Sarju joined Swisslinx over a decade ago with a legal background and now leads the Executive Search team, managing a diverse portfolio of clients seeking top senior talent.
JOURNEY TO SWISSLINX?
After working in
London for a PR firm, I moved to Zurich for personal reasons. I interviewed
with Swisslinx and immediately knew these were the people I wanted to work
with. A strong (predominantly) female team and one that was able to find a
nervous response to “Why do you want to work here?” funny (because I live close
by) made it clear that this was the place for me.
MY TEAM’S ROLE AT SWISSLINX?
Executive and
professional search across Financial Services, focusing on Alternative
Investments (Family Office, Hedge Funds, Digital Assets, Private Equity).
Research is at the heart of our work, and we dedicate a lot of time to building
on our networks in this space.
WHY SWITZERLAND?
In addition to the
abundance of opportunity and competing with other hubs like London, New York,
etc., the education system here allows for many paths, whether you choose to
pursue a higher education or not. You can work your way through the ranks from
a young age if you choose an apprenticeship path, and I think this is pivotal
in the success of so many here.
TECHNOLOGY IN SEARCH?
We could talk at
length about our search processes. Still, when we closely examine the sources
of our senior/executive placements, we find that many of these candidates
were individuals we spoke to 10 years ago for a senior role. They have since
become executives; we have maintained communication over the years. They have
developed a liking for our company and trust us to find them the right role.
TRENDS IN FINANCIAL SERVICES?
The representation of
women on the executive committees of SMI-listed companies has been stagnant
despite significant progress in recent years. Women are leaving management
boards much earlier than their male counterparts. This could be due to
increased business focus on core functions in the current market. There is an
increasing focus on sustainability in business, with 95% of SMI companies
linking remuneration to ESG targets.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION?
Diversity and
inclusion are central to us, mirrored in our internal 70% female workforce. We
actively source diverse candidates, mitigate bias, and promote inclusive
interviews. We see positive changes in the industry, with clients increasingly
prioritising diverse leadership teams.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION?
Diversity and
inclusion are central to us, mirrored in our internal 70% female workforce. We
actively source diverse candidates, mitigate bias, and promote inclusive
interviews. We see positive changes in the industry, with clients increasingly
prioritising diverse leadership teams.
We believe in keeping
things simple. When recruiting at the C-suite level, it's all about the
connections you have and the relationships you've built. with them.
TRENDS IN FS ?
The pandemic
reshuffled what companies value in CEOs. They seek leaders who can navigate
disruption, prioritise employees, embrace digital change, and champion
sustainability. This leads to a quicker turnover of CEOs and a more diverse
pool of candidates.
RELOCATING TO SWITZERLAND ?
Networking allows you to meet people you might never otherwise encounter. Switzerland's small size means you're likely to come across a diverse array of influential individuals across many industries. Enjoy your time in Switzerland, it's beautiful.
Let Swisslinx assist with your recruitment strategy
At Swisslinx, we have a highly experienced team of consultants who have a deep understanding of the different recruitment markets, such as financial services, digital and technology, and health and life sciences.
We’re a Swiss market leader in recruitment and we offer a truly personalised service to our clients and candidates.
We have an outstanding track record in talent acquisition across the globe and we always strived to achieve the highest standards of excellence.
For those seeking to enhance their team with exceptional talent, reach out to us today.