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Applying in Switzerland

Career change applications in Switzerland

Explain what you bring, why you are changing and how you will build missing skills. A specific situation is stronger than “I learn quickly”.

Make your experience relevant

  1. Note the advert’s three main tasks.
  2. Match each to real experience: customers, organisation, technical work or team responsibility.
  3. Separate existing skills from what you want to learn. Do not invent qualifications or experience.

Example: sales to customer service

“In sales I advised customers, resolved complaints and communicated clearly in difficult situations. I want to use this experience in customer service and learn your products.” Only use if the tasks are true.

What belongs in the CV?

Keep employers, roles and dates accurate. Lead with relevant tasks. A short profile can explain the change; list completed courses with actual qualifications and dates.

Explain the career change in the letter

Connect your reason for changing, an evidenced strength and specific employer interest. Avoid criticism of former employers and generic praise.

Explain a career change in your CV and cover letter

How do I present my career change convincingly?

Start with the connection to the new role: what does it require, where have you done something comparable, and what do you still need to learn? Your CV provides verifiable experience. Your cover letter explains the reason for changing careers and your fit.

Example: connect a requirement to your experience

  1. Requirement: handle customer service enquiries.
  2. Your evidence: in retail, you advised customers and handled complaints.
  3. Still to learn: you need to learn the new ticketing system. Do not claim experience with this software.

Fictional example. Use only experience that is actually yours.

Your details for the preview

Add your CV and new advert. Explain your change, relevant experience and missing skills in special requests. Check that the draft is clear and truthful.

Review first, decide afterwards

CV CHF 29; CV and letter CHF 49. One-time prices. Create a free preview, request changes and then decide. No interview or job guarantee.

Create a free preview

More application help

Career change applications in Switzerland · Applications after a career break in Switzerland · Applying for an apprenticeship in Switzerland

Create or improve a CV · Create a cover letter · Application dossier checklist