures as advised

by Auditors.

Performing Accounts Payable duties using computerised package Sage such as:

• Raising Purchase Orders

• Ensuring daily invoices are date stamped, reconciled against company’s purchase orders and

prioritised for processing into Sage Posting invoices/credit notes to computerised purchase ledger

• Arranging payment to suppliers in timely manner with appropriate authorisation

• Reconciling of creditor’s accounts at month end

• Dealing with suppliers queries over overdue payments and similar

Performing Accounts Receivable duties using computerised package Sage such as:

• Raising Interim Claims, generating Invoices and Monthly Statements

• Daily recording of payments received and reconciling against invoices

• Posting payments to computerised sales ledger

• Credit control and payment collection on installation and service customers

• Reporting to Accountant of aged debtors/overdue accounts

• Dealing with customer queries over disputed invoices and similar

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Looking for a job

• Know what you are good at and what you want and ‚market‘only that

• Regular contact with recruiters – without getting on their nerves

• Tailor your CV for every job you apply for!

• Your profile on LI and other social media must be complete and show your skills. Ask for references where possible..

• Your photo in these medias and your CV must be a professional one

• Tell everybody that you are looking for a job

• And finally: the job search can become a 100% job in itself –don‘t do that to yourself!!

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Useful addresses

Job portals: jobs.ch, monster.ch, stellen.ch, indeed.ch,

Social media: LinkedIn (and subgroups), Facebook, Zug4you, Xing,

Professional photography: fotolight.ch

Education: University of St. Gallen – Women Back to Business

Templates for writing resumes: google...

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