If only this was true life would be but a dream...

Microsoft Office Vorlagen: Anschreiben

You could try this template there are many on the Microsoft webb site. But one thing that I do notice is to add your picture.

DC

Actually, Jobscout24.ch have some interesting pointers and templates....in German of course.

No_need_to use_German with_Swiss_Germans

The Swiss CVs I have seen are typically 10-page mini autobiographies.

They include a picture of the applicant, just about all details of every exam or test ever passed, details of the many interesting pursuits of the candidate and a glowing page at the end recommending the candidate from some notable pillar of society like the president of a club or important official. Seriously.

Mine is the same 2-page brief summation of important facts/qualifications. I did stretch it out to a more Swiss-friendly 3-pages with a more prosaic description of my work experiences for a local agency who recommended me to do so.

To be honest I'm not going to 'Swissify' it any more - the more international companies (which I would prefer to work for) appreciate brevity as HR may be reading dozens of applications. Keep it short and to the point, get in all your valid and important experience and qualifications. You can fluff it out in the interview (if the company isn't too traditional to give you an interview from such a short CV of course )


Gav

man o man.
where to begin! I am 29, new here from Canada, have NO secondary education behind me (just highschool) but had a great job for 6, almost 7 years in a major printing co. back home. We did cheque printing for all major banks.
My resume/CV whatever the heck is very limited and small since that was pretty much my job out of highscool.
Obviously, I can't write a mini biography with only that. I don't even know where to start with this thing.

honestly, between this, the health insurance issues we're having, the bills, the difficulty in getting things done easily...this place is sucking the lifeblood outta me! 29, I'll end up working at a friggin Starbucks here.
so much for a career...I can't even afford german school!
bah.

Jennifer in Zurich and not too happy these days.

I just graduated with a Bachelor's degree in the US this past May. At the moment I only have a digital copy of my "unofficial transcript," which was available to download from the college's website. When applying for work here (which I will be doing soon), do you guys think I need to have an official copy? If so, should I email someone at my school and ask them to mail me one? My only work experience has been working in the same office's accounting department for 5 summers. Should I also write to them (I stay in touch with the workers there, we're friends despite an age difference of 30-40 years) to ask for a letter of reference from my former supervisor and/or head of the department? I was kind of skeptical about long CVs (both my wife and mother-in-law have rather long ones -- they are Swiss) because in the US people tend to emphasize the importance of being informative and attention getting while remaining relatively short and contained. I met with someone people back home knew at UBS' main office in Zürich and he seemed to be emphasizing the general American model, but he was already employed by UBS back in the states before and was specifically recruited to come here (and given 4 months of German classes in DE), so I wonder if his advice is actually useful.

I find this all rather challenging. As someone with a Bachelor's degree in political science, I can only wonder about type of jobs I can actually hope to be considered for here. It seems like one even needs specific qualifications to work at Migros!

Well, I can tell you what Germans expect - so just quadruple that and then you know what the Swiss want, hey?

In Germany you usually send a "Bewerbungs Mappe" aka a folder (nice one - not an old plastic one with 20 creases) with a covering letter, resume/CV and then "proof" of everything you claim in your resume/CV. This means certified copies or original certificats of your high school diploma, university degree etc. any diploma or certificate you might have. I think the same actually applies to Switzerland.

HOWEVER, having said that, I think most multinational Swiss companies understand that the standard is different in the Anglo-Saxon world, so I really wouldn't worry too much. The one thing I would definitely send is a photo... it seems to be really important from what I've heard.

It can cost you a bloody fortune to apply for jobs as getting certified copies often costs money and the folders cost money and then the postage is ridiculous once you have all the documents together... and then they don't return it to you when you don't get the job... *sigh*...

YES

YES (get at least 5 official copies while you're at it...)

YES (especially if you are still in contact and it should not be such a huge issue for them / they remember you)

I would probably limit it to 2 pages... especially if you have just graduated I don't think there is THAT much information to give... usually people go into elaborate detail as to what they did at their previous jobs. Just give your grades and describe what you did in the accounting department.

