The Newbie Guide to Sweden

We explain Sweden

employment

10 Swedish words to know in the office

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Why do you need to learn Swedish words for the office? Well, are you looking for a job in Sweden? Or, are you already working in a Swedish office? In that case, just knowing 10 simple words or phrases in Swedish might make all the difference for your experience in a Swedish workplace. Rebecca from SweTeach helps you navigate life as a Swedish office worker. Check out the word list below of Swedish words to know in the office.

This post is written by Rebecca Andersson, an experienced Swedish teacher and co founder of SweTeach, language coaching for newcomers.

En fika (noun) att fika, fikar (verb)

No Swedish word list can exist without including the word fika. In the office, fika can refer to several different things. If you grab a cup of coffee and take it back to your desk, it is not considered fika. A fika has to involve either a sweet treat or a social gathering, both in the best case. 

Fredagsfika might be the most popular type of fika. A Friday fika is a weekly gathering at the workplace, usually on Friday afternoons. Some companies have a fika list where someone has to bring in fika for the whole team each week. 

En matlåda (noun)

In Sweden, many people bring their own lunch box or matlåda to work. This plastic, glass, or metal container often includes popular everyday dishes (husmanskost) such as Spaghetti och köttfärssås, Korv stroganoff, or Köttbullar och potatismos. 

Whether to heat up the food in your lunch box or put it on a plate first is up to you. But, if you would like to be popular among your colleagues, I would advise you to avoid fish. It leaves an awful smell behind after re-heating!

En after-work/AW (noun)

Wait a minute, is this not English? You are right, but only partially. The words are English, but the expression is Swedish. An After Work or AW is a social gathering with friends or colleagues where you enjoy a drink and possibly some food together after a working day. An AW often starts around 4 or 5 pm and lasts a few hours. 

The concept is popular in Sweden and you will see plenty of offers on drinks and food similar to a Happy hour. Some bars also offer activities such as darts, boule, shuffleboard, or a pub quiz. 

En lönehelg (noun)

An AW often kicks off a lönehelg. The word translates to ‘pay weekend’ and is often used as an excuse to spend a little extra when you have just received your salary. Most Swedes get paid on the 25th of every month and the preceding Friday if that date occurs on the weekend. This makes Friday the most common payday, which is why lönefredag is also a thing. 

Since most people in Sweden get paid on the same day, a lönehelg often means a busy weekend for shops, restaurants, and bars. Do not forget to book a table if you plan to dine out on the 25th!

Ett möte (noun)

The Swedish meeting culture is famous, or infamous, even outside of Sweden. There are plenty of different meetings to choose from; breakfast meetings, briefings, lunch sessions, team meetings, evaluation meetings etc.

An essential part of the Swedish meeting culture is reaching konsensus. Everyone should contribute to the discussion and agree on a decision. This can take quite some time, and you often have to parkera or ‘park’ issues and schedule a new meeting to continue the discussion.

Ett friskvårdsbidrag (noun)

Fitness and well-being are hot topics in Sweden gyms are to be found everywhere. Many companies provide a friskvårdsbidrag, which is financial support that you can use to pay for a gym card, massage, or membership in a sports association. 

Some employers also allow you to exercise during work hours or organise weekly group exercises for you and your colleagues. In Sweden, the question is not if you work out or not, but what you do for exercise and how often.

Att vabba, vabbar (verb)

Even though many Swedes are interested in health, people get sick here just like everywhere else. When you stay home from work with sick children, you get reimbursed by Försäkringskassan for up to 80 percent of your salary for a maximum of 120 days per year. This system is called VAB, and the word is so frequently used that it was made into a verb. At a Swedish workplace, you can get a message from your colleague stating Jag vabbar idag, which means that the person will be off work due to taking care of sick children. 

In the winter, people tend to get sick more than during the rest of the year. This is why Swedes sometimes speak about the month of February as vabruari, the month of VAB. 

Att tidrapportera, tidrapporterar (verb) 

Many people in Sweden are working from home nowadays. This has made it more crucial than ever to report your work hours or tidrapportera, as you say in Swedish. 

In Swedish offices, it is common to have flexible hours or flextid. This means you do not have to start or finish your workday at any specific time as long as you do your hours. If you work more than you should, you can save hours that you can use for vacation later in the year. 

En semester

Speaking of holidays, every person working in Sweden has a lawful right to vacation or semester in Swedish, confusingly enough. A full-time worker has a minimum of 25 paid vacation days to spend during the year and has the right to schedule four cohesive weeks of vacation between June and August.  

Since people in Sweden tend to spend most of their vacation during the summer period, the word semester is closely linked to the summer holidays. If you take time off during other seasons, you can use the word ledighet, which translates to ‘leave’.

En röd dag

In addition to your vacation days, most office workers are also off work on public holidays. These days are referred to as röda dagar, ‘red days’ since they are marked with red in the calendar. In Sweden, there are about 15 such days per year. 

If you want to maximise your days off work, it is all about combining your vacation days with public holidays. Every year, many magazines and Unions publish guides on how to get the most out of the vacation year. 

