Why Networking Feels So Difficult When You’re New to Switzerland
For many professionals, moving to Switzerland means much more than adapting to a new country. It often feels like pressing the reset button on your professional network.
You may arrive with years of experience, strong qualifications and a successful career behind you. But when it comes to your professional network, it can feel as though you’re back at the beginning.
Clients often tell me things like:
- “I don’t know anyone here.”
- “Networking feels awkward.”
- “I don’t want to ask strangers for help.”
- “Everyone else already seems connected.”
- “How do you build a professional network from scratch?”
If you’ve ever had those thoughts, you’re certainly not alone.
Many people also tell me they’re introverts and assume networking simply isn’t something they’re good at. Others dread the idea of walking into a networking event on their own (which can feel a little like arriving halfway through someone else’s dinner party).
For expats, there’s often another layer of uncertainty.
Switzerland can seem like a place where everyone already knows each other. Clients sometimes describe it as “cliquey” or worry that, because they didn’t study or build their career here, they’ll always be on the outside looking in.
When you’re also navigating a career change, adapting to a different culture or trying to establish yourself in a new country, it’s easy to feel as though you’re starting from zero.
But are you really?
One of the biggest misconceptions about networking is that it’s something only naturally outgoing people do well, or that success depends on knowing hundreds of people.
In reality, neither is true.
The people with the strongest professional networks aren’t necessarily the ones who know the most people. They’re the ones who’ve built a handful of genuine relationships over time.
Those relationships grow through curiosity, trust and shared interests, not simply because someone is looking for a job.
Once people begin to see networking in that way, it often feels much less intimidating.
And that’s usually the point where opportunities begin to open up.
Why Professional Networks Matter More Than Ever During a Career Change
If networking feels uncomfortable, it’s perfectly reasonable to wonder whether it’s really worth the effort.
In today’s job market, I’d argue that it matters more than ever.
That’s partly because there are simply fewer opportunities available in many industries, while the number of applicants continues to grow. As a result, employers often receive hundreds of applications for a single role.
In that environment, a recommendation, referral or introduction can become what I sometimes describe as the “secret sauce”. It doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the job, but it can help open a door before a role is widely advertised or help your application stand out in a crowded field.
That’s particularly true for more senior positions.
The higher up your career you go, the more likely opportunities are to be shared through professional networks and trusted referrals rather than appearing on a job board for everyone to apply to.
Finding out about vacancies is actually only one benefit of networking—and probably not the most valuable one.
Professional networks also help you understand industries you’re interested in, learn how hiring is changing, gain insight into different organisations and explore career paths you may never have considered otherwise.
I’ve also found that one of the biggest surprises for clients is how willing people are to help, and the conversations themselves often teach you far more than a job description ever could.
Many begin networking expecting to be ignored or turned away. Instead, they often discover that people enjoy talking about their work, sharing their experiences and helping someone who’s genuinely curious. (It turns out most people like being asked for their opinion almost as much as they like giving it.)
Approaching networking with curiosity rather than expecting immediate results changes the whole experience.
Instead of trying to persuade someone to give you a job, you’re learning about an industry, exploring different career paths and gradually building relationships that may support your career for years to come.
That’s why I encourage clients to think of networking as more than a job-search strategy.
It’s a way of understanding where you fit, where your experience is valued and how the market around you is changing.
If you’ve been relying solely on online applications and wondering why you’re hearing very little back, you may also find it helpful to read Why Experienced Professionals Feel Invisible in Modern Hiring, which explores why so many capable professionals feel overlooked in today’s recruitment process—and why visibility matters just as much as experience.
Understanding Swiss Networking Culture
One reason networking can feel unfamiliar in Switzerland is that the culture around it is often quite different from what people have experienced elsewhere.
Clients sometimes tell me they’ve heard that “the Swiss don’t network” or that it’s too difficult to break into professional circles.
I’ve never found that to be the real issue.
People absolutely do network in Switzerland—they just tend to do it differently.
