Clarify your goal before applying
A convincing career change does not start with a general application, but with a realistic goal. First, check which tasks belong to the desired role, which requirements are mandatory, and which skills you can acquire after starting. berufsberatung.ch recommends, when considering a professional reorientation, realistically assessing your own situation, evaluating your competencies, and informing yourself about education and further training.
Compare several job advertisements for the same position. Recurring requirements show you which skills are particularly important. Distinguish between legal or formal requirements and the employer's wishes. You may not replace a required qualification with similar experience.
For foreign professional qualifications or a change to a regulated profession, check on anerkennung.swiss whether recognition is required and which authority is responsible. Only indicate Swiss equivalence if it has actually been confirmed.
Source: berufsberatung.ch – Sich neu orientieren · berufsberatung.ch – Eine Stelle suchen · anerkennung.swiss – ausländische Berufsqualifikationen · SBFI – Anerkennung ausländischer Berufsqualifikationen
Align the CV towards a career change
Your previous roles, employers, and time periods remain unchanged. Changing industries is no reason to rename old positions or pretend to have a target qualification. However, you can adjust the emphasis.
- Write a short profile with your actual experience, your career goal, and two or three relevant skills.
- For previous positions, first describe those tasks that are relevant to the target role.
- Use concrete activities instead of general characteristics. «Handled customer inquiries daily via phone and email» is more meaningful than «communicative».
- Name verifiable courses, certificates, projects, volunteer work, or practical experience if they are relevant for the new position.
- Do not let less relevant experience disappear. Shorten it, but maintain a comprehensible and complete career path.
- Accurately adopt the titles of degrees and positions.
Source: arbeit.swiss – Bewerbungstipps · arbeit.swiss – Wie bewerbe ich mich richtig?
Explain the industry change in the cover letter
The letter answers three questions: Why this position? What do you bring from your previous work? How are you preparing for the start?
Start with a concrete, honest reason for your interest. Avoid empty sentences about a "new challenge." Then link a requirement of the position with an actual task from your previous career. A brief example makes the connection believable.
If you have already prepared, you can mention a course you attended, your own project, a trial assignment, or another actual measure. Do not write that you would take further training if it is only planned. A planned training must remain recognizable as a plan.
Address the change positively, but do not exaggerate it. You do not have to justify your previous profession. What is crucial is why the next step is understandable and what contribution you can make in the new role.
Source: berufsberatung.ch – Sich neu orientieren · berufsberatung.ch – Eine Stelle suchen · arbeit.swiss – Wie bewerbe ich mich richtig?
Example phrasing for a career change
Bewerbung als [Zielfunktion] Sehr geehrte Frau [Name] / Sehr geehrter Herr [Name] Die ausgeschriebene Funktion interessiert mich, weil [konkreter, wahrer Bezug zur Aufgabe oder zum Unternehmen]. Nach meiner bisherigen Tätigkeit im Bereich [bisheriger Bereich] möchte ich meine berufliche Erfahrung gezielt in [neuer Aufgabenbereich] einsetzen. In meiner bisherigen Funktion war ich unter anderem für [tatsächliche Aufgabe] verantwortlich. Dabei habe ich [übertragbare Kompetenz] eingesetzt und [konkretes, wahres Beispiel]. Diese Arbeitsweise möchte ich in Ihrer Funktion besonders bei [Aufgabe aus dem Inserat] einbringen. Auf den Einstieg habe ich mich durch [tatsächlich absolvierte Vorbereitung] vorbereitet. In neue Abläufe arbeite ich mich sorgfältig ein und freue mich darauf, Ihnen meine Motivation persönlich zu erläutern. Freundliche Grüsse [Vorname Nachname]
Checklist before sending
- The target role is realistic and clearly defined.
- Mandatory qualifications and recognitions have been checked.
- Previous roles and degrees are stated truthfully.
- The resume prioritizes relevant tasks without distorting the career path.
- The cover letter explains a specific reason for the change.
- Transferable skills are supported with actual examples.
- Further training, practical experience, or projects are only mentioned if they actually took place.
- The letter does not claim experience in the target industry that does not exist.
- Resume and cover letter use Swiss spelling and are checked as PDFs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply even though I have never worked in the target industry?
Yes, as long as you do not pretend a mandatory requirement. Show suitable actual tasks, transferable skills, and a comprehensible motivation. For formally regulated activities, you must check the required qualifications beforehand.
Should I explicitly mention the career change?
Usually, a brief, positive explanation is useful. It helps the employer understand why you are applying and how your previous career path fits the new position.
Am I allowed to adjust previous job titles to the new position?
No. Use the actual titles. You may emphasize relevant tasks more strongly, but do not invent any other function or qualification.
Do I need recognition for a foreign degree?
That depends on the profession. On anerkennung.swiss you can check whether recognition is required and which authority is responsible.
Should I create a new CV for a lateral entry?
Adjust selection, order, and short profile to the target position. However, the underlying facts, periods, employers, and degrees remain the same.
Sources
This guide is based on the following official and specialist sources:
- berufsberatung.ch – Sich neu orientierenSchweizerisches Dienstleistungszentrum Berufsbildung
- berufsberatung.ch – Eine Stelle suchenSchweizerisches Dienstleistungszentrum Berufsbildung
- arbeit.swiss – BewerbungstippsStaatssekretariat für Wirtschaft SECO
- arbeit.swiss – Wie bewerbe ich mich richtig?Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft SECO
- anerkennung.swiss – ausländische BerufsqualifikationenStaatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation SBFI
- SBFI – Anerkennung ausländischer BerufsqualifikationenStaatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation SBFI