Applications for skilled trades and industry: a practical checklist

A good application makes your experience clear. In skilled trades, construction and industry, the tasks you have already carried out and the conditions you want to work under matter.

1. Tailor your CV to the work

Start with your current or most recent position. Give the dates, employer and role. Add specific tasks for each position, such as formwork, setting up machines or processing incoming goods. Explain what you did independently and where you worked as part of a team.

2. Make technical skills concrete

A list of qualities such as “flexible” and “resilient” says little about your daily work. Details about materials, machines, processes or software are more useful. For example, “set up a CNC machine and checked workpieces against drawings” describes experience more precisely than “production”. Stick to the skills you actually have.

3. Choose relevant documents

Check the requirements in the job advertisement. A CV, relevant employment references and training certificates provide a good foundation. Add other certificates only when they are useful for the work. Check the validity of time-limited certificates. The application advice from arbeit.swiss provides additional guidance.

4. State your availability and preferences

Tell us when you can start, your preferred workload and your region. Shift work, mobility or willingness to work on installation assignments may matter for some roles. Clear information helps identify unsuitable offers early.

5. Check before sending

Open every file again. Is the text readable, are your contact details current and are the right documents attached? Use clear filenames and follow the upload limits shown on the form. Do not send unnecessary sensitive information.

Explore our current vacancies or send a spontaneous application if no advertisement fits yet. Contact our team with any questions.