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Recruiter (m/f/d)  

In an era where talent acquisition is paramount due to skills shortages, the role of a recruiter has become crucial for businesses. Recruiters, with their keen intuition and adept skills, are tasked with identifying and attracting the right talent, who are considered the most valuable asset of any organization today. This job profile provides insights into the methodologies employed by recruiters, the qualifications they need, and their compensation.

Are you seeking an opportunity as a Recruiter (m/f/d)? 

Do you have the expertise in filling vacancies, utilizing the right channels for sourcing qualified candidates, and conducting effective job interviews? Elevate your career with us and discover new challenges on our job board.

Are you in search of an experienced Recruiter (m/f/d)?

Do you have open positions that need the expertise of a recruiter? Discover the professional who can streamline your in-house recruitment, guiding the application process from job advertisement, through conducting interviews, to the final contract signing.

Are you in pursuit of a dynamic recruiting project?

Is filling vacancies with qualified candidates a task you excel at? Do you thrive on the challenge of finding the perfect fit for every department, or perhaps you specialize in a particular field? Apply your recruitment expertise to new projects - we’re here to assist you in the process!

WHO IS A RECRUITER? DEFINITION

A recruiter is a professional who manages the search, placement, and recruitment of skilled employees for open positions in organizations. They also handle related aspects such as employer branding and effective communication with potential employees.

Finding suitable candidates, particularly female applicants, can be challenging. Therefore, recruitment consultants, either in-house or from an agency, who specialize in this task, are often employed. These professionals typically operate from the HR department of a company and oversee a range of tasks centered around successfully filling vacancies and locating appropriate applicants.

Recruiters are responsible for creating and posting job advertisements, conducting job interviews, selecting candidates, and drafting contracts. They serve as the primary point of contact for candidates throughout the entire applicant management process. Their ability to select suitable candidates plays a pivotal role in driving a company’s success.

SALARY OF A RECRUITER (m/f/d): WHAT IS THE EARNING POTENTIAL IN SWITZERLAND?

The typical annual gross salary for a recruiter in Switzerland is approximately 84’150.- CHF. However, this can vary significantly based on the company’s size and location, with recruiters in Zug and Schaffhausen earning the highest.

Top salaries in recruitment are found in the medical and chemical sectors, where the average pay is around 116’000.- CHF.

In the broader landscape of HR professionals, female recruiters’ salaries are generally mid-range. HR business partners are at the top of the scale, while HR administrators tend to earn the least among all HR roles. These findings are based on the Hays HR Salary Report 2023, which analyzed and detailed the salaries of all HR roles in Germany.

Junior Recruiter (m/f/d) Salary in Switzerland: What is the Starting Salary? 

Young recruiters without personnel responsibilities can anticipate relatively lower salaries in the job market. In the initial two years of their career, junior recruiters can expect a starting salary of approximately 78’000.- CHF annually. The most significant factor influencing the starting salary is the level of education. According to the Hays salary report, a bachelor’s or master’s degree can result in an annual earnings increase of 6’000€ for prospective female recruiters in Germany, compared to candidates without an academic degree.

Senior Recruiter (m/f/d) Salary in Switzerland: What Can You Expect? 

With over 12 years of professional experience, you can anticipate an average annual salary of around 106’000.- CHF as a Senior Recruiter. Further salary increments are typically associated with the assumption of personnel responsibilities, a common career progression for many senior specialists. With more than 20 years of professional experience, a recruitment consultant in Switzerland can expect a salary of around 116’000.- CHF.

In the field of recruitment, substantial salary increases are possible over the years. These depend heavily on factors such as the size of the company, location, level of education, professional experience, and negotiation skills.

THE ROLE OF A RECRUITER (m/f/d): TASKS AND ACTIVITIES IN RECRUITING

Recruiters play a pivotal role in companies, being responsible for the recruitment process. With the evolution of recruitment strategies, the approach has become increasingly proactive and creative. This includes active sourcing, which involves targeted searches in career networks, maintaining talent networks, and virtual recruiting via video conferencing. Employer branding, which positions the company as an attractive employer, is also a key part of a recruiter’s daily tasks.

