How to find a job in Stockholm

Stockholm's labour market

With a mix of high-profile local and multinational companies, Sweden's capital city is impressively dynamic. Companies such as IBM, IKEA, Electrolux, etc. employ thousands of locals and expats while smaller private industry players in fields like ICT and media technology offer profitable job opportunities.

Stockholm boasts a low unemployment rate of just 6%, and with the right qualifications and skills, you might just be able to join the city's labour force. Is there a demand for your job in Stockholm? Check our guide to Stockholm's labour market.

If you are unsure where your skills fit in to the Swedish labour market, you can use the Swedish Public Employment Service's guide to evaluate your professional skills.

General information for finding a job in Stockholm

Here are some tips to help you find success in your job hunt:

• Be patient. Generally, the employment process in Scandinavian countries is notoriously slow. Applications can take several weeks to be processed, and in many cases, companies will not inform you if your application has been unsuccessful.

• Don't apply in the summer months. July and August are reserved for beach holidays along the coast of Spain and France, or local music and food festivals [hyperlink to article]. Wait until September when everyone returns from holiday or aim to apply earlier in the year.

• Update your CV. Try to include the most relevant work experience or education at the top of the page and remove unnecessary information. A clean, tidy CV is easier to read and understand. Consider paying for a professional Swedish translation of your CV.

• Include tailored cover letters. Use cover letters to show a company that you have done diligent research about their values and describe how you would fit in with their goals.

• Nail the interview dress code. Unless you are applying for jobs in the financial or law sector, the company's dress code will be smart casual. Prepare to look presentable and professional but don't go overboard; heavy make-up, high heels, and formal wear like ties and cufflinks don't make regular appearances at Swedish workplaces.

• Salary expectations. If you successfully pass the interview process and are offered a position, it's important to make sure that the wages are in line with the industry average. Salary amounts are usually pre-tax, and since taxes in Sweden are high, it's wise to calculate your salary after tax. Use the Statsskuld wage calculator to calculate your net salary.

Where to search

Unless you are already located in Stockholm, your best bet will be to search and apply for jobs online. If you are located in Stockholm, you could drop by an Arbetsförmedlingen (Swedish Public Employment Service) agency for assistance in finding a suitable job. Handing in your CV and a general application at companies that seem appealing is also a good tactic, even if there are no jobs advertised online.

Useful links :

Arbetsförmedlingen (Sweden's largest job-search site)
Jobs in Stockholm (English)
Glassdoor (English)
The Local (English)
The Hub (English ' start-up jobs)
Blocket Jobb (Swedish)
Career Builder (Swedish)
Monster (Swedish)
Metrojobb (Swedish)
StepStone (Swedish)
LinkedIn