Last Updated: 11 November 2025
Like many career-driven expat women in Geneva, we moved here following our partners, took a few months to settle in (especially if little ones were part of the move), and now find ourselves facing the exciting – and sometimes daunting – challenge of finding a job in Geneva (hi — same boat here!).
First of all, bravo — you’re doing it and ready! But let’s be real: welcome to the “Holy sh*t, why is it so hard to find a job here?” club. It’s mentally challenging. You’ll question your decision on the move, your experience, your value, and maybe even start wondering if your profile isn’t as strong as you once thought (even with 10+ years of solid work behind you).
As a professional woman with solid experience who values her independence and doesn’t want to rely entirely on her partner for financial support, this is the first time in my 15-year career that I’ve been unemployed for this long. The recession is real — and it feels even more real in Geneva. After settling in, I was ready to jump into the wonderful rat race of job hunting, but after sending out 300+ applications and meeting countless other women in the same situation, I feel compelled to say it out loud: it’s a bit of a sh*t show out here. Here’s an example of my tireless job application processes in the last 2 years here:
#1 When they ask you to upload your resume and then require you to fill every section that’s already on the resume you uploaded.
#2
Job Posting: Entry level position
Qualifications: 10+ years of experience, Doctorate, the blood of your firstborn child…
#3
Me: Finds a perfect job on LinkedIn
Company: Position is already filled
#4
Me: Spent 3 hours adjusting and editing a resume, cover letter, and filling out the application.
Response from the company: “crickets” for months…. Automated rejection.
#5 Overqualified for a service job, underqualified for a job within my degree or experience…
#6
Application: Why do you want this job? What makes you perfect for this job? Are you willing to sell your soul to us?
Me: “I’m desperate and just want any job at this point”
By now you’re probably thinking to yourself, “I’m 100% all of these GIFS” and we totally feel you. So, we’re here to help — by sharing our own humble experiences and offering a few tips on how to approach the system with openness, optimism, and maybe even how to handle a few tears along the way.
1. The Reality Check (so you’re mentally prepared)
- The job market in Geneva is tough and also competitive. So applying on LinkedIn or Michael Page just doesn’t cut it. It involves a lot of networking, time, persistence and flexibility.
- A helpful overview for Switzerland notes that while foreigners are welcomed in many roles, companies often need to justify hiring an international candidate over someone local.
- Good to Know: If you’re in the public sector and considered a frontalier (even just living 5-10min from the boarder), your profile is automatically viewed as that of an international candidate — rather than someone already based in Geneva.
- For Geneva specifically: language matters, and whether you’re from the EU/EFTA or not influences your work-permit situation.
- Even if you speak French, it doesn’t necessarily make things easier. I’m a perfect example — I am a native French speaker, but the job market here is incredibly competitive (or simply lacking opportunities in my field – Brand Marketing & Communications — thank you, recession). And honestly, if there’s nothing out there, there’s only so much you or even your network can do.
- Have kids? Switzerland can still feel a bit old‑school when it comes to balancing parenthood and work. Full‑time dual careers often come with a hefty daycare price tag, especially for little ones.
- A quick historical reminder: Swiss women only gained the right to vote in federal elections in 1971, and it wasn’t until a 1990 Federal Supreme Court ruling that the last canton, Appenzell Innerrhoden, fully granted women voting rights. So, be prepared—either a significant chunk of your salary goes to childcare just to keep your career on track, or you may need to scale back your working hours to 50–80% at best.
- Lost with childcare? Read our guide here.
2. First Steps: Set the Base Camp
A. Get your paperwork straight
- If you’re an EU/EFTA citizen: easier path, fewer work-permit hoops.
- If you’re non-EU/EFTA: permits are tougher; employer must often prove they couldn’t fill role locally.
- Make sure your residence/permit status allows you to work. Working without authorization may have serious consequences.
B. Language & location: two big things
- French will help enormously in Geneva. Many jobs assume French proficiency (even if English is used).
- Be realistic about commute/canton. Geneva is pricey; maybe widen your search to nearby towns (on Swiss side or French side) if feasible.
