This article is a Guide To Securing a job In Sweden. Life as a foreign student in Sweden can be a dream come true. The weather, the culture, and the education system all try to make things as comfortable as possible for foreign students to thrive but not without its challenges. Ranging from finding a suitable place to stay to adjusting to the climate conditions can be a very tricky task to navigate.
These challenges however are usually easy to get past, especially over time. One particular challenge that won’t go overtime without a proper guide is the challenge of finding a job. If that’s your current predicament then, worry less because this article would guide you on the process of securing a job in Sweden.
Before we start, you have to understand certain technicalities and advice of some sort to help you cope and not get into trouble in the process of securing a job.
Understanding Your Situation
Before applying to a school in Sweden, you must have first carried out your research. This research should have a part that focuses on the industry of your course choice. It’s important to know if Sweden has a standard industry or enough jobs in your area of specialization.
Work permits are important as they allow foreigners to work in a foreign land. While it is important, you can bypass it with your student visa (residence permit). This allows you to study and work in the country. There is a catch though as you can’t neglect school work which takes about 40 hours a week.
Some courses are more tasking than others. In a situation where it is, it would be wise to reconsider getting a job. You have to give your maximum concentration to your studies. If at some point you still want to get a job, ensure that your school schedule has been cleared up a bit.
You won’t want to struggle with school and add the rigors of a job and for some the pressure of having an active social life.
In a situation where you have decided to get a job, calculate your wage or salary. It is necessary to know the cost of living where you reside to evaluate what you’re getting out of the job. It is estimated that the living cost in Sweden for a student is about SEK 8568, which is about $1015.
Guide To Securing a Job In Sweden
These guides would help secure a job as a foreign student.
1. Look for a job in your field:
Earlier, we talked about you researching your industry of specialization in Sweden. Getting a job in your area of study gives you work experience. For example, for those who are studying courses related to oil and gas, you’d be at a huge disadvantage looking for a job in Stockholm, Sweden. The oil and gas industry there is almost non-existent and it is one of the cleanest cities in the world. They have very few heavy factories. However, if you’re interested in the Tech and IT sector, Stockholm is just the place for you.
2. Learn the language:
Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Norway, etc have a high amount of English speakers. This makes communication a lot easier but learning the local language can create opportunities for you to find a job. Moreover, most part-time jobs require you to speak the local language. This isn’t the case all the time and there are jobs for those who don’t speak Swedish. Beyond job seeking, learning the local language can help you bond with natives. These good personal relationships can help you not just get but also keep these jobs while you build a decent social life.
3. Look for employers:
It’s a common practice in Sweden to actually search for and find employers directly and apply or display why they deserve the job. So don’t be afraid to meet an employer and attempt to carefully advertise yourself. Others choose to apply for internships. This is a smart option for so many reasons including the fact that after schooling, companies would employ you because of your experience from the internship.
4. Apply online:
It is harder than applying in person but that should not stop you from trying. Sweden has a decent number of job search engines that would help you find a place to show your hard work or in some cases the lack of it. Some of these search engines include arbetsformedlingen, Academic Work, EURES, and so on.
5. Build a network:
A strong professional network would go a long way in helping you secure a job as quickly as possible. You can build one by going to as many professional events as you can make time for. Trainee Dagen for instance brings students and young professionals together to build skills and meet companies. Startup Lulea hosts informal gatherings for professionals and entrepreneurs to meet.
6. Have a good work ethic:
This doesn’t have to be said but a good work ethic and lack of tardiness would go a long way in securing the job after getting it. This works in most places in the world, not just in Sweden. Any chance you get to put in maximum effort, take the chance with both hands and a third hand if there is one.
Requirements For Working In Sweden
In order to work in Sweden as a foreign student, you must have a residence permit for studies at a university or university college. You are allowed to work during the period of validity of this permit. However, if you want to work in Sweden after completing your studies, you will need to obtain a work permit.
The Most In-Demand Jobs In Sweden For Foreign Students
Here are the five most sought-after jobs in Sweden for foreign students.
- IT support engineers / Operations Technicians
- Engineers (Chemical, Mechanical, Civil and Electrotechnology Engineers).
- Teachers
- Translators
- Life Science and Medical Professionals.
The Most In-Demand Jobs In Sweden For Foreign Students and Their Salaries
This is for students who wish to stay back after studies in Sweden. Here is a list of the most in-demand jobs in Sweden for expats along with their average salaries.
| Jobs | Average Salary | In-demand Cities | Remark |
| 1. Surgeons/Doctors | SEK 1,609,536 per year | Stockholm Gothenburg Malmo | The reason they are able to remain in this position is because of the country’s exceptional healthcare system. |
| 2. Engineering | SEK 834,528 per year | Stockholm, Gothenburg, Uppsala | This is because of Sweden’s robust economy and its renowned engineering universities. The highest-paying engineering jobs are industrial engineering managers, project managers, and software engineers. |
| 3. Lawyer | SEK 880,936 per year | Stockholm, Orebro, Linkoping, Gothenburg, Malmo | To become a lawyer in Sweden, you need to have a high level of proficiency in Swedish, especially in legal matters. |
| 4. Software and System Developer | SEK 659,501 per year | Stockholm, Gothenburg, Vasteras, Malmo | Sweden hosts prominent software development firms, and the industry is rapidly expanding. |
| 5. Sales and Purchasing Jobs | SEK 660,500 – SEK 887,100 per year | Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo | Swedish purchasing power ranks among the world’s highest. |
| 6. Pilots | SEK 566,840 per year | Stockholm, Gothenburg | Airline pilots and helicopter pilots are among the most popular and best jobs in Sweden for foreigners. |
| 7. Finance and Administration Jobs | SEK 561,600 per year | Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Uppsala. | These roles often require a high level of education and experience. |
| 8. Marketing Director | SEK 720,740 per year | Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo | Their role is majorly to increase revenue. |
| 9. Orthodontist | SEK 733,300 per year | Their role is mainly to increase revenue. | They handle routine dental care, such as cleaning and repairing teeth. |
| 10. Teacher | SEK 614,448 per year | Stockholm, Solna, Malme, Umea, Gothenburg | Teachers work in special education or high-needs schools, which offer higher salaries. |
Being Self-Employed In Sweden
The job hunting process is not always rosy, however, instead of waiting for a job, you too can be your own boss. There are several benefits regarding being self-employed as a student, which we will mention as we go on. We will also provide you with easy jobs to start as a student in Sweden. Let’s go!
Benefits of Being Self-Employed In Sweden
Even as a self-employed person, you are required to pay into Swedish social security. Luckily, this gives freelance workers some of the same benefits as regular employees, such as
- sick-leave;
- retirement pension;
- survivor’s pension;
- healthcare;
- occupational injury insurance;
- parental insurance;
- unemployment insurance.
Self-Employed Jobs in Sweden
The top self-employed jobs in Sweden are in IT or business such as follows;
- fashion and design
- writing, editing, and proofreading
- game development
Conclusion: Guide To Securing a Job In Sweden
In addition to all the aforementioned information, you would need an account that can receive and send Swedish Krona. Which means you’d have to open a bank account more or less. Other than that, if you follow these guides, you’ll secure a job that will not interfere with your schooling.
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