Do you need a photo on a Swiss CV?
Updated:
In short
A photo is customary on a Swiss CV, but not mandatory. Unlike the English-speaking world, where photos are discouraged for discrimination reasons, many Swiss recruiters expect a professional portrait — if you include one, invest in a good one, not a holiday or phone snapshot.
More important than the photo are the Swiss basics: two pages maximum, a gapless history, languages stated with levels (B2, C1 rather than “fluent”), and for non-Swiss applicants the work-permit line — leave it out and it tends to be guessed against you.
- Photo: customary and expected, but not required.
- Length: two pages maximum.
- Languages: always state levels (A1–C2).
- Permit: non-Swiss applicants should always include the permit line.
- Reference letters (Arbeitszeugnisse) carry real weight in Switzerland.
Why Switzerland handles this differently
In the anglophone world photos on a CV are discouraged because they create discrimination risk. Switzerland kept the opposite convention: many recruiters expect a portrait and read its absence as an incomplete dossier.
It is still not compulsory. You may leave it off — but expect it to be noticed, and make sure the rest of the dossier is complete.
If you include one, make it good
A professional portrait costs little and shows immediately: neutral background, daylight, dressed as you would for the job. A cropped holiday picture or a phone selfie does more harm than no photo at all.
The photo belongs at the top with your contact details, not on a page of its own. It replaces no content and should not dominate.
What matters more than the photo
Two pages maximum, an unbroken career history, and language skills stated with a level (B2, C1 — not "fluent") count for more in Switzerland than any portrait. Vague language claims are among the most common reasons for rejection.
For non-Swiss applicants the work-permit line belongs in the dossier. Without it the assumption tends to go against you, and the application fails for a reason unrelated to your qualifications.
Reference letters are part of it
Swiss employers weight Arbeitszeugnisse heavily and often ask for them. Have them ready rather than having to send them afterwards.
If you are unsure what yours actually says, note that the assessment sits in the exact wording rather than the overall tone.
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What our job index says about the Swiss market
Computed live from our own index, not quoted from a study. Shares only, as of today.
Language the advert is written in
- Deutsch
- 60%
- English
- 23%
- Français
- 13%
- Italiano
- 3%
Of adverts that state a language requirement, the share asking for
- Deutsch
- 70%
- English
- 43%
- Français
- 21%
- Italiano
- 3%
19% posted in the last 7 days · Largest markets: Zürich 18% · Bern 10% · Genève 5% · Basel 5%