According to the Michael Page Swiss Job Index, demand for sales specialists outpaced all other major job categories with +14.6% year-on-year growth to August 2019, and a monthly increase of +3.7%. Across Switzerland, advertised jobs declined by -5.0% between July and August, which is consistent with typical seasonal decline during the peak of the summer holiday season. On an annual basis (August 2018 – August 2019), the rate of growth in advertised jobs reached +6.9% nationally.

“The most highly sought-after salespeople are those with specialist industry or technical skills, for example in the pharmaceutical and IT sectors. Top sales specialists can expect to receive multiple offers”, said Nicolai Mikkelsen, Executive Director, Michael Page.

Year-on-year growth in the German-speaking region and Swiss Romande increased; with the Swiss Romande leading the way with a +15.7% increase compared with an annual rise of +5.5% in the German-speaking region. The German speaking region, which accounts for 9 out of 10 advertised jobs, experienced a monthly decline in advertised jobs of -5.0%. The level of advertised jobs in Swiss Romande declined by -5.3% between July and August.

The East Region showed the strongest results with an annual growth rate of +16.3% and a monthly decline in advertised jobs of -2.0%. Advertised jobs in all regions showed a monthly decline over the holiday period but grew on an annual basis – with the exception of Zurich (-0.6%).

The Michael Page Swiss Job Index measures the number of advertised vacancies on company sites throughout Switzerland. Introduced in January 2012, the Swiss Job Index provides a unique, comprehensive overview of the Swiss labour market and the most important monthly trends.