Applications
Following up on a Swiss job application
A follow-up can clarify whether a recruitment process is progressing and show continued interest. SECO recommends a factual, friendly enquiry after some time has passed. The best timing depends on the advertised closing date and any schedule the employer has given.
Editorial review: 16 October 2026
Use the process as your clock
Check the acknowledgement, portal and vacancy before contacting anyone. If the employer promised an update on a particular date, allow that date to pass. Where there is no timetable, roughly one to two working weeks can be a practical starting point, adjusted for the role and holidays. Use this editorial timing suggestion alongside the employer's stated recruitment timetable.
Make the message easy to answer
Use the advertised contact or existing email thread. Identify the position, reference number and date of application, then ask whether there is an update on the next stage. Add a relevant new qualification or availability change only if useful. For example: “I applied for the laboratory technician position on 6 October and remain interested. Could you share the expected timetable for the next stage?” Keep the attachment history clear.
Manage silence and competing deadlines
Record the contact and any response in your search tracker. If you have another genuine offer deadline, state its date politely and ask whether the process can accommodate it. Share only the information needed for scheduling. Continue other applications while waiting. A missing reply can reflect workload, a paused role or a selection decision; it is weak evidence about your overall employability.