In the section Backstage, interesting personalities from the financial sector and beyond provide insights into their personal preferences every Wednesday.

What do you do first in the morning?

Larissa Züllig: It varies. Sometimes it’s a HIIT workout, other times it’s coffee first, followed by a bike ride to Seefeld. My mornings before work are short and efficiently structured, but exercise is almost always part of the routine. That way, I’m already mentally switched on when I arrive at the office.

Johannes Schickentanz: A good cup of coffee on the balcony. A few minutes of fresh air, a chance to take a deep breath and ease into the day. Only then do I reach for my phone.

What is the best thing about your job?

Both: We gain insights into a wide range of companies and get to know very different cultures, people and challenges. No two days are alike, and each brings fresh perspectives. What we particularly appreciate is that, with every search assignment, we become part of the team for a while while maintaining an independent, outside perspective. Best of all, we have the opportunity to support decisions that have a lasting impact on careers and companies, helping both take a significant step forward.

A moment that changed your life?

Larissa: One single moment? Not really. More a whole series of them. Every time I’ve stayed true to myself, said no when others might have said yes, and stood up for my boundaries, something has shifted. I thrive on uncertainty. That’s where new opportunities emerge for me. And step by step, that’s exactly how I ended up where I am today.

Johannes: On a personal level, moving to Switzerland; professionally, becoming self-employed. Both were decisions where you don't know exactly what to expect beforehand, but afterwards you're glad you made them. And the next big moment is already on the horizon: in a few months, I'll become a father for the first time.

What cars do you own? Which is your favorite?

Larissa: I currently drive a Tesla, which is unbeatable in terms of everyday practicality. But my heart belongs to the classics: a Porsche 911 or a Mercedes SL from the 1980s or 1990s.

Johannes: As a German by birth, I admire excellent engineering, particularly Porsche, although so far only from a distance.

What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?

Larissa: Be patient with yourself. If you don't yet know where you're heading, that's perfectly fine. The direction will become clear. Try things out, meet people and explore different possibilities. There are many things you first need to experience. Give yourself enough room to do so. The world is loud and incredibly competitive, which makes it all too easy to lose touch with your own instincts. Trust them anyway. And most importantly, develop a strong work ethic. Hard work gets noticed and, sooner or later, rewarded. Also, have the courage to follow your own path. The sooner, the better.

Johannes: Stop planning every detail of your career and spend more time getting to know inspiring people. In my case, those encounters opened doors to opportunities I had never even considered before.

What are you particularly proud of?

Larissa: Having a healthy, stable personal environment and professional independence. For many people, independence sounds more like uncertainty. For me, it's exactly the opposite: one gives me stability, the other freedom, and together they give me tremendous energy. I work more today than ever before, but it doesn't feel that way at all. And I try to approach every day with joy and gratitude.

Johannes: The moments when I've been able to open doors for people that they might never have knocked on themselves. Many still get in touch years later, asking for advice or telling me how they're progressing in their roles and professional environments. Being able to accompany them on their journey over the long term is the most rewarding recognition I could ask for.

What do you do when you have doubts?

Larissa: I slow down. In such a fast-paced world, that's not always easy, but for me it's the only way to make good decisions. I'm someone who thrives on movement and variety. My thoughts become clearest when I'm exercising or spending time at my father's restaurant, our family business. There, I immerse myself in a completely different world, listen to the conversations around me, and suddenly the answer becomes clear. I need those contrasts.

Johannes: I take a step back and ask myself what advice I would give a good friend in the same situation. The answer is usually much clearer than when I'm thinking only about myself.

What is your favorite wine?

Larissa: A Pinot Noir or a Californian Cabernet Sauvignon.

Johannes: Honestly, any wine that tastes good. I'm no connoisseur, but I enjoy variety and am always happy to receive new recommendations.

What projects are you currently working on?

Both: Our biggest project bears our name: FinConnect. We want to make recruitment consulting more personal again, building genuine relationships with candidates and clients. That's why we deliberately take the time to look beyond the job description before searching for the right person, focusing on placements that work in the long term. This is precisely what often gets overlooked in the hectic day-to-day world of recruitment. We're particularly passionate about helping the financial industry recognise the value of young talent. That's why we work with our clients to develop new structures and hiring strategies that make targeted use of this potential. Given the changes currently taking place across the industry, there is strong momentum behind this approach. The successful launch of our first mandates has also given us additional confidence to invest in our team and expand beyond Zurich. But one step at a time: sustainable success takes time.

What do you admire in other people?

Larissa: People who are content and radiate a genuine zest for life. People who have a certain freshness about them and clearly appreciate life. That's not always easy, which is why I have tremendous respect for them. I also admire people who do something they're truly passionate about. They embody what they do, and you can sense it immediately.

Johannes: People who can honestly say, «I don't know». That takes healthy self-awareness and the courage to be open. Particularly in our industry, that's rarer than you might think, and it demonstrates more confidence than any quick answer.

What would be the biggest surprise for someone who had to take over your job for a day?

Both: Many people think our job simply involves moving someone from A to B and sending an invoice. In reality, every placement involves much more: business development, countless conversations and rejections, a keen understanding of people, a good deal of persistence and a network built up over many years. Creativity is also essential, because the best candidate is often found where others aren't looking. And even when both sides have found each other, the work isn't over. Our support doesn't end when the contract is signed, but only once the working relationship has proven itself in practice. Quick money? More like playing the long game. Without genuine passion for what you do, you won't last long in this business.

What is your personal drive?

Both: Building something of our own with FinConnect from a shared idea, something that reflects our personal approach and brings fresh perspectives to the industry. Every day, we see first-hand how our efforts are gradually turning into a company with a distinctive identity.

What are you afraid of?

Larissa: A day of complete inactivity. To be honest, sitting still makes me nervous.

Johannes: The sleepless nights awaiting my wife and me once our son arrives. Whenever I ask experienced parents how much sleep you get during those first few months, they usually just give me a sympathetic smile.

What is your favorite watch brand?

Larissa: I own just one watch: a vintage Omega that I inherited from my grandmother. I like it a little more every time I look at it, so I find myself wearing it increasingly often.

Johannes: From a purely practical perspective, an Apple Watch, because it's the most convenient option for everyday life. For special occasions, though, I also enjoy wearing a mechanical watch.

Is there an unfulfilled dream you would still like to realize?

Larissa: Getting my pilot's licence. Whether the world is ready for that is another question.

Johannes: Having my own podcast. I've really come to appreciate the format over the past few years, and as recruitment consultants in the financial industry, we gain insights that very few others have access to. Add to that all the inspiring personalities we meet every day, and there would certainly be no shortage of topics to discuss. Who knows what might come of it one day?

Your best investment?

Larissa: My fiancé, without a doubt the safest investment in my portfolio. My Pillar 3a pension investments, with their very high risk exposure, provide the excitement.

Johannes: Honest feedback, whether I've given it or received it. It has rarely been comfortable, but nothing has helped me grow more.

Larissa Züllig and Johannes Schickentanz are the founders of FinConnect, a Zurich-based talent boutique specialising in finance and technology. Larissa knows recruitment from the inside: after holding a management position at Allianz Partners, she moved into recruitment at McKinsey & Company before transitioning to external recruitment consulting. Johannes has always worked on the advisory side. He started his career in Frankfurt and most recently served as a partner at a European executive search boutique specialising in financial services, where he established the Zurich office.