1. Living and Working
IN SWEDEN
Olof Person
EURES
Arbetsförmedlingen Göteborg, Sweden
Olof.person@arbetsformedlingen.se
2. Facts about Sweden
• Sweden is the third largest country in EU 27 and has 96 000
km coastline.
• 9.3 million inhabitants, 85% live in the southern parts.
• Sweden has been a member of EU since 1995.
• Currency: Swedish Crown (SEK)
• 1 € = 8,32 SEK
• www.sweden.se
3. • Form of government:
Kiruna
Constitutional monarchy
Parliamentary democracy
• English skills are important in many
professions
Umeå
• Your competitors for the jobs are
fluently in Swedish
• Swedish online course
www.workinginsweden.se
• Most jobs require some knowledge of
Stockholm the Swedish language
• Some highly skilled jobs require even
Göteborg fluency in the English language
Malmö
5. Labour Market
Shortage Surplus
• Software and System engineers • Stockbrokers
• Mining and metallurgic engineers • Journalists
• Plant and Construction engineers • Photographers
• Power system and • Administrative personnel
telecommunication engineers • Sailors
• HVAC Engineers • Shop assistants
• Mechanical engineers • Unlicensed assistive personnel
• IT architects • Cleaners
• Medical doctors • Janitors
• Preschool teachers • Storekeepers
• Perioperative nurses • Assemblers
• Truck mechanics
• Chefs
6. Working in Sweden
• 6 months probationary employment
• Full time, 40 hours per week
• 25 days vacation per year
• No national minimum wage
• Collective agreements between unions and employers.
7. Finding a job
Public Employment Services
www.arbetsformedlingen.se
EURES
http://www.eures.europa.eu/
LinkedIn EURES Sweden
•Swedish newspapers
• www.onlinenewspapers.com/sweden.htm
• www.thelocal.se
• www.goteborgdaily.se
• www.jobsinstockholm.com
• Adecco www.adecco.se
• Lernia www.lernia.se
• Manpower www.manpower.se
• Proffice www.proffice.se
• Company websites
www.saco.se/omstart
8. Applying for a job in Sweden
• Applying via e-mail is common
• Applications should be typewritten in Swedish or English
• An application consists of:
• Cover letter (1 page or less)
• CV (1-2 pages)
• References (can also be given at the interview)
• You may be asked to present evidence of professional qualifications and
diplomas later on.
• Keywords, added value
• Be pro-active. Take initiatives!
9. Income Tax
• Municipal tax between 29-35 %, depending on where you live
• Most people pay only municipal tax
• Council Tax between 26-34 %, average 31 %.
• State Tax + 20% of the income over 401 100 kronor SEK
+ 25% of the income over 574 300 SEK
(per annum)
Tax deductions includes social insurance and pension fees, but not unemployment
benefits.
www.skatteverket.se
10. Unemployment insurance/benefit
Is not a part of the Social Insurance scheme.
1. Basic insurance (Alfakassan): For all workers after a
qualifying period: No membership requirement, max
320 SEK/day
2. Voluntary insurance: For members of an
Unemployment Insurance Fund. After the qualification
period, 80% of earlier income, max 680 SEK/day
• 300 days, 5 days per week. Tax will be deducted.
www.iaf.se
11. Swedish work place culture
•Flat organisations
•Team work and consensus
•”Du” – first name basis –
informality!
•You must be able to take initiatives and adapt to new situations.
•Gender equality
•Strong trade unions
•Coffee and coffee breaks
•Tend to avoid conflict
•Light summer nights and dark winters
