The strong job market, good working conditions, competitive economy, ample vacation time, and subsidized public services in Sweden make it an attractive destination for employment. Additionally, Sweden has a diverse range of industries, including automobiles, telecommunications, drugs, industrial machinery, chemical products, household items and appliances, forestry, iron, and steel. This attracts foreign investment from countries such as the Philippines.
In 2016, 28 Swedish companies arrived in Manila to explore investment opportunities, and bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded US$143.40 million. Recently, the inauguration of IKEA’s largest store in Manila shows Sweden’s growing presence in the Philippines and the opportunities it provides for employment and economic growth.
We will review some of the best ways to search for job openings in Sweden and make sure you get the information that you need.
Table of Contents
Requirements
If you are planning to search and apply for jobs in Sweden, the general requirements can be seen when you click this link Requirements.
Qualifications
Education, work experience, language skills, technical skills, soft skills, and cultural fit are all qualifications that employers may be looking for. When looking for and applying for jobs in Sweden, it is critical to understand the job market, work culture, and legal requirements.
Important Steps
Finding the perfect job in Sweden may be daunting for Filipino job seekers, but this country offers numerous opportunities in its innovative industries. To help you navigate the Swedish job market, we’ve created a comprehensive guide outlining the essential steps. Embark on an exciting new professional chapter and discover the secrets to securing your ideal job in this beautiful Scandinavian nation.
I. Job Search
Online job search platforms are very famous in Sweden. These platforms not only offer job opportunities in Sweden but also worldwide. You can now start searching for the best online resource to find jobs.
Check out these 3 websites that can help you find job opportunities in Sweden as well as help you make the most out of your work here.
Grabjobs.co
GrabJobs.com is an online job platform that enables employers to post jobs in Sweden and nearby countries. The website is easy to navigate and we have a team of people dedicated to customer support and answering questions related to jobs in Sweden. Job applicants can search for jobs in Sweden, or you can create an account and upload your resume online for employers to see.
Here are the steps on how to search for a job in Sweden using grabjobs.co/sweden:
1. Open your web browser and go to https://grabjobs.co/sweden.
2. Once the website loads, you will see a search bar at the middle part of the page which can be seen as soon as you open the website. Enter the keywords related to the type of job you are looking for, such as job title and industry on the left search bar, or location, on the right search bar. Click the “