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How to kick-start your Swedish career: Six top tips for job seekers

Thinking of moving to Sweden for work? Here are six expert tips to help you boost your career prospects.

How to kick-start your Swedish career: Six top tips for job seekers
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/imagebank.sweden.se
 
1. Learn the rules
 
Can you just pack up and move to Sweden and worry about the job later? That depends on where you’re from.
 
If you’re a citizen of another EU country, you can move to Sweden without first obtaining a work permit. But all non-EU citizens who wish to move to Sweden for work must apply for and receive a permit before they can make the move, and their immediate family including partners can apply to move to Sweden on the same permit.
 
Under certain circumstances, you can apply for a work permit after arriving in the country but it is vital that you understand the rules, so make sure you do due diligence by researching your particular situation on the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) and Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) websites.
 
If you’ve got a job offer lined up, in most cases the process is fairly straightforward. The Migration Agency processed 51,430 job permit applications in 2018 and almost 80 percent of them were accepted.
 
But extending the work permit can be stressful and a 2015 rule change that meant that even minor administrative errors could lead to an application being rejected leaves some foreign workers feeling like they must constantly contend with dread and uncertainty. 
 
 
2. Learn Swedish
 
This might sound painfully obvious, but a lot of job seekers report that they came to Sweden with the impression that English would be enough to land a job only to find that that really wasn’t the case.
 
That’s not to say that there aren’t English-language jobs. There most certainly are – you can start by searching for some here – but even within companies that have English as their corporate language, employers are more likely to feel comfortable offering a job to someone who has at least a basic grasp of Swedish. 
 
 
International job seekers have also told The Local that they’ve been asked to send a Swedish CV after applying to English-language job adverts, or been told Swedish fluency was required for a job working with English-speaking markets.
 
Amelie Silfverstolpe is the programme director of ÖppnaDörren, an initiative to help newcomers start establishing a network in Sweden. She advises newly-arrived job seekers to “learn as good Swedish as possible as fast as possible”. 
 
“It’s definitely possible to get a job with just English, but it’s more complicated without knowing Swedish because you’ll lose out socially and a lot of employers also think that Swedish is more important than it actually is,” she said. 
 
 
Photo: Simon Paulin/imagebank.sweden.se
Photo: Simon Paulin/imagebank.sweden.se
 
3. Have realistic expectations
 
For those who have moved to Sweden without a job lined up – whether that is as an accompanying spouse, a student who wants to stay or even a work permit holder who wants to switch jobs – there are certain unfortunate realities that are likely to affect the job-seeking process. 
 
Studies have shown that job applicants with non-Swedish names are less likely to be called into an interview and plenty of anecdotal evidence suggests that this remains a serious problem. 
 
Silfverstolpe recommended trying to minimize this by addressing “things that could be frightening to an employer” head-on. For example, clearly express your level of comfort working and communicating in Swedish and be sure to include the Swedish equivalent of your qualifications and education.
 
Many Swedes also find good jobs through their circles of personal and professional connections, something that is not going to be of much help to newcomers. 
 
Silfverstolpe said that roughly seven out of ten jobs in Sweden are filled through some sort of personal contact. Her advice to newcomers is to never turn down any networking opportunities and to pursue the passions they might have – whether that’s cooking, sport or whatever – as a way to simply start meeting as many people as possible. 
 
“Meetings create networks and networks create jobs. It doesn’t really matter how you build the networks, people are just as likely to get jobs through personal and casual networks as professional ones,” she said. 
 
4. Tailor your CV and cover letters to the Swedish market
 
You’re probably going to want to give your CV an overhaul. No, it doesn’t necessarily need to be translated into Swedish. In fact, mistake-ridden attempts to put your qualifications into the local language will almost certainly backfire. But it is probably a good idea to develop a Swedish version of your CV for when applying to job adverts written in Swedish and a brief introductory Swedish message that can accompany your English-language CV and cover letter. 
 
While the typical Swedish CV structure will be common to most Western job seekers, there is one element that can come as a surprise to a lot of internationals. Swedes tend to put a headshot in the document and while this isn’t strictly necessary, the lack of one may draw attention to your ‘outsider’ status. If you do include a photo, make sure it is a professional and neutral image.
 
 
When it comes to writing your cover letter, it’s good to remember that Swedish culture is pretty informal. While it might feel unnatural, it’s best to start your email with a simple ‘Hej Anna’ (‘Hi Anna’, or whatever the first name fo the hiring manager might be), rather than ‘Dear Mrs Andersson’. 
 
In the body of the letter, you’ll want to highlight why you would be a good fit for the job, which of course requires that you familiarize yourself with the position and the company. If you’re new to Sweden, or even seeking a job before relocating, it’s wise to include a short line or two about why you’ve come (or hope to come) to the country. 
 
Silfverstolpe’s advice was to keep your CV in English for as long as you’d prefer to work in English but as soon as you think you’re ready for a Swedish job, your vital documents should be translated. 
 
“Even though Swedes are quite good in English, it is easier for employers to compare CVs if everything is in Swedish,” she said. 
 
