Finding work is a full time job

Advice offered on the do’s and don’t's of Danish work culture

by Afton Halloran

Let us start from the top: Learn Danish, network, understand the Danish teamwork culture, get a student job, volunteer or become a member of a club, and stay humble. Just a few of the things recommended to students at the Kubulus Alumni Association’s Job Search in Denmark event on 10 May 2011.

»Finding a job in Denmark is a full time job,« summed up a representative from Work in Denmark.

It’s a daunting task to find a job at all, let alone in another country. But there are a few things that are recommended to better your odds.

Skeleton in the closet

Have you ever tried Googling your name? Did you like what you saw?

Many Danish employers check you out on the Internet when you express interest in their company organization, warned Crag Till from Expat in Denmark.

LinkedIn is also a very popular social media tool in Denmark: Danes rank among the top 10 LinkedIn users. In fact, 50 per cent of Human Resources people will look at your profile if you are considered for a job. You should consider creating a profile.

Have your cake, but remember to eat it too!

If you have a job, or even if you are just looking for one, Till notes that employers are looking for someone who fits in.

In Denmark, work structures are much less hierarchical; those who can think ‘horizontally,’ or collaboratively, are preferred.

»I have lived in many places, but I have never seen so much cake being eaten!« joked Till stressing his point, referring to the social importance of taking coffee breaks, or eating together with Danish colleagues to allow people to get to you know better.

Interested in sticking around? Expat in Denmark has over 80 annual networking events all over the country. Click here for more information.

Create an online profile and look for jobs here at Work in Denmark.

See the University Post's 2010 insider tips for student jobs here.

afton.halloran@adm.ku.dk

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