What a CFC, a UAS degree or a master's is worth to employers
A first job in Switzerland is the entry point to the local employment market for young people leaving an apprenticeship or a degree. Recruiters weigh internships, the apprenticeship itself and languages. A Swiss-style CV, applications aimed at the right canton and early registration with the regional employment office all strengthen a candidate.
In Switzerland, an apprenticeship ending in a CFC (Federal VET Diploma) is a real entry qualification, often more sought after than a general degree. HES (universities of applied sciences) and EPF graduates are hired for practical experience gained in companies during their studies.
Staying on with your training company
Many apprentices sign their first contract with the company that trained them, whether Migros, SBB, Swiss Post or an industrial SME. Raise it with your trainer six months before the exams, as our guide to apprenticeships in Switzerland recommends.
Graduate programmes at large companies
Nestlé, Novartis, Roche, UBS, Swiss Re and ABB open graduate or trainee programmes lasting twelve to twenty-four months every year. Applications often close in autumn, almost a year before the start, and usually require English as well as a national language.
What sets an entry-level salary
Pay in a first job depends on the industry, the canton, your qualification and the applicable CCT (collective labour agreement). The Salarium calculator of the Federal Statistical Office and professional association guidelines give benchmarks, compared on our page on salaries in Switzerland by occupation.
The first deductions on your payslip
From your first salary, the employer deducts AVS/AI/APG (old-age, disability and income-loss insurance), unemployment insurance and non-occupational accident insurance. Second-pillar LPP pension saving starts at 25; before that, only death and disability risks are covered, above the threshold.
Unemployment benefits after your training
A young graduate without a job can register with the ORP as soon as training ends. Without enough contributions, they are exempt from the contribution requirement but face a 120-day waiting period and a limited number of flat-rate daily allowances.
Foreign graduates of a Swiss higher education institution
A non-EU graduate of a Swiss university or HES may, in principle, stay six months to look for a qualified job. Check with the cantonal population office and on our page about residence and work permits before your studies end.
Job-search channels that work for beginners
Careers fairs at EPFL, the University of Geneva or HEIG-VD, the jobs.ch and jobup.ch platforms, alumni networks and speculative applications to SMEs in Vaud or Fribourg work far better than sending out identical CVs in bulk.
The Swiss CV for a recent graduate
Employers expect a one- or two-page CV with a photo, date of birth, nationality and permit type. Add your internship and apprenticeship references, your CFC or bachelor's grades and referees such as an apprenticeship supervisor or a professor.
Languages as a career accelerator
A first job in Bern, Fribourg or Biel often requires both French and German. A language stay, an Erasmus exchange or a Goethe B2 certificate partly makes up for limited experience and greatly widens the number of vacancies open to you.
Probation period and your first contract
The Swiss Code of Obligations sets a one-month probation period unless agreed otherwise in writing, extendable to three months. During this phase either party can terminate with seven days' notice, so focus on settling in and ask for regular feedback.
No experience, but student jobs to show
A summer job in a Valais hotel, work on a supermarket till or private tutoring all prove reliability. Back them up with a reference letter, and see our page on finding a job without experience for further ideas.
The path to a first employment contract in Switzerland
- Ask every internship or apprenticeship employer for a full employment reference, not just a certificate stating the dates.
- Write a Swiss CV with a photo, your permit, rated language levels and a precise line for each internship, thesis project or student job.
- Target three to five cantons according to your languages and spot the companies hiring juniors or holders of your CFC.
- Apply to graduate programmes from the autumn before you finish your studies and prepare for online tests and interviews in English.
- Register with the ORP as soon as training ends if no contract is signed, with proof of two to three applications a week.
- Check the contract before signing: gross salary, number of monthly payments, CCT, probation period, working hours and holidays.
Salary and budget benchmarks for a first job
| Budget item | Indicative benchmark | What makes it vary |
|---|---|---|
| Starting salary after a CFC | Variable, indicative according to the industry CCT | Occupation, canton, collective agreement, training company or not |
| Starting salary after a UAS degree or master's | Variable, see the FSO Salarium calculator | Industry, Zurich or Lake Geneva region, working language |
| Geneva statutory minimum wage 2026 | CHF 24.59 gross per hour | Neuchâtel, Jura, Ticino and Basel-Stadt have their own minimum |
| LAMal health insurance premium | Paid yourself from age 18, variable amount | Canton, deductible, premium reduction for young adults or low incomes |
| First rent | Highly variable | A studio in Zurich or Geneva costs far more than in Delémont or Sion; rent deposit up to three months |
What to include with a first application
- Swiss CV with photo and a cover letter tailored to the company
- CFC, AFP (Federal VET Certificate), vocational baccalaureate, bachelor's or master's with transcripts
- Employment references from your apprenticeship, internships and student jobs
- Language certificates: DELF, DALF, Goethe, Cambridge or TOEFL
- Residence permit, G permit or identity document depending on your nationality
- Two or three reachable referees, with their prior consent
What derails a first job search
- Sending a French-style or foreign CV with no photo, no permit stated and no references, which looks incomplete to a Swiss recruiter.
- Applying only to vacancies demanding three to five years of experience, while ignoring junior roles, trainee posts or training companies.
- Waiting several months before registering with the ORP, when late registration delays your entitlement to benefits.
- Ignoring the language of the canton: applying in Zurich without German or in Lugano without Italian sharply reduces your chances.
- Accepting an offer that asks you to pay for placement or preliminary training: a genuine employer never asks for money.
Recent graduates ask about their first Swiss job
Making the first job interview count in Switzerland
For a first position, the interview checks attitude more than experience. Employers know that a young graduate has little to show, so they listen for motivation, curiosity and the ability to learn. Prepare a short, honest account of the training you did, a project you enjoyed and the reason you chose this company. Avoid vague statements and use one clear example for each point.
Practical details help. Arrive a little early, dress in line with the sector and bring a copy of the documents. Swiss interviewers usually appreciate direct, polite answers and a calm tone. If you do not know something, say so and explain how you would find out. That answer is far better received than an invented one, which is often easy to spot.
Ask questions in return. Who will train you? How are the first weeks organised? Which skills will matter most in the first year? Such questions show that you plan to contribute. After the meeting, send a short thank-you message. Many candidates skip this step, and a courteous follow-up can leave a lasting impression when the choice between two people is close.
Keep a positive tone about studies and former employers, and avoid complaining about teachers or training companies. Stay modest and keep a note of every contact.
Should I put my CFC or degree grades on my CV?
It is not compulsory, but Swiss recruiters often ask for transcripts for a first position. A good CFC average or a bachelor's thesis carried out in a company is a concrete argument worth highlighting in your cover letter.
Can a young graduate claim unemployment benefits without having worked?
Yes, under conditions: your training can exempt you from the contribution requirement if you have lived in Switzerland long enough. There is a 120-day waiting period and a limited number of flat-rate allowances. The ORP and your unemployment fund confirm your rights.
Can you negotiate the salary of a first job in Switzerland?
Yes, to a certain extent, especially outside a CCT. Rely on Salarium, association salary surveys and the cantonal minimum wage, and ask whether the salary is paid in twelve or thirteen monthly instalments.
Does a post-study internship count as a first job?
A paid internship with an employment contract is valid experience and entitles you to a reference. Avoid stringing internships together, though: beyond one or two, recruiters prefer to see a permanent post or a fixed-term contract.