Career and work in Sweden

Build networks

Making contacts is crucial for job opportunities in Sweden. Start networking while you are still studying. Attend career events, company meetings, alumni meetings, student associations, etc.

Use both formal and informal contacts, not just recruitment events, but also everyday contexts, acquaintances, associations, social gatherings, etc.

Take advantage of digital tools and networks, LinkedIn, alumni networks, career portals, online platforms where employers and talents meet.

Be proactive: get in touch with people, ask for informational interviews, show interest, follow up on contacts, and be active in your relationships even when you are not actively looking for a job.

Use internships, thesis work or projects with companies as a way in; this creates contact with employers, provides work experience and can lead to jobs or references.

• Participate in alumni meetings, student associations, sports clubs and language cafés.
• Get involved as a student ambassador or student representative.
• Volunteering and part-time jobs provide valuable contacts.
• Visit career fairs, contact lecturers and exhibitors.
• Participate in alumni networks, at university, via LinkedIn or professional organisations.

Introduce yourself

Pitch

Being able to present yourself clearly and professionally is an important part of applying for jobs in Sweden. A good presentation helps employers and new contacts quickly understand who you are, what you can do and what you can contribute. Practising a short introduction – a so-called pitch – makes it easier to take the initiative in networking situations, interviews and career events.

Digital presence and LinkedIn

Having a strong digital presence is important when applying for jobs in Sweden. Optimise your LinkedIn profile, be active in relevant networks and participate in online discussions. By engaging on LinkedIn and other professional platforms, you can make contacts, find job opportunities and show employers what you can contribute. A well-designed profile and active participation in digital networks make it easier to present yourself, take initiative in networking situations and prepare for interviews and career events.

Also consider how you present yourself on other social media where potential employers may look you up. Review your photos, for example.

Prepare application documents – CV and cover letter

CV and cover letter – how to get started

When applying for a job in Sweden, both your CV and cover letter are important parts of your application. Your CV should provide a clear and structured overview of your education, work experience, languages and skills. Always tailor the content to the position you are applying for and highlight the most relevant experience.

The cover letter complements your CV and describes why you are interested in the role and what you can contribute. Focus on your strengths, give concrete examples and keep the text short and easy to read. In Sweden, recruiters place great importance on personal qualities and how you work in a team – not just on formal qualifications. A good guideline is to describe what you have done, how you did it and what results it produced. This is an effective way to demonstrate soft skills.

For international students, it can be helpful to briefly explain the education system or titles from your home country if they differ from their Swedish equivalents. Be clear, professional and adapt your language to the workplace – Swedish if possible, otherwise English.

Highlight your soft skills

When applying for a job in Sweden, it is not only your academic results that count. Employers value soft skills – skills that show how you collaborate, communicate and take responsibility. As an international student, you often have experiences that are in high demand, such as intercultural competence and multilingualism.

Show what you can do with clear examples

In both your CV and cover letter, it is important to describe how you have used your skills in practice. Link your experiences from courses, projects, internships, student activities or work to situations that employers can relate to.

Examples of wording:

• Teamwork: ‘Worked in international project groups and contributed to common goals through clear communication and collaboration.’
• Independence: ‘Completed my thesis independently, including planning, data collection and analysis.’
• Communication skills: ‘Presented project results orally and in writing in English and Swedish to different target groups.’
• Problem solving: ‘Handled complex challenges in course projects by analysing the problem and testing several solutions.’
• Intercultural competence: ‘Collaborated with students from several countries and adapted working methods to the needs of the group.’
  

Swedish employers value clarity, and application documents in Sweden should be:

• concrete – show what you have done
• results-oriented – describe what your efforts led to
• moderately personal – tell about yourself without exaggerating

Highlight your international experience

Your international background is an asset in the Swedish labour market. Language skills, cultural understanding and experience of different education systems are qualifications that are often in demand.

Tips for your CV and cover letter

CV

• Adapt your CV to each job – highlight what is most relevant.
• Keep the structure simple: education, experience, languages, skills.
• Briefly explain education systems or titles from your home country if they may be unclear.
• Use clear dates and describe your duties with concrete examples.
• Check your language and spelling – ask someone to proofread it.

Cover letter

• Focus on why you are applying for that particular job and what you can contribute.
• Give examples of situations where you have used your skills.
• Show motivation and interest in the employer.
• Keep the letter short (½–1 page) and easy to read.
• Adapt the tone: Swedish when possible, otherwise English.

You can more tips from the Swedish Public Employment Service.

CV application and interview External link.

Learn about the Swedish labour market

The Swedish labour market is known for its openness, security and modern work culture. Organisations often have flat structures, which means that employees are expected to take responsibility, be independent and work closely with both colleagues and managers. Communication is usually straightforward, friendly and solution-focused, and initiative is appreciated.

