Coop CEO Philipp Wyss: What matters in job applications

Coop CEO Philipp Wyss prioritizes extracurricular engagement over grades when evaluating job applications, emphasizing curiosity and commitment to community or sports activities between ages 15 and 20. He values these experiences as indicators of a candidate's dedication. Wyss, who completed commercial training and a butcher apprenticeship, strongly advocates for vocational education, noting that employees who started as apprentices now lead teams of 1,000 and manage 500 million francs in sales. He encourages parents to support trial apprenticeships and trust young people's preferences. He rejects the stereotype that young people avoid responsibility, citing learner-run branches where apprentices propose innovative ideas. Wyss advises that passion, discipline, and continuous curiosity are essential for overcoming challenging phases, adding that learning never ends, even at age 60.