Career changers are in high demand
The Swiss job market is showing increasing openness toward career changers: more companies than a year ago are giving applicants from other industries even better chances than candidates with a linear career path. This is shown by the results of a survey conducted by New Work SE.
Attitudes toward career changers are showing a positive trend: the proportion of HR managers who favor applicants from outside the industry over those with a traditional career path has risen from 6 percent in 2024 to 26 percent in 2025. For around half of the HR managers surveyed, career changers have the same opportunities as applicants with a traditional career path (55 %). Fourteen percent of HR managers say they treat career changers as secondary in the application process. These are some of the findings of the XING Labor Market Report 2025, for which the market research institute Appinio surveyed 150 HR managers and 500 employees in German-speaking Switzerland in an online survey.
The proportion of HR managers with no experience of hiring career changers is almost zero, at 0.7 percent. Five percent of the HR professionals surveyed stated that they do not include applicants from outside the industry in their selection processes as a matter of principle.
More diversity, fresh perspectives, and innovation through career changers
The increased openness in the labor market is also reflected in HR managers« assessment of career changers: 95 percent agree »somewhat« to »completely" that career changers promote diversity and variety in the company (2024: 83 %). Another 95 percent see fresher perspectives in the company (2024: 86 %). 94 percent appreciate their contribution to innovation (2024: 84 %), and just as many HR managers consider career changers to be an important resource in the fight against the shortage of skilled workers (94 %; 2024: 81 %). The positive approval ratings further indicate that the doors are generally open to career changers.
«The increased openness of many Swiss companies toward career changers is likely closely related to the current labor market situation,» says Dr. Julian Stahl, labor market expert at XING. «In view of existing skills shortages, companies are expanding their search radius and increasingly including applicants from other industries in their selection process. Career changers often bring valuable knowledge from different fields of activity and complement the team with fresh ideas and new perspectives. These are factors that can be decisive in today's competitive environment.»
Companies see a great need to support career changers
Despite the positive attitude of HR managers, there are also concerns about job suitability in everyday working life: a full 98 percent of respondents agree «somewhat» to «completely» that career changers often need a longer training period. Ninety-five percent see a lack of industry-specific experience, and 93 percent fear possible difficulties in integrating them into the team. Ninety-one percent of HR managers report having had negative experiences with insufficient specialist knowledge – a significant increase on the previous year (2024: 60%).
Why Swiss employees decide to change industries
The topic remains relevant for employees as well: more than a quarter of Swiss workers surveyed have already ventured into a new industry (27.1%). Another 41% are considering a career change but have not yet taken the plunge.
Respondents who have already changed industries cite financial benefits as the main motive for their decision (41%). Thirty-nine percent were looking for meaningful work, and 32% wanted to contribute new or untapped skills. For 30% of career changers, it was improved job security that attracted them to a new industry.
31 percent of the employees surveyed have not yet considered a career change: 38 percent fear lower pay, 37 percent see a lack of specialist knowledge as an obstacle, and 34 percent fear less job security.
Acceptance alone is not enough: How companies can approach career changers
The results of the XING Labor Market Report 2025 show that the Swiss labor market is becoming increasingly open to career changers. HR managers not only recognize the potential for diversity, innovation, and securing skilled workers, but are also more aware of the challenges involved.
«The results show a clear trend: career changers are increasingly valued in Swiss companies, while at the same time, integration and qualification issues are becoming more important,» says XING labor market expert Stahl. «Companies can master this balancing act by establishing structured onboarding and induction processes as well as tailored training courses. This allows any gaps in industry-specific knowledge to be filled at an early stage and the strengths of career changers to be developed right from the start.»
Source: New Work