 
File photo: Tim Guow/Pexels
File photo: Tim Guow/Pexels
 
5. Don’t let cultural misunderstandings undermine your chances
 
The informal Swedish business culture can create a conundrum if you are called into an interview. Sure, it’s quite common for Swedish employees to come to work in t-shirts and jeans but that’s not a good look for an initial interview. It’s much better to err on the side of overdressing, but a full suit is probably unnecessary unless the potential job is in an industry like finance or law, where more formal attire is the norm. 
 
In most situations, a dress shirt and smart trousers will do for a man, while a smart shirt and trousers/skirt or dress is a safe bet for women. 
 
Swedes are generally well-organized and timely, so be sure to bring along relevant documents like your CV, references and work samples. Perhaps most importantly, be on time. While you probably don’t need to be told that it’s never a good idea to show up late to a job interview, in Sweden it can also be considered rude to show up too early. The best strategy is to plan to arrive at the interview site ten to 15 minutes early and then spend a few minutes relaxing and composing yourself before arriving right at the specified time. 
 
How you perform at the job interview is another thing, but following these tips will keep you from torpedoing your chances before it gets underway. 
 
6. Remember that differences will continue even after you get the job
 
Once you’ve landed your Swedish dream job, there are still some important cultural differences you’ll want to pay close attention to if you want to blend in to the local labour market. 
 
A lot of foreigners will find that life in a Swedish workplace is full of potential pratfalls. For example, the Scandinavian concept of ‘Jantelagen’, the Law of Jante, is the bane of many ambitious foreigners who feel unwillingly constrained by this notion that “you are not to think you are anything special”.
 
Some would also argue that the Swedish concept of ‘lagom’, or ‘just enough’, stifles ambition in the workplace. In short, those coming from hard-charging work cultures might be shocked by just how laid back Swedish workplaces can seem. 
 
But, of course, working in Sweden has a boatload of perks. The country’s parental leave policies, work-life balance and flat hierarchy are probably part of the reason you’re considering working in Sweden to begin with, but here too a foreign worker may run into problems. 
 
In Sweden, you’re not going to earn brownie points by staying at the office after everyone else has gone. If anything, you’ll probably get a stern talking-to from the boss. Likewise, no one is going to be impressed if you express a desire to return to work shortly after the birth of your child. So, if you do get a job in Sweden, make sure to fully embrace everything that made it appealing to you in the first place. 

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WORKING IN SWEDEN

How to switch to a career in Sweden’s booming gaming industry

Sweden's gaming industry is crying out for top international talent, but the skills shortage also creates opportunities for professionals in other fields to switch to a career in gaming. Senior experts share their best tips with The Local.

How to switch to a career in Sweden's booming gaming industry

Home to world-famous gaming studios like Mojang, King and DICE – the creators of Minecraft, Candy Crush and Battlefield, respectively – Swedish games have been downloaded nearly seven billion times. Every fourth person on the planet has played a game made in Sweden.

And the number of new gaming companies and employees is only increasing, despite concerns about the impact of the pandemic, according to a report from Sweden’s gaming industry association

In 2022, Swedish gaming studios increased turnover by 18 percent to 32.6 billion kronor, setting a new record. Combined, the turnover of the 23 listed computer game companies amounted to 61 billion kronor – a threefold increase since 2020 and almost twice as much as in 2021.

However, the talent shortage is an ongoing struggle, and the industry relies heavily on foreigners to plug the gaps.

“There’s a massive skills shortage, especially on the technical side, due to the sheer amount of coding required. I think the industry wants to do more to keep growing the Swedish game phenomena, but the talent shortage hinders us,” says Ludvig Moberg Edenbäck, people experience partner at Mojang Studios.

But if you’re a gaming newbie, how do you make the switch?

Bringing a fresh perspective could be your ultimate ability

Magdalena Björkman, a senior producer at Arrowhead Games, has a background in linguistics and started her career in the manufacturing industry back home in Poland.

“The gaming industry needs people from different backgrounds more than ever. We really need to encourage people who bring different perspectives to the table to come in,” she says.

After studying Japanese, Björkman worked as a translator and coordinator, acting as a conduit between Polish and Japanese engineers. One day she stumbled across a job ad for a Polish games developer looking for an assistant producer who could handle localisation, and eventually started looking for opportunities outside of Poland, landing a role at King in Sweden.

“Swedish and Polish work culture is totally different. I had to get used to not having to be the loudest person in the room to get my opinion across, which I actually really like. It was really, really nice working for King. It was a lot more collaborative. In general, Sweden felt a lot more progressive than Poland.”

Björkman knows other linguists who switched to gaming too and says being able to interpret and translate what people are saying to others is a crucial skill, especially as a producer.

“Whatever you do, you always end up working with people, communication and translation. I’ve always been trying to connect people, and as a games producer, being able to translate different perspectives to help collaboration. Gaming is also a multinational crowd. So if you come from linguistics and you know how to work with different people and cultures, it’s a good fit.”

