Expected format
Two pages maximum, A4 portrait, 2 cm margins. The photo, professional and recent, goes top right. Avoid cluttered designs: Swiss recruiters prefer sobriety and readability over graphic originality. Overly colourful or complex templates (circular timelines, skill gauges) are seen as amateur.
Use a readable font (Helvetica, Arial, Calibri), size 10-11 for body text and 14-16 for headings. Keep consistent margins and plenty of white space — a clean CV gets read entirely, a dense one gets skimmed.
Essential information
The header must contain:
- First and last name (larger than the rest)
- Full postal address (commune and canton matter)
- Swiss phone number (+41 78 ...) and professional e-mail
- Date and place of birth, nationality, permit type (B, C, L, cross-border, etc.)
- Marital status and number of children if relevant
These details, optional in France or Spain, are expected in Switzerland. Omitting them signals a lack of market awareness.
Professional experience
List positions in reverse chronological order (most recent first). For each role:
- Precise dates (start and end month and year)
- Exact job title
- Employer name and location
- 3 to 5 bullets describing responsibilities and quantified results — not a task description
Example: "Led a team of 6 sales reps, +18% revenue growth over 2 years" rather than "Team management and business development".
Education and languages
Mention diplomas with dates, institution and specialisation. Professional certifications (PMP, CFA, AWS, etc.) carry weight. Recent continuing education shows you stay current.
Languages are essential in Switzerland. State the level according to the European framework (A1 to C2) rather than vague terms ("bilingual", "fluent"). Assumed honesty beats exaggeration: recruiters test levels from the first interview.
Skills and interests
List your technical skills (software, methodologies, tools) concisely. Avoid percentage gauges: they cannot be objectively measured.
Interests count in Switzerland. A regular sport, volunteer involvement or a musical instrument signal discipline, teamwork or perseverance. Avoid generalities ("reading, travel, cinema") and be specific.
The cover letter
Always attached, one page, four paragraphs:
- The hook: why this company, this role, now
- You: your background and the value you bring, in 3 lines
- The role: 2 or 3 past achievements that match the requirements
- Conclusion: availability, request for interview, polite close
Avoid copy-paste: a recruiter spots a standard letter in 5 seconds. Personalise at minimum the first and last paragraphs.
