Finding a job in Switzerland when you are over 50 can be a difficult, if not impossible task. The struggle can leave many foreigners disheartened and even forced to leave the country as several have attested to.
On June 3rd, The Local published an article titled “What are the chances of getting a new job in Switzerland if you’re over 50?”
In it, two highly qualified people in their late 40s recounted how they were unable to find jobs in Switzerland — most likely due to their age.
This ‘ageist’ attitude in the labour market was confirmed by Kurt Pärli, law professor at University of Basel, who said that age discrimination is a standard practice in Switzerland, with three out of four workers facing “an age- related disadvantage when changing jobs.”
READ ALSO: What are the chances of getting a new job in Switzerland if you’re over 50?
‘Deeply frustrating reality’
Within hours of the article’s publication, The Local received a number of comments from readers sharing their own experiences of age-related discrimination.
The longest came from a reader named Sabine, who said she “can personally attest to the challenges faced by older job seekers.”
“As a Swiss citizen over 50 with extensive experience in both special and general education, I returned to Switzerland after years of teaching in the United States,” she wrote.
“I’m bilingual in French and English, hold a Master’s degree in Education, and have strong references. Despite this, I spent four years applying to both public and private schools — with only one interview to show for it.”
Sabine added that she returned to Switzerland “with the intention of contributing meaningfully to the education system here.”
“But after four years of closed doors, I’ve made the difficult decision to return to the US I submitted just one application and was hired,” she said.
She therefore concluded that “Switzerland is overlooking a highly valuable group of professionals between the ages of 47 and 65 — individuals with experience, energy, and no young children at home. It’s a missed opportunity for the country, and a deeply frustrating reality for those of us ready and willing to contribute.”
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‘I was too expensive’
Another reader, identified only as ‘Cf’ was made redundant at 62 due to cost-cutting measures at their company.
“I was paid a year’s salary due to contractual obligations and then went on to RAV [unemployment benefits] for 18 months before reaching retirement age at 65.”
But as the oldest and highest-paid in the team, “I didn’t get a single interview or call back from my applications before and after RAV: and most interesting of all, I became Swiss and yet watched younger, foreign applicants get job positions in my niche industry, which is not exactly according to Swiss employment law. I am also I’m fluent in five languages.”
Cf’s conclusion: “I was simply too expensive and not available for a minimum 10-year career period.”
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‘Made to feel ancient’
Another readers named Philippe wanted to change jobs in the financial/insurance sector aged 53.
Whilst still at his job at a bank, Philippe applied for several vacancies at other, similar, companies.
“I just needed a change of scenery before I retired,” he said.
Philippe sent out his CV to a company that best matched his experience. In return, he received a letter that said ”I wouldn’t be a good fit for the vacancy — even though I was clearly qualified for it. It also mentioned that they already found another candidate for the job.”
Reading between the lines, Philippe surmised that his age was the real reason for the rejection.
“I know this because the position was still open three months after I applied,” he said, adding that this experience “made me feel ancient and useless.”
Philippe decided to remain in his old job rather than face unemployment.
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‘I am too old’
And then there is Laura, a dual US-Swiss citizen, with a long experience as an administrator in the healthcare industry.
After moving cantons with her family, she left her former job — where she worked for more than a decade — and started, at 51, to look for new positions in her field.
“There were quite a few openings advertised, which were a good fit for my experience and qualifications,” she said.
Even so, “I was not invited to a single interview, despite having great references.”
A few weeks later, she saw one of the positions in a private clinic that she already applied for before amended to read that “only candidates between 30 and 40 need apply.”
“The reason my application was ignored was clear — I am too old,” Laura said.
Do you have a similar experience of struggling to find work in Switzerland after a certain age? Share with readers below.
