Hi everyone.
I am a foreign-born candidate seeking employment in Sweden. This experience often makes me ponder.
Do Swedish companies prefer to hire foreign-born candidates or do they prefer Swedish candidates?
It took some time, but I finally got my answer. This may not be surprising, since we are in Sweden, but it was somewhat hidden.
The answer is NO, they prefer to hire Swedish candidates over Foreign-born candidates, but ………….. also YES.
What? You read right, YES and NO. It depends.
The reasons why NO, they don’t prefer to hire foreign-born candidates are:
Trust
The most valuable currency in Sweden (and the Nordics) is Trust. And for a Swedish company, Trust is already embedded if you are Swedish.
As foreign-born candidates, securing jobs is difficult. We must gradually build trust through consistent actions and lots of patience.
Swedish-born, on the other hand, are trusted from birth. Or at least they had the time to foster it due to culture bias.
Swedish language
This one is straightforward.
In your home country, companies like to hire candidates, whether they are nationals or from foreign-born, who can speak the country’s language. It is the same in Sweden.
Unless:
- You are applying for a job at a large company. This company has operations around the world. An example of such a company is Volvo. At this company, you can communicate in English.
- you are a candidate that has a high-demand profile such as a Developer…. you must speak Swedish.
If not, companies will always prefer a candidate that speaks Swedish over you.
Job Experience in Sweden
This is kind of unfair as we have just:
- arrived in Sweden to study, or
- have just finished our Masters studies or
- are here as a family member of a person that got a job in Sweden.
As foreign-born candidates, it is very challenging for us to find time to gain experience. Opportunities to do so are also hard to come by in our current situations.
In Sweden, even work experience at a local McDonald’s is often valued highly by Swedish companies. This can be more important than experience from a top company in your home country, simply because the work was done in Sweden.
Try to volunteer in any opportunity you find. This will help you gain experience within Sweden.
The reason why YES, they do prefer to hire foreign-born candidates is:
High demand skills
If you have unique skills that nobody else has, including Swedish-born or Swedish-speaking candidates, a Swedish company will prefer to hire you.
So two things:
- First, evaluate the highest demand skills in the market of your studies or related to your work experience, and
- Second, get nerdy as hell. If you are studying a Msc. program in a Swedish university, being nerdy will get the attention of teachers who will vouch for you while looking for a job
Conclusion
In my opinion, while the journey for foreign-born candidates seeking employment in Sweden is fraught with unique challenges, it is not without hope. The key lies in understanding and adapting to the Swedish job market’s nuances. Building trust, learning the language, and gaining local experience are not just hurdles to overcome but are steps towards integrating into the Swedish professional landscape.
For you who are navigating this path, remember: your diverse background and international perspective can be a tremendous asset. While it might take time and effort to showcase your value in a market that inherently leans towards its own, persistence and adaptability can turn the tide in your favor. Embrace the journey of building trust, understanding the culture, and enhancing your skill set.
Sweden’s job market, with its unique challenges, also offers unique opportunities. It’s a place where once you’ve aligned with its rhythm, your potential to thrive is immense. So, keep striving, keep learning, and most importantly, keep believing in your ability to succeed in this vibrant, dynamic landscape.