The graduate market
- Unemployment rate: 5-7% among 18-25 year olds, above average
- Tech, health, engineering shortage: fast hiring
- Strong competition finance, consulting, marketing: multi-step selection
- 1st job salary: CHF 60-90K by sector and diploma
Graduate programs
The best entry doors:
- UBS Graduate Talent Program: 18 months, 3-4 department rotation
- Roche, Novartis Graduate: 24 months, international
- Nestlé Graduate: 12-18 months
- Big4 graduate: September entry, fast-track managerial
- Migros, Coop Trainee: retail management
- SBB graduate program: 18 months operations
Process: 4-6 steps (CV, online tests, video interview, assessment, final). Timeline: 6-9 months.
The springboard internship
- 3-6 month paid internships (CHF 3,000-5,500/month)
- 60-70% of internships lead to permanent contract in the company
- Platforms: graduateland.com, school alumni, LinkedIn, company career sites
- Ideal: 2-3 internships during studies in targeted sectors
First job: typical salaries
- HEC junior consultant: CHF 80-100K
- EPFL/ETHZ engineer: CHF 85-105K
- HES general: CHF 70-85K
- Big4 associate: CHF 75-90K
- Junior banking: CHF 85-110K
- Junior pharma: CHF 80-95K
- Tech startup: CHF 85-110K + equity
Tips to succeed
- Networking from 2nd-3rd year of studies
- Optimised LinkedIn: complete profile, professor recommendations
- Career service of your school: use intensively
- Company forums (EPFL Forum, Polymesse): preparation 1 month before
- International career: possible but permit harder for third countries
- Patience: 3-6 months of search for first quality position
- No panic: accepting an imperfect first job remains better than waiting 12 months
