On March 18th, Trinnovo Group launched part II of our Success in Switzerland webinar series, a new initiative led by our specialists and expert speakers from our international network.
From cross-border working and visa management to insights into the job market, these sessions are designed to provide a comprehensive look into what it’s like to live and work in Switzerland.
With the help of our expert guests, we explored the nation’s complex language dynamics in the workplace, including cultural adaptation and professional etiquette, barriers, legal and administrative challenges, social integration, networking, and more.
Read on to explore the key insights from the evening’s panel discussion. Our panel included Olivia Melinda Gloor, Founder of OMG Languages, Olga Kravchenko, Founder of Plunge Language Courses, Viki Dowthwaite, Commercial Director at Trinnovo Group, and Sabrina Jones, Commercial Payroll Lead at Trinnovo Group. They were interviewed by Helena Sullivan, CMO at Trinnovo Group. Find out more about our panel members at the end of this article.
Switzerland’s Multilingualism
As one of Europe’s most linguistically diverse nations, Switzerland’s communication dynamics pose some unique challenges and opportunities in the professional space.
With four official languages, Switzerland’s multilingualism is a foundational part of its identity.
German is the most common language, spoken by around 60% of the population, mainly in the central and eastern parts of Switzerland.
French is spoken by an estimated 20%, primarily concentrated in the West of the country in cities like Geneva and Lausanne.
This is followed by Italian, spoken by almost 8% of the population, largely in the southern region of Switzerland in the canton of Ticino.
The fourth official language, Romansh, is spoken by an estimated 60,000 people, a first language for less than 1% of the population.
English often serves as a common language, particularly in businesses that field multilingual teams, although it’s not officially recognised.
Navigating Workplace Communication (When You Don’t Speak the Local Language)
What’s the trick to effective communication when you don’t speak the local language? ‘It depends on the business,’ says Olga, ‘if you work for the big pharma or financial companies, you’ll feel very comfortable just knowing English. However, I would suggest making an effort to learn German, as it will help you understand more about the culture.’
Sabrina agreed, mentioning:
‘don't be afraid to ask your colleagues whether they speak English or if they can help with translating something for you. Swiss people are generally happy to help out, especially because they pride themselves on being multilingual.’
Technology plays an important role here; translation apps have come a long way in recent years, and there are some great tools you can use to practice your vocabulary.
Our panel recommended using Quizlet, a flashcard-style app which can help broaden your vocabulary, and Pimsleur, an interactive app that can correct you when you practice your speaking.
ChatGPT can also be used as a learning companion with the right prompts, and you can reply to it using the voice recognition function. Speaking the language out loud, our panelists say, is a vital part of the learning process. As mentioned by Olivia:
‘A slightly odd tip is to talk to yourself. Initially [when learning a new language], we can feel uncomfortable and ashamed of speaking, even though that’s the most important part of learning a new language.’
Swiss German is mostly a spoken dialect, commonly used in everyday conversation across the German-speaking parts of Switzerland. In contrast, Standard German (Hochdeutsch) is the norm in formal and written settings, like workplace emails, internal reports, news broadcasts, and academic institutions.
As our panelists pointed out, for professionals moving to Switzerland, focusing on learning Standard German first is often the most strategic choice. Not only is it widely understood across Swiss German-speaking regions, but it’s also the language of official communication, making it essential for workplace integration and administrative tasks.
Olga noted that:
‘You need to get your language level to at least B1 to be able to decode and understand the Swiss German dialect.’
The official language for documentation is often tied to the region, one exception being in areas that speak Romansh, where they will be written in German, French, Italian, or multiple different languages.
It’s important to note that the level of language proficiency required to obtain a working visa can vary depending on the canton, the type of permit you’re applying for, your country of origin, employer preference, and where you’ll be residing. If you’re currently navigating this process and you’d like support from our cross-border talent team, please contact Viki at viki@trinnovo.com
Culture
In the corporate space, Switzerland is known for its highly skilled workforce, competitive talent market, and strong work/life balance. Employees are typically seen to keep clear boundaries between their careers and their personal lives. Olga reflected on her experience working and living in Switzerland:
‘It’s a very healthy work/life balance. Lunch will definitely take place on Sundays, and weekends are busy with anything to do with mountains, hiking, and so on. For me, it’s very fulfilling.’
For Olivia, it’s the Swiss organisational prowess that sticks out clearly:
‘First of all, if you’re one minute late, then you’re terribly late. We [the Swiss] are very punctual people. You can be one minute early, you can be five minutes early, but you can’t be a single minute late. The Swiss are generally very organised people, we tend to plan things three weeks in advance if we’re feeling spontaneous.’
For Viki, who currently works between her London HQ and her office in Zug, noted a stark difference in business etiquette:
‘We have a more casual style of business in the UK, where you immediately start using first names, whereas in my experience of working in Switzerland, formal titles are preferred until you’re invited to use first names.’
Networking
Networking tends to be slightly more formal too, although it’s worth noting there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in community events, whether that’s industry-oriented networking initiatives or social meetups designed to help newcomers integrate.
Events are easy to navigate once you’re in Switzerland, particularly in international cantons like Zug, where there’s a strong focus on networking. Olga said:
‘It wasn’t super difficult for me to find any networking events or any communities. I also had to do it for myself because I wanted to socialise, so it was really easy once I was already here.’
Current data suggests that 27% of Switzerland’s 9.7 million-strong population is comprised of non-Swiss residents. Consequently, expat communities are extremely common - our panel recommends exploring your local clubs on your commune’s website.