We hope you learned a thing or two from this list. If you are looking to learn more Swedish, you can get started with the online course Swedish for Beginners. It is a self paced, self taught digital course that you can take from anywhere at anytime and at your own space. And it is very reasonably priced if we may say so ourselves 🙂 Good luck!

Further reading

3 ways to increase your job opportunities in Sweden and integrate into society

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Written by Chia May

Congratulations! So you’re moving to Sweden 🙂 and you have a million questions on your mind. Here 3 ways to increase your job opportunities in Sweden and integrate into the Swedish society.

After 2 years of discussing and planning, I finally received my residence permit card.  My mind went into a slight panic and anxious mode, on top of being super ecstatic and excited.  What should I do next? I had so many questions  and since information is so scattered, I didn’t know which information was the best to take.

So I was glad that I stumbled upon the courses offered by Newbie Learn. As a newcomer, these courses might interest you, as you prepare to start a new life in Sweden.  The Newbie Learn courses covers questions that you’ll have on personal life, work-life, and your pets as well!

Start planning for your move to Sweden!
Start planning for your move to Sweden! Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters from Unsplash.com

Here are the top 3 ways to find job opportunities in Sweden and to integrate yourself into Swedish society

  1. Options when learning the Swedish Language

Learning the language of the country where you are moving, is generally encouraged.  Not only does it help increase your job opportunities, it will also help you integrate into the new city that you’ll be living and working. You’ve probably heard about SFI (Swedish for Immigrants). But did you know that there are several options for you on your pathway to learning the Swedish language?

In the beginning,  I did not know about the options available and assumed that a most language classes are the same and for everyone.  It was a wrong assumption! In the course from Newbie Learn I learned about the different requirements you need to fulfill for different types of Swedish education. And that some professions such as doctors, architects or engineers have Swedish Language classes that are tailored for them!

It opened my eyes to the options that are available for me, as I would like to broaden and improve my Swedish to help me integrate for both my personal life and job opportunities in Sweden. Think about all the new adventures – and of course having the courage to speak a new language (embrace it! I know you’ll be doing great! ). Hopefully, from this course, you will be able to make an educated study choice.  Even though the course is not a language course per se, it tells you the steps and options that you have when it comes to HOW to best learn the Swedish language.

2. Understanding the Swedish working culture

I took this course out of curiosity. Every country has its own way of doing things and everyone’s culture is unique. Obviously, the Swedish culture is bigger than just the Fika culture (haha!), but I had no idea how the working culture is in Sweden. Usually one can have an idea of how this works from a TV show or in movies, perhaps, but I’ve never watched a Swedish TV show or movie before! You have to know that it’s fine that you are completely clueless ( like me! hi friend! ).

As I like to be prepared and do my research before starting something new, I thought this particular course was a lifesaver.  Personally, this has been great navigational advice in the workplace for newcomers like me. Taking this course from the perspective of a newcomer,  it was interesting to see the explanations of the Swedish ways. Cultural and behavioral insights are elaborated here, and also the formal workplace law and regulations.  I can’t wait to experience this all when I start my new job!

3. Getting the salary that you deserve

This was a rather interesting subject for me. To start with, I would definitely need a job, but second, how do I negotiate for the pay that I deserve? Especially when I’m new to Sweden?  It was a rather technical question and something that one should ponder before agreeing to the job and the salary that it offers.  I would recommend that you search for the median salary of your profession, and from there, you can use the course.  This course explains why and how negotiating your salary works in a Swedish workplace.  It was a great insight for me to understand the technicalities of how a company determines your increment as well.  Hopefully, that knowledge allows you to think ahead when you’re in the interview discussing your salary with your employer. 

Going through these courses has made me feel like I’ve learned something new about the country that I’ll be moving to.  I’ve had such an eye-opening experience reading and I can’t wait to experience all of these in real life!  I’m looking forward to my new Swedish life and I hope all of you are too!

 

About the Author

Hi! I’m Chia May. Born and bred in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I moved to Sweden at the end of 2020. My background is in Architecture, and my passions are exploring new cities and literally looking at it’s building, people watching, trying out new restaurants, listening to a good story shared by a stranger and petting all the cats and dogs that I can while taking a walk. Since I’m new in this city I can’t wait to share my perspective as a Newbie! I hope you’ll enjoy my post.

 

How to adapt your CV to the Swedish job market

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Welcome to Sweden! If you have applied for international roles before, you will probably find that the recruitment process is very similar in this country. As for your CV, the structure and the content are common to many other nations, but there are a few local subtleties. In this article, I cover the main points to ensure your CV is best adapted to the Swedish job market.

Is your CV clear, easy to read and uncluttered?

In the country of minimalist design, ensure that your CV is pleasing to the eye. Avoid multiple colours and fonts, clearly mark the sections and make good use of the space. Swedes value simplicity and directness. Only keep experiences that provide relevant information for the position. Use bullet points instead of writing whole sentences. Make each word count.

