Best networking practices in Zurich
Now that you have identified the different networking opportunities in Zurich, you may want to prepare yourself. Of course, networking is similar in many parts of the world. But sometimes, it requires some deeper knowledge about the people you are networking with to succeed, particularly when you are doing it in a foreign country, where you may not be familiar with the local customs yet. This article will guide you through and lend you a helping hand in your journey to network with Swiss German people in Zurich.
Understand the locals
If we have to categorise citizens of Switzerland by their international experience, there would be two main categories: those who are pretty rooted in their hometown/ canton/ country and those who enjoy gaining experiences abroad. In reality, a lot of the Swiss people you will meet belong to the first category, in which they genuinely enjoy stability in one place. A lot of these people don't even have any or much experience in other parts of Switzerland that speak another language. The second group of people may be the locals whom you are working with, especially if you are currently working in a company where English is the primary working language. However, just because they have experiences abroad and speak better English does not mean that they behave like an Anglophone. The first rule to networking with Swiss people is that you cannot assume that there is no or little cultural differences.
Take your time
German speakers are often known to be 'cold', no matter which German-speaking countries they are from. In the Swiss-German speaking part of Switzerland, the reputation holds true at first contacts. In English-speaking countries, people get very friendly relatively quickly. They may even start joking at first encounters. In Zurich, people tend to keep distance with new acquaintances. Being way too friendly to newly met people may be misunderstood. For this reason, give it some time to build a relationship with your contacts, including your colleagues. After a certain period of time, when people are ready, they will show it in the way they speak and interact with you.
Make an impression
Imagine you are having a job interview, making a good first impression is very important. It is the same in networking in Zurich. Show that you know the local etiquette by knowing how to greet. In the formal business setting, there is not much difference from other countries. Make eye contact, shake hands firmly and smile. Be sure that you remember people's surname. In German or Swiss German, you often say people's surnames out loud.
Be also aware that you address people with 'Sie' instead of 'du', until that person tells you that it is okay to use 'du' with him or her. Failing to do so when you interact with people in German in a formal setting will be seen as rude. If you are meeting someone new in a meeting, remember not to be late. Punctuality is very important in the German-speaking part of Switzerland!