Thanks for the advice. I already have to email the school about setting up a file for letters of recommendation (I am planning to apply to an English-language program at the ETH and the professors back in the US asked about setting up a personal file), so I will ask about sending a transcript. I'll explain the situation and hope they don't mind. If someone requests a real one, I'll get a certificed copy I guess. I'll also write the others back in the states about a letter... then only problem will be is that it will be written in English as no one there speaks a foreign language.

I had thought I would be able to make regular photocopies of the originals here -- my wife and mother-in-law had not, to the best of my knowledge, sent certified copies of their qualifications, but of course they were turned down from every job to which they applied. My wife is now working at an English/Irish pub because it was the only place that would hire her -- no office would take her despite her fluent English (she attended university in the US for a year too!), German, Swiss German, and basically fluent French and Italian! She had at least 20 interviews as well before giving up and accepting the 19 chf/hr as better than nothing. I think my mother-in-law would have the same problem in the US, though, given her age (yes I know this is not the US, but I tend to still use it as a baseline, as it is what I am accustomed to).

I would think it would be unusual for you to be expected to send in certified copies of everything. It would be a very unreasonable thing to expect people to do such a thing if they were applying to a lot of places. If they suspect them of being fakes I'm sure they can ask for the originals if they want.

I'm always surprised that they want to see written references and put so much weight on them (see this thread for the joys of Swiss references). I mean anyone with some of their old company letterhead or skills in photoshop (or even older methods) can whip themselves up a nice reference letter in no time...

Mark,

It would be not just unusual but totally unreasonable to ask for certified copies of everything for job applications - the general cost is CHF 25-50 (depending on kanton) per page! The only way to do this here is through a Notary Public. Given that you might have 20 pages and need 20 applications to get a job you would be looking at SFr. 10 to 20K in Notar fees - na not going to happen...

However when it comes to entrance into a university program it is entirely normal to ask for certified copies of educational certificates if not the originals. I know at my time lecturing in England this was often the case. To that end universities provide certified transcripts for ca SFr. 50 and you actually only need the one per application and you ain't gonna be applying for lots of courses at different universities around the world are you?

Okay, I acutally googled this in German and I found some answers on swiss websites:

apparently "nowaday" you don't have to send originals or certified copies anymore since a lot of applications are in electronic form - unless specifically required by the prospective employer (boy, I can tell you reading the phrase "heutzutage" - aka nowadays - made me feel very very old... ). I am not kidding you, back when I graduated, I had to send certified copies and yes, it was a very expensive affair...

I have translated the whole page with babelfish - it sounds a bit gibberish at times, but here it is:

[moderator note: The original source of this information (not given) is the German version of wikipedia. The original article can be found here. The link to an alternative translated version (also copied below) can be found here. Note: this article does not apply to Switzerland specifically, as it is written for Germany]

Components of the application

A complete application consists of writing down, personal record and appendix. Beyond that some applicants use a so-called third side, in which they represent their motivation or qualification somewhat in more detail.
In a short application the appendix is omitted.

Write down

Writing down is usually briefly and concisely held and describes the qualification and motivation of the applicant in the context to the applied place. It is to obtain a first impression of the applicant and is usually limited to the extent of a DIN-A4-Seite.
With technical occupations the qualification can be represented as technical profile clearly. In this profile one describes, one controlled which tools (e.g. programming languages) and gained in which projects one with them experiences.

Personal record

The personal record contains the biographic data the applicant. Beside the personal data it offers information about the training and the vocational career/development. Besides special qualifications can (like foreign languages or computer knowledge) as well as personal interests to be represented.
The personal record is developed usually in tabular form and shows the stations of the training and the professional activity in chronological or reverse order. In special cases a handwritten and/or out-formulated personal record can be desired.

