Is it possible to work in Switzerland without a degree?

In Switzerland, the economy and the job market are in great shape! With unemployment falling to an average of 2.2% in 2022 (the lowest in 20 years!), the country boasts one of the most stable job markets in Europe. Swiss employers are looking for skilled staff and are keen to recruit foreign workers. Is it possible to work in Switzerland without a degree? b-sharpe offers advice on finding a cross-border job in Switzerland without a degree.

The labour market in Switzerland

The Swiss job market is characterised by its dynamism! There are plenty of opportunities across a wide range of sectors. The country welcomes foreign workers with open arms, although competition for skilled roles can be fierce. As for job vacancies that do not require a degree, there are fewer of them, but they do exist! Certain sectors are hiring, regardless of the candidate’s level of education. 

Can a French person work in Switzerland without a qualification? 

French nationals can certainly work in Switzerland without qualifications, whether or not they have a baccalaureate. This is the case for many workers, who sometimes choose to live in France whilst employed by a Swiss company, or even to work remotely. Thanks to the free movement of people with the European Union, French nationals can enter, live and work in Switzerland. French nationals can therefore obtain a work permit if they can prove their employment through a signed employment contract or a job offer.

Working in Switzerland: what’s the pay like? 

What are wages like in Switzerland? The average minimum wage in Switzerland is among the highest in the European Union. If you work in Switzerland without a qualification, your wage will naturally depend on your type of job and the sector, but also on regional wage differences. As a reminder, Switzerland (or the Swiss Confederation) is a federal state. This means that power is shared between the Confederation, the municipalities and the 26 Swiss cantons. There is therefore no mandatory national minimum wage. However, certain sectors and certain cantons have introduced a minimum wage. This affects half of all employees in Switzerland. 

Thus, the various minimum wages in Switzerland vary from canton to canton. For example, in Neuchâtel, the minimum hourly wage is 20.77 CHF, or 3,780 Swiss francs per month. In Geneva, the minimum hourly wage is 24 CHF, or 4,368 Swiss francs per month. As for Basel-Stadt, the minimum hourly wage there is 19.50 CHF, or 3,822 Swiss francs per month. 

Thus, even without a degree, it is possible in Switzerland to earn a higher salary than in France or other EU countries. 

Can you work in Switzerland without a qualification? 

Switzerland is known for its high standard of living and particularly high wages. This attracts a large number of foreign workers to come and live in Switzerland. But what about workers without qualifications? How can you find work in Switzerland without a qualification? What opportunities are there for cross-border workers? 

Jobs and sectors with vacancies

The largest employers in Switzerland 

Which companies are hiring the most in Switzerland? Here is a non-exhaustive list of the country’s largest employers: 

• In first place is Migros, a retail giant. Its outlets can be found throughout Switzerland: 589 supermarkets, 198 specialist shops and 198 restaurants. Migros employs nearly 99,000 people. 
• The Coop Group, the second-largest company in the retail sector and a direct competitor of Migros, employs 90,000 people. 
• Swiss Post is also one of the country’s leading employers, with a workforce of around 44,000 people across the country.
• The federal administration comprises the administrative bodies responsible for implementing the country’s federal policy. It employs 39,000 civil servants across all public sectors: justice, education, culture, finance, health, and so on.
• Swiss Federal Railways is the national railway company. It operates the network for both passenger and freight services, employing around 34,000 people.

Sectors in Switzerland that hire without qualifications 

In Switzerland, many sectors hire employees who do not have a formal qualification. Here are some of the sectors that might interest you if you are looking for a job in Switzerland without a qualification: 

• Sales or customer service: even without a qualification, a career in sales is open to motivated individuals who demonstrate good social and interpersonal skills, a commitment to service, and a welcoming attitude towards customers. The retail and banking sectors offer plenty of opportunities.
• Retail: roles such as checkout assistant, shop floor assistant, specialist sales assistant or warehouse assistant do not require a qualification.
• Construction: the building sector is hiring heavily, and no secondary school qualifications are required. 
• Tourism, hospitality and catering: these sectors, which are facing labour shortages, are actively recruiting seasonal or full-time staff. Experience is often valued more highly than qualifications. Jobs available include cook, sous-chef, waiter, valet and receptionist.

• Driver: No specific qualification is required to work as a taxi or private hire driver in Switzerland. However, you will need to hold a B121 professional driving licence, which is different from a standard driving licence. This can be obtained at most driving schools. You will then need to pass a taxi or private hire driver’s test. You will need to pay a fee of around CHF 300 to obtain your professional licence.
• The personal care and cleaning sector is also experiencing a shortage of staff and difficulties in recruiting new staff.

Our tips for finding work in Switzerland

How can a French person find work in Switzerland?

How do you find a job in Switzerland if you’re French? The application process generally works in much the same way as in France. Visit the careers pages of the major companies or organisations that interest you. Make the most of online job boards, job search engines such as Indeed, or even professional social media platforms like LinkedIn. For certain roles, temporary work platforms or recruitment agencies can also help. Don’t forget to tap into your network! Your friends, former colleagues, or other contacts in Switzerland can no doubt help you find opportunities. 

Polish up your CV and cover letter

A Swiss CV is different from a French CV! A CV tailored to the Swiss job market will be highly appreciated by recruiters. Here are a few tips on how to adapt your CV to the Swiss job market: 

• In Switzerland, the length of a CV can be tailored to the candidate’s profile: the more experienced they are and the more technical their role, the longer the CV can be. Whilst in France a CV is generally expected to be no longer than one page, in Switzerland it can range from one to four pages. 
• Please state your nationality! If you hold a driving licence, you may specify this, but do not mention ‘permis B’: in Switzerland, ‘permis B’ refers to a work permit.
• Please include your full postal address, telephone number and email address.
• Please feel free to provide further details about your work experience: the company’s location, its size and the number of staff.
• The Swiss job market is competitive: make sure you highlight your strongest points and showcase your skills.
• It may be worth including references on your CV.

Practise your foreign languages! 

Switzerland has three official languages: French, German and Italian. English is the fourth most widely spoken language in Switzerland and is used in the workplace. It is taught from primary school onwards and is also used in higher education. Thus, although French is spoken in most major cities, a working knowledge of English – and, if possible, German – seems essential for the vast majority of jobs in Switzerland. 

Whether or not they have qualifications, many French people have chosen to work in Switzerland. However, in order to receive their salary, they need to take into account the exchange rate between the Swiss franc and the euro. To find out the exact value in euros of a salary paid in Swiss francs, we recommend using the b-sharpe currency converter, which is reliable and updated in real time.