Compared with countries such as the US, networking here is often more understated. You’re generally less likely to encounter the fast-paced, highly polished elevator pitches that some people associate with business networking. Instead, relationships tend to develop more gradually, with trust and credibility building over time.
That can actually come as a relief to many people.
If the idea of “selling yourself” has always felt uncomfortable, you’ll probably find that Swiss networking is much more about having genuine conversations than delivering the perfect introduction.
One thing that often catches expats by surprise is the importance of consistency.
Attending one event and hoping to leave with a dozen new contacts rarely works. What I see much more often is that people gradually become familiar faces by returning to the same professional groups over time. As others begin to recognise you, conversations become easier, relationships deepen and trust develops naturally.
Another approach that works particularly well is following up after a larger event.
Rather than trying to have long conversations with everyone in the room, it’s often far more effective to connect with one or two people afterwards and suggest meeting for a coffee. Those one-to-one conversations are where people often get to know each other properly and where professional relationships really begin to grow.
(The second coffee is usually far more valuable than collecting a second handful of business cards.)
Over time, people begin to know who you are. They recognise your name, remember previous conversations and gradually come to trust you professionally. That’s ultimately far more valuable than collecting hundreds of LinkedIn connections.
And it’s also the kind of professional reputation that tends to last.
How to Build Professional Networks When You Don’t Know Anyone
One of the biggest misconceptions about networking is the idea that everyone else already has a ready-made network.
In reality, almost nobody starts that way.
Professional networks are built over time, one conversation and one introduction at a time.
So, where should you begin?
One of the first questions I ask clients is: Who do you already know who might know someone in Switzerland?
The answer is often more people than they expect.
Former colleagues, managers, clients, suppliers, university friends or professional contacts in your home country may already have connections here. Even if they don’t work in your industry or live in the same part of Switzerland, they may be able to introduce you to someone who does.
Those “second-degree” introductions are often far warmer—and far more effective—than approaching a complete stranger.
Once you’ve explored the connections you already have, start thinking about where you’re likely to meet new people. That could be through:
- Chamber of Commerce events
- alumni associations
- professional associations
- LinkedIn connections
- expat communities
- industry groups
- professional women’s networks or other specialist groups relevant to your profession
There’s no prize for attending the greatest number of events. Far better to find the communities where you genuinely enjoy the conversations and feel comfortable being yourself.
I’ve found those are often the places where people build the strongest relationships because they’re more relaxed, more curious and much more likely to keep coming back.
People sometimes ask me which networking group produces the best results.
The honest answer is that there isn’t one.
Different groups suit different personalities, industries and career stages. A Chamber of Commerce event might be ideal for one person, while someone else finds their community through an alumni association or a professional women’s network.
I’ve never found that the biggest network wins. The relationships that make the greatest difference are usually the ones people continue to invest in over months and years.
Don’t put yourself under pressure to build an entire network in a few weeks. Focus on the next conversation, the next introduction and the next opportunity to get to know someone. That’s how almost every strong professional relationship begins.
LinkedIn Networking Strategies That Actually Work
For many professionals, LinkedIn is where networking begins.
While having a strong profile is important, LinkedIn is much more than somewhere to list your career history. It’s a place to demonstrate your interests, build professional relationships and become visible to the people and organisations you’d like to work with.
That’s become even more important in Switzerland.
Today, around five million people in Switzerland have a LinkedIn profile, representing the vast majority of the professional workforce. XING once played that role, particularly in German-speaking Switzerland, but today LinkedIn is overwhelmingly where professional conversations happen.
So how do you use it well?
Start by making sure your profile clearly reflects who you are, the value you bring and the type of work you’re interested in.
Then shift your focus from broadcasting to engaging.
Rather than simply posting about yourself, comment thoughtfully on other people’s content, share relevant insights, follow organisations you’d like to work for and take part in conversations that genuinely interest you.
Over time, people begin to recognise your name, understand your expertise and see what you care about professionally, which is far more valuable than sending dozens of connection requests to people you’ve never spoken to.
