Unemployment among young Swiss graduates is rising in fields that had previously been protected, and no one yet has a clear answer as to the exact cause.
The fact: the unemployment rate rose from 3.9% to 6.4% among holders of a university master’s degree and from 3.4% to 4.9% among holders of a university of applied sciences bachelor’s degree between 2023 and 2025, one year after graduation. By contrast, it remains limited to 0.7% among graduates of teacher education universities, a profession less exposed to automation.
What this changes in practice: entering the labor market is becoming more uncertain for technical and generalist profiles educated in higher education, including in fields long considered secure. For recruiters, this means a larger and more qualified pool of junior candidates, resulting in tougher selection even for entry-level positions. For candidates, a degree alone is no longer enough to secure a quick hire: practical experience, concrete projects, and specialization are becoming decisive differentiators.
This week: if you support a recent graduate or have just completed a course of study yourself, list three concrete achievements (project, internship, assignment) that demonstrate applied skills, not just academic knowledge, and place them at the top of your résumé.
LinkedIn post idea
“A degree opens the door; practical experience keeps it open. Here’s how I’m turning my three most recent academic projects into evidence of skills for recruiters.”