Living and Working in Sweden

1. Living and Working in Sweden David Cluer (Falun) david.cluer@arbetsformedlingen.se Peter Holm (Stockholm) peter.holm@arbetsformedlingen.se EURES Advisers

2. Facts About Sweden • Sweden is the third largest country in EU 25 and has • 96 000 km coastline. • 9 million inhabitants, 85% live in the southern parts. • Sweden has been a member of EU since 1995. • Currency: Swedish Crown (SEK) 9.30 SEK = 1 € (May 2008) • www.sweden.se

3. Kiruna Kiruna 21 Counties Umeå 1574 km 20 inhabitants / km2 450.000 km2 Stockholm 290 Municipalities Göteborg Malmö Ystad

4. Right to work in Sweden • workers, self-employed, students, ”with sufficient funds” • NB! No special restrictions for citizens of recent member states.

5. Language skills • The Scandinavian languages are similar – Swedish, Norwegian and Danish • English skills are important in many professions • Language skills in labour shortages and surpluses

6. Labour Market Statistics • 80,8 % of men and 76,2 % of women aged 16-64 are in employment. Good child care facilities make this possible. • Unemployment rate 5,2 % (July 2008) • Statistics from the Public Employment Services (July 2008) • Unemployment rate 2,9 % • Subsidized employment 1,7 % • Labour market programmes 1,3 %

7. Shortages2008 • Medical doctors • Nurses (emergency, operation, psychiatric care and geriatric) • Pre-school teachers • Upper secondary school teachers, vocational subjects • Teachers, for students with special needs • Computer specialists, programmers and systems developers

8. Shortages2008 • LGV truck drivers and lorry drivers • Truck mechanics • Machine engineers • Construction engineers • Electricians • Welders • Machine tool operators (NC/CNC) • Chefs

9. Working in Sweden • Temporary or Permanent contracts • 6 months probationary employment • Full time, 40 hours per week • 25 days vacation per year (right to take 4 consecutive weeks holiday in the summer) • Average wage: SEK 26,600 (men) SEK 22,000 (women) • No national minimum wage. Collective agreements in most occupations ensure fair wages.

10. Finding a Job • Public Employment ServicesPlatsbanken and • Söka jobb / Länkar www.arbetsformedlingen.se • EURES www.eures.europa.eu • Swedish newspapers www.onlinenewspapers.com/sweden.htm • Adecco www.adecco.se • Lernia www.lernia.se • Manpower www.manpower.se • Proffice www.proffice.se • Company websites

11. Other ways to a job • Open application • www.gulasidorna.se • www.foretagsfakta.se • CV database • www.arbetsformedlingen.se (Swedish) • www.eures.europa.eu

12. Applying for Work in Sweden • E-mail is frequently used and accepted. • Applications should be typewritten in Swedish or English. • Generally you do not enclose a photo. • An application consists of: • - personal letter (no more than 1 page, often less) • - your 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. • Recognition of foreign diplomas

13. Food Costs (€)

14. A Typical Swedish Work Place • “Flat” organisations • Team work • You must be able to take initiatives and adapt to new situations. • ”Du” – first name basis – informality! • Gender equality • Strong Trade unions

15. Sweden and Swedes • Fresh air, clean water, untouched wilderness, open space – “Right of Public Access” • Personnummer! 650604-6435 • “Fikapaus” • Shoes off indoors • “Systembolaget”

16. Sweden and Swedes • Tend to avoid conflicts… • Sweden “closes” for the summer • Between April – September Swedes become sun worshippers • Internet – VERY important in the Swedish society

17. Thank You for Your Attention! David Cluer david.cluer@arbetsformedlingen.se Peter Holm peter.holm@arbetsformedlingen.se Brochure: Do you want to work in Sweden?www.arbetsformedlingen.se under Other languages