You don’t need to know how to build games – but you need to be passionate about them

Luis Cascante, currently chief of staff at Rovio and head of the board of education for Futuregames, stresses that this is an industry that values passion. “If you don’t care about games at all, don’t bother,” he says. Gaming isn’t just a business, it’s a creative art form, and you’re unlikely to get hired if the interest and passion aren’t there.

“I’ve worked with studio founders who basically tell everyone they expect passion, whatever their role is, and if they don’t have it, there’s no place for them in their studio,” says Cascante.

Around half of Mojang’s staff have a technical background, and 30 percent are foreigners. Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/imagebank.sweden.se

Mojang’s Moberg Edenbäck, who is an avid gamer, agrees that demonstrating an interest in gaming helps, although it’s not a strict requirement for all roles.

“At Mojang, we’re in a unique spot because we’ve been around for 15 years and a lot of people that reach out to us have grown up with Minecraft. Sometimes Minecraft is even the reason they started coding, and working here is basically their dream job,” he says.

“But if that’s not the case, one thing people can do to demonstrate interest is to have hobby projects. A lot of people create games in their spare time, or designers and artists create characters just for fun. If you do that, it’s definitely a positive.”

Identify your transferable skills to help you level up

Like any other industry, there are plenty of transferable skills that make your application more desirable. Coders have a slight advantage, as games are built using programming languages (specifically C++ and Java), putting experienced coders in high demand.

“If you’re a C++ developer and you have some experience, even if it’s not with games, you will always be on the map. There is absolutely no shortage of roles that you can apply for,” says Luis Cascante.

Many blockbuster games are built using C++, and experience with 3D creation tools like Unreal Engine and Unity provides the easiest entry points if you come from a technical background.

Cascante says data analysis is another sought-after skill: “It’s not necessarily part of hands-on game creation, but data analysts are definitely in demand. At Rovio, none of our data analysts are from Europe, because we simply can’t find them.”

“If you’re good at maths, statistics and SQL, studios are more likely to pick you up, even if you’re slightly more junior because there’s such a demand right now,” he adds.

DICE, headquartered in Stockholm, is one of the major players in the gaming industry. Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/imagebank.sweden.se

But it’s not all about coders.

“Producers, artists, designers, marketers and HR practitioners are all needed to successfully build, launch, and market a successful game,” adds Moberg Edenbäck.

Project management, product management and UX design are also highly transferable skill sets, with many people bringing this kind of expertise into gaming after starting out their careers in other industries.

Network, get a mentor and look for internships

Some practical tips Magdalena Björkman shares for those wanting to switch to gaming are to network, look for mentors, and keep an eye out for internships.

“People are very friendly in the gaming industry, so just talk to them! It’s easy to reach out and approach people as mentors, which can help a lot. Also, look for internships, and go to networking events,” she says.

“There are more opportunities now compared to ten years ago, with boot camps and such. I work with a producer at Arrowhead now who had a background in publishing, but he did a course, and now he’s a full-time game producer.”

However, she urges people not to take the decision to switch careers lightly.

“Gaming can be tough. You need to love what you’re doing, take care of yourself, and have other hobbies outside of gaming. It’s easy to get consumed,” she says.

Get an education in gaming

For those who are truly committed to switching to a career in gaming, studying at one of Stockholm’s specialised gaming schools may be an option (they also offer evening classes).

Unsurprisingly, Futuregames’ Cascante is a big advocate for gaming schools and believes they’re a great pathway into the industry for people with the interest but not the experience.

“I’m chairman of the board of education at Futuregames, and we see people in Stockholm are actually taking courses to break into the industry,” he says.

“They take around two and a half years, which sounds like a lot, but you get a lot of training and professional internships in studios. The schools are really good at matchmaking between companies and students. Often the students stay on after their internships, and if they don’t, they still get at least six months of real experience in the industry.”

Minecraft has sold more than 300 million copies, making it the best selling game ever. Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/imagebank.sweden.se

Other schools include the Sweden Game Area and The Game Assembly, which offer courses in everything from agile project management in gaming to game design and 3D modelling for artists. Most of Sweden’s gaming studios offer internships regularly, including Mojang.

Swedish universities also offer part-time remote modules in for example coding. It’s free to study at university in Sweden for EU citizens and for non-EU residents who are in Sweden on another permit than a student permit, so for example work permits or spouse permits.

Ride the post-boom wave

The gaming industry has a historic reputation for only hiring people with gaming experience, but Björkman believes this mindset is changing.

“In the past, the industry has been a little elitist. It used to be that you needed ten years of experience to get into gaming, but now that’s changing and it’s becoming more open. This is great because we need experience from different industries to bring new know-how and knowledge. We don’t need to do things the same way all the time,” she says.

This is no surprise. After substantial long-term success, it makes sense that a talent-strapped industry has to start casting its net a little wider.

The conclusion? As long as you’re passionate, proactive, and can offer a valuable new perspective, it’s definitely possible to switch to a career path in Sweden’s burgeoning gaming industry.

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