Appendix

In the appendix the applicant arranges all documents, which are for the qualification of importance. That applies particularly to documents, which occupy the conclusion of training, thus above all the last school report and the document, with which the professional training can be proven. Applicants with professional experience attach all (or only the relevant) references. Finally further proofs can be attached like the driving licence or a language diploma, if for the place of importance is.
The documents are nearly never dispatched today as original or certified copy. With an electronic application that is anyway not possible and with a written application sends to applicant simple copies, if not expressly another form is desired.

Third side

The third side is a new feature, which is only used for the 1990er years more frequently in applications. It is available beside writing down and personal record as the further side for the representation of the own motivation, qualification or other personal characteristics.
The use of the third side is disputed. Some personnel responsible person do not see they gladly, because them permit the applicant to represent its advantages in detail beyond the usual conventions what as unfair advantage opposite competitors is evaluated. Others however see the chance in the third side to experience somewhat more over the applicant particularly if the qualification (differently than in the personal record) is cut to the place desired there.

Forms


Written application

If a” written application “is required, with it an application is meant in Papierform, whose components are connected frequently in an application briefcase. This form of the application is the most expensive and most complex; it requires thinking about the appropriate type of paper (weight, quality), the pressure quality (laser printer, ink jet printer) and the covering (complex application briefcase or plastic temporary fastener). Finally it is to be made certain that the documents do not arouse the impression of repeated use, which can happen in particular by customs traces (break in paper or covering) easily and often to the refusal of the application for formal reasons leads.

E-Mail application

An application can take place also by E-Mail. Form, length and extent resemble the “paper application”, only is in place of the allocation of sheet according to DIN 5008 a E-Mail to use (e.g. Reference not as line in the text, but as if subject). Personal record, certifications are usually as appendix attached.


On-line application

On-line application one calls documents, which are made available over Internet by an applicant on application homepage and thus permanently on-line are callable. On-line application differs in relation to the conventional application by the possibility of the electronic subsequent treatment, the permanent, world-wide availability, as well as by multimedia presentation possibilities.
Further on-line application differs from the E-Mail application by the other handling: No virus infection danger for the receiver by opening appendices, no format incompatibility. Relatively secure passing on of the personal data by password-protected transmission of the data.
Likewise it is possible for thanks of various Scriptsprachen such as CSS, PHP or Javascript to offer with the organization of an on-line application the abundance of the information clearly and structured.
For providing homepage a supported on-line application at least basic knowledge is in HTML necessary.
The actual establishment of contact of the applicant to the place offerer, happens ideal-proves by means of a E-Mail, which contains a writing down and the appropriate left as well as the password to the appropriate on-line application and/or application homepage.
On-line application became salonable. To this result a study of the market researcher Easyquest came (2005). The study refers to enterprises in the European states: Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Germany the Netherlands and Belgium. From 1635 personnel managers of all business sizes approx. 50% for the application in digital form discussion themselves. The better handling of digital applications in the internal use was emphasized.
Likewise as on-line application also a form is designated, which of the place offerer is made available on its homepage, in order to seize the data of the applicants. However it does not act in the actual sense around an on-line application, since the applicant data are sent only via Formmailer, thus only by E-Mail exclusively to the place-writing out, thus not permanently for place-writing out further understanding is here. The advantage of an on-line application form is for the place-writing out clearly obvious. In such a way seized data facilitate the evaluation substantially. The disadvantage for the applicant is in the fact that in on-line application forms no area for a creative presentation remains. Beyond that an on-line application form must again and again again be filled out from application to application. A not insignificant expenditure of time.
Examples of on-line application:

• On-line application briefcase downloaden free of charge
• Max sample man application homepage
• Applicant homepage without previous knowledge provide
• Example of portal-supported application homepage

Selective procedure

Sometimes also special selective procedures, Assessment centers so mentioned, are accomplished, in order to receive so specific characteristic data from and over the applicants to. Also frequently aptitude tests are accomplished.

Application discussion

The organization can invite an applicant then to an application discussion. In addition, that is the rule with the application in a company, ever more by universities is maintained.
It concerns thereby not only the technical qualifications, but also social authority: Here the organization wants to know whether the applicant fits into the team and the requirements and arises as he. If technical discussions are led, then it concerns often also to determine the reaction applicants with a difficult question.