Some starting point suggestions from local expats:
📌 Pro Tip: Most schools will offer free trial class, so you can go try as many as you want. It’s important to do a test run even at the same schools as the teachers teaching style varies… you have to make sure the test run is the teacher you’d actually get
📌 Read more about where Language Requirements for Swiss Family Reunification Visa
C. CV, cover letter, and mindset
- Update your CV, the Do’s and Don’ts Swiss Style:
- Clean & Clear bullet points
- Swiss recruiters love structure (shocking, I know). Keep your layout simple, tidy, and under two pages if possible. Bullet points are your best friends — long essays, not so much.
- Be careful not to get over creative with Canva explosion templates. Think clean, structured, and professional — save your artistic flair for your hobbies section.
- Be honest
- The Swiss appreciate modesty and accuracy. Overselling yourself can come off as… “too American.” Be confident, but let facts and results do the talking.
- Don’t skip the details
- It’s standard here to include your date of birth, nationality, and work permit type (e.g., B, C, L, or G). Don’t panic — it’s just the norm, not a trap.
- No photo, no birth date, no address — and your CV might look oddly incomplete here. Swiss recruiters are used to seeing these details front and center.
- Languages you speak
- Switzerland is a multilingual country, so clearly list your language skills and level (e.g., French – fluent; English – native; German – basic “Ich verstehe ein bisschen”).
- Break reason (if any)
- A photo
- Yes, many job-seekers say photo still matters so choose a clean, friendly, professional photo — think LinkedIn-ready, not passport-grumpy.
- Don’t forget references
- List two professional references (or note “available upon request”). They take this seriously here — and yes, they do check.
- Clean & Clear bullet points
- When applying:
- You’ll likely need cover letter (tailored to each job) + CV + diplomas/certificates.
- Decide:
- You might apply for your dream job, but also be open to stepping-stone roles (even if they’re not perfect). Prepare to accept having a “lower salary, different position” just to get your foot in the Swiss job market.
📌 Pro Tip #1: Need pros to view your CV for free? Check out Cité des Métiers du Grand Genève Located at 6, rue Prévost-Martin, 1205 Genève; they provide free advice, workshops (e.g., “Lettre de motivation de A à Z”), and help with job-search tools, CVs, recognizing foreign diplomas, etc.
📌 Pro Tip #2: If you’re on a budget, The Geneva Chômage Office (near Cornavin train station) offers FREE professional photos every Tuesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. I haven’t tried it myself, but heard great things about it!
📌 Pro Tip #3: There are plenty of Swiss-style CV templates on platforms like Jobup.ch, MichaelPage.ch, or even Canva — just search “Swiss CV template.” And remember: your CV isn’t just a list of what you’ve done — it’s your way of saying, “Hey Switzerland, I’m serious about this relationship.”
3. How to Search & Apply
A. Online job boards + portals
| Job Boards & Portals | Comments & Purpose |
| A classic expat fave of international jobs. Hot Tip: Set alerts, connect with people in your field, engage with content. | |
| MichaelPage.ch | One of the leading recruitment agencies in Switzerland, lists mid- to senior-level roles across various industries. |
| Glassdoor.ch | More than just job listings, Glassdoor offers company + employees reviews, salary insights, and interview tips — a must-check before applying anywhere. |
| Jobwatch.ch | A niche job board focused on watchmaking, luxury goods, and related industries in Switzerland. Perfect if you’re targeting roles in the luxury sector. |
| jobup.ch | Leading job portal for French-speaking Switzerland. |
| JobCentral | Switzerland-wide job search engine, with filters for Genève/Genève region. |
| Genève Internationale – Jobs | Listings geared toward international organisations in Geneva. |
| JobsInGeneva.com | Niche board for English-speaking professionals in Geneva/Switzerland. |
| GenevaJobs.org | Focused on NGO / international development / UN-style jobs in Geneva / Europe. |
| the Canton of Geneva’s employment office | Local portal |
B. Networking & direct outreach
- You’ve probably heard this a thousand times but YES, networking works in Switzerland. Sometimes Swiss jobs are not advertised therefore, networking is important.
- Be brave: send “cold” applications to companies you like (even if no job is posted).
