Swiss CV example and format guide

See example: Resume

Fictional example in Swiss Standard German. Use the structure, not the invented details. Replace all details with your actual experience and tailor the text to the role.

What distinguishes a Swiss CV

For the Swiss job market, clarity, complete and truthful information, as well as a clear order are important. The most recent professional position comes first. arbeit.swiss recommends limiting the CV to at most three pages.

There is no general legal Swiss CV template. Adapt the content and emphasis to the specific position and limit yourself to information relevant to your suitability.

Source: arbeit.swiss – Bewerbungstipps · EDÖB – Daten im Auswahlverfahren

Step-by-step structure

1. Contact information

   List your actual, current contact details clearly.

   • First and last name
   • Current residential address
   • Phone number with country code
   • Professional email address
   • Optional: well-maintained LinkedIn profile or portfolio

2. Brief profile

   Three to five lines help with quick classification: What experience do you bring, what are your main competencies, and what position are you looking for? The short profile is a recommendation, not mandatory.

3. Work Experience

   Start with the current or last position. Name the period, function, employer, and location, as well as the main tasks. Only add responsibilities or results that you can actually substantiate.

4. Education and Training

   Also list education starting with the most recent degree. For foreign degrees, use the original designation. You may only state a Swiss equivalence if it has been confirmed.

5. Languages and Expertise

   List languages with a realistic level. The same applies to software skills, driving licenses, machine authorizations, courses, and certificates.

6. Other Relevant Information

   Depending on the position, volunteer work, job-relevant interests, or the note "References available upon request" may be appropriate. Always ask a reference person first before giving out their contact details.

Source: arbeit.swiss – Bewerbungstipps · berufsberatung.ch – Lebenslauf erstellen

Photo, date of birth, and residence permit

A professional photo is still common in Switzerland, but it is not a general legal requirement. arbeit.swiss only mentions it as a possible component. If you use a photo, choose a recent shot with a neutral background and without leisure filters.

Birth date, marital status, and nationality are also not necessarily required in every CV. Employers may only request information in the selection process that is relevant to the position and suitability. If you already have a residence permit, providing it correctly can make it easier for the employer to categorize you. Never indicate a permit that you do not yet have.

Source: arbeit.swiss – Bewerbungstipps · EDÖB – Daten im Auswahlverfahren

Swiss spelling and file format

Follow the language of the job advertisement. For a German-language application, consistently use Swiss Standard German: "ss" instead of the German special character not used in Switzerland and "Freundliche Grüsse" in correspondence.

Check spelling, spacing, periods, and file names. Save the CV as a readable PDF, for example under "Lebenslauf_FirstName_LastName.pdf".

Source: arbeit.swiss – Bewerbungstipps

Checklist before sending

• All information is true and up to date.
• The latest experience is listed first.
• The content matches the advertised position.
• Time periods, functions, and educational paths are clear.
• Language levels, certificates, and approvals are correct.
• The layout is consistent and readable on both phone and computer.
• The PDF has a professional file name.

Children, parental leave and family breaks on a CV

The number of children you have and explaining a career break are separate matters. Describe a real caring period with dates and a neutral label without naming your children or giving their dates of birth. Use “parental leave” only if it describes your actual circumstances; its legal meaning differs by country. A complete CV explains the timeline, not uninterrupted employment. Do not invent activities, childcare arrangements or availability.

Source: arbeit.swiss – Wie bewerbe ich mich richtig? · EDÖB – Daten im Auswahlverfahren · Kanton Zürich – Stellensuche und Bewerbung