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Looking For a Job in Sweden: The Handbook

A new country means new opportunities. While some find work in Sweden ridiculously easily, others search for months, sometimes even years. Why is that? It’s worth checking what common mistakes are made and how to look for a job in Sweden effectively. Here’s a short guide for job seekers from the EU (I do not cover the visa and residence permits issues).

Introduction
The Basics of the Job Market
Specialists and In-Demand Jobs
The Reality of Manual and Intellectual Work
Job Opportunities in Big Cities
The Importance of Learning Swedish
Where to Look for Jobs
Effective Job Search Strategies
The Power of Networking
Interviews and References
Avoiding Job Scams
The Role of Trade Unions
Understanding Salaries
Final Tips and Resources

The Basics of the Job Market

The job market within the European Union is open, meaning that EU citizens do not need any permits for legal work in Sweden. You can sign an employment contract with an employer on the spot. However, this fact must be reported to the Tax Agency (Skatteverket), which will then assign the employee a temporary tax identification number (samordningsnummer).

Specialists and In-Demand Jobs

If you are a specialist in a field and know English well, you will likely find a job quickly. If you also know Swedish and your skills are universal or tailored to Swedish requirements, your chances increase even more. Sweden needs specialists - engineers, constructors, construction workers (machine operators, bricklayers, welders, concrete workers, carpenters, painters, steel fixers, asphalt pavers, locksmiths), electricians, architects, and IT specialists are currently the most sought-after employees. There is also a high demand for healthcare workers, specialist doctors, and nurses. These professions often require knowledge of Swedish, Swedish standards, additional education, or the recognition of diplomas, so it is more challenging to get such a job immediately. However, due to the deepening shortages in medical staff, it is becoming increasingly easier.

There is also quite a high demand for unskilled labor - cleaners or helpers for physical work: on construction sites, in warehouses, etc.

The worst situation is for people with foreign humanities degrees who do not have a specific specialization and do not want to work below their qualifications - for these people, an optimal solution might be to start their own business or begin specialized studies at a Swedish university.

The Reality of Manual and Intellectual Work

"Go work as a cleaner, like others" - this is an authentic remark made by an official to a young person applying for a Swedish personal number. There’s a lot of truth in it - it’s hard to talk about statistics, but a significant portion of immigrants work as cleaners, while men most often perform renovation and construction work. It’s hard to judge this in any way, but remember one thing: legal work in Sweden for an honest employer, whatever it may be, is financially rewarding. In Sweden, there is not a wide disparity in wages, and a full-time cleaner can easily support themselves in this country with their salary. If you can't find your dream job in your field, it’s really worth considering simple, physical work initially, which allows you to earn money, gain experience in Swedish realities, and most importantly - enter the Swedish job market.

Job Opportunities in Big Cities

The three largest Swedish cities are Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. It’s obvious that large cities have a bigger job market, so theoretically there are more job offers, they are more varied, and you can find a job there faster. Large cities also host the headquarters of international companies, where the corporate language is English, making it a good option for those who do not know Swedish. There are companies where knowledge of Swedish does not matter at all, but remember that in most companies, even if only English is required for work, knowing Swedish is welcome and definitely facilitates functioning at work.

The Importance of Learning Swedish

While Swedish may not be necessary for work, it is definitely useful in a social context. In many large companies, English is a corporate language, and while official meetings or documentation may be held in English, working among Swedes without at least a basic knowledge of Swedish can be cumbersome. Swedes know English very well, but generally, if they have a choice between a social conversation in English and Swedish, it’s obvious they will prefer to talk in Swedish. Many people complain that despite the corporate language being English in their workplace, they feel socially excluded among coworkers if they do not know Swedish.

The situation is slightly different in small towns and smaller companies - there, unfortunately, all CVs written in English often go straight to the trash, and most positions require a good knowledge of Swedish.

Where to Look for Jobs

Educated specialists, managers, and people interested in higher positions in larger companies and corporations can basically limit themselves to job hunting on LinkedIn. This platform allows for very detailed job searches that match your skills, education, and preferences. However, you should take care of your LinkedIn profile, which should be in English, and preferably in two language versions: English and Swedish.

The second and most popular platform in Sweden for job searching is the Swedish Public Employment Service portal, Arbetsförmedlingen. There you will find a full range of job offers - from physical work not requiring experience and education, to highly specialized offers that also appear on LinkedIn. Keep in mind that some job offers on Arbetsförmedlingen are posted there just because... they have to be. These are situations where, for various reasons, the employer has a legal obligation to post a job offer, even though the position is already unofficially filled.

You can also find jobs on Facebook. It offers tools for posting job ads, and there are many groups created to connect potential employees with employers. Ask people in your city or region if they know any job search groups or search for them yourself.

Other Swedish job offer portals include BlocketJobb, Jobbsafari, Metrojobb, Indeed, Monster, CareerBuilder, Manpower, and Academic Work.

You can also search for jobs in Sweden on various job portals and through trusted intermediaries. Be very cautious with unverified intermediaries.

Effective Job Search Strategies

"Are these job offers even real?" - this question was asked by someone looking for a job in Sweden. They sent dozens of applications by email to job offers posted on the above-mentioned portals and, having not received a single response, began to suspect something was wrong. Unfortunately, everything is in the best Swedish order - you just should not expect responses from Swedish companies to sent applications. Unless someone intends to invite you for an interview, they are unlikely to respond to you, even with a courteous "Thank you, but no." Moreover - even if you participate in an interview, don’t expect too much. If you get the job, the phone will ring very quickly; if you drop out of the recruitment process after the interview, you can only expect a short email, usually when you have completely forgotten that you were interviewed by that company.

