What you need to know when you are looking for a job in Norway.

My desire to write this post came from making mistakes and losing job opportunities. I would like to prevent you guys from making the same mistakes. Here I explain how the Norwegian society works when it comes to jobs. From time to time I get questions from readers about finding a job in Norway. I wanted to find a way to help them.

I must start by saying I’m not an expert. I don’t have any job search tools and I don’t work for headhunters agency. I say here what I have learned from my own experience and from talking to Norwegian employers and employees in Stavanger.

The first thing you need if you want to work in Norway is a work visa. For information about visa to work in Norway, see UDI website here.

For official information check the official job site called NAV here . They provide attendants to see your situation and give you advice. Another place to search for a job is Finn.no If NAV doesn’t help you, keep searching by yourself. Don’t give up.

2022 update! Summer jobs in tourism field are trendy in Norway!! Don’t miss this opportunity if you have experience working at restaurants, bars, hotels, etc.

Here are my good tips for you.

As a foreigner, be prepared to take a few steps back professionally. In the new country, in the beginning, nobody knows you. It may be difficult for those who come from stable jobs and have successful careers in their homeland. It may even be shocking and depressing knocking on so many doors and not finding any opportunities. It may take time and adaptation. Remember that this is a new life in another system and culture. Be patient, persistent, proactive, well informed.

Keep in mind that you are valuable and have a lot to contribute to the Norwegian workforce through your background, interest, skills, grades and certificates, your multicultural knowledge. You have managed to leave your country of origin and you are learning Norwegian and adapting to the Norwegian society, weather, food, etc. You’re trying to get a job, you are being proactive. Give yourself credit. Never feel less worthy because you are a foreigner. Work on your self esteem.

Seek others in the same situation, or even better, those who have gotten jobs like the one you wish for. Ask them for tips.

Real life examples. I have a friend who is a cardiologist, and her degree is from her homeland. Here in Norway, she works as auxiliary nurse. In order to get to work as a doctor, she must take exams and fill requirements. There is place for foreign doctors, but filling all requirements take time and dedication. My other foreign friend who is a nurse, gets only night shifts. In my case, I had a university degree from Law School and a degree from Drama school, both from Brazil. That values zero here in Norway. I’d have to take three years at university in Stavanger if I wanted to work as a lawyer. Do it all over again. No possibilities for me to take a masters or specialization in contracts or family law. Nothing. Doors were closed. I weighed the pros and cons and decided not to pursue such a career in Norway. I had to make plans C and D for myself. You know what? It’s ok. I’m happy with my choice. Life is unpredictable. So many people have to rearrange their dreams now with Corona pandemic. How stable is a job anyway? If it happens to you, don’t be afraid. You’ll find a solution, other interests, open doors. Be open to find new career, new interests, new possibilities.

Networking is important in Norway. I have had three job interviews so far. Two of them I got through friends. One of them got me my current job, which I love. That’s why I keep on writing posts to encourage you to make friends with Norwegians (and immigrants as well). You can read the first one here .

Getting a job in Norway may not be as easy as many foreigners think. Norway has laws against discrimination. However, according to the articles I have read in newspapers, some employers seem to be more willing to employ Norwegians than foreigners. Those articles I’ve read showed job seekers that, after trying to get job interviews for months, even years, decided to change their last names to typical Norwegian names. And it worked. As soon as they applied with Norwegian last names, they got job interviews. So be prepared. It can take long time for you to get the job interview you wish for. That’s why these three advices can help you: 1) Speak Norwegian, 2) Networking (make contacts in your business niche), 3) Be persistent.

Learn Norwegian. Speaking Norwegian helps a lot. It makes a difference. Even in the oil industry, where you find many expats speaking only English, some meetings, gatherings, and all jokes will be in Norwegian. It’s where you live. I know an engineer who came to a seminar in Stavanger. Nobody cared that she didn’t speak Norwegian. They spoke Norwegian most of the time, even when she was in small groups, as part of the team. Speaking English fluently isn’t an advantage for you, as Norwegians also speak English fluently. Check how I learned to speak Norwegian in 1 year here.

Working as a vikar can be a good way to get your dream job. I didn’t know when I came to Stavanger in 2013, that the Norwegian society is run by substitutes. They are called vikar. It is a legal way to get you jobs, even if you don’t have the same qualifications nor experience as the regular employees. It’s a great way to get experience, to practice Norwegian, to be sure if this is what you want, to do networking, to make money.

According to the Norwegian law, you can’t work for a public company as a substitute for more than three years. When you reach three years, the county, state, etc, has to find you a fixed job or let you go. In my opinion, the Norwegian labour laws are very protective and good for the employees. In Norway we pay high taxes but the benefits come right to each one of us.

If you got a job you don’t like: quit. But if you got a job you find too far from your dream job, wait a while, give it some time. Be grateful to have a job. Do your best and yes, make plans, aim high.

Before you apply for a job: believe in yourself, analise your qualifications, get your documents, certificates, cv translated to Norwegian or English.

What to wear at a job interview.

Neutral cardigan and shirt are safe bet. Also merino wool sweaters, according to the weather and season.

Before you go to a job interview:

1. Know about the position you’re applying for. Don’t show up clueless. Don’t waist the interviewer’s time by asking elementar questions nor by applying for a job you may not stand a chance to get. You may wish to be a project manager, but verify in the job description if you have the background they demand.
2. Never lie. It would just get you into trouble.
3. Read about the company you want to work for. Know their values, how big they are, get all the information you may need. It makes a difference and shows how engaged you are.
4. Show up on time. Norwegians are punctual. I’d say come ten minutes earlier so that you are prepared and relaxed when they call you, instead of sweaty and breathless with a just-arrived face.
5. Be concise. Interviewers won’t be interested in how well you did in school in second grade.
6. Have a copy of your cv and important documents with you in case the interview asks to see them.
7. According to the Norwegian law, the interviewer is prohibited to ask you personal questions as: Do you want to have kids? You don’t need to answer. Just say they are not allowed to such private questions. I have a friend who was asked that, by the way. Unbelievable.

Best of luck to you! Please tell me how it went, after you got your job interview.