"Why Switzerland"

Hey there,

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Content: To determine what to include as your reasons for why CH, you need to do some reflection on your long-term career plan, as well as some research on CH vs. IT offices (you can do online research and coffee chats with people in CH and IT offices in the companies you are interested in). As you research / chat with people, here are a few questions you can ask yourself:
   1. Are you interested in specializing (not necessarily immediately, can be longer term) in an industry that is highly developed in CH and not in IT (e.g., if you are interested in the fashion industry long-term, then it would make more sense to apply in IT, if luxury watches, then probably CH)?
   2. Is the office you are applying to doing more work in the industry you would like to specialize in vs. this company's IT offices (e.g., CH office of Tier 2 company specializes in financial institutions while IT office specializes in consumer, and you would like to specialize in financial institutions)?
2. Structure: In terms of structure of your reasoning, I suggest having 2-3 reasons, with first 1-2 being business/professional reasons and 1 potentially a personal reason (e.g., you have family in CH)

All the best!

Maria

The consultants you spoke to are right. "Why Switzerland" matters a lot when you are coming from Italy. Firms have seen too many people who just want higher pay and lower taxes but don't plan to stay. So the bar for a good answer is higher than you think.

What does not work

Generic stuff about the Swiss economy, stability, or quality of life. Everyone says that. "International exposure" is weak too because you could get that anywhere. And please don't mention the mountains or chocolate. It sounds like you googled it the night before.

What actually works

Make it personal and specific to your story. Maybe you worked with Swiss clients and liked how they do business. Maybe you have family, a partner, or close friends there. Maybe you spent time in Switzerland and something clicked. Maybe you want to work in an industry that is strong there, like pharma or medtech. Whatever it is, it has to feel like your reason, not something anyone could say.

Language matters

If you speak German or French, or are learning, mention it. Firms want to know you can work with local clients, not just English-speaking teams. If you don't speak the language yet, be honest that you plan to learn.

Show you will stay

Firms are also asking "will this person stick around?" Hiring from abroad is an investment. If your answer sounds like Switzerland is just a quick stop, they will hesitate. Show you want to build something there, not just pass through.

In your cover letter

Keep the Switzerland part to two or three sentences. Make it personal, make it clear, then move on. The rest should focus on why consulting and why that firm.

You are getting excellent advice—the "Why Switzerland" component is perhaps the highest leverage filter for international applicants, especially those applying to highly competitive hubs like Zurich. Firms assume you know about the stability and the salaries; they are trying to filter for retention and commitment to the local client base.

The most effective approach is to hit the intersection of the Professional and the Personal. Forget generic economic reasons. On the professional side, you must articulate why the specific Swiss market is essential for your career growth. For example, if you are targeting Basel, your answer must revolve around life sciences or healthcare innovation. If it's Zurich, focus on the unique intersection of global financial services and the high-tech SME ecosystem. Name-drop specific, non-obvious facts about the Swiss market that connect directly to your expertise. This shows you’ve done granular research on their client focus, not just the country.

On the personal side, since you are coming from Italy, don't ignore the proximity, but reframe it. Instead of saying it’s close to home, explain how your understanding of regional cultures (e.g., Italian-speaking Ticino or a deep appreciation for the multilingual business environment) makes you uniquely effective at bridging cross-border client teams. The don't is to ever mention tax benefits, low crime rates, or generic "quality of life." Your cover letter needs to demonstrate that you are committed to the distinct, often conservative, operating culture of the country and that you view this move as a critical, multi-year career anchor.

Hope it helps!

Think of the honest things why you prefer Switzerland. 

Then make sure you present them in a professional, constructive manner. 

For instance - why do lots of people apply for swiss jobs? 

The money. 

You can't just answer: the money in the application / interview.

But you can say that you want to be in an environment that is more international, more open to opportunities and where you are compensated at a more competitive level than in Italy. 

That's absolutely ok to say. 

What I would recommend not to do is come up with obviously fake reasons. Nobody likes to see a candidate who is clearly dishonest in an attempt to 'look the part'.

Best,
Cristian

Hi there,

You want to show intentionality. Good angles that usually work are genuine ties to Switzerland such as language, culture, or time spent there. You can also mention the type of work the Swiss offices are known for, like strong exposure to global clients, cross border projects, or specific industries that genuinely interest you. Keep it personal and specific.

Avoid over focusing on compensation, lifestyle stereotypes, or saying things that could apply to any country. Also avoid sounding temporary. Firms want to feel you are choosing Switzerland for a reason and plan to stay.

A simple structure that works well is connection, professional fit, and long term intent. Why Switzerland personally, why Switzerland professionally, and why now.