The field of recruiting has undergone significant changes over the past few decades, adapting to social and technological innovations. Recruiters now face the challenges of digitalization, skills shortages, and the “war for talent”. This necessitates long-term recruitment strategies and the exploration of new, creative recruitment methods, such as active sourcing.

Recruiters have a broad spectrum of responsibilities. They are familiar in areas such as personnel marketing, personnel development, and payroll accounting.

The tasks in recruiting can be summarized as follows:

  • Formulating and publishing job advertisements
  • Reviewing application documents
  • Conducting a pre-screening of applicants
  • Conducting telephone interviews and job interviews
  • Handling personnel development, marketing and payroll accounting
  • Social media recruiting
  • Filling vacancies with suitable candidates
  • Planning and attending trade fair events
The digital transformation has also introduced new tasks for recruiters:
  • E-recruiting: The entire applicant management process is automated and digital.
  • Active sourcing: Recruiters actively search for suitable candidates on social media platforms or in career networks and initiate contact.
  • Candidate Relationship Management (CRM): Facilitating recruitment involves not only searching for talent but also maintaining talent networks. This includes optimizing the candidate journey to further develop the path of applicants until they are hired by the company.
  • Remote recruiting: Personnel recruiting is also being modernized. Processes are being updated and virtual procedures such as video conferencing are being implemented.
  • Creation and development of talent pools: The search for female applicants can result in a large talent pool that needs to be maintained. Access to this talent pool makes it easier to fill vacancies in the future if previous candidates are interested in a vacancy.
  • Employer branding: Nowadays, candidates also decide for or against a company based on the recruiting process. Recruiters are therefore directly responsible for the attractiveness of the employer brand.
  • Setting up and developing career pages: A dedicated careers page is a classic recruitment tool for presenting sought-after qualifications, tasks, and requirements to applicants and presenting the values and culture of a company.

Tasks of a Junior Recruiter (m/f/d)  

Both junior and senior roles are vital to a company’s success. Junior recruiters, being new to the profession, are in the process of honing their skills, while senior recruiters leverage their expertise for long-term talent acquisition.

Here are some distinctive aspects of a Junior Recruiter’s tasks:

  • Active sourcing: Junior recruiters employ active methods such as company contact fairs, trade fairs, and social media to attract talent.
  • Learning phase: Junior recruiters are in a phase of gaining experience and developing their recruiting skills.
When job advertisements refer to “junior recruiters”, it typically implies recruiters with less than 5 years of professional experience.

Tasks of a Senior Recruiter (m/f/d)

A Senior Recruiter, having more professional experience than a Junior Recruiter, has tasks and skills that reflect their expertise:

  • Experienced experts: Senior recruiters have extensive experience in talent management.
  • Strategic orientation: They are strategically oriented and contribute to shaping the company’s recruiting strategy.
  • Network building: Senior recruiters have established networks and reputations in the industry.
  • Mentoring: They provide support to junior recruiters and share their knowledge.

BECOMING A RECRUITER (m/f/d): TRAINING, STUDIES & CONTINUING EDUCATION

In Switzerland, there isn’t a clearly defined path to becoming a recruiter. Instead, there are multiple avenues to kickstart your career in this field. You can pursue various degree programs academically or opt for recruiter training courses and certificates. Here are some options for becoming a recruiter:

Practical Path to Recruiter (m/f/d) Training 

Although the profession of recruiter is not yet anchored in an official training regulation, there are still various ways to get into recruiting: While the profession of a recruiter isn’t yet formalized in an official training regulation, there are several ways to enter the field of recruiting:
 
  1. Commercial or Technical training: Many recruiters begin their careers after completing commercial or technical training. This foundational knowledge is beneficial as it provides initial insights into the HR sector.

  1. Qualification as an HR Assistant: Gaining a qualification as an HR assistant is an effective way to specialize in recruiting. You’ll acquire knowledge in personnel management that can be directly applied in recruiting.

  1. Part-time Training to Become an HR Specialist: In Switzerland, you have the opportunity to train part-time to become an HR specialist with a federal certificate. This qualification lays a solid foundation for a career in recruiting.