Working life in Sweden is also characterised by clear rules and collective agreements that provide security in terms of pay, working conditions and work-life balance. Employers value reliability, punctuality and teamwork, but also the ability to work independently.

Labour law and authorities

Sweden has a clear and secure structure for labour law. Many rules are determined by collective agreements, which are agreements between employers and trade unions on wages, working hours, holidays and conditions. These agreements are common and often apply even if you are not a member of a trade union.

There are also several authorities that play important roles in the labour market:

The Swedish Migration Agency

Handles residence permits, work permits and permits to stay after studying.

The Swedish Migration Agency External link.

The Swedish Tax Agency

Is responsible for personal identity numbers, coordination numbers and taxes, which are required in order to work.

The Swedish Tax Agency External link.

The Swedish Public Employment Service

Offers support to job seekers, information about the Swedish labour market and certain programmes.

The Swedish Public Employment Service External link.

The Swedish Work Environment Authority

Works to promote a safe and healthy working environment.

The Discrimination Ombudsman (DO)

Works to combat discrimination in the workplace.

The Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR)

Compare your foreign degree with Swedish education programmes.

The Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) External link.

Together, these actors create a working life that is regulated, transparent and fair, which contributes to security for both employers and employees.

Work permit

If you are a citizen of a country within the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you do not need to apply for a permit to work in Sweden and can start looking for work immediately. You also have the right to set up and run your own company. If you are a Swiss citizen and wish to work longer than three months, you need to apply for a residence permit.

If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you need a permit to work in Sweden. There are different kinds of work permits depending on where you come from, how long you plan to stay and what kind of work you intend to do. The Swedish Migration Agency explains the details:

• Apply for a work permit External link.
• Working without a work permits External link.
• Permanent resident of another EU country External link.

Important steps after graduation for international students

Once your studies are complete, there are several practical steps that international students need to be aware of in order to stay and establish themselves in the Swedish labour market. Here is an overview of what is important to consider immediately after graduation, from residence permits and job hunting to industry-specific requirements and working conditions.

Residence/work permits for students outside the EU/EEA

After graduation, it is often necessary to apply for a residence permit in order to work or seek employment in Sweden. It is important to provide information about this with links and advice.

Extend your visit in Sweden External link.

Continued career planning and job applications

Tips on how to apply for jobs in Sweden, use networks, contact previous employers/internships, use alumni networks, etc.

Information about working conditions and industry-specific requirements

Depending on the field of education. For example, rules, collective agreements, practices, language proficiency requirements.

Looking for work in Sweden External link.

Find employers for degree projects, internships and jobs

You can find employers in Sweden in several different ways. Combining different channels and being active in networking, you can quickly gain a better overview of opportunities, both during your studies and for future work in Sweden. Here are some examples:

The University job bank

The job bank displays jobs and other opportunities specifically for students.

The University job bank (in Swedish)

Contact with teachers and researchers

Programme coordinators and supervisors often have established industry contacts and can recommend companies that are looking for students.

Career fairs and industry events

Both on campus and off-campus, these are great opportunities to meet employers directly and make contacts.

LinkedIn and networking

By following companies, contacting alumni, and being active in relevant groups, students can find projects and job opportunities.

Companies’ own websites

Many Swedish companies publish internships, trainee programmes and degree projects directly on their career pages.

Student associations, fairs and innovation hubs

There are several student associations, student fair and innovation hubs where you can gain contact.

Student associations and engagement

All student fairs at Halmstad University (in Swedish)

HighFive student (in Swedish) External link.

Websites with internship/job tips

These are some places to look for internships and jobs:

• The University job bank (in Swedish)
• The national job bank (in Swedish) External link.
• Student job External link.
• Meet a student internship External link.
• Jobbsprånget External link.

Staffing agencies

A staffing agency acts as an intermediary between employers and employees. The agency employs you and hires out your labour to various client companies.

Authorised staffing agencies from lo.se (in Swedish) External link.

You can find more staffing agencies by searching the web, just make sure the agency is a serious one that follows all laws.

Trade unions and industry organisations

Trade unions and industry organisations play an important role in the Swedish labour market. They work to promote fair conditions, security and development in various professional fields. For international students, these organisations can offer valuable assistance when establishing themselves in Sweden.

They can contribute with:

• Advice on working conditions and rights – e.g. salary, contracts, working hours and what constitutes reasonable conditions in your particular industry.
• Career tips and labour market knowledge – many offer guides, webinars and materials on how to apply for jobs in Sweden.
• Networking and member activities – events, seminars and meetings where you can meet employers and professionals.
• Support for your first job – some associations offer CV reviews, interview training and help in understanding Swedish employment contracts.
• Industry-specific information – statistics, trends and skill requirements that help you position yourself correctly.
• For many international students, trade unions and industry organisations are a good way into the Swedish labour market – both to gain knowledge and to build professional contacts.