How long should it be? If you have 10 or plus years of work experience, you can stretch it to 2 pages. Otherwise, try to keep it to one.

 

Are your contact details kept to the minimum?

At the top of the page, you need to state:

  • First name, surname (in that order)
  • Phone number (preferably a Swedish phone number to prove that you already live here)
  • Email address
  • Link to your LinkedIn profile
  • Website address, if you have one

Recruiters don’t need to know your nationality, if you are married and have children, your date of birth or age. You can add your residential address if you want to show that you reside in Sweden.

Photo or no photo? There is no rule. I recommend not adding a photo as your look shouldn’t be a criteria for recruitment. If the recruiter really wants to see your face, he/she can check your LinkedIn profile (or invite you for a video interview.)

 

Is your work experience relevant and to-the-point?

Photo credit@Unsplash

Swedes value practical experiences over education. So this section comes before your education (unless you have recently graduated or have little work experience). List your jobs starting with your most recent position. As for any CV, add dates, place and describe your tasks or accomplishments.

Keep it simple and easy to understand. Don’t use jargons or technical terms. Add details on the positions that are relevant for the role you are applying, and keep the others short, or remove them.

Many Swedish employers are looking for competences, but also for human skills. Personal projects and life experiences are valued in Sweden, a country that views work-life balance as a priority. Feel free to mention if you stayed home to raise your children if you took a break to travel the world if you volunteer or have taken outside work responsibilities.

 

What else?

Should your CV be translated in Swedish?
You should reply to a job ad in the language it’s written in. And you should only apply for roles in Swedish if you can speak it. So, don’t bother with a Swedish-translation if you don’t master the language yourself.

Should you add references?
No, only if it is specifically asked in the job ads. But usually, it is needed later on in the recruitment process.

Other sources of information

Written by Christelle Pottinger
A career coach, always happy to help French and English-speaking Newbies fulfill their professional dreams.

What are the Consequences of the COVID-19 Crisis on Your Job Search in Sweden?

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Written by Christelle Pottinger

In April 2020, the world went into ‘pause’ mode while COVID-19 spread. Most of us have put projects, travel plans or even expatriation on hold. Job search and career change were halted. But what can we expect from the Swedish job market in the near future? As one of the only European countries to not confine its citizens, can we hope for a faster economic recovery? Should you pursue your dream of expatriation, of finding a fulfilling job in Sweden? Or should you review your plans?

The Swedish economy will suffer as much as its European neighbours

Sweden didn’t impose a full lock-down on its citizens and businesses, but it will be as badly hit as its neighbours. The Swedish central bank (Riksbank) released two possible scenarios* for 2020. Both are bleak. Which one will become reality will depend on the length of the pandemic and on the continuous restrictions.
Sources: *CNBC

In the best scenario, Sweden’s GDP will shrink by 6,9%; 9,7% in the worse case. By comparison, the IMF (International Monetary Fund) predicts, for 2020, a contraction of the French economy by 7,2%, 6,5% in Germany and 8% in Spain.

Unemployment rate expected to rise

By March 1st, 60 000** people were warned of potential layoffs in Sweden. These won’t automatically follow with actual redundancies. But it is the first step in the dismissal process.

Since this date, an additional 95 455 individuals registered with Arbetförmedlingen, the Swedish unemployment agency. In April, the unemployment rate reached 8%. In January 2020 the figure was 7.4%. It could reach 8.8% in scenario A or 10.1% in scenario B* by the end of the year.
Sources: *CNBC, **The Local

Larger cities are mostly affected by job losses. Industries such as tourism, communications, media, entertainment, and transport, have suffered most from the restrictions and social distancing recommendations. The world economy has been more affected than expected leaving Swedish exports in dire straits.

The government introduced support packages and measures to help businesses and start-ups, as well as job seekers, but the economic impact of COVID-19 will still be enormous.

#jobbjustnu, positions available now

Facing an increased number of registered unemployed, Arbetförmedlingen, took a series of measures to ease the strain on their system and facilitate a speedy return to work for citizens.

The hashtag #jobbjustnu (a job right now) was added to the job placement platform Platsbanken. Its aim is to fill available positions as fast as possible and make job searching more efficient.

The categories recruiting the most right now are nursing and teaching.

Be prepared and be patient

Let’s stay optimistic. The economy will eventually return to growth, even if no one knows when and how. There are still open positions, but fewer of them and the competition is fierce. So, to find your dream job, be patient, and use this free time wisely to improve your chances.

  • Sharpen your tools: update your CV and LinkedIn profile – ensuring your career choice is clear and aligned with the needs of the market. Show your strengths and relevant competencies.
  • If you are looking to make a career change, find ways to gain some experience without relying on employment (think internship, volunteering, personal projects).
  • Learn Swedish. It’s a time-consuming activity, so now is the right time! You will greatly increase your job opportunities.
  • Build your network. If there are few job ads, you can still connect with companies through direct communication. Wherever you are, you can start casting your net.
  • Of course, you need to continue to apply to relevant positions. Spend time crafting a personal and interesting cover letter. Adapt your CV. Quality and quantity matter.

