A question, that comes to mind of many students, that are just at the start of their educational path or already at the gates of graduation. The current law dictates, that if you are graduate from a state university, you have an equal right among other Swiss citizens for employment regardless of your citizenship (EU/EFTA and other).
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Thus said, you will not be a subject of quota and you will be considered as a “Swiss” candidate. However, this possibility lasts only for 6 months after your graduation, so many applicants must be quick. If you are graduating from a private university and you are from EU/EFTA, then you can apply for a job freely after your studies with the condition, that you have registered in the commune of your stay.
As for non EU/EFTA residents, they will be a subject to more longer processes, which includes quotas, that are annually issued on the federal and cantonal level. Moreover, employers, who are wishing to accept such candidate, must prove to authorities that they couldn’t find an equivalent Swiss specialist, as a first step. Employers must also show that they made “intensive efforts” to find EU/EFTA citizen or any foreign national already in Swiss labour market with permit to work.. Finally, employers must show why those with priority who applied were not suitable for the job.