Switzerland: an attractive but competitive job market

Known for its high wages and low unemployment, switzerland offers lots of interesting opportunities for NEOMA Alumni. Whether one works in the french or in the german-speaking part of the country, provides a good quality of life. However, the job market is highly competitive and work permits are required. Switzerland-based alumni give their insight into professional life in the country.

Strong competition

Switzerland, a federal state with 26 districts, is composed of four different cultural areas based on the national languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh. Each district has its own policy regarding schools, police forces but also healthcare and taxes. With the second highest per capita GDP in the world, salaries two to three times higher than in France as well as an unemployment rate around 3%, the country can seem like an El Dorado. However, being one of the most prosperous and developed country in the world attracts many people, and the Swiss job market is increasingly saturated, especially in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Western Switzerland: “Everyone wants to come there, so the competition is really fierce. However, companies really value NEOMA graduates” says Marine Pignon (PGE 08), account executive at Gartner, an American technological research and consulting firm. The alumna is involved in both an organization that helps unemployed executives and in a parents’ association: “The Swiss system is based on trust. Therefore, networking is the key to creating your own opportunities” she declares. In daily life, networking is also essential. She adds: “When I arrived, I was looking for a doctor and I called one who told me he was fully booked. But, when I said that my neighbor referred me to him, he agreed to schedule an appointment!”

Work permits are mandatory to get a job in switzerland
The main requirement to enter the Swiss job market is the work permit. Some alumni advise to start looking for jobs before settling in Switzerland: “Being transferred by your employer is the ideal situation because they will obtain the work permit for you. Otherwise, you can get it through your partner if he or she works in the country” explains Marine Pignon. “Headhunters rarely consider executives from France since they have enough people on the market there. The best option would be to get an offer while you are still in your home country” confirms Thibaut Chapron (CESEM 12). Another reason for finding a job before coming to Switzerland is that living in the country is so expensive that your savings may run down quickly. As an example, kindergarten for children costs between 2,000 and 3,000 euros a month, health insurance around 400 euros and a two-bedroom apartment in Geneva around 4,000: “In Switzerland, the “double income no kids” lifestyle is the best because you spend a fortune as soon as you have children! This is why some women give up their job after their second children, unless they make enough money to afford a kika, the Swiss kindergarten” explains Thibaut Chapron.

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