Unfortunately, it seems that Sweden’s strategy to handle COVID-19 won’t lead to a faster return to economic growth. Patience, energy and a good plan are what you need to succeed. It is possible, but be prepared for a marathon rather than a sprint!

Christelle Pottinger is a professional career coach based in Stockholm. She helps French and English-speaking professionals build a career they love in Sweden.

Christelle about herself: Hi! I am French and I have moved to Sweden in 2012 with my family. I enjoy writing and sharing my experience of living and working in Sweden. I am a career coach, always happy to help French and English-speaking Newbies fulfill their professional dreams.

A-kassa temporary rules

The current COVID-19 pandemic influences our everyday lives in more ways than one and this is also the case with A-kassa temporary rules due to covid-19.

During times like these, we all need economic stability. And the certainty that our financial needs will be fulfilled so we can focus on our physical and mental health. (Read more about how to stay healthy and boost your immune system in our blog post here.)

The Swedish A-Kassa – the unemployment insurance – has recently presented several major changes that will smooth the process of applying for unemployment benefits. At the same time, it makes the benefits more approachable for everyone.

A-kassa temporary rules due to covid-19

Please note that all changes are only temporary and always follow the latest updates on your A-kassa website.

Higher payment

If you worked full-time between the period of 13th April 2020 – 3rd January 2021, you can be entitled up to 26 400 SEK per month if you fulfil the conditions for the income-related unemployment benefit.

If you fulfil only the base conditions, you can receive up to 11 220 SEK per month. Find out more about the base conditions for the benefit under this link.

Money from day one

Between the period of 30th March 2020 – 31st January 2021, you are entitled to your unemployment money already from day one of your unemployment. In the previous rules, you had six working days without the benefit.

Four months for one month membership

Every month of membership in the A-kassa during the period between March- December 2020 is now counted as four months. That means you can get up to 80% of your salary already after the 3 months membership in the A-kassa.

Easier for the self-employed

Good news from the A-kassa to the company owners. Your company can be on hold during 2020 without influencing your future unemployment benefit. Usually, you would have to work at least 5 years in your company in order to be entitled to the benefit.

If you are forced to close your company completely, you are entitled to the benefits as well.

Work amount reduced

Work amount needed for the benefit has been reduced from 80 hours to 60 hours per month under the last 12 months.

For part-time workers, it is 40 hours per month or 420 hours in total, during the period of the six months.

In case of specific questions always consult with your respective A-kassa. If you are not a member yet, contact the A-kassa that is relevant for your profession. If uncertain, use our Newbie guidelines.

5 Answers to Working in Sweden

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Written by Christelle Pottinger

You are looking for a job in Sweden? Familiarise yourself with the Swedish job market and assess your chances of employment with these 5 answers to working in Sweden.

1. What is the current economic situation?

From 2014 to 2018, Sweden enjoyed a steady growth of 3%. However, in Arbetsförmedlingen´s report “Labour Market Outlook, Sping 2019”, Arbetsförmedlingen, the national employment agency, expects the economic activity to slow down in the coming years. Also, the number of unemployed will increase (from 6,4% in 2018 to 6,7% in 2020).

Unemployment is much higher amongst foreign-born than Swedes: 15,4% compared with 3,8% respectively. This is partly due to mass immigration in 2015. Although fortunately, as they integrate into Swedish society, the unemployment rate is lowering.

Unemployment rate by gender in Sweden 2009-2019 ©Statista 2020
Unemployment rate by gender in Sweden 2009-2019 ©Statista 2020

2. What level of education is required?

As the employment of Swedish people has reached its full potential, to fulfill newly created roles and replace those retiring, the country will rely on foreign-born workers. Arbetsformedlingen states that industries such as education, training, and health will be largely dependent on new arrivals in the future.

In its report, the employment agency relates that “The level of education is of great importance for the possibilities of finding a job. (…) People with upper secondary education or higher accounted for almost 90 percent of the employment increase among foreign-born people in 2018.”

The demand for highly-educated professionals is constant and growing. Those with little or no education will struggle to find a job. “The most difficult labor market situation is found among foreign-born women with short education.”

 © unsplash

3. What are the most in-demand skills?

Every year, Arbetsformedlingen reviews 200 professions and identifies forthcoming labor shortages:

  • Engineering professionals (in building and construction, building services / technical building; chemical, electrical power, heating, plumbing and ventilation, mechanical, mining engineers, metallurgists, and related professions).
  • Healthcare professionals (dental assistants and hygienists, dentists, doctors, life science technicians, medical secretaries, midwives, nurses, pharmaceutical technicians, pharmacists, psychologists, assistant nurses and nurses, specialist doctors).
  • ICT (IT) professionals (ICT architects, ICT testers, test analysts, Software and systems engineers, developers).
  • Education professionals (pre-school teachers, recreation instructors, special education and upper-secondary level teachers).

Future employment growth (in %) in Sweden in 2018-2030 across sectors

 © Skills Panorama

4. Is speaking Swedish required?

It is possible to live and work in Sweden if you master English. It is widely spoken and understood by the local population. Most international companies, and those embracing diversity, use English as their work language.

