What belongs in a Swiss application dossier?
A classic application dossier includes a cover or motivation letter, a CV, as well as relevant work references, educational qualifications, diplomas, and certificates. Which documents are actually required is stated in the job advertisement or on the application portal.
More is not automatically better. Choose attachments in such a way that they demonstrate your actual suitability for the specific position. An unrelated, outdated course does not need to be included if it has no clear relevance to the role. If the employer requires certain proofs, these take priority.
Source: arbeit.swiss – Bewerbungstipps · berufsberatung.ch – Eine Stelle suchen · Kanton Zürich – Stellensuche und Bewerbung
The sensible order of the documents
Cover letter
The individual cover letter opens the dossier. It states the exact position and links your actual experience with the key requirements of the job.
Resume
This is followed by the clear and structured resume. Professional experience and education are usually presented with the most recent position first.
Work Certificates
Also arrange relevant work certificates in reverse chronological order. Check that all pages are complete, straight, and well-scanned.
Diplomas and Certificates
Include degrees, further training, and certificates that are required or have a clear relevance to the position. Use the actual title for foreign degrees.
Other required documents
Work samples, portfolios, or other attachments should only be included if the job advertisement requires them or if they are useful for the profession. Observe the specified formats and links.
Source: arbeit.swiss – Bewerbungstipps · berufsberatung.ch – Eine Stelle suchen
One PDF file or multiple attachments?
On an online portal, you upload the documents as required by the individual fields. If there are separate fields for resume, cover letter, and certificates, you use separate PDFs. For an email, a single, cohesive dossier can be practical, provided the job advertisement does not specify otherwise.
berufsberatung.ch recommends the correct order for digital applications and preferably a PDF file. The Canton of Zurich also describes a clear division into separate PDFs for letters, CV, educational documents, and employment references. Both options can therefore be correct: what matters are the recipient's requirements and ease of use.
Open every finished file before sending. Check the page order, orientation, readability, missing pages, and accidentally included documents. A PDF must not contain internal notes, other people's applications, or unnecessary personal data.
Source: berufsberatung.ch – Eine Stelle suchen · Kanton Zürich – Online-Bewerbung
Professional file names and clean scans
Descriptive file names help the receiving person with organization. Use your name and the content, for example, "Bielanowski_Adam_Resume.pdf", "Bielanowski_Adam_CoverLetter.pdf", and "Bielanowski_Adam_WorkCertificates.pdf". Avoid names like "final_new_2.pdf".
Scan certificates completely and in good quality. The text must remain readable on the screen even after reducing the size. Rotate incorrectly aligned pages, remove empty scan margins, and check whether front and back sides are needed. Never change the content of a certificate or diploma.
Source: berufsberatung.ch – Bewerbung erstellen und verschicken · Kanton Zürich – Online-Bewerbung
A separate file for each position
A file should match the advertised position. This does not mean that you change your career history. You simply emphasize different, actually existing experiences and skills.
Save a separate folder for each application with the job advertisement, the version sent, and the date. This way you avoid incorrect company names, mixed-up attachments, and a cover letter for the wrong position. If the advertisement disappears later, you still have the requirements available for a possible interview.
Also check the language: For a German-language advertisement, documents in German are usually appropriate. Within the file, spelling, date format, job titles, and design should be consistent.
Source: berufsberatung.ch – Bewerbung erstellen und verschicken · berufsberatung.ch – Eine Stelle suchen
Checklist before sending
- All documents requested in the advertisement are present.
- Company, function, contact person, and reference number are correct.
- Cover letter and résumé are targeted to the same position.
- All information, qualifications, and time periods are true and up to date.
- Work certificates, diplomas, and certificates are complete and legible.
- PDF division and file size comply with the portal's or job advertisement's requirements.
- File names are unique and do not contain internal version notes.
- Attachments were reopened and checked after export.
- No incorrect or unnecessary personal data is included.
Source: arbeit.swiss – Bewerbungstipps · berufsberatung.ch – Bewerbung erstellen und verschicken · Kanton Zürich – Online-Bewerbung
Frequently asked questions
What belongs in a complete application dossier?
Usually, cover letters, CVs, as well as relevant work references, educational degrees, diplomas, and certificates are included. The requirements in the job advertisement or application portal are always decisive.
Should the entire dossier be in a single PDF file?
That depends on the method of submission. A portal often provides separate upload fields. For an email, a well-organized single file may be useful. First, follow the employer's instructions.
How do I organize work references and diplomas?
As a rule, the most recent relevant document comes first. Keep work references and educational certificates in a comprehensible, descending chronological order.
Do I have to send every reference and certificate?
No. Send the documents that are required and relevant for the position. If in doubt, you can check the job posting or contact the listed person to see which attachments are expected.
Can I use the same dossier for multiple positions?
You can reuse a basic structure. However, the letter, focus of the resume, and selection of attachments should fit the respective position without changing any facts.
Sources
This guide is based on the following official and specialist sources:
- arbeit.swiss – BewerbungstippsStaatssekretariat für Wirtschaft SECO
- berufsberatung.ch – Bewerbung erstellen und verschickenSchweizerisches Dienstleistungszentrum Berufsbildung
- berufsberatung.ch – Eine Stelle suchenSchweizerisches Dienstleistungszentrum Berufsbildung
- Kanton Zürich – Stellensuche und BewerbungKanton Zürich
- Kanton Zürich – Online-BewerbungKanton Zürich