I don't know if this is only because I am from the US, but my university would send my transcript directly to any university I apply to without passing through my hands. The same applies for letters of recommendation. I don't think I'll need to worry about this -- especially as I am only applying to one university right now. I think the college back in the states even pays for postage, although I cannot be positive... We (Americans my age) did pay $40,000 a year to go these places and they want to be able to brag that their students were accepted to graduate school.

The transcript I would have the school send me would be copied (so that it is a copy of the official and not unofficial transcript) to send with CVs.

Wikipedia.ch takes you to the german definition as the Swiss and German application standard seems to be the same. Please see:
http://translate.google.com/translat...l%3Den%26lr%3D

Quote: The application in Switzerland does not differ from the application in Germany

Switzerland and German differ not too much.
Remember to add a picture, sex and birthdate :-)

Ted

$3 per transcript...

For what it is worth, I will be looking for a job as an attorney / legal consultant (although not a full practice, as I am not, nor will I be, licensed to practice in Switzerland). I sent my U.S.-style resume to a partner in a large Swiss law firm that conducts 80-90% of its work in English, and the advice that he provided me largely tracks with what has been said above--it needs to be tailored for a Swiss audience.

--Include a photograph
--Include reference letters and other documents (diplomas, honors, etc.)
--Include a section on personal information (family situation, hobbies and interests, date and place of birth--said this was "very important." If I saw this in a U.S. resume, I would interpret it as padding!)
--it is more important to have a readable, "sexy" layout than it is to keep it to two pages only (pretty basic, but if you have had two separate careers, keeping things to two pages can be really difficult!)

Hope that this can be helpful for somebody else.

I've sometimes here been in the unenviable situation of having to sort through and generate a list of the top 15 CVs for a particular role at a big company, so that we could decide on which ones we could then phone interview. This involves wading through massive piles of CVs, and marking the salient points from each one on a spreadsheet so that the candidates could later be discussed and rated. I've got a few opinions on the topic, mainly from a big company perspective...

1. If the CV was written by an agency then employers take everything on it with a grain of salt. Agencies often don't do checks of skills, and will try and up-sell the candidates as much as possible. Any outright lies will get caught out at the phone/face interview, and will just give the agencies involved a bad reputation.
2. Have bullet points with all the information. Don't have paragraphs that need to be waded through.
3. Check the spelling!
4. If your CV is too hard/frustrating to analyse then it and your application will be filed.
5. More than 4 pages will be filed, unless it's really good.
6. Lists of schools and qualifications and grades etc are of limited value, unless it is a requirement of the job. The person sorting through all the CVs just wants to know: does this person have a Degree - yes or no.
7. Don't have lots of attachments.
8. The CV should grab the attention of the potential employer. It's an advertisement for you.
9. Target the CV to the job you are applying for. It's useful to have a generic CV, but change its focus slightly each time to make it look interesting for the company that you are applying at. Or, maintain a technical jargon-filled CV and a management CV.
10. HR often don't check the CVs they get either, especially if it is for a technical role with lots of potential jargon. They just forward them on.
11. Do mention hobbies somewhere, the more offbeat or memorable the better. You're trying to grab the attention of the person at the other end and convince them that a) you're interesting, and b) you've got a life outside work.
12. List the languages that you speak, and also your residency status. It might tip the balance on your average CV, if you speak a local language and your work permit would be little effort for the company.
13. Explain gaps on the CV, eg your 3 month holiday in Brazil between jobs.
14. Whatever you do, don't ... http://www.theonion.com/content/node/52073

If it's a small role at a small company or if the employer already knows (of) you then the general procedure may differ somewhat.

Just my $0.02.

Thank you very much for sparing your time to let us know more about the Swiss style. This is really useful! They want to know EVEN my religion!!!
Now I am going to amend(repair??) my CV.