One mistake I see quite often is reaching out to someone simply because they fit a particular job title or work for a company of interest.
Without a genuine reason to connect, those messages can feel transactional and are much less likely to lead to a meaningful relationship.
Instead, ask yourself: Why am I connecting with this person?
Perhaps you’re interested in their career path.
Maybe they shared an article that made you think differently.
Perhaps you’d genuinely like to understand more about their industry or organisation.
Those conversations also tend to feel much more natural because they’re driven by genuine curiosity rather than an immediate request for help.
The best networking conversations usually begin long before anyone needs a favour. They’re built through small, consistent interactions that gradually establish familiarity and trust.
When an opportunity does arise, you’re picking up a conversation rather than starting one from scratch.
Networking Events, Industry Groups and Professional Associations in Switzerland
Once people accept that networking is about building relationships, the next question is usually: “Where do I actually meet people?”
The good news is that there are plenty of opportunities in Switzerland.
Professional associations, Chamber of Commerce events, industry conferences, alumni groups, expat communities and local meetups can all be excellent places to start.
Clients often ask me which networking events produce the best results.
My answer is always the same: it depends.
A senior finance professional is likely to benefit from different events than someone working in technology, healthcare or marketing. Likewise, an expat who’s recently arrived may feel much more comfortable starting with an international community before branching out into industry-specific groups.
Personally, I’ve found Chamber of Commerce events and professional associations particularly valuable, but the right choice will always depend on your profession, career stage and the type of people you’d like to meet.
For example, I found that organisations such as the British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce (BSCC), Professional Women’s Group (PWG) and Zürcher Gesellschaft für Personal-Management (ZGP) provided excellent networking opportunities. They’re not the right fit for everyone, but they’re good examples of the kinds of professional communities available in Switzerland.
One thing I’d encourage you not to do is judge an event after attending it once.
Someone goes to a networking event, has a few pleasant conversations, doesn’t come away with a job opportunity and concludes that networking doesn’t work.
Professional relationships rarely develop that quickly.
Many networking events only take place every two or three months. Trust takes time to build, and people are much more likely to remember you if they see you again. Consistency is often far more important than trying to attend as many different events as possible.
So rather than asking, “How many events should I attend?”
try asking, “Which community would I genuinely like to become part of?”
That’s usually where the most valuable professional relationships begin.
How to Ask for Conversations Without Feeling Awkward
One of the biggest reasons people avoid networking is that they’re worried they’ll be asking for something they haven’t earned.
I’ve lost count of the number of clients who’ve told me they don’t want to “beg” for a job or impose on someone’s time.
The good news is that effective networking rarely starts with asking for a job.
It starts with curiosity.
Instead of asking someone whether they know of any vacancies, ask whether they’d be willing to share their experience of working in a particular industry, organisation or role.
Most people enjoy talking about the work they do, particularly when someone is genuinely interested in learning rather than immediately asking for a favour.
You might ask how they moved into their profession, what skills matter most in their role, how the industry is changing or what advice they’d give to someone considering a similar path.
Those conversations often provide far more value than a discussion about current vacancies.
They help you understand whether a role genuinely suits you, build your knowledge of the market and develop relationships that may naturally lead to future opportunities.
One shift I often encourage clients to make is to stop thinking, “How do I persuade someone to give me a job?”
and start asking, “How could my experience help solve problems for an employer like this?”
That’s a very different conversation.
You’re no longer approaching someone because you need something from them.
You’re exploring how your skills and experience might create value.
People also worry about saying exactly the right thing when introducing themselves.
In reality, there isn’t a perfect script.
Of course, having a clear introduction helps, but the best networking conversations rarely begin because someone delivered a flawless elevator pitch. They begin because two people had a genuine conversation.
As I often tell clients, the best introduction is usually a warm smile. (Fortunately, those are much cheaper than business cards.)
Respect people’s time, be genuinely curious and focus on learning rather than immediate results.
