So, you’ve decided to move to Sweden. Next step: finding a job. Below are some helpful starting points.
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The labour shortage list
The Swedish Migration Agency together with the Public Employment Agency regularly put together a list of occupations that are in high demand in Sweden, the labour shortage list. Check it out – because if you are offered a job in a highly demanded occupation (i.e. one on this list), you can apply for a work permit from Sweden instead of having to return to your home country to apply. (Unfortunately, the list is only available in Swedish, so you may need to paste the link above into a web translation tool.)
EURES – the European Job Mobility Portal
Another good starting point for job seekers is the EURES database. It’s a collection of job listings from EU countries’ public employment agencies and run by the EU Public Employment Service. Citizens of EU countries can make use of the ‘Your first EURES job’ programme, designed to encourage European mobility.
EURES is also very useful if you’re a non-EU citizen who needs a work permit. If you’re offered a job, your employer must have advertised the job in the EU/European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland for at least ten days. This is one of the basic requirements to be eligible for a Swedish work permit, and EURES makes that easier. The terms of employment you have been offered must also match those set by Swedish collective agreements or those that are customary within the occupation or industry.
You can get in touch with EURES Sweden on Facebook or chat with an advisor at EURES.
Other job listings
There are many privately run job sites commonly used to find jobs in Sweden. These websites usually include job listings (often in Swedish) and functions where you can upload your CV. Some of these job sites are:
Job listings in English
Recruitment agencies with job listings
- Academic Work
- Adecco (in Swedish)
- Incluso
- Manpower (in Swedish)
- Proffice (in Swedish)
- TNG (in Swedish)
Direct contact with a company
If you are interested in working at a specific company, it may be a good idea to apply for a job with them directly. Many companies include information on available positions on their websites. If you don’t find career information on a company’s website, you can contact them directly to ask if they can accept an open application.
Work experience/internships and fast tracks
Another way to get into the Swedish workforce is to participate in work experience/get an internship at a work place. This gives you vocational experience, vocational orientation or experience in working life, which could give you a head start when applying for a proper job later on.
Useful links
- Korta vägen (‘the short cut’) – a nationwide programme offering foreign academics a fast track to the Swedish employment market; arranged by the Swedish Public Employment Agency (link to Stockholm University, one of the partners of the project)
- Welcome Talent – a LinkedIn initiative enabling newcomers in Sweden to find and be found by employers offering internships
- Work experience via the Migration Agency – the opportunity for asylum seekers to get work experience while waiting for an asylum decision