As Sabrina mentioned:
‘There are so many clubs, like local sports clubs, music clubs, gardening clubs, dog clubs - this is a great way to meet people who share your interests and get acclimated.’
Olivia agrees, adding:
‘A particular tip of mine would be to go hiking and join one of our many, many, many hiking or skiing clubs, especially if you want to meet some local Swiss people. It tends to get a bit foggy in the cities, so the Swiss tend to go up the mountains on the weekends and spend time in nature. It can be a good way to meet locals and also other like-minded expats.’
Support from Trinnovo Group
If you’d like to learn more about navigating Switzerland’s world-class talent market - whether you’re hoping to hire or get hired - Trinnovo Group’s specialised consultants are equipped to support you.
Trinnovo Group is a global provider of specialised recruitment and advisory solutions. Fully licensed across the UK, Ireland, Switzerland (SECO), Germany (AUG) and North America, our integrated recruitment brands support businesses with innovative, dependable and ethical staffing solutions.
We are a certified B Corp, joining a growing network of impact-driven organisations that put people and the planet over profit. With an unwavering focus on DEI, our service is strengthened by our communities.
Our brands:
• Trust in SODA - Software Engineering, Cloud & Infrastructure, DevOps & Data, Go To Market
• Broadgate - Accounting, Compliance, Legal, Risk, Trans & Change, Sales & Relationship Management, Actuarial
• DeepRec.ai - AI, Machine Learning, NLP & Blockchain
• Trinnovo Consulting – Digital Transformation, SOW & outcome-based solutions
Our communities:
• Ex-Military Careers – For veterans to find meaningful civilian careers
• Women in DevOps – Closing the DevOps gender gap & inspiring future leaders in tech
• Pride in Tech – Creating a kinder & safer space for queer people in tech
• Ethnicity Speaks – Championing an equitable workplace for people of all ethnic backgrounds
Our recent awards & accreditations:
• B Corp Certified
• Investors in People Platinum
• Recruiter Award for Diversity, Equality, and Inclusivity Service Excellence 2024
• SIA Top 100 Europe Staffing Leaders, 2024
• TIARA's 'Best Company to Work for (£20-£50m)' Award, 2022, 2021, 2020
• TIARA’s ‘Diversity, Equity & Inclusion’ Award 2022
• SIA 'Best Staffing Firm to Work for in the UK' and ‘US’ 2022
• Best Companies' 3-Star Accreditation 2022 & 2021
• Tiara's 'Growth Award' 2021 & 2020
• Tiara's 'Recruitment Leader of the Year' 2021
• APSCo 'Diversity & Inclusion Award' for Excellence, 2019
We operate in Berlin, Boston, Dublin, London, and Zurich. Our mission is to build diversity, create inclusion, and encourage workplace innovation.
Trinnovo Group GmbH, SECO licensed (CHE309.626.791).
Meet our panel:
Olivia Melinda Gloor, Founder of OMG Languages
Olivia, founder of OMG Languages in Cham, grew up in Zug (Switzerland) but took a six-year detour—three in Nice, three in Sanremo—soaking up la dolce vita. She’s been the clueless expat, the awkward language learner, and now the one who makes it all click. She founded her school with the goal of “making learning German bearable again “—more laughs, less headache, and finally understanding what the Swiss are mumbling!
Olga Kravchenko, Founder of Plunge Language CoursesOlga Kravchenko is the founder of Plunge Language Courses, a Swiss-based school specializing in personalized language training for expatriates and corporate clients. Educated in London, she has been teaching and running her business for over six years, working with a team of expert teachers to offer bespoke German courses, as well as English, French, Italian, Arabic, and Russian. Her approach combines proven methodologies with immersive speaking practice events, helping learners of all levels gain confidence and integrate into life in Switzerland. “Plunge” provides courses and organizes events in Zug and Zurich, supporting professionals and families in their relocation journey.
Viki Dowthwaite, Commercial Director at Trinnovo GroupAs Commercial Director, Viki drives strategic initiatives across Trinnovo Group, focusing on the growth of Trinnovo Consulting and our three recruitment brands, expanding the company’s presence across the UK, Ireland, and the DACH region. Viki's responsibilities include overseeing customer strategy, refining our unique value proposition, and ensuring effective customer enablement, with a particular focus on fostering strong relationships and aligning teams to enhance operational efficiency. In addition, Viki works closely with senior leadership and our CEO to manage our internal Talent, People & Performance Team, prioritising people strategies that optimise team performance and align with broader business objectives.
Sabrina Jones, Commercial Payroll Lead at Trinnovo Group
Sabrina Jones is the Commercial Payroll Lead at Trinnovo Group, where she is responsible for enabling seamless cross-border recruitment as an integral part of the legal and compliance team. Hailing from Switzerland, Sabrina combines extensive local regulatory knowledge with world-class customer service to deliver complex hiring projects. Fluent in both German and English, Sabrina is an expert at bridging communication gaps between employers, contractors, and regulatory bodies, ensuring compliance and consistency at each stage of the hiring process.
Helena Sullivan, CMO at Trinnovo Group
Helena is our CMO, leading marketing strategy and delivery for all Trinnovo Group brands globally. Her team are responsible for communities, social media, and thought leadership including events, podcasts and blogs, digital marketing, bids & tenders, and technology. Helena started her recruitment marketing career in London twenty years ago. She has worked exclusively in marketing for recruitment, for a number of global, multi-brand organisations, delivering marketing solutions in Europe, the UK, the USA, Asia, Australia, and the UAE. She is passionate about marketing and loves working in the recruitment sector due to its fast-paced and ever-changing nature.