  1. Training as an HR Specialist: Besides academic studies, there’s also the option of practical training as an HR specialist. This practice-oriented training imparts specific knowledge in the field of human resources.

Studying to Become a Recruiter (m/f/d)

For those interested in pursuing a career in recruiting through academic studies, Switzerland offers various fields of study that are suitable for a career as a recruiter. Here are some options:

  1. Economics: A degree in economics lays a solid foundation for understanding business processes, management, and human resources, which are crucial in recruiting.
  2. Social Sciences: Courses in social sciences impart knowledge about social structures, communication, and interpersonal relationships - all of which are important aspects in recruiting.
  3. Psychology: A degree in psychology can provide valuable insights into human behavior, motivation, and decision-making - all of which are relevant factors in human resource management.

As part of your studies, it’s also recommended to complete internships in companies and gain practical experience in recruiting. This hands-on experience can be invaluable in understanding the practical aspects of the job and enhancing your skills.

Continuing Education as a Recruiter (m/f/d): How to Train in Recruiting 

After completing your initial training or studies, you can further your education and specialize in recruiting. There are numerous seminars, workshops, and certificate courses available that focus on specific aspects of recruiting. Key topics include:

•    Active Sourcing
•    Employer Branding
•    International Recruiting
•    Modern Recruiting Methods


Providers such as the Haufe Akademie offer a wide selection of recruiter training courses to choose from.

Additionally, there are many specialized recruiter training courses available in the market that facilitate a career change into recruiting. These programs are designed to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in this field.

Remember, continuous learning and staying updated with the latest trends and practices in recruiting can significantly enhance your effectiveness as a recruiter.

Career Change to Recruiting 

Recruiting is a profession that often attracts individuals from diverse backgrounds, making it a popular choice for career changers. Individuals who have undergone training in the commercial sector or hold a degree with a focus on business administration, sociology, or psychology often find themselves drawn to this field. Further training in personnel management or human resources can complement their profile, facilitating their entry into the job market.

As recruiters gain seniority and professional experience, and possibly specialize in a specific area, their chances of advancement increase. They may progress to roles such as team manager, sector specialist, or Head of Candidate Relations.

In Switzerland, one potential continuing education course is the CAS Talent Acquisition course at the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland. This course offers a blend of scientifically sound and practice-oriented knowledge in the field of personnel selection and recruitment, providing a solid foundation for those looking to excel in recruiting.

Freelance Recruiting: A Journey of Challenges and Opportunities

In the realm of recruitment, practices vary significantly based on the size and structure of the organization. Large to medium-sized companies often have in-house recruiters, with a notable presence of female professionals. In contrast, smaller firms tend to leverage the expertise of external specialists, either through recruitment agencies or freelance recruiters.

Embarking on a career as a freelance recruiter presents a unique set of challenges and tasks, distinct from those encountered by in-house recruiters. Your role extends beyond the conventional recruitment duties, encompassing aspects such as project acquisition and client engagement. The ability to stay organized and manage critical deadlines is paramount in this role.

However, these challenges are balanced by the benefits that come with freelancing. The flexibility to choose projects that align with your interests and the opportunity to specialize in a specific sector are just a few of the advantages.

Freelance Recruiting: A Journey of Challenges and Opportunities

In the realm of recruitment, practices vary significantly based on the size and structure of the organization. Large to medium-sized companies often have in-house recruiters, with a notable presence of female professionals. In contrast, smaller firms tend to leverage the expertise of external specialists, either through recruitment agencies or freelance recruiters.

Embarking on a career as a freelance recruiter presents a unique set of challenges and tasks, distinct from those encountered by in-house recruiters. Your role extends beyond the conventional recruitment duties, encompassing aspects such as project acquisition and client engagement. The ability to stay organized and manage critical deadlines is paramount in this role.

However, these challenges are balanced by the benefits that come with freelancing. The flexibility to choose projects that align with your interests and the opportunity to specialize in a specific sector are just a few of the advantages.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE FOR RECRUITERS (m/f/d)

The most essential skills for recruiters encompass a broad range, from personnel management and a deep understanding of the job market to marketing, sales, IT, and technology skills. These skills are particularly vital in active sourcing, enabling recruiters to effectively utilize social media channels, data analysis tools, and search engine text optimization.


