software developer.

Your specific tasks depend on the particular project and the industry you're working in.

Broadly speaking, there are three types of software developers:

• Application developers: As an application developer, you create software such as programs for desktop systems, apps for smartphones and tablets, or computer games.
• System developers: As a system developer, you create fundamental software components for a computer system, such as operating system components, control software for embedded systems, or tools and frameworks that assist other developers in creating software.
• Web developers: As a web developer, you create websites and web applications. If you work as a front-end developer, you’re responsible for implementing the client-side components of a website. As a back-end developer, on the other hand, you handle the development of server-side logic. Web developers who work across both front-end and back-end are known as full-stack developers.

how much do I earn as a software developer in a permanent position?

A career as a software developer is very well paid. According to a recent salary survey by the industry association swissICT, starting salaries for entry-level positions are around 80,000 Swiss francs. If you hold a Master's degree, that increases to approximately 85,000 francs. Typically, your salary will rise by about 4,000 francs per year during the first ten years of your career. At the Professional level, you can expect to earn just under 105,000 francs, while the median salary for a senior position exceeds 125,000 francs.

in which industry do I earn the most as a software developer?

The salaries depend on the profit margin that can be generated within a particular industry. They are particularly high in banking, insurance, and the pharmaceutical sector. Conversely, the pay in manufacturing, construction, and retail tends to be somewhat lower. Your level of income also depends on your degree of specialisation. While a Java developer without a specialisation might earn a mid-range salary, specialising as a cloud developer or in data science can lead to a very good income. Larger employers tend to pay significantly more than smaller ones and usually offer more generous additional benefits, such as above-mandatory contributions to pension schemes.

Software development is more than just programming. To contribute successfully to larger software projects, you need a solid understanding of computer science. The following qualifications are particularly suitable for a software developer role:

• Computer science degree: Studying computer science or business informatics at one of the two ETHs, a university, or a university of applied sciences provides you with fundamental conceptual knowledge in the field of IT, which you can build upon later. Generally, university or ETH programmes tend to be more theoretical, whereas courses at a university of applied sciences have a stronger practical focus. The entry requirement for university or ETH is the Matura. You have direct access to a university of applied sciences if you have obtained the vocational baccalaureate in conjunction with a related vocational training in IT. Otherwise, if you cannot demonstrate relevant work experience, you will need to complete an internship before starting your studies.
• Apprenticeship: The apprenticeship as an IT specialist with a Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (EFZ) specialising in Application Development lasts four years. During this period, you work in the training company and learn software development through hands-on involvement in real projects. One or two days a week, you attend vocational college, where you acquire theoretical knowledge. In some cantons, there are also full-time school-based training programmes, which also conclude with the Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (EFZ) as an IT specialist. After completing your apprenticeship, you can take the professional examination to become an ICT Application Developer or pursue further education at a higher technical college to qualify as an Higher Technical Specialist in Computer Science (HF).

what further training options are available for software developers?

In the IT sector, the half-life of knowledge is particularly short. That’s why it’s important to keep updating your skills continuously after completing your degree or apprenticeship. Among the options available to you are the following further training opportunities:

• Postgraduate programmes: Almost all universities of applied sciences and technical colleges, as well as higher technical colleges, offer postgraduate programmes in the fields of software development and software engineering. These typically conclude with a Master of Advanced Studies (MAS), a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS), or a Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS), or, in the case of higher technical colleges, with a diploma.
• Certificate courses and coding bootcamps: Certificate courses are shorter than postgraduate diploma programmes and provide more practical knowledge. For example, you might learn new programming languages and techniques or new methods of project management. Coding bootcamps are intensive courses that enable you to specialise in a particular area of software development within a few weeks. They typically also conclude with a certificate.

Digitalisation has become a key economic factor. As a result, there is a high demand for software developers. As a developer, you are a sought-after professional across almost all industries and will find it relatively easy to secure a new position. Currently, there is particular demand for cloud developers, security specialists, AI developers, and those familiar with agile development methods. Your situation in the job market is likely to improve even further in the near future. Switzerland still has some catching up to do in terms of digitalisation in many areas. Moving forward, sectors such as healthcare, public administration, as well as banking, insurance, and commerce will require even more IT professionals.

Software development requires solid expertise in computer science. Those who have completed a computer science degree or apprenticeship have an advantage when it comes to job hunting. However, even if you are not a computer scientist, you still have good chances of securing a role as a software developer. This is especially true if you have completed training in a related field – for example, a technical or scientific degree. Additionally, attending a certification course or a coding bootcamp can be beneficial. Having repositories with your own software projects also positively impacts your job prospects.
A good starting point for a successful career switch is, by the way, participating in a trainee programme. Nowadays, there are several companies offering such programmes.

As a software developer, you have good career and development prospects. You typically start in a junior position and quickly progress to a professional role, and eventually to a senior position. If you work hard on your technical skills, you can develop into an expert and then a senior expert. Additionally, you have the opportunity to take on leadership responsibilities and manage a team or a department. Some software developers also move into related roles, such as IT analyst, software engineer, or software architect. Others specialise in a particular field, such as artificial intelligence, cloud development, or mobile app development. Once you have sufficient experience, you can also choose to become self-employed as a software developer.

As a software developer, you should primarily possess the following skills:

• Analytical skills: Analytical abilities and logical thinking assist you in specifying software requirements, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Attention to detail: Often, it’s the unnoticed details that cause bugs and errors. To keep your programme code as error-free as possible, you need to work carefully and pay close attention to even the smallest details.
• Creativity: In almost every larger software project, unforeseen problems arise. Creativity helps you to find innovative solutions. Designing visually appealing user interfaces also requires creativity.
• Technical aptitude: You need technical skills to understand how the different components of a software system fit together.

There are many good reasons to work at Randstad as a software developer:

✓ exciting jobs at well-known companies
✓ a reliable point of contact whenever you need one; personalised advice matters
✓ attractive employment conditions and good social benefits
✓ further education courses and personal development opportunities
✓ clear information in the myRandstad app
✓ do you have a fixed-term contract? Often, there’s the opportunity to secure a permanent position afterwards. Many well-known companies also recruit their staff directly through Randstad.

your professional development budget as a software developer at randstad.

If you work as a software developer for Randstad, you have access to training courses. As part of the TempTraining programme from swissstaffing, you can attend training sessions. You will be reimbursed for the course fees later, provided you pass the course exam. Your consultant from Randstad is there to support you if you have any questions. This way, you can acquire additional language skills or job-specific knowledge—all during your working hours as a software developer.

Have you found your dream job as a software developer? It's not just qualifications and certificates that determine the success of your applications. Careful, error-free, and personalised documents will definitely help you in your job search. Here are a few useful tips to optimise your chances:

Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the role of a software developer.