Preparing for your first Swiss job interview

Build a small evidence set

Choose three examples showing skills central to the vacancy. Explain the situation, your responsibility, what you did and the result. Quantify only what you can substantiate. Prepare a concise career introduction and an explanation of any transition or gap. Practise in the interview language and describe your working language level accurately. Check the employer's products, customers or public mission beforehand.

Clarify the practical setting

Confirm the location or video link, participants, duration and whether a task is expected. Plan travel with a buffer and test sound and camera for an online meeting. Have the submitted CV and relevant examples available. Be ready to state a realistic start date, notice period and current permit situation. Distinguish an existing right to work from a future application or pending approval.

For a technical exercise, clarify the expected time commitment and what materials you may use.

Ask questions that reveal the job

Explore the first three months' priorities, reporting line, team language, decision-making and the measures of good performance. Ask about hours, location and salary basis when appropriate to the stage. Questions involving personal data should relate to suitability for the role, as FDPIC guidance explains. Finish by confirming the next step and expected timing. Afterwards, record what you learned and any commitments so you can assess a later offer against the actual discussion.