How to get a job in Stockholm: 8 steps

TransferWise
17.04.17
5 minute read
Why wouldn’t you want to live in Stockholm? Between taking
July off, exploring the beautiful outdoor scenery, and the
generally happy and friendly culture, Sweden is a dream
destination for many. Landing a job in Stockholm means
adopting this lifestyle as your own.

While deciding to live in Stockholm is an easy choice, the practice of

finding a job can be more difficult. There are some hurdles you’ll
face as a non-Swede, and the overall job market isn’t massive. For
those with determination, however, jobs can be found and the payoff
is sweet.

So how do you get started? This guide will walk you through 8 steps
to follow for finding a job in Stockholm.

1. Speak the Swedish language

Swedish can be a difficult language to learn. While speaking the

language may seem like a large hurdle, it's a necessary one. There
are jobs in Stockholm for English speakers, but they’re few and far
between. More importantly, even jobs that don’t require you to
speak Swedish will give preference to candidates who know at least
a little. If you’re serious about finding work in Stockholm, it’s a good
idea to practice the language.

If you’re a total beginner and not ready to commit to formal lessons,

you can get started with the basics using smartphone apps
like Duolingo, Memrise and Babbel. If apps aren’t the right route
for you, you can hire an online tutor who will work with you via video
chat at italki, Skype Language, Live Lingua or Tutor.com. If
you’re more of an in-person learner, check out the local universities,
community colleges or service listings for Swedish classes in your
area.

2. Check that your industry exists in Stockholm

Stockholm’s economy isn’t supported by all types of industries. In

fact, it’s held up almost entirely by just one; 85% of jobs in
Stockholm are in the service industry.

As far as industries that don’t exist in Stockholm are concerned,

there’s a notable absentee: oil and gas. As one of the cleanest cities
in the world, there’s virtually no presence of heavy industry in
Stockholm.

If you don’t want to work in service, not all is lost. Stockholm is

becoming a hub for tech startups, with new businesses opening
every day and high demand for the creative and tech-savvy.
Historically, Stockholm has also been a great home for
professionals working in finance and fashion.

To get an idea of what kind of businesses are operating in Sweden,

check out Sweden.se’s list of 10 World-Shaping Swedish
Companies, featuring Electrolux, H&M, Ikea, and more. If you
speak Swedish, check out the Public Employment Service’s labor
shortage list, which details highly in-demand jobs in the country.

3. Start looking the old school way

Swedes far and wide will tell you that one of the best places to start
your job search is at the Arbetsförmedlingen, or the Swedish Public
Employment Service. Yes, it’s ok if you can’t pronounce it, but you’d
be smart to give the office a visit. The Arbetsförmedlingen has a
multitude of career programs and can help place you in Swedish
jobs much like a recruiter could. If you can stand waiting in line to
get in, you’ll have access to all kinds of assessment services and
job search help. These include mentoring on your CV, cover letter,
and interview preparation.

4. Try searching online

If you’re looking for a variety in job listings, your best bet is looking
online. Job listings for Stockholm can be found across various sites,
but the following are some of the best reviewed. Many of these are
also included in the list of job search sites provided by the Swedish
government.

For English-language jobs:

 The Local lists more than 2,000

openings in Stockholm

 Neuvoo lists almost 18,000 jobs, but

make sure to filter for English-only

 Job-finding giant LinkedIn houses
many open positions for English
speakers

For non English-speaking jobs:

While the following sites don’t cater to English-language jobs, it’s

worth checking out these primarily Swedish sites too:

 Stepstone

 Monster
  Metro Jobb

 JobbSafari

 Blocket Jobb

 Career Builder

5. Consider working with a recruiter

While it’s easy to find listings online, it can be difficult to get

personalized job help over the Internet. A recruiter can help with
your resume and writing your cover letter, tips for interview
preparation, and insights into your potential employer’s history and
company culture.

It’s always recommended to do your own research and pick the

agency that seems best for you, but the following companies are
well-reviewed and trusted in Stockholm.

 Adecco places professionals in a
wide range of positions, but to work
with them you’ll have to speak
Swedish

 Academic Work works with students,

recent graduates, and young
professionals to find early-stage jobs
and internships, and they also work in
English

 Incluso works with all types of

professionals across industries, and
with candidates who don’t speak
Swedish
  TNG places candidates in a range of
jobs, but only those who speak
Swedish

 Undutchables is a well known

recruitment agency for foreigners,
placing professionals in jobs across
industries.

6. Build your network

One of the most important resources you can have when looking for
a job, is a strong professional network. If you have the opportunity to
visit Stockholm before or during your job search, you’d do well to
take part in as many professional events as you have time for.

If you’re looking for meetups, the best places to start

are eventful and Eventbrite, both listing events happening nearly
every day. If you’re prepared to get a little more creative with where
you meet your peers, check out these cool groups:

 Startup Lulea hosts informal

gatherings for entrepreneurs and
professionals to network

 Trainee Dagen brings students and

young professionals together to build
skills and meet with companies

 SheSays Stockholm puts on many

events for women in business

7. Apply (and wait) for your visa

Applying for a visa to work in Sweden is fairly easy. Once you have
a job offer in hand, you can visit your local consulate to fill out your
application. That being said, it’s much easier (and faster) to submit
your application online through the Swedish Migration Board.
Once you have your work visa, it’ll be attached to your passport and
you’ll be able to travel freely anywhere you wish. However, after
you’ve applied and before your visa is issued, you'll not be allowed
to enter Sweden.

It’s important to note that due to the current refugee crisis, obtaining
a Swedish visa currently takes an inordinately long time; sometimes
up to 5 months.  

8. Get moving

Finding a job and getting a visa are the hard part; now it’s time to
enjoy life in Stockholm! Check out Sweden.se’s list of 20 things to
know before moving to Sweden, including tips like taking off your
shoes before entering homes and penciling in at least one coffee
break per day. To start your time in Scandinavia right, try Time Out’s
list of 20 things to do in Stockholm.

Once you make the move to Stockholm, you’ll soon be needing to

either send or receive Swedish krona. If you plan to open a bank
account in Stockholm or know someone with an account there,
consider using TransferWise to get the fairest deal on your transfer.
Not only does TransferWise use the real mid-market exchange
rate to convert your money, but your money is received and sent via
local bank transfers in both your home country and in Sweden. This
means you can avoid unpleasant international banking fees, and
have more money for yourself.