Sweden, a country that can be found in northern Europe between Norway and Finland, is widely regarded as one of the most innovative countries in the world. The Swedish ingenuity that led to the development of the pacemaker, the zipper, the three-point seatbelt, and other essentials of modern life like Spotify and Skype is well-known.

The Scandinavian nation provides a high standard of living for its citizens by providing subsidized public services as well as a generous vacation allotment. Even though English is spoken by a large number of people, learning Swedish will allow you to make more friends and advance in your career. Being able to communicate with neighbors and coworkers in their native tongue will help you make friends and settle in more quickly. Additionally, many employers require that you have a working knowledge of the country's official language.

You could spend your weekends traveling through one of Sweden's thirty national parks or spending the night in Jukkasjarvi, which is home to the very first Icehotel ever built anywhere in the world. In the past three decades, the hotel has evolved into a center for a variety of outdoor activities as well as one-of-a-kind dining experiences.

The phenomenon known as the Midnight Sun occurs during the summer months in northern latitudes, when the sun is visible for the full twenty-four hours of each day.

Jobs in Sweden

Because of its size and level of competition, Sweden's economy is highly dependent on international trade. The nation is widely regarded for the high quality of its working conditions and practices, and its labor market is consistently ranked among the most robust in the world.

Major industries include:

• iron and steel
• motor vehicles
• precision equipment
• processed foods.

Some of the world's biggest multinational companies are based in Sweden, including:

• Electrolux
• Ericsson
• HM
• Ikea
• Skype
• Spotify
• Volvo.

The European Job Mobility Portal (EURES) is a place for jobseekers to find work in Sweden. Aside from contacting companies directly, you can also search the listings on the following job sites:

• Blocket Jobb
• CareerBuilder
• Jobbland
• Monster
• The Local.se

Skills shortages

Together with the Public Employment Agency the Swedish Migration Agency produces a list of in demand occupations. See the labour shortage list (in Swedish).

According to the 2019 list Sweden needs:

• architects
• civil engineers
• construction workers
• dentists
• firefighters
• interpreters
• lawyers
• medical secretaries
• midwives
• pharmacists
• prison officers
• psychologists
• software developers
• surveyors
• teachers/headteachers.

How to Obtain Employment in Sweden

In order to apply for a job in Sweden, you will be required to send an electronic CV and cover letter to a potential employer. If your application is successful, you will be invited to an interview. The interview can take place over the phone or via a video call if you are applying from outside of the country.

Your curriculum vitae (CV) should be between one and two pages long, and your cover letter shouldn't be any longer than one page. You should make an effort to match the skills and experience you have to the requirements of the job description and explain why you are the best candidate for the position.

Be ready to answer questions that aren't specifically related to the job when you go in for the interview. You could be questioned about your family, whether or not you are married, and the things that you do in your spare time.

The things that you have to hand in as part of your application will be different depending on the industry and the job you want. It is in your best interest to get in touch with the potential employer before beginning the application process in order to confirm what is expected of you.

Summer jobs

Many large companies offer summer training opportunities. Alternatively, you can search for summer jobs online via the Swedish Public Employment Service or job listing sites such as Workaway.info.

Teaching jobs

It can be difficult to find work teaching English as a foreign language in Sweden due to the fact that the vast majority of the country's 10 million residents are native English speakers. Because the teaching profession is regulated to maintain a certain level of quality and consistency throughout the county, you will need to have a high level of education to enter the field. In addition to this, it will be to your advantage if you have a few solid connections within the industry.

Look for work opportunities in larger cities such as Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmo to improve your chances of getting hired. These cities are located in Sweden.

Although the number of independent schools that receive funding from the public sector is growing, the Swedish government still pays for the vast majority of the country's schools. Businesses that are interested in improving their chances of success on a global scale often send their employees to private schools.

You'll need the following qualifications if you want to teach English in Sweden:

• a Bachelors degree (or equivalent)
• a TEFL certificate
• adequate proficiency in Swedish.

For private school positions, you may be expected to have a business background and be fluent in Swedish.

If you have teaching qualifications from the UK or your home country, you can apply for Swedish teaching certification through the National Agency for Education (Skolverket). See Skolverket - Competence continuing education for more information.

Internships

Organisations offering internships in Sweden include:

• IAESTE - in engineering, natural sciences and technical fields
• ELSA - trainee exchanges for law students
• IFMSA - trainee exchanges for medical students.

You can find information about established internship programs at many large companies' websites, where these programs can also be found. However, if you are unable to locate any open positions at the moment, you should think about getting in touch with individual businesses on your own to inquire about available positions. You'll show that you're enthusiastic, and prospective employers will admire the proactive approach you take.

You should consider looking into Korta vagen now that you have graduated. The Public Employment System in Sweden

Visas for Sweden

On January 1, 2021, due to the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union, new regulations came into effect regarding travel by citizens of the United Kingdom to countries within the EU. You are exempt from needing a visa to visit any of the countries that make up the Schengen Area (which includes Sweden) for up to 90 days in any period of 180 days. You are required to submit an application for a work permit if you intend to work in Sweden or if your stay will be longer than three months.

If you are not from within the EU, you will be required to submit an application for a work permit before you arrive. The exception to this rule is the one-year working holiday visa, which is offered to people who are citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or South Korea and are between the ages of 18 and 30.

To apply for a work permit, among other requirements, you'll need to have received an official offer of employment from a Swedish employer. For more information on what you'll need to submit as part of your application, see Sweden.se - Obtaining a work permit.

You can check current waiting times for application processing with the Swedish Migration Agency, although you should apply as early as you can to allow for delays.

If you're planning to stay for a year or more, you'll need to join the Swedish Population Register, which you can do by visiting your local tax office in Sweden.

If you're a member of the EU, you'll be able to move to Sweden without obtaining a work permit or visa. As long as you hold a valid EU passport, you can enter the country with or without an official offer of employment.

Language requirements

Even though Swedish is used in government and other official contexts, all students in Sweden are required to take English classes. It is not necessary for you to be fluent in Swedish in order to get by in Sweden, particularly in larger cities such as Stockholm and Gothenburg.

However, in order to successfully integrate with your community, you should try to acquire at least a basic command of the language. This will significantly increase your chances of doing so. Consider enrolling in a free Swedish language course for beginners before you travel there, such as the one offered by Learning Swedish.

How to describe your experience and skills to potential employers

You should find that the majority of the time, your qualifications from the United Kingdom are comparable to their equivalents in Sweden, and as a result, they will be fully recognized by employers there.

You will, however, be required to go to the Swedish Council for Higher Education in order to have your qualifications evaluated in the event that it is necessary to do so, such as in the case of working in a profession that is subject to regulations (UHR). You can also view a comprehensive list of the professions in Sweden that have particular requirements to meet.

What it's like to work in Sweden

In the workplace, equality and a sense of well-being are highly valued in Sweden. Casual attire is expected, and the majority of Swedish businesses have flat organizational hierarchies. This means that you will probably be involved in the process of decision making and have regular contact with your manager.

There is no such thing as a national minimum wage in this country; instead, pay levels are negotiated through collective bargaining between employers and labor unions.

No matter what they do for a living or how old they are, full-time employees are entitled to a minimum of 25 days of paid leave each year. Your leave is calculated to ensure that you receive the equivalent amount of time off even if you only work part time. The working week in Sweden cannot exceed 40 hours, as mandated by the Swedish Parliament.

The Swedish government observes thirteen different holidays annually.

Find out more

• Discover what it's like to study in Sweden.