- Let your acquaintances/friends know you’re job hunting — word-of-mouth still counts.
| Networking & Expat / Professional Groups | Comments & Purpose |
| InterNations – Geneva chapter | Global expat network, good for building local contacts and hearing about hidden roles. |
| glocals.com – Geneva community | English-friendly local events & groups in Geneva. |
| Geneva Communicators Network | For communications/media professionals: job listings + networking. |
| Centre d’Accueil de la Genève Internationale (CAGI) | International networking resource offering connections especially for expats. |
| Fongit.ch | Host events and networking opportunities in the Geneva ecosystem. |
| EY Professional Women’s Network (PWN) | Holds monthly speakers from all different industries. |
| Association Découvrir.ch | An organisation active in French-speaking (Romandy region) Switzerland, focused on helping women and qualified migrants integrate professionally. Their services include professional orientation & coaching, LinkedIn support, language courses (French & English), and mentoring programmes. Hot Tip: Great for those that cannot afford a life/career coach! |
| Capacity.Swiss | A non-profit organisation based in Zurich, with a mission to promote greater equality of opportunities for people with migrant or refugee backgrounds. |
| Women In Digital Switzerland | A vibrant community empowering women in tech and digital fields. They often share job opportunities, events, and networking meetups across Switzerland. |
| The Marketing Meetup | A friendly, inclusive community for marketers to connect, learn, and share insights. Great for networking and discovering marketing-focused roles. |
| Meetup – Networking for Job Seekers (Geneva) | Topic-specific groups for job search & career transitions in Geneva. |
| Ville de Genève | The official city website featuring job openings within the public sector and local administration. Ideal if you’re looking for stable, government-related positions. |
| Kickass Ladies Jobs | A dynamic WhatsApp group community that shares job opportunities for women, by women — with a focus on empowerment, inclusivity, and career growth all over Switzerland. |
| Kickass Sustainabilistas | A spin-off community focused on sustainability-related roles and discussions. Perfect if you’re passionate about impact-driven work. |
| Finance Girls in Geneva | A WhatsApp community for women in finance who want to stay in the loop on what’s happening in Geneva — from market insights to networking tips and industry chatter. |
| WeWalk Geneva | A supportive network of international women offering their resources to help you settle in Geneva. Must Do: Chris Dubin (founder) hosts monthly walks that helps you discover the other side of Geneva all while getting to know other women. |
| WeWalk Side groups / Resources | Subgroups and curated resources from the WeWalk community. |
| Marketing Girls in Geneva | My marketing gals! Connect with international women in marketing and communications, with regular meetups and job-sharing opportunities. Fun fact: this is where Jessica and I met! ❤️ |
C. Consider temporary jobs / stepping-stones
- Temp agencies are common in Geneva. These may help you get your foot in the door.
- Sometimes getting “anything” in Switzerland helps you then transition to something more aligned. The most important thing is get any job … once you have 1 to 2 years experience working in Switzerland … it is easier to get a job in your domain.
| Temp Agencies & Recruitment / Staffing Agencies | Comments & Purpose |
| Hays (Suisse) SA – Geneva office | Handles permanent + temporary across industries (finance, IT, etc.). |
| Flexsis – Geneva jobs | Temp / recruitment agency in Geneva for various industries. |
| FED Group – Geneva office | Recruitment for temporary, fixed-term and permanent roles. |
| Local.ch directory – Temporary & Permanent Employment in Geneva | Broad list of agencies in the Geneva area. |
D. Be strategic — but patient
- Yes, apply consistently… But from personal experience, I’ve applied to over 300 positions and got maybe 1 to 2 interviews out of it… it’s tough and soul sucking so don’t forget to give yourself grace by taking some mental health breaks in between!
- Pick maybe 5 strong applications per week rather than blasting out “600 generic applications”.
- Track your applications (job, company, date, follow-up).
- Don’t give up — rejections are normal.
4. Local Expat Tips & Friendly Realities
Some “you-should-know” from people who’ve walked this road.
- Have a Swiss phone number & local address: Having a Swiss number helps.
- Understand cost of living & salary: Geneva isn’t cheap. A job that looks decent elsewhere may stretch your budget here.
- Language classes are good investment: even if job adverts say “English ok”, knowing French (or at least conversational) opens up more doors.