However, your integration and chances of working in Sweden will greatly improve if you can speak Swedish.

Integrating in Sweden job market
 © unsplash

 5. How long does it take to find a job?

There is no straight answer to this question as too many elements will affect the length of your search.

The Swedish job market is opaque. Around 80% of jobs are filled through relationships, not by advertising. In addition, to apply for roles, you’ll need to build your own professional network. It can take more than a year to find your first stable job. Many foreigners accept temporary roles, or more junior positions, and even volunteer before they land their dream role.

Recruitment via networking doesn’t favor foreigners. Moreover, a study from Sociological Science Journal states that Sweden is one of the most difficult countries to get an interview if you have a non-European sounding name (only France scores worse).

Sweden is a land of opportunities for educated foreign workers, especially for those who speak Swedish and have a profession in the ‘most wanted’ list. In all cases, finding work in a foreign country takes time, patience and perseverance, as well as the financial resources to sustain oneself during the search.

Good luck!

Hi! I am French and I have moved to Sweden in 2012 with my family. I enjoy writing and sharing my experience of living and working in Sweden. I am a career coach, always happy to help French and English-speaking Newbies fulfill their professional dreams.

Find a job before moving to Sweden

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Are you planning to move to Sweden? Are you worried about the language barrier, cultural differences and looking for a job in a new environment? Moving to another country is not easy, but, as we know, possible. You can’t have control over everything that will happen, but you can actually do a lot to avoid long and frustrating searching for a job. Look at our checklist that will help you to find a job before moving to Sweden and save yourself a lot of stress.

Have you talked to your current boss and colleagues?

Do you have any network in Sweden? Does your company have offices here? Most of the people find their jobs through networking. Check the transfer options – that’s the most certain and easy way to find a job in another country. If your company has no connections with Sweden, ask for recommendations (in English) that will confirm your skills and experience. If your diplomas or any other important documents that could be useful during your job search are not in English, translate them into English (some of the employers will require a certified translation).

Have you Swedified your CV?

Swedish CV and CL are not so different from the ones from the other countries, but there are some subtle differences. If you want to improve your CV and CL, visit the website of the Swedish Public Employment Service. You’ll not only find useful tips there, but you can also schedule an online meeting to discuss what can be improved and receive individual feedback (unfortunately the interview part requires e-identification, but the tips are for everyone).

E-learning courses for your best job experience

Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed about finding work in Sweden? Or do you have a job and feel your salary doesn’t match your skills. Or, do you not quite get the unwritten rules at your new job? We’ve got you covered. We know how hard it can be to find a job, get the right pay and feel comfortable in your new Swedish job so we’ve created digital courses with all the information you need:   After finishing these courses, you will be able to navigate your Swedish work situation with skill and comfort.

Have you started to study Swedish?

There are multiple companies that offer jobs for fluent English-speakers, but it’s good to show that you want to study Swedish. When you speak the language of the country you live in, it’s easier to enjoy and explore it. Once you know some basics words, it will make it easier and more efficient to search for a job as well.

Once you come here, you can attend state-provided classes (one of the most fantastic options for foreign professionals is SIFA), but there is also something that you can do before you move to Sweden.

Swedish is not a difficult language and you can learn some basics before you move here. For example here, here and here.

Are you sure that you can start working in Sweden?

As long as the employer doesn’t provide you support with getting a work permit and the accommodation, you have another thing to fix. Finding the apartment in Stockholm is not easy, as well as applying for visas and permits. But it’s not impossible! Just make sure that you will have enough time to settle everything. Also, don’t forget that the recruitment process in Sweden takes a long time, so be prepared for waiting. You’ll find all the important information in Just arrived section.

List of websites with job advertisements:

The Hub

Jobbsafari

Jobbnu

Jobb Blocket

Metro Jobb

Guide to a happy unemployment

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Written by Sara Costa

Unemployment does not have to be hard, but it is not easy. It messes with your mind and self-confidence and makes you doubt yourself. I was unemployed for the first 1,5 year after my move to Sweden, until recently when I finally found a job.

My experience hardly makes me an expert in unemployment, but looking back I think I dealt with the situation pretty well, and I would, therefore, like to share my experience with the Newbie community.

Initial adjustment

At the beginning, I had to not only get adjusted to being unemployed but also to Sweden itself. My life completely changed and so did my routines. And although coming to Sweden was a long awaited move, I still had to accommodate all those feelings that such a big move implies. Suddenly changing your entire life is overwhelming and it will probably even make it hard for you to look for jobs, when there are just so many other things to do!

Solution: Take it easy and take care of your paperwork first. Having a personal number, for instance, will make it easier with everything else. That in turn will help you feel like you belong here and to create new routines. Once you feel more settled it will all feel better.

Job hunting

Job hunting is much more than to just apply for jobs. It is important to have a defined plan and to know which kind of jobs you want and can apply for. I think it is also important to be realistic, as applying for jobs out of your reach will just make you waste your time. However, every situation is unique and it may seem difficult to define a plan.

