I'm sure there are countless threads on this, but since we're on the topic...
Can I get my Visa without the Work Permit? I thought that I would need the work permit before being granted the Visa.
See, for example, this recent thread.
The way to think about it is that they will give you a D visa once you have approval for a residence permit. This allows you to enter the country as something-other-than-a-tourist, and once you arrive and register with the local town hall, they will go through the process of physically issuing the permit.
Going forward they will prefer to see your permit, along with your passport, when you enter and leave the country. In the time between your initial arrival and receipt of your permit, if you need to leave the country, you should get another visa so that you can re-enter as not-a-tourist.
The key point though is that they won't give you your permit if you don't get the initial visa, and the visa must be received at a consulate serving your current country of residence. It cannot normally be received here in Switzerland.