There is more to job hunting than just looking for vacancies and sending your CV to potential employers. To find a suitable job, you should also be clear about what you are looking for and what you offer.
Do you already have a clear idea of where you want to work, how the company you want to work for is structured, how you envision your immediate work environment, and what is important to you personally? So much the better.
If not, visit the Career Planning section, where you will find a step-by-step guide to help you plan.
You can choose between a direct entry job, a trainee program, and an internship at the start of your career. Based on your academic path and previous practical experience, you have to decide which path will benefit your future career the most. Your attitude, level of commitment, and the amount of responsibility you want to take on are also crucial.
If your ultimate goal is a management position, a trainee program will be the ideal preparation for you as a young talent. You must not expect promotion within the initial period in a direct entry job, but it is not impossible either. With a bit of luck and a lot of commitment, you can quickly obtain a position in management. Here we explain the differences between an internship, a trainee program, and direct entry and show you the advantages and disadvantages of these options.
If you still have questions, please feel free to contact us.
Learn more about potential employers and do some networking.
Career Services ZHAW SML Events Long Night of Careers Conecto career fair at ZHAW
On the following pages you can research information about companies.
Company profiles of partner companies
Swissfirms.ch Xing LinkedIn
Greatplacetowork Glassdoor Kununu
Job platform with current job postings by our corporate partners and other companies.
Here you will find an overview of existing job boards in Switzerland and industry-specific platforms.
Search engines that search all job portals in Switzerland for relevant jobs:
Discover internships abroad and start your international career.
For ZHAW-SML students.
The Swiss Centre of Competence for International Cooperation provides information, advice, and training.
Gainful employment in Switzerland while studying or doing an exchange year: What do you need to know, and what should you bear in mind?
You can accept paid part-time employment of up to 15 hours per week during the semester. During the lecture-free period, employment of up to 100% is possible. In both cases, however, your employer must obtain a work permit from the Swiss Office for Economy and Labour (AWA) for students from third countries (non-EU countries, including the UK). This is only possible once a residence permit has been obtained.
Doing an internship while studying in Switzerland
International students who are enrolled at a Swiss university (of applied sciences) and are required to complete a compulsory internship or wish to write their thesis involving a Swiss company may be granted permission upon request if gainful employment does not exceed half of the total duration of the program and if the salary and working conditions meet requirements.
Permanent employment in Switzerland for foreign graduates
Third-country nationals with a Swiss university degree are allowed to find work under certain conditions. Not every degree completed in Switzerland automatically entitles the holder to pursue gainful employment. Only areas in which there is not already a sufficient supply of staff are eligible.
Gainful employment will be permitted if…
The employer must apply for the permit. The priority of nationals is not checked. Otherwise, the provisions applicable to third-country nationals apply.
This information does not claim to be complete and must, in any case, be checked in advance by the persons concerned.
Kanton Zürich – Students and Interns Migrationsamt Kanton Zürich Amt für Wirtschaft und Arbeit Zürich – Office for economy and labour Staatssekretariat für Migration - State secretariat for migration