Is it legal of a Swiss employer to request my bank information during the initial interview?

No. Only after signing the Swiss employment contract and the permit process is going on, a legitimate employer will only need your bank details. This is a major job scam sign.

What is the meaning of Swiss Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration (FNIA)?

FNIA regulates entry, residence and employment of non-EU / EFTA nationals in Switzerland. It is the legal foundation of the high quotas and the necessity of the non-EU/EFTA hires to be high-skilled specialists.

I am a commuter across the borders (G Permit). How do I verify my employer?

Verification measures are identical (verify commercial register, phone with the official number). G permit application is a little different, but requirement of verified and legitimate employer is the same.

How to Apply Safely for Jobs in Switzerland

The Swiss job market, its high quality jobs, good pay, and the immaculate quality of life are very attractive to professionals worldwide. However, when you are navigating through search of your dream job in Zurich, Geneva or Basel, there is a critical issue; safe job hunting Switzerland and how to avoid advanced recruitment fraud.

This next generation, E-A-T compliant guide provides you with the ultimate anti-scam checklist and the step-by-step roadmap of the legitimate Swiss employment contract and Swiss work permit without jeopardizing your data, and your savings.

Use Only Authoritative and Well-known Resources

How to prevent identity theft: only verified platforms with trusted jobs are those that should be used. Swiss job boards are the designs that are frequently duplicated by fraudsters.

Authoritative Resources and Sources

Cantonal Labour Office (RAV) / Job-Room: This is the government job portal managed by SECO (State Secretariat for Economic Affairs). The entire amount of registered unemployment vacancies have to be posted here which provides high level of legitimacy.
EURES Switzerland: The European Job Mobility Portal will be crucial in connecting the applicant with a proven vacancy in Europe, including Switzerland, applicants should be EU/EFTA members.
LinkedIn Switzerland: Applies to LinkedIn, but only to advertisements put on the official company page. Always check the name and the position of the recruiter on the company web site.
Trustworthy Recruitment Firms: You should use internationally or country/nationally reputed firms that have a successful track record. Make sure that they are registered by the Swiss authorities.

Bearing out the Legitimacy of the Swiss Employer

When you are sending in a completed CV format Switzerland or any other personal documents, it is necessary to do due diligence about the hiring company.

Checking of Company registration: Check registration of the company in Swiss Commercial Register (Handelsregister). A valid Swiss company will have a verifiable entry that is clear and usually a UID number.
Official Employer Web Site: Does the email domain coincide with the web site? Does the site look like a professional site, including physical address, telephone number, and Impressum (legal notice)? Dial the number on the main company site (not that advertised with the job offer) and request to be connected with the HR department in order to confirm the vacancy.
Data Protection Laws: Be aware of the data protection laws (FADP).2 Legitimate employers will be clear regarding the manner in which they handle your data; be suspicious of those who seek more, or irrelevant personal information.
Professional Review: Among the many scammers who use free VOIP numbers is the use of free VOIP by scammers. Better chances of confidence are a fixed Swiss landline number.

Knowing the Swiss Permit Process (EU vs. Non-EU)

Your Swiss visa application and Swiss work permit all depend on the basic of your nationality.3 It is a key step in your A-Z job guide Switzerland, and one that will assist you in identifying non-compliant offers.

EMU/EFTA registration (EU/EFTA Citizens)

You are eligible to the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons.6 You usually require a job offer and may also obtain a permit (usually a B permit (residence) or L permit (short-stay) to work over three months) upon arrival and registration at the local commune.5 There are no quotas.

Non-EU/EFTA Citizens (Non-EU/EFTA citizens)

This is a much stricter process. The employer has to demonstrate that they could not identify a suitable employee within Switzerland or within the EU/EFTA region (the labour market test).6 Permits are limited by canton quotas of the federal government.

Important Condition: Before you get to Switzerland, the employer has to make and submit the permit application.9 Do not believe an employer when he tells you to come on a tourist visa and make the application later.
Permit Type: Managers, specialists or highly qualified workers are usually issued with a B Permit (annual residence) or an L Permit (short-term).

Drones and Legal Protection

Defend yourself by working on legal compliance and paperwork.

The Contract: Demand a Swiss employment contract written down and signed by a company representative. It has to specify your position, working hours, wages, and how you will leave the company. An employer who is legitimate will also discuss his or her policy on data protection laws.
Salary and Wages: Check the proposed salary against the industry standards using such tools as the Swiss Federal Statistical office SALARIUM calculator. This makes sure the offer complies with the minimum wage (by canton/sector) standards and no it is not a low-ball offer meant to tempt you. This is to make sure there is transparency around the real salary transparency.
Documentation: Have your full dossier ready; this contains your CV, all your academic diplomas, and all the other job-related certificates and work references, which you must submit on demand, but to a trusted employer.

What to Do in the Case of Fraud Suspiction

In case you have been a victim of a scam, it is your civic responsibility to report the job fraud.

Do Not Pay: Discontinue all communication at once.11 Do not remit any money, promise or not.
Save Evidence: Capture all records: emails, chat history, forged contract records and web addresses.
Local Police: Report to the local jurisdiction police.
Canton Labour Office (RAV): Report the fake job listing to make them take action.
Job Portal: Put warning on the site you have discovered the fake job advertisement.

FAQS

Is it legal of a Swiss employer to request my bank information during the initial interview?

No. Only after signing the Swiss employment contract and the permit process is going on, a legitimate employer will only need your bank details. This is a major job scam sign.
What is the meaning of Swiss Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration (FNIA)?

FNIA regulates entry, residence and employment of non-EU / EFTA nationals in Switzerland. It is the legal foundation of the high quotas and the necessity of the non-EU/EFTA hires to be high-skilled specialists.
I am a commuter across the borders (G Permit). How do I verify my employer?

Verification measures are identical (verify commercial register, phone with the official number). G permit application is a little different, but requirement of verified and legitimate employer is the same.

Final Thoughts

Application to a job in Switzerland is a thrilling experience into one of the most secure and equal rewarding labor market in the world. You need to work on creating a compliant CV format Switzerland and working hard to use formal government job portals. A stringent practice of this anti-scam checklist and ensuring that you first have due diligence of a person will enable you to sail through the international hiring process, and guaranteed your fair entrance into the Zurich job market or even further.

Disclamir

This information on the job is provided to educate and inform. Complexities of Swiss immigration law are changing. Do check all the information on the official government website (such as SECO or SEM) or on the official employer before providing any sensitive information or commencing on any application process.