So you are interested in working in Switzerland as a medical doctor? In this concise guide I will show you how to take the first steps toward a successful job application.

If you want to apply for a position as a medical resident, you might be surprised to learn that most Swiss applicants are actually still medical students! In fact, it is common to apply for a job one to two years in advance. Besides timing, another factor which weighs into your chances of becoming a doctor is whether the team already knows you. That’s right, the working environment is more familial than one might expect.

If you are still a medical student I recommend applying for an internship as an Unterassistent first. Practical experience is greatly appreciated by Swiss employers and, if you make a good impression during your internship, you might just get invited to come work as a resident. Most hospital websites now include a “Jobs and Careers” category in which you can directly apply for an open position. If, however, the position you are interested in is not available, you can apply spontaneously by sending an email to the Chefarztsekretariat conveying your interest in an internship. Aside from clearly stating the period in which you would like to do your internship, make sure you send as attachments a letter of motivation, a curriculum vitae summarizing your previous research and clinical experience, as well as your certificate of enrollment in a medical school.

If you are a medical resident, you can apply for jobs posted on platforms like Indeed.ch, Jobs.ch, or even on the hospitals’ websites. From my experience, some jobs openings never actually get published, so it is worth sending a spontaneous application to the department which interests you.

Either as a medical resident or as a student, it’s key to apply to hospitals which have the accreditation to train young clinicians. The Swiss Institute for Medical Education (SIWF) provides a list of hospitals which are legally allowed to train students and medical residents. You can filter by location or specialty to find the best fit for you!

So what documents should I include in my email?:

• Curriculum vitae:
  • In the German-speaking cantons, a tabular CV (tabellarischer Lebenslauf) is the norm;
  • Besides your academic training, mention any prior internships or research experience;
  • Keep it clean and simple, maximum 1-2 pages long;
  • Include a picture of yourself;
  • Sign and date the document.
• Motivation letter:
  • Always write in the language of the canton where the hospital is located, never in English;
  • Address the letter to the Chefarzt of the department you are applying to and don’t forget to include your own contact information, just like in a standard letter header;
  • Mention what motivates you to work in Switzerland and especially in the hospital/clinic to which you are applying;
  • Don’t forget that clinical experience is greatly appreciated, so mention any interships or mentors which motivated you to pursue this path;
  • If you are not a fluent speaker, get a friend to proofread your letter. Alternatively, through websites like Fiverr you can find someone who provides translation or proofreading services. The extra time, effort (and money) are definitely worth it! Nowadays many employeres can tell if you used AI to write your documents and it can definitely be a red flag in your application.

After sending your first few applications, the most important factor is persistence. You will invariably be rejected from many jobs, either because there are no current positions, they require more years of previous experience, or you simply don’t fit the profile the employer is looking for… As difficult as it may be, keep applying to as many jobs as you can. Remember, spontaneous applications are well received and you could land a job which hasn’t even been posted online yet!

The interview.

If shortly after applying you get your first invitation to an interview… WOW! Congratulations! That’s the first of two steps which will bring you to securing a working contract. Usually the employer invites you to an online interview to get to know you better. The Chefarzt, as well as another doctor or the department secretary are usually present. Usually they begin the conversation by asking you to talk about yourself and your career so far, eventually progressing into questions about why you applied to this position and this hospital in particular. Afterwards they will talk about the department and what they are looking for as well as what they can provide to the applicant. After some further questions, you will be asked if you have any questions for the interviewers. It’s critical to maintain an interested yet relaxed posture during the interview and ask at least one or two questions at the end. The whole interview usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes, rarely more than an hour! Also rest assured, that no medical questions are asked to test your knowledge, it serves mostly to get a general picture of the applicant.

The Schnuppertag.

Either at the end of the interview or a few days after you will be invited to an in-person Schnuppertag. This is an extremely common practice in German-speaking countries. A Schnuppertag consists of a trial day in which you will spend a whole day in the department getting to know the team and shadowing them during appointments or procedures. During the course of the day you will have another chance to talk to the Chefarzt as well as other doctors. Ultimately everyone’s opinion of you will weigh on the final decision, so make sure to be curious and engaged. Prepare to spend a whole day at the hospital, usually from 8 AM to 5 PM. Although a program might be provided to you for the day, make sure to always meet the medical resident working in the department and ask for their genuine opinion of their workplace. Like anywhere else in the world, there are better and worse work environments…

Unless specified in the invitation, you don’t need to worry about bringing anything. Normally your lunch and a white coat will be provided by the hospital.

Once you finish your first Schnuppertag you will ultimately be struck not only by a feeling of overwhelming tiredness, but also by a sense of hope. Well done! It can take up to several weeks until you know whether you have been accepted for the job position. Whether you think the Schnuppertag went well or not, I always recommend applying for further positions. If you have no preference regarding which canton you would like to live in, definitely apply wherever you can, as the job market in Switzerland is highly competitive.

If you have read this further, I wish you the best of luck with your applications! If you liked this post, please share it and subscribe to my newsletter for more insider tips on landing a job in Switzerland!