Whether you're new to Sweden and looking for work, or hoping to take your career in a different direction, foreigners in Sweden face unique challenges on the job market from a potential language barrier to a lack of professional contacts.
But the summer lull – which sees many locals, including hiring managers, take lengthy holidays – can actually be good news for job seekers.
Those long summer holidays (Swedes are entitled to four consecutive weeks' leave each year, and parents of young children are often entitled to even longer) might leave some managers struggling to find cover, so it's a good opportunity to get a foot in the door, especially in competitive fields.
Lovisa Fältskog Johansson, who works with ÖppnaDörren, an initiative which aims to connect newcomers with professional opportunities, shared her advice for finding seasonal work.
"Check out all kinds of staffing agencies and what they are advertising for," she recommended, as well as advising that newcomers contact local businesses including supermarkets and in areas such as healthcare, delivery and warehouses, and submit a CV.
She also suggested using the summer to get to know established Swedes who could help them in their job hunt: "In Sweden seven out of ten jobs are obtained through personal connections, so it's all about networking!"
READ ALSO: Networking in Sweden – the steps to making valuable professional connections
Ellinor Wassberg, a job-hunting expert at Arbetsförmedlingen, told The Local back that temporary or seasonal roles can be particularly useful for foreigners who may need to catch up with locals in terms of Swedish industry knowledge or network-building.
"Even if you're looking for a full-time job, a summer job is a very helpful first step," Wassberg said. "It's a great way to get experience to add on your CV, get a reference from a Swedish company, get to know people so you can make connections and figure out how things work. All this should help get you another job."
She added that it's also a good chance for newcomers to Sweden who are looking for a career change, or who need to try out different positions – for example if it's not possible for them to work in the same field as in their home country – as they can try something new for a fixed period.
Looking at the jobs advertised by Arbetsförmedlingen (or The Local Jobs) is also a useful way of assessing which industries or locations seem to be hiring.
It's not too late to apply for summer 2024: there are still jobs up for grabs for the summer season via Arbetsförmedlingen, with some of the top ones including assistant nurses, healthcare assistants, mechanics, carers and retail workers.
Ellinor Wassberg from Arbetsförmedlingen noted that the positions advertised are often not the only ones out there.
"You can contact employers you would like to work for directly and send a spontaneous email or call," Wassberg suggested. "It takes a while to go through the process of putting together an ad, recruiting and going through applications, so for a temporary role some places might not do this, but if you put yourself forward you might be the only candidate."
What's more, the quieter summer period might leave managers with more time for an introductory phone call or coffee.
"Some Swedish employers put their businesses on pause and shut down their offices over summer, but others can't do this and try to manage with the staff they have. So you can help by offering to fill in, explaining what you can contribute – make it easy for them."
She added however that this approach is best suited to private companies, as government and municipality jobs in Sweden must be advertised beforehand.
Whether applying spontaneously or responding to an advert, Wassberg emphasized the need to personalize each application to the employer and the position: "Don't send out the same CV and cover letter; say why you want to work for them, it's important to be specific or you won't get many responses."
Finally, if you're planning to work in Sweden over the summer, make sure that you know your rights regarding salary and time off.
Some information on minimum salary requirements can be found here (in Swedish), and remember never to accept a job offer with no contract or paid in cash, as this likely means you won't be protected by Sweden's generous employment legislation.
Article originally written by Catherine Edwards in 2019 and updated by The Local's editorial team in 2024.
Looking for an English-speaking role in Sweden? Check out The Local Jobs
Comments (1)