Jobs and Careers

See our advice on jobs and careers, including information about work permits, CVs, interviews and study.

Work in Sweden

All international students are allowed to work in Sweden: securing a position is the challenge! One frequent precondition to employment is your ability to communicate in Swedish: to learn Swedish, you can take a university course (Swedish as a Second Language) or perhaps check out the free online course offered by The Swedish Institute:

Residence Permit and Work Permit

If you have a residence permit for university studies in Sweden, then you are allowed to work during the period of validity of the permit.

After you complete your degree programme at DU, then you can apply for an extension to your residence permit for up to six months so that you have time to look for work. If you find work, then you will be able to remain longer in Sweden. EU students do not need a work permit to work in Sweden.

CVs, Cover Letters and Interviews

CVs and Cover Letters

Be sure your CV and cover letter are of high standard – ask somebody to proofread them for content and errors. An employer may lose interest at the first error on the page as errors suggest you are not a serious applicant.

  • Use a simple, clear chronological structure: list your most recent position/experience/degree first
  • Summarise all the information under one heading: "Summary" (Sammanställning)
  • Adapt your CV to the job you are applying for
  • Include your education/work experience: focus on what is relevant for the current position
  • Use a heading "Other Information" so that you can include other pertinent information: language and computer skills, voluntary work, driving licence, international experiences
  • Include references (first ask the person you want to use as a reference)
  • Include a cover letter that professionally, simply and neatly describes who you are, why you are applying for the position, and why you are the best candidate
  • Use PDFs for electronic applications

(Based on information on the website of Sweden's National Job Agency (Arbetsförmedlingen).)

There are a number of translation companies in Sweden who you can ask to translate your CV and cover letter into Swedish.

Interviews

Interviewers are just as interested in how you answer questions as they are in what your answer is. Be confident and honest, and be clear that you want the job.

Prepare yourself for an interview by reading up about the business/organisation you are applying to. Then be prepared to talk about:

  • the reason you have applied for the position
  • the reason you are suited for this position – why anybody would want to employ you
  • your education, choice of profession, professional/voluntary experience
  • your strengths and weaknesses
  • your ambitions
  • other skills (computer, language, cultural/international/voluntary experience)
  • the questions you have for the employer: this shows curiosity and interest

Find Jobs Online

  • Arbetsförmedlingen: offers information in a number of languages but the main job search webpages are in Swedish
  • Recruitment Agencies: called bemanningsbolag or rekryteringsbolag, these are popular channels to employment in Sweden. Google to find local listings and specific names of such agencies.
  • Blocket: most job listings are in Swedish but there is also a "Jobs in English" link. There is also a "Student" link listing part-time positions.

Start Your Own Business

If you have a business idea, then you can contact Almi (Borlänge branch), an organisation that can offer advice, loans and venture capital.

Internships Erasmus+

One way to gain work experience is to sign up for an Erasmus+ internship/traineeship. DU can offer scholarships for these internships, and any registered student at DU who has completed 60 credits can apply.

Networking

Never underestimate the importance of networking: attend job fairs (jobbmässor) or university events – or simply take your own initiative: for example, why not call a company that works within your field to see if you can meet with a staff member to find out about the company, including its future workforce needs?

Study and Career Counsellors

At Dalarna University, you can receive study and career counselling from our team of counsellors both before and during your studies.

Study and Career Counsellors at Dalarna University

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