Solution: Be as active as you can! If you don’t know which jobs are adequate to your experience, ask for help. Register at Arbetsförmedlingen and talk about your situation. If you do know what you want then go and search, try and apply for as many jobs as possible. Create contacts through websites like ÖppnaDörren and sign up for Facebook or Linkedin groups of people who share your profession. Send spontaneous applications.

The Newbie Guide is also a great source of information about job hunting and you can read more about it here.

Being lost

Being lost was for me the hardest feeling to beat. Not knowing what the future brings. Not knowing what I wanted exactly. And not knowing when.

Solution: keep yourself busy (see the point below). Those feelings went up and down, but it was always better when I was busy, as I didn’t have time to think about it.

Extra activities

Looking for jobs, writing personal letters and filling in applications will take a lot of your time. However, if you just do that you will probably drive yourself crazy. It is important to keep your spirits up and to not let your energy down, which might be difficult if you just lay in the sofa the whole day.

Solution: Find activities and keep yourself busy.

  • Temporary job – even if it’s not in your area, a temporary job will give you an insight into the Swedish job market and community. It will also help you improve your Swedish skills.
  • Arbetspraktik or instegsjobb – These are like internships and great options for those with little experience or willing to try something new. From experience, I know that a lot of employers are willing to take interns. As an intern you won’t only learn the job but create a lot of contacts in the area, that might become useful later. Read more about it here and here.
  • Learn Swedish: There’s no better time to learn a new language than when you can put a lot of your time to it. Whether you register for SFI classes or simply study on your own, use your time to learn Swedish. Then take advantage of it and impress the employers in your interviews. Even if you can only say a few words, do it. Your effort will certainly be appreciated.
  • Do that thing you always wanted to do: for me that was writing and making digital photo albums. I became a more active blogger in my own blog, I became a guest writer here at the Newbie Guide and I even wrote a book with my quirky love story, something I have been wanting to do for a long time.

Doing things I enjoyed during my unemployment makes it feel like that time was not wasted at all, as I experienced and learned new things with it.

The occasional meltdown

Meltdowns will happen, there’s no way around it. Mine were about once a month and implied a lot of “I’m so useless”, “I will never find a job again”, “what the hell should I do with my life”, among others.

Solution: Accept them as part of the process. They reminded me that although occupying my time with fun activities, I was not completely happy. They pushed me to keep looking for a job.

It will come for you

I heard this and other similar expressions a lot of times. Don’t worry, your turn will come. I did not always believe in it, but I understood that believing that I would find a job, made me stronger and kept me motivated to keep looking. And it did come. And so it will for you too. Believe in it. Believe in yourself. Always.

 

About the Author 
Hej! I’m a Portuguese Newbie in Sweden. I have also lived in Brazil, Poland and the Czech Republic. It’s been fun to be a foreigner in so many different countries and I enjoy learning about other cultures. I’m a fan of sports, some to watch and some to practise, my favourite being running. I also love food, reading and blogging. I hope you enjoy my posts!

Swedish Job Market False Facts

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I, myself, think I am really good at job hunting. I have had three unemployment periods in my life. One was some sort of existential crisis after graduation, the second was deciding to have a career shift and the third one is now in the Swedish job market. So you think you will rock finding a job in Sweden due to all that experience in your home country? Well, it turns out, looking for a job abroad is totally different!

When you move abroad the first time, you easily accept that there can be cultural differences. But, somehow, you don’t think those differences may affect your job search. However, the first thing you should do is to learn about the culture of the Swedish job market and then act accordingly. Here I list my (and probably some of yours) three major wrong assumptions about job searching in Sweden.

The National Employment Agency is not for me

In my home country, it is not common to register at an employment Agency and they generally do not have jobs for university graduates. So for a long time, I did not listen to people who told me I should register with the National Employment Agency Arbetsförmedlingen. But I was wrong!

Arbetsförmedlingen has one of the broadest job boards in Sweden, with plenty of ads for most professions. Also being registered there gives some incentives for the employers. For instance, if an employer hire you for a job or internship when you’re registered to Arbetsförmedlingen, then Arbetsförmedlingen may pay a part of your salary (called instegsjobb or nystartjobb). Which means you cost less to your employer! Which means you may have an advantage among other candidates – so why not take your time and register today?

It is enough to search just the job boards

This was another wrong assumption of mine! If you haven’t heard this fact yet, it will be shocking for you: 80% of jobs in Sweden are not advertised and are instead basically filled though network connections. So, those job ads you see are just the tip of the iceberg. There are hidden gems deep down. And to go deeper in the ocean of jobs, you need to know the right people. If you really want to find a job, you should start by trying to meet new people and attend networking events until you have a broad Swedish network.