- Prepare for culture differences: the interview process may be more formal, slower, and the criteria stricter (especially for foreign candidates). If you’re not a Swiss or EU citizen … bare in mind that it will be even tougher.
- Build your expat network: Join expat groups in Geneva (meet-ups, events). You’ll learn about hidden jobs, not just advertised ones.
- Temporary / service jobs can be gateway roles: As others say, even working outside your field for some time in Switzerland counts as “Swiss experience” and helps later. Some expats have shared that they’ve accepted a different position (lower salary, different role) to finally crack in the job system.
- Consider investing in a career coach or going back to school: Yes, it’s an investment (expect to commit around 2–3k for a career/life coach & depending on the school and degree / certificate you want to achieve, around 10k+), but I’ve heard from quite a few women that it’s been genuinely helpful — even if it doesn’t guarantee a job offer. At this point, if you’ve tried everything else, why not give it a shot?
| Schools / Organizations / Certification Programs | Focus |
| Bring Women Back To Work | Free. Must be unemployed in Switzerland for 12-months. A reskilling journey program that focuses mainly on SalesForce. |
| Inside LVMH | Free. Upon completion (70% passing score required on the final assessment), learners receive an official “INSIDE LVMH Certificate” which can enhance their CV or LinkedIn profile. It’s released twice a year (typically April & September) and open globally to anyone interested — regardless of background. |
| Crea Geneva | Offers programs in digital marketing, luxury, and creative communication. |
| Career / Life Coaches | Focus |
| Joanne Venouil | Transition coach based in Geneva who specialises in helping senior professionals—especially expats—navigate career changes and reintegrate into the job market. |
| Christine Fuentes | A Swiss-based career coach and former HR professional who helps job seekers navigate the Swiss job market. |
| Roula Clerc-Nassar | Founder of Ellumine Consulting & Coaching and a former senior executive (P&G & PepsiCo). She coaches predominantly women professionals and leaders, focusing on empowerment, leadership presence, and navigating corporate environments. |
| Elizabeth | Elizabeth brings 15 years of experience across governments, international organizations, and academia, focusing on applying problem-solving methodologies to international affairs. |
| Michelle Morneau | Michelle’s holistic approach combines empathy, active listening, and proven strategies to support individuals and families in achieving their goals and creating harmonious relationships. |
| Joséphine Pignard | Offers career-and life-coaching services including building and maintaining professional networks, pitch and personal branding work. |
| Anne de La Baume | Specializes in empowering individuals to navigate career transitions, enhance leadership skills, and achieve personal growth. |
Your Action Plan: Simple & Clear Steps
Step 1:
- Update CV and cover letter templates.
- Check your permit/status & ensure you’re eligible to work.
- Pick top 3 job sites/portals and set alerts for roles in Geneva.
Step 2:
- Sign up for 1-2 networking or expat events in Geneva (virtually or in person).
- Connect on LinkedIn with 5 people in your field in Geneva; send a short, friendly message.
- Apply to at least 3 tailored jobs (not generic) this week.
Step 3:
- Learn (or improve) your French to a conversational level — even 30 mins/day helps.
- Register with a temp agency in Geneva (just to have that link).
- Prepare for interviews: research local companies, Swiss culture, typical HR questions.
Step 4 and beyond:
- Keep applying (aim for a manageable pace: e.g., 3-5 strong apps/week).
- Follow up on older applications (send polite email after a week or two).
- Attend one networking event or coffee chat per month.
- Be open to roles that aren’t perfect — consider them stepping stones.
- Monitor your budget and be realistic about timeline — if it takes 3-6 months (or more), that’s okay.
A Little Encouragement (& a big hug from another expat struggling too)
- You can find a job in Geneva. Many have done it.
- It might take longer than you hoped (the “it took me 2-3 years” story is real).
- Consider this a “marathon” not a “sprint” — pack a water bottle (metaphorically: patience), pace yourself, avoid burning out.
- Celebrate small wins: got 1 new connection on LinkedIn? Nice. Interview? Even nicer.
- Humility helps: you’re new to the system; learning the local ways will pay off.
- And remember: your story is unique. Use what others say as guidance, not as stress-inducing benchmark.
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