As discussed in the previous article, Zurich can be an expensive city for a student. Moving here requires awareness, planning and budgeting, especially if you’re not working.
So naturally, one question follows:
How can I start a side job while studying?
Whether you aim to support your living costs or just gain experience, Zurich offers many opportunities for international students, even only if you only speak English.
So here’s a guide to finding a job as an international student in Zurich, from flexible side gigs to internships and long-term opportunities, in non-German speaking roles.
Before you start applying:
It’s important to understand the legal framework. If you are in Switzerland on a student visa, you are generally allowed to work up to 15 hours per week during the semester. During semester breaks, full-time work is usually permitted.
However, some job offers, especially flexible or short-term ones, may not be available to very short-term students. That’s why it’s worth checking your permit conditions early, so you don’t waste time applying to roles you’re not eligible for.
1. Flexible Jobs Through Apps:
If you’ve just arrived and want to start working quickly, platforms like Coople, Adia or Sommer-Jobs are often the most accessible starting point.
How they work:
They act as intermediaries between companies and workers, offering short-term, flexible jobs depending on demand.
What makes them great:
• You choose when and how much you work
• Jobs range from a few hours to several days
• No long-term commitment
Coople offers the most options and opportunities.
Adia is known for its fast payments (often within 48 hours).
Both platforms allow filters like language, industry, and availability.
Types of jobs you’ll find:
• Warehouses & logistics
• Supermarkets & retail
• Events & gastronomy
• Seasonal stores
As for Sommer-Jobs, it’s mostly for roles related to music festivals, outdoor events, pop-up stores and tourism-related activities.
Honestly, here these are some of the most fun jobs you can possibly find. You meet people, you stay active, and you get to enjoy Zurich in its best season, all while getting paid. Perfect combo, right?
That said, there’s one important catch:
These platforms don’t always accept every international student. Eligibility often depends on your residence permit and the duration of your stay in Switzerland.
2. The Gastronomic Sector: Where Most Students Start
Zurich is renowned for its international character, and its food scene reflects that. That means that you’ll find restaurants from all over the world.
This creates a unique advantage for you: Your background, your language, and your culture can actually become an asset. For example, an Italian student applying to an Italian restaurant is not just another candidate, they bring authenticity and effortless know-how.
But even beyond that, many cafés and restaurants in Zurich:
• operate in English
• have young, international teams
• are used to hiring students
And importantly, not all positions require experience.
So, if you’re hesitating because you’ve never worked in a café before, don’t. Nobody starts experienced. And also, be proactive. Do your research and send your CV, or even better, show up and express your interest in person.
Extra tip: Check out touristy places or close to universities for more chances to get hired without experience or without speaking Swiss German.
3. Retail & Fashion: An Underrated Opportunity
Another path that many students don’t consider enough is retail, especially in fashion.
Zurich has a strong presence of international brands, and many of them are used to hiring multilingual staff. In stores targeting younger or international audiences, English is often enough to get started.
A great platform to explore this space is BoF Careers (Business of Fashion), which focuses specifically on fashion and retail roles.
These jobs can be a great fit if you:
• enjoy interacting with people
• want a more structured environment
• are interested in fashion and style
4. Job Platforms & Internships: The Long-Term Strategy
Zurich is one of the most international business hubs in Europe, with global companies across finance, tech, consulting, and more.
If you are thinking long-term and you seek to gain experience in a field more aligned with your studies, these platforms are essential:
• LinkedIn
• Jobs.ch
• Indeed Switzerland
• Glassdoor
• Comparis Jobs
Make sure to create a detailed, professional profile in most of them, and activate job alerts.
Extra tip: Take time to personalize your CV, depending on the jobs for which you apply. Small details make the difference.
And even if you don’t feel ready, internships constitute a great starting point to your career, as they offer:
• Learning and practical experience
• Supporting environment and guidance
• More flexibility compared to full-time jobs
• Lower pressure & manageable workload
• And very often, higher chances of getting hired after completing the internship successfully.
So yes, consider this as a sign to send that CV.
5. Your University Is One of Your Best Resources
One of the biggest mistakes students make is ignoring their university’s career services.
Most Swiss universities offer:
• internal job platforms
• exclusive job listings
• partnerships with companies
So don’t forget to dig a bit deeper at your uni’s website and create your career profile there as well. But except for job postings, your institution probably offers you more:
• networking opportunities
• company presentations
• career talks
• workshops
And these are not random events. They are designed specifically for people like you: students at the beginning of their careers.
Which means one thing: You don’t need to overthink it, you just need to show up. Because sometimes, opportunities don’t come from applications, they occur from real conversations. You never know who you are going to meet and how they are going to appreciate your authentic self and personality, beyond documents on a screen.
So…
Finding a job as an international student in Zurich doesn’t always happen overnight. There will be rejections, maybe a lot in the beginning. But there are also many more opportunities than it seems at first.
The key is to:
Be open, be curious, be proactive.
Send the CV, show up to the event, try the app.
And most importantly: Don’t wait until you feel ready. Because in reality, no one ever is.
You got this!
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