I cannot reach HR by calling / It is rude to call HR personally

Actually, I thought reaching an HR personally was almost impossible (because it is almost impossible in my home country). So it seemed a waste of time to try. But it turned out it isn’t! You can actually phone to the HR departments and, for instance, ask more about a job ad. In most job ads, you find the name of the contact person and phone number. Moreover, most of them specifically write that you can call them if you have any questions. Calling them will gain you some deeper unwritten insights about the job ad and also give you the chance to introduce yourself in person. So call them!

Even if there isn’t any related job ads, you can search for the companies you want to work and call their HR or employees. Make sure you properly introduce yourself and do not directly  ask for a job but tell your story. Then maybe you can invite them for a fika to ask for insights like which skills you need in this profession, or how the company culture is.

I believe, as newbies, we all have our wrong assumptions about the Swedish job market. So it is important to forget about all these assumptions and make a fresh start. My main suggestion before you get started on your job search –  just meet some people and learn how things work here.

Written by Busra Zenging

Hej! I am a Newbie who is close to become an Oldbie in Sweden! I’ve been in Stockholm nearly for six months, I already did so many “fika”, swam in cold waters of Sweden, walked barefoot in Stockholm’s parks during the summer and, of course, had too many interactions with the Swedish bureaucracy 🙂 So far so good! My next challenge is job hunting – we’ll see how this will go 😉

What to do when employers only want Swedish speakers

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I met a friend this weekend. For some years, he wanted to find a job as an accountant but was struggling. All companies wanted someone that spoke Swedish and he didn’t know Swedish. This is a hard position to be in for anyone, you have the skills needed but the only thing that he felt short on was the language. But Swedish language is an essential skill in most jobs.

So, he took a step back. He applied and got a job at a home for elderly care here in Uppsala. During a couple of months, he spoke in Swedish to the people living there and now when I met him, he is fluent. Then with these new language skills, he now has a job as an accountant.

The thing is, sometimes you need to change your approach and do something differently to reach your end goal. Sometimes you need a milestone that is completely different from that end goal. Working with  elderly care was the best thing he could do, because it helped him bridge the last skill gap he needed to find a job, namely Swedish.

Why did another milestone help find him a job?

    • Think about it, how many more words do you think you will have to say to take care of elderly people all day instead of bookkeeping?
    • The majority of the day for an accountant is silent. The majority of the day taking care of elderly is talking and listening to Swedish. In other words, taking care of elderly was a more efficient way for him to reach his goal. Eventhough it is something completely different from what he wants in the end.
  • It just happens to be so that working at an elderly care helped him to gain a new transferable skills — speaking Swedish.

So, we have to think about, what the next step is. What is the gap between where I am today and where I want to go? How can I most efficiently bridge that gap?

If it is the language, get any job where you talk and listen to a lot of people. It doesn’t have to be a job in which you end up for a long time. It is just something you do to build a new skills.

Written by Andreas Wennberg

Andreas Wennberg is the founder of 400contacts, an app that helps people find a job in eight weeks. He blogs about jobs, how to find that elusive job and how to tweak your experiences and skills to become attractive on the Swedish job market. For more help on finding a job – sign up at 400contacts

Employment help for Newbies

The national employment service – Arbetsförmedlingen has several initiatives specifically for Newbies. Some are open for all Newbies while other initiatives are limited to Newbies in a certain life situation.

Remember that you are entitled to all services that Arbetsförmedlingen provides (not just the Newbie stuff), so make sure to check out their other services too.

  • Access to an interpreter (for all Newbies)
  • Validation of work experience and education (for all Newbies)
  • Nystartsjobb (for most Newbies)
  • Instegsjobb (for most Newbies)
  • Etableringspaket (for Newbies covered by the law 2010:197)

 Interpreter

You are entitled to an interpreter if you feel unsure about your Swedish and feel that this limits you in your contact with Arbetsförmedlingen. It doesn’t cost you anything but you might have to wait a bit longer in order to get an appointment.

Validation – Validering

Arbetsförmedlingen can help you validate your educational and professional experience. This means finding out what your work experience and education corresponds to on the Swedish work market.

We recommend that you use this opportunity, as the validation processes can be complex and time consuming. Make sure to bring all your certificates, grades and other references to your first appointment with Arbetsförmedlingen. Insist in getting your validation processes started right away.

Universitet- och högskolerådet (UHR)

Universitet- och högskolerådet is the place to turn to if you have a foreign high school diploma, Bachelor/Master Degree or PHD/MBA certificate.

(information in Swedish and English).

Valideringsinfo

Do you have foreign work experience but lack formal proof? Valideringsinfo provides you with information on how to proceed in order to formalise your work experience.

 (information in Swedish and English)

New start job – nystartsjobb

Nystartsjobb means that your employer receives a payment from Arbetsförmedlingen for hiring you. The aim of this support is to make you – as a Newbie – more attractive on the Swedish work market. Nystartsjobb is applicable to permanent, temporary as well as part-time employments.

Your payment needs to be fair. Your employer has to pay you in accordance with the collective agreement for the industry. You need to search and apply for the job on your own. This support will, however, hopefully make it easier for you to find a job and gain some important Swedish work experience. It might be an idea to write in your CV that you are entitled to nystartsjobb.