I’ve often heard first-hand stories from interns in recruitment departments who were instructed to automatically reject applications from people who did not meet specific requirements, such as graduating from a particular school, being a certain age, or even... a specific origin. So, you need to be prepared for your rich CV and valuable cover letters in some companies to end up in the proverbial trash can just because your surname does not end in "sson."

However, there is a way around this - make yourself known, don't be anonymous, stand out from the crowd. Therefore, a mandatory element of every application should be... a phone call to the company where you just sent your CV. I know it’s hard to break through, but it really works. When calling, you must present yourself in the best possible light, show interest in the position, and give recruiters something that will make you remembered, and your CV will end up on the HR manager's desk.

The Power of Networking

As everywhere, it’s easier to get a job in Sweden if you have "connections." This horror to many people officially carries the proud name of "networking" - it is building a network of contacts and identifying those connections that can benefit our career development. In Sweden, where environments are exceptionally closed, networking has double value. You can start networking online by making connections on LinkedIn or Facebook. It’s worth looking for industry events, getting involved in the startup environment in your city, and attending events and lectures. Networking has one huge plus - once you start, the results come on their own!

Interviews and References

When it comes to job interviews, the rules and process are similar to those in many other countries. Remember that you have the same rights as everyone else in Sweden and don't let anyone bend the rules just because you are a foreigner (and this happens quite often). Let them know that you know the rules and know what you are doing. In very large companies, the recruitment process is very long and consists of several levels, including preliminary interviews, various tests, meetings with coworkers, blood tests, and also what Swedes love: gathering references. References are very important for Swedish employers. It is an absolute standard that you indicate a person in your CV or cover letter whom the potential employer can contact by phone to get references about you as a potential employee. Usually, this "reference person" is a colleague from your previous/current job. If you have a good relationship with your former boss, it can be them, but in large companies, bosses rarely agree to be a reference person for former/current employees, as it may be perceived as acting against the company. So, before submitting an application, it’s worth talking to people who could be your contact persons for your potential employer and include their details in your application.

Avoiding Job Scams

Just like anywhere else, there are dishonest employers in Sweden, so before accepting a job, you should carefully check who you are dealing with and analyze the conditions they offer. In Sweden, almost all information about individuals and companies is public, so it’s worth verifying the employer's credibility by searching them on a public platform.

Swedish labor law effectively protects employees, but remember that only an employment contract (anställningsavtal or arbetsavtal) guarantees the stability of employment, salary, vacation, and other benefits derived from the employment relationship, and it’s important to ensure that this is clearly stated in the contract.

There is no concept of a minimum wage in Sweden, so theoretically, an employer can hire you for 1 SEK/hour if you agree to it. However, Scandinavian countries have set a guaranteed income level for each citizen. This amount can be equated with the minimum allowance for unemployed people, so if someone offers you a job with a salary below the allowance you would receive as unemployed, it’s probably not a good job offer.

Often, less qualified or seasonal workers find jobs through intermediaries - in such situations, be particularly vigilant, as intermediaries often turn out to be dishonest and exploit the candidates' ignorance and lack of knowledge about the Swedish labor market and law. It’s known that Swedish earnings, even if low, are still tempting, but job offers for less than 120 SEK gross per hour are simply a scam (this is the amount a novice cleaner earns in a poor Swedish company). Also, remember the income tax, which in Sweden makes a real difference - it’s around 30% of your salary and dependent on where you live. It’s easy to calculate that 120 SEK gross is really less than 82 SEK net (take-home pay).

The Role of Trade Unions

Trade unions (fackföreningar, or facket for short) are a very lively topic in Sweden, and if you work in a specific profession, it’s worth finding the appropriate trade union and joining it. For a small fee, you gain support in potential disputes with your employer; some unions also offer additional benefits in case of job loss. As for employers, it’s really worth finding employment with one who has a collective agreement (kollektivavtal) with trade unions. This agreement guarantees employees the stability of salary, vacations, and overall employment, as well as the highest protection in case the employer bends the contract terms. If a potential employer has signed a kollektivavtal, they should definitely be at the top of your list.

Understanding Salaries

Salaries are usually credited to the employee's account on the 25th of each month. Be careful about the terms in the contract, as it is usually the salary for the previous calendar month. For example, if you start working on January 2, you will receive your first salary (for January) only on February 25. Swedish companies do not pay salaries in cash. For those who do not have an account in a Swedish bank, the most popular option is to receive a salary in the form of a... check, which you can cash in a bank. Some employers also allow salaries to be paid into another person's account if you request or agree to it in writing. However, from experience, I know that cashing a check is not easy, so as soon as you get an employment contract, it’s better to go to the bank with it and open an account. Every EU citizen can open an account in a Swedish bank under the law on bank deposits.

How much will I earn?

According to official statistics, the average salary in 2022 was 38,300 SEK gross per month (Statistikmyndigheten SCB). The most common income tax rate in Sweden is around 32%, resulting in a net salary of approximately 26,044 SEK per month. Converting this, it’s about 2,500 USD take-home pay. However, it is advised not to convert directly due to the higher cost of living in Sweden compared to many other countries. Additionally, Sweden has a relatively low disparity in salary levels, meaning even professions like cleaners or warehouse workers can earn a comfortable living wage that allows them to save money for vacations and other expenses.

Approximate average salaries (SEK gross/month):