Specifically, proficiency in tools such as XING, LinkedIn, and Google is highly beneficial. Moreover, many companies employ specialized recruiting tools to streamline application management, making familiarity with these tools an asset.

While theoretical knowledge and tool proficiency are important for successful recruiting, one aspect stands out as even more critical: interpersonal skills. It’s no coincidence that many recruiters have a background in psychology.

The following soft skills are therefore indispensable for recruiters:

  • Quick comprehension
  • Profound understanding of human nature
  • Teamwork capabilities
  • Organizational talent
  • Strong empathy
  • Open-mindedness
  • Networking competence

CAREER PROSPECTS FOR RECRUITERS (m/f/d): NAVIGATING THE JOB MARKET

The scarcity of skilled professionals in Switzerland, coupled with the rise of digitalization and the ongoing “war for talent,” presents significant challenges, particularly in the field of personnel recruitment. Today, recruiters are tasked not only with recruitment but also with the development of existing staff within the company. The long-term discovery and retention of talent have become vital in addressing the skilled worker shortage.

Consequently, personnel marketing, or employer branding, is gaining prominence. Companies must strive to maintain their appeal as a long-term employer for their workforce. Thus, forging new paths and devising effective strategies have become part of a recruiter’s daily routine. Recruiters, especially those with specialized IT skills, are in high demand in the IT sector.

These challenges underscore the high demand for experienced recruiters. More companies are recognizing that recruitment is not a sideline task. While artificial intelligence increasingly supports human resources, it’s the human touch, people skills, and empathy that only an experienced recruiter can provide. This is why job market opportunities for recruiters are promising, with numerous doors open, particularly within personnel service companies or as an independent recruiter.

Top vacancies for recruiters (m/f/d) in Switzerland

faq

Recruiters oversee the entire recruitment process. Their responsibilities include crafting job advertisements, scrutinizing CVs, conducting interviews, shortlisting candidates, and initiating the onboarding process. The scope of their tasks can vary significantly, depending on the company.

Recruiters oversee the entire recruitment process. Their responsibilities include crafting job advertisements, scrutinizing CVs, conducting interviews, shortlisting candidates, and initiating the onboarding process. The scope of their tasks can vary significantly, depending on the company.


In Switzerland, recruiters earn an average gross income of 84’150.- CHF per year. However, this figure can rise to as much as 152’000.- CHF, depending on the company, the recruiter’s level of experience, and their personnel responsibilities.

In Switzerland, recruiters earn an average gross income of 84’150.- CHF per year. However, this figure can rise to as much as 152’000.- CHF, depending on the company, the recruiter’s level of experience, and their personnel responsibilities.


Prospective recruiters can pursue a bachelor’s degree in personnel management. Alternatively, degrees in business administration or psychology also serve as pathways into the recruitment department. Additionally, various institutes offer recruiting and HR training courses to equip you for this career.

Prospective recruiters can pursue a bachelor’s degree in personnel management. Alternatively, degrees in business administration or psychology also serve as pathways into the recruitment department. Additionally, various institutes offer recruiting and HR training courses to equip you for this career.


The role of a recruiter is diverse and particularly suited to individuals who enjoy interacting with others. Given the current shortage of skilled workers, experienced recruiters are increasingly sought after, making the career prospects promising.

The role of a recruiter is diverse and particularly suited to individuals who enjoy interacting with others. Given the current shortage of skilled workers, experienced recruiters are increasingly sought after, making the career prospects promising.


While headhunters and recruiters often share similar methods and goals, a key difference lies in their focus. Headhunters typically concentrate on high-potential managers, necessitating a more in-depth search compared to recruiters, who generally find a broader range of suitable candidates.

While headhunters and recruiters often share similar methods and goals, a key difference lies in their focus. Headhunters typically concentrate on high-potential managers, necessitating a more in-depth search compared to recruiters, who generally find a broader range of suitable candidates.