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Jobless Swede offers salary as finder's fee

After being out of work for eleven months, economist Michael Sundblad from Lund, in southern Sweden, decided to try a new approach and is now offering his first month's pay in finder's fee to whomever gets him hired.

Published: 11 Nov 2011 15:55 CET



”I thought: 'Almost everyone has a network of people, most people have jobs, and everyone wants money. If I give something, perhaps I will get something back,” Sundblad told The Local.

Sundblad is a trained economist, specializing in international marketing and sales. He has previously worked in Canada and his dream job would involve working in both countries.

During the time he has been unemployed, he has applied for near 300 jobs, only to receive standardized letters declining to give him an interview.

”It is a jungle out there with so many people unemployed at the moment. I felt like all I got was automated response, I couldn't get my voice heard,” he said.

Born in Canada and with dual citizenship, he was surprised to find that despite being bilingual and having international work experience, he didn't seem to be able to compete on the Swedish labour market.

The idea to offer his first month's salary as a finders fee was born out of the frustration of not being able to break through this barrier.

”So this seemed like a new and different approach, and most people could do with some extra money before Christmas,” said Sundblad.

According to fresh figures from Sweden's National Employment Office (Arbetsförmedlingen) the number of unemployed people in the country has decreased slightly from 8.8 percent of the labour force in November 2010 to 8.2 percent in 2011.

But at the same time, the number of newly registered unemployed has increased.

”We are seeing more clear signs that the strengthening of the labour market is starting to weaken. The latest statistics show an increase in people being laid off and a decrease in the number of unemployed getting hired,” said Clas Olsson, head analyst at the agency to news agency TT, adding that he fears that unemployment figures will rise again.

Sundblad is hoping that his unorthodox attempt of getting hired might turn out to have been a stroke of genius.

Obviously a better paid job will generate a higher finders fee, but to Sundblad it isn't so much about the salary as it is about getting a chance and trying to find a job in which he can be happy.

As well as an interview in Swedish newspaper Metro, Sundblad has used different social media to reach as many as possible with his unusual request. He has already started to get responses.

”A Stockholm company called me after reading my request and I have set up a meeting with them next week,” Sundblad told The Local.

Your comments about this article:

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06:50 November 12, 2011 by eddie123
i wish you luck buddy!
11:56 November 12, 2011 by MinMalmo
I'm wondering if he will find job!? I would do same if somebody find me a job in Sweden. PhD in fluid mechanics engineering, 5 years experience working in US, Japan and Sweden. speak: Japanese, English and some Swedish.
21:54 November 12, 2011 by star10
With his strategy, Sundblad achieved a big publicity. So that by itself should increase his likelihood of finding a job. Wise move:).
12:07 November 13, 2011 by stoneman
I appreciate for your thinking, not for giving monthly salary but for giving your thoughts in news paper so, that others can also come forward and rise voice.

We can't blame to any one for the present situation but it is true every one is trying for their profits and in that process if we fit anywhere you are lucky and it seems like you got job.

Myself trying for job since long time now i got an opportunity for s?kilda anstallings st? was happy to see atlast i got job. But here also % problems between employment office and company no one care about one person's life and behind that one person family needs. I am one of the university toppers and having master educcation too.
14:45 November 13, 2011 by Abe L
This adds up with the Swedish system, talented people on the sideline while it's impossible to fire or get rid of less qualified people who happen to have the position at the moment. It's a big problem in our organization as well, we have to go through tremendous hoops to get rid of people in favor of the more qualified.

On some levels in the organization this simply isn't economically feasible and we're stuck with various underachievers.
20:12 November 13, 2011 by Just_Kidding
Why this person is not going back to Canada. Due to a poll, Canada has the best reputation in the world. I suppose in Canada he won't need to go to extremes to secure a job.
04:09 November 14, 2011 by Stephen Sweden
Yes. I hope the idea is not lampooned by the less innovative. Working in both countries may be what Michael Sundblad means by the happiness factor. I can understand that. The job would have a short or long term plan to match client and customer.Another way is to agree to a fee on the hourly rate for X period of time, often the probationary period of three months. It happens in different ways. This way there would be a salary from day one.
11:52 November 14, 2011 by StockholmSam
What a brilliant idea! Think about it...if you are unemployed and there are no job prospects, then you will probably be unemployed all of next month, too. So why not forfeit that month's salary and start working with the help of others. Option A is to remain unemployed for that month and get no paycheck. Option B is to find employment (thanks to someone else's assistance) and work that month and get no paycheck. Either way you get no paycheck, but we all know which option is better. Good on ya, Mr. Sundblad!
13:03 November 14, 2011 by bas
Here is exactly the problem----->

Swedes discriminate if you have anything to do with abroad, have worked outside Sweden , speak more languages etc.....

No chance!

Born in Canada and with dual citizenship, he was surprised to find that despite being bilingual and having international work experience, he didn't seem to be able to compete on the Swedish labour market.
13:10 November 14, 2011 by zooeden
Note that this is the situation of many bright swedish and non swedesh people...
15:29 November 14, 2011 by dougwinstone
maybe he should have found himself a job before he got here!
15:40 November 14, 2011 by Skuzi
Nice take on hunting for a job. I know how difficult it is finding work in Sweden. It's been difficult for me, being English.. I work in Denmark now and commute from Sk?. Good Luck
17:49 November 14, 2011 by adigunbabatunde@yahoo.com
He is not the first to do that! Others just didn't get a chance anyway.
21:28 November 14, 2011 by Boeing_787
It is a very fitting strategy for him given that he is in marketing and sales.
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