In Switzerland, a job application isn't just a resume and cover letter. It's a complete Bewerbungsdossier — and getting it wrong signals you don't know the market. This tool guides you through every required document.
Upload your documents, reorder, and merge into one PDF
0 of 5 required documents ready
Optional but professional. Include your name, photo, target position, and contact details on a single cover sheet.
Max 1 page. Address the specific role and company. Explain why you're the right fit — not just what you've done.
Reverse chronological. Include personal details (birth date, nationality, marital status — Swiss convention). Max 2 pages.
Professional headshot on your CV. Still expected in Switzerland. Should look recent, friendly, and business-appropriate.
From most recent employer first. Swiss employers expect a Zeugnis from every position. Missing ones raise red flags.
Copies of your highest relevant degrees. Include Swiss equivalence recognition (if applicable) for foreign diplomas.
Professional certifications, courses, and training. Only include relevant ones — quality over quantity.
Official language certificates (Goethe, DELF, Cambridge, etc.). Important for multilingual Switzerland — especially if you claim fluency.
Work samples relevant to the position. Link to online portfolio or include 2-3 representative pieces.
2-3 professional references with name, title, company, and phone number. Ask permission before listing them.
Put these insights to work. Create a professionally designed, ATS-optimized resume in minutes.
Swiss hiring managers expect a structured dossier, not just a resume email attachment. It's how things have always been done — and ignoring it signals unfamiliarity.
Many Swiss companies have HR assistants who check dossier completeness before forwarding to the hiring manager. Missing Arbeitszeugnisse or diplomas can mean instant rejection.
In Switzerland, every employer must provide a work reference (Arbeitszeugnis) when you leave. Not including them raises questions about your employment history.
While many countries have moved away from application photos, Swiss employers still expect a professional Bewerbungsfoto. Omitting it can work against you.
Sending only a CV and cover letter — no Arbeitszeugnisse, no diplomas. Swiss employers see this as incomplete and may not even respond.
Wrong document order. The Swiss convention is strict: cover letter first, then CV, then references, then diplomas. Jumbled order looks sloppy.
Using a casual or selfie photo. The Bewerbungsfoto should be a professional headshot — studio quality, neutral background, business attire.
Not requesting Arbeitszeugnisse from previous employers before leaving. In Switzerland, you have a legal right to a Zeugnis. Get it before your last day.
Submitting foreign diplomas without Swiss equivalence recognition. For regulated professions, you need a SERI or SBFI recognition. For others, add context about the institution and program.
Start with a professional CV in the Careerkit editor, then use this checklist to assemble your complete Swiss Bewerbungsdossier.
