The perfect cover letter for Switzerland
Professional structure, concrete examples, and tips to convince Swiss HR managers from the very first line.
Create my free cover letterStructure of the cover letter
A convincing Swiss cover letter follows a clear structure — no more than one A4 page.
Letterhead & sender
Your name, address, phone, email and, if applicable, LinkedIn in the top left. Date right-aligned. In Switzerland the subject line is not introduced with a label such as «Betreff:» — the subject stands in bold, without a prefix.
Recipient & salutation
Company name, department, name of the contact person. Always address the person by name — «Sehr geehrte Frau Müller» (“Dear Ms Müller”) — never «Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren» (“Dear Sir or Madam”) when a name is known.
Opening sentence (hook)
The first sentence decides. Start with a concrete link to the role: “As an experienced marketing specialist with 5 years’ experience in the fintech sector, I would like to strengthen your team with demonstrable results.”
Main body (2–3 paragraphs)
Paragraph 1: your most relevant experience with concrete figures (e.g. “increased revenue by 23%”). Paragraph 2: why this company? Show that you have done your research. Paragraph 3: what you will contribute — looking to the future.
Closing & call to action
A brief summary, an offer to talk (“I look forward to a personal conversation”) and a polite sign-off. «Freundliche Grüsse» (“Kind regards”) is the Swiss standard — NO comma after it.
Signature & enclosures
For digital applications: a scanned signature as an image or a neatly typed name. Below it: «Beilagen: Lebenslauf, Arbeitszeugnisse, Diplome» (“Enclosures: CV, references, diplomas”) — typical Swiss style.
Cover letter sample
A concrete example for a marketing role in Zürich — adaptable to any profession.
10 expert tips for your cover letter
Tailor every letter
A generic cover letter stands out immediately. Research the company and show why exactly THIS role fits.
Concrete figures instead of phrases
“I am a team player” says nothing. “I led a team of 8 and increased productivity by 30%” is convincing.
One A4 page maximum
Swiss HR managers read hundreds of applications. Respect their time — no application needs two pages.
Use active language
Write “I developed” rather than “It was developed”. Active language conveys energy and a sense of responsibility.
Keywords from the job advert
Many companies use ATS software. Take key terms from the advert — authentically, not copy-paste.
Observe Swiss spelling
In German-speaking Switzerland the ß is NOT used — always «ss» (e.g. «Strasse», not «Straße»). Mistakes here look unprofessional.
PDF format for digital applications
Always send a PDF — never Word documents. Use a professional file name: “FirstName-LastName-Cover-Letter.pdf”.
Apply quickly
Most jobs in Switzerland are filled within 2–4 weeks. Apply within the first week after the advert is published.
Link your LinkedIn profile
An up-to-date, complete LinkedIn profile is standard today. It complements your CV with recommendations and a portfolio.
Four-eyes principle
Have your letter read by a second person — ideally someone with HR experience. Typos are unforgivable.
The 7 most common mistakes in a cover letter
I am highly motivated and a good communicator...
With my LinkedIn campaign I gained 3,200 new followers in 60 days.
Dear Sir or Madam
Dear Ms Meier
I am looking for a new challenge because my current job is boring.
I want to apply my expertise in a high-growth environment.
My skills include: Word, Excel, PowerPoint...
Lists belong in the CV — not in the cover letter.
Dear Sir or Madam at Company XY...
Show that you have researched the company (products, news, mission).
I would be happy to receive a reply.
I look forward to telling you more about my suitability in a personal conversation.
Please find my documents attached.
Enclosures: CV, reference letters (3×), MSc Business Administration degree
Particularities of the Swiss job market
What is standard in Germany or Austria is often handled differently in Switzerland.
No ß — always ss
«Strasse» instead of «Straße», «Schweiss» instead of «Schweiß». This applies to ALL German-speaking cantons of Switzerland.
A signature is mandatory
Swiss employers expect a handwritten signature — even in digital applications. Scan in your signature.
List enclosures explicitly
At the end of the letter, list all enclosures: CV, references, diplomas, certificates.
Date in the Swiss format
«Zürich, 15. September 2026» — with the place name and without «den». Never the US format such as 09/15/2026.
Freundliche Grüsse (no comma)
The standard closing is «Freundliche Grüsse» (“Kind regards”) — WITHOUT a comma after it. «Mit freundlichen Grüssen» is equally correct.
Multilingualism as an advantage
If you speak German, French and Italian, emphasise it — multilingualism is a huge competitive advantage in the Swiss job market.
Written references instead of referees
In Switzerland, «Arbeitszeugnisse» (written references from previous employers) are standard — not individual referees as in the US or UK.
Salary expectations only if requested
Swiss applications normally do not state a salary unless the advert explicitly asks for one.
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