When you do that, networking starts to feel much less like asking for help and much more like building professional relationships—because that’s exactly what you’re doing.
Why Networking Feels Harder Over 40 (And Why It Often Matters More)
Networking can feel very different at 45 than it did at 25.
Not because you’ve become less capable, but because your expectations have changed.
One comment I hear surprisingly often is:
“At this stage of my career, I shouldn’t have to be networking. My experience should speak for itself.”
I completely understand where that comes from.
After years of building your career, developing expertise and establishing a professional reputation, it can feel uncomfortable to put yourself back out there. If you’ve rarely needed to network before, it may feel unfamiliar, even if you’ve spent decades building successful relationships at work.
For some people, there’s also a fear of rejection.
Others worry they’ll come across as opportunistic, needy or even desperate simply by asking someone for a conversation.
When those thoughts creep in, I often ask clients to look at the situation from the other person’s perspective.
If someone approached you at a networking event and asked whether they could buy you a coffee to learn more about your career, would your first thought really be, “How desperate”?
Or would you probably be happy to share your experience if you had the time?
Most people choose the second answer.
Yet we’re often much kinder when judging other people’s behaviour than we are our own.
That’s why I encourage clients not to think of networking at this stage of their career as starting again.
You’re not beginning from scratch.
You’re reconnecting with people you’ve worked with over the years, expanding your professional relationships into new areas and repositioning your experience for the next stage of your career.
That shift in perspective can make networking feel far more natural.
Because the goal isn’t to convince people you’re worth knowing.
It’s to help the right people understand the experience, perspective and value you already bring.
Common Networking Mistakes Career Changers Make
Most networking mistakes aren’t caused by saying the wrong thing.
They’re caused by approaching networking with the wrong expectations.
One of the most common is waiting until you’re unemployed before you start.
By that point, networking can feel urgent, which often makes every conversation feel as though it has to produce a job opportunity. That’s a lot of pressure—for you and for the person you’re speaking to.
Another mistake is thinking too transactionally.
People naturally focus on meeting individuals they believe can help them directly and overlook conversations with anyone outside their target industry or company.
In reality, you never know where a useful introduction, idea or opportunity might come from.
Someone who isn’t able to help you today may know exactly the person you need to meet tomorrow.
(Professional networks have a habit of joining dots that aren’t obvious at first.)
I also encourage clients to be specific about what they’re hoping to learn.
Saying, “I’m looking for a job,” is so broad that it’s difficult for anyone to know how to help.
Compare that with:
“I’m trying to understand what employers look for in regulatory affairs.”
or
“I’d love to learn more about moving into sustainability consulting.”
Now the conversation has a clear purpose, and it’s much easier for someone to share relevant advice, experiences or introductions.
Another trap is relying entirely on online applications while treating networking as something separate.
The two work best together.
Networking helps you understand the market, build relationships and gain insights that make your applications stronger.
Finally, don’t expect immediate results.
Trust takes time to build.
People remember the person they’ve seen at several events, had a couple of coffees with or exchanged ideas with over a number of months. Very few professional relationships are built through a single conversation.
That’s why I encourage clients to think of networking as a long-term investment rather than a short-term tactic.
Go into each conversation with an open mind, be clear about what you’re hoping to learn and allow relationships to develop naturally.
That’s usually when networking starts to feel less like a job-search technique and more like a genuine part of your professional life.
How Networking Supports a Career Change in Switzerland
When people think about networking, they often focus on finding their next job.
In reality, one of its greatest strengths is helping you decide what your next job should be.
Career changes involve uncertainty.
You may be wondering whether a particular industry is right for you, whether your transferable skills will be valued or whether a role is really as appealing as it looks from the outside.
Networking helps answer those questions long before you commit to a major career decision.
I’ve seen many clients completely rethink their plans after having a few honest conversations with people already working in the field they were considering.
One client was convinced she wanted to move into mental health because she wanted work that felt more meaningful. During an informational conversation with someone working in the sector, she discovered that the particular role she was considering within an insurance company was focused much more on managing claims than directly supporting people experiencing mental health challenges.
