eures@arbetsformedlingen.se

Living and Working

IN SWEDEN

Living and Working

IN SWEDEN

• Sweden is the third largest country in EU

• 9.6 million inhabitants, only 21 people/km2

• 85% live in the south

• Currency: Svenska kronor (Swedish Crown)

SEK 100 = EUR 11.38

• EU-member state since 1995

Facts about Sweden

Our dear neighbours!

450.

000

km

2Stockholm

Malmö

Göteborg

157

4 k

m

Kiruna

Umeå

Famous Swedes

- Alfred Nobel - Nobel prize- Zlatan Ibrahimovic – football- Astrid Lindgren – Pippi books- Stieg Larsson – Millenium books- Ingmar Bergman – film director- Alexander Skarsgård – True Blood- ABBA, Swedish House Mafia- IKEA, H&M- VOLVO

• Most jobs require good level of Swedish

• In some highly skilled jobs you can get by using English only. (Still expected that you learn Swedish)

• Few jobs for low skilled workers with no Swedish.

www.si.se

Language skills

Unemployment rate

• General 7.5 %

Labour Market Statistics

Engineering and IT shortages

- Power Systems Engineers- Electrical Engineers- Automation Engineers- Mechanical Engineers- Software Developer- System Developer- IT Architects- Software Test Engineer- Mining and Metallurgy Engineers- HVAC Engineers- Civil Engineers

Other shortages

• Physicians• Surgical Nurses• Nurses, psychiatric care• Nurses in emergency care• Geriatric Nurses• Chefs• Preschool teachers• Car Mechanics, heavy vehicles

• Full time, 40 hours per week

• 25 days vacation per year

• No national minimum wage

• Collective agreements between trade unions and employers

Working in Sweden

Engineers working in Sweden Median monthly salaries, gross

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering Starting: 26,000 SEK10 years experience: 37,200 SEK

• Master of Science in Engineering Starting salary: 28,500 SEK

10 years experience: 42,600 SEK

Figures from: www.sverigesingenjorer.se

Working in Sweden

• All EU/EEA or Swiss citizens have the right to work in Sweden

• After 3 months – register with the Swedish Migration Board

• Citizens of a non-EU country - need a work permit

• www.migrationsverket.se

• Regulated professions – NARIC

• Universitets- och Högskolerådet

The Swedish HigherEducation Authority

www.uhr.se

Recognition of foreign diplomas

• Public Employment Serviceswww.arbetsformedlingen.se

Many links to other major job websites

• EURES http://www.eures.europa.eu/

• Swedish newspapers www.onlinenewspapers.com/sweden.htm

• Jobs in Englishwww.jobsinstockholm.com www.thelocal.se/jobs

Finding a job

• Applying via web site, online or e-mail

• Applications should be typewritten

in Swedish or English.

• An application consists of:

Cover letter (1 page)

CV (1-2 pages)

Applying for a job in Sweden

Cover Letter

• Should be a ”bridge” that shows employer how your CV meets his or her vacancy ad’s requirements

• Don’t repeat information that’s in your CV - explain what you’ve learned, what you can offer them, give an example showing how you work or deal with customers

• The first paragraph of your letter should include information on why you are writing. Mention the position you are applying for and where you found the job listing. Include the name of a mutual contact, if you have one.

• Middle Paragraph(s); The next section should describe what you have to offer the employer. Mention specifically how your qualifications match the job you are applying for. Remember, you are interpreting your resume, not repeating it.

• Conclude your cover letter by thanking the employer for considering you for the position. Include information on how you will follow-up.

Cover Letter

should contain information on:

• why the company interests you;

• why your skills and experience would be an asset to the company;

• also provide information on how you can be contacted if the company is interested in following up with you.

Letters of Interest- also known as prospecting letters

CV

• Simple, attractive layout—think about how it looks!

• You can start with either your education or work experience

• Reverse time order—the latest is first

• We write dates: 14-02-13

• Don’t go back too far in time (except certain education)

• Skip short courses, apprenticeships if they’re not relevant

After sending the application…

• Positive with telephone contact (if given in ad)

• Have some intelligent questions ;-)

• An extra chance to market yourself and stand out!

Job interview

• Be on time!!!• Dress accordingly?• Be prepared

3 most common interview questions:

- Please tell us a little bit about yourself.- Tell us about your strengths and limitations.- Where do you see yourself in five years?

www.arbetsformedlingen.se

• Flat organisations

• Team work and consensus

• ”Du” – first name basis – informality!

• Gender equality

• Strong trade unions

Swedish work place culture

• Municipal tax between 29-35 %, depending on where you live

• Most people pay only municipal tax

• State tax is paid on taxable incomes above 413,200 SEK – 20% above 591,600 SEK – 25 %

www.skatteverket.se (2013)

Income Tax

Social Insurance

• Sickness• Parental leave• Dental carewww.forsakringskassan.se

• Pensionswww.pensionsmyndigheten.se

• Is not a part of the Social Insurance scheme

• Basic insurance: No membership requirement,max 320 SEK/day

• Voluntary insurance: For members of an unemployment insurance fund, max 680 SEK/day

• 300 days, 5 days per week. Tax will be deducted. www.iaf.se

Unemployment insurance

• Rent an apartment or house (cooker, fridge and freezer included)

• 1 bedroom apartment, average rent4,595 SEK/month, 68 m2 (heating included)

• Buy into a housing co-op

• Buy a house

• Accommodation costs vary greatly

Housing

• Coffee and coffee breaks

• Tend to avoid conflict

• Shoes off indoors (in people’s homes)

• Light summer nights and dark winters

Sweden and Swedes

Tack! Thank you!

EURES Swedeneures.se