You are entitled to nystartsjobb if you arrived in Sweden less than three years ago and have been granted a residence permit as a refugee, person in need of protection or because of a connection.

(Information in English).

Introduction package – Etableringsprogram (only for Newbies covered by law 2010: 197)

Some Newbies are entitled to extended integration benefits. The purpose of this benefit is to give newly arrived Newbies the support they need in order to learn Swedish, find work and become self sufficient as quickly as possible. The support covers etableringsplan (introduction plan), etableringsersättning (financial support) and help to find housing.

The law (2010: 197) aims toward Newbies between 20 – 64 years of age, who have received a residence permits as a refugee, quota refugee or person in need of protection. The law also covers unaccompanied children at the age of 18-19, as well as close relatives to people covered by this law. Contact your nearest Arbetsförmedling if you are unsure about whether or not you are covered by this law.

Introduction interview – etableringssamtal

Start by setting an appointment for an introduction interview at Arbetsförmedlingen. This interview serves the purpose of providing an overview of your current skills and possibilities.

Introduction plan – etableringsplan

An essential part of the introduction interview will be to set up an individual introduction plan – a so called etableringsplan. An etableringsplan can consists of several activities, like:

  • Learning Swedish at SFI
  • Completing or complementing your studies at Komvux
  • Making an internship – praktik, at a Swedish work place

The purpose of your etableringsplan is to provide you with the skills needed to enter the Swedish labour market. You are supposed to spend 40 h/week on activities related to your introduction plan.

Introduction support – etableringsersättning

You are entitled to financial support when participating actively in your introduction plan. This is called etableringsersättning and is supposed to cover your basic expenses like accommodation, transportation, food etc. You are also entitled to a complementary supplement if you have children.

(information in Swedish)

Housing

It is generally up to you to find a place to live. However, Arbetsförmedlingen can help you find a place if you take part in an etableringsplan. It comes with a certain twist though: Arbetsförmedlingen will search for a place for you and your family, but they will search for a place where you have the greatest chances of finding work or receiving education.

This could mean moving to the other side of the country. You can’t influence their decision, but you are free to turn their offer down. If you do turn it down however, you will not get another housing offer from Arbetsförmedlingen.

Etableringslots

Looking for an etableringslots but not finding one? The Swedish government recently decided to end this integration service. They are, however, planning to compensate it with another service provided directly by Arbetsförmedlingen.

E-learning courses for your best job experience

Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed about finding work in Sweden? Or do you have a job and feel your salary doesn’t match your skills. Or, do you not quite get the unwritten rules at your new job? We’ve got you covered. We know how hard it can be to find a job, get the right pay and feel comfortable in your new Swedish job so we’ve created digital courses with all the information you need:

 

After finishing these courses, you will be able to navigate your Swedish work situation with skill and comfort.

Missing something? Or does something feel unclear? Contact us and help us improve.

 

Job seeking tools

The Public Employment Service – Arbetsförmedlingen is an important authority in the Swedish welfare system, but they have lately struggled with their tasks and goals.

You may hear some unflattering stories about them and some of them may be true, but nonetheless – there are plenty of reasons for you to sign up with Arbetsförmedlingen anyway.

Arbetsförmedlingen’s main tasks

  • matching jobseekers and employers
  • managing integration support and benefits for Newbies
  •  giving extra support to people with limited work capacity
  • supervision of the use of unemployment insurances

 The job bank – Platsbanken

Platsbanken is Sweden’s largest job bank; it lists thousands of vacancies in every occupational sector. You can subscribe to job alerts in your professional field and have them sent to your e-mail address.

Yrkeskompassen

Curious about the work prognosis for certain work fields? Or interested in knowing more about a certain profession? Yrkeskompassen provides you with information about different professions and the need for them in the future. An interesting read if you consider complementing your studies.

Employment officers / Job coaches

A job coach can help you with many things, such as writing application letters and a CV, help you prepare for job interviews or give you advice on how to contact potential employers.

  (information in Swedish)

Recruitment meetings at Arbetsförmedlingen

Arbetsförmedlingen arranges recruitment meetings at local employment offices throughout the country. You can meet employers who are recruiting in different job fields, from full-time financial controllers to part-time snow clearance staff. Ask your local office about the next recruitment meeting.

E-learning courses for your best job experience

Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed about finding work in Sweden? Or do you have a job and feel your salary doesn’t match your skills. Or, do you not quite get the unwritten rules at your new job? We’ve got you covered. We know how hard it can be to find a job, get the right pay and feel comfortable in your new Swedish job so we’ve created digital courses with all the information you need:

 

After finishing these courses, you will be able to navigate your Swedish work situation with skill and comfort.

Relocation Allowance

You can get relocation allowance, if you find a job in another location in Sweden (and sometimes also Europe). Ask your job coach/employment officer about it.

  (Information in many languages)

Platsjournalen

In Platsjournalen you find useful tips and articles about the Swedish job market.

  (Information in Swedish)

Useful links

Missing something? Or does something feel unclear? Contact us and help us improve.