It wasn’t the kind of work she had imagined.
Another client was excited about moving into management consulting. But after speaking to several experienced consultants, they heard a remarkably consistent picture of long hours, extensive travel and limited work-life balance. It wasn’t that consulting was the wrong career—it simply wasn’t the right fit for the life they wanted to build.
Those conversations saved both clients from making career decisions based on assumptions.
They also gave them something just as valuable: clarity.
That’s why I often encourage clients to use networking as a way of exploring possibilities rather than simply searching for vacancies.
The people you meet can help you understand how an industry is changing, what employers are looking for, where your transferable skills are likely to be valued and whether your expectations match the reality of the role.
Sometimes they’ll also introduce you to opportunities you would never have discovered through online job searches alone.
Networking doesn’t just help you uncover hidden opportunities.
It helps you uncover the right opportunities.
If you’re still deciding which direction to take, you may also find these guides helpful:
- I Want a Career Change But Don’t Know What to Do (Especially in Switzerland) explores how to gain clarity when your options feel overwhelming.
- How to Change Careers in Switzerland as an Expat explains how to navigate the Swiss job market during a career transition.
- How to Identify Your Transferable Skills When the Job Market Is Changing will help you recognise the experience and strengths you already bring.
How Career Coaching Helps You Build a Professional Network With Confidence
By the time many people come to me, they already know networking matters.
What they’re less sure about is where to start—or how to do it in a way that feels authentic.
Very few clients need me to tell them they should attend an event or update their LinkedIn profile.
What they usually need is a structured approach that helps them stop overthinking and start taking action.
One concern comes up again and again.
People worry they’ll come across as unprofessional, too salesy or even desperate.
In reality, those fears are often much bigger than the networking challenge itself.
Together, we work on building a networking strategy that feels natural and reflects who you are.
That might involve identifying the people who are most relevant to your goals, refining your LinkedIn profile, planning how to approach conversations, or simply working out which networking opportunities are worth your time.
Just as importantly, we explore the mindset behind it all.
Networking becomes much easier when you stop worrying about getting everything exactly right and start focusing on being genuinely interested in other people.
From there, accountability often makes the biggest difference.
It’s one thing to decide you’ll start networking.
It’s another to actually send the message, arrange the coffee meeting or attend the event you’ve been putting off for weeks. Having someone to encourage you, challenge you and help you reflect on what’s working can make it much easier to keep building momentum.
If networking is an area you’d like to develop, I also run Reclaim your Network, a practical programme designed to help professionals build meaningful professional relationships with greater confidence. It runs periodically throughout the year, alongside my one-to-one coaching, when enrolments are open.
If you’d prefer individual support, my career coaching services in Zurich can help you develop a networking strategy that’s tailored to your experience, your goals and the way you naturally like to build relationships.
Because successful networking isn’t about pretending to be someone you’re not.
It’s about becoming more intentional, more visible and more confident in sharing the value you already bring.
What to Do Next
If there’s one idea I’d like you to take away from this article, it’s this:
You don’t need to know everyone. You simply need to start building the right relationships.
Don’t let assumptions stop you before you’ve even begun.
You don’t need to have grown up in Switzerland or studied at a Swiss university to build a valuable professional network. In fact, your international career may already connect you to people who can open doors here.
Nor do you need perfect German, French or Swiss German before you start networking. While language skills are important in many roles, much of the networking within Switzerland’s international business community happens in English.
And while Swiss networking may be more relationship-focused than in some other countries, that isn’t a reason to avoid it—it’s simply a reason to adapt your approach.
If you’re ready to build your network in a structured, practical and authentic way, Reclaim Your Network is designed to help you do exactly that when the next cohort opens.
If you’d prefer individual guidance, the Mid-Career Audit or 1-to-1 coaching can help you develop a networking strategy that’s aligned with your career goals and the realities of the Swiss job market.
Because the best time to build your professional network isn’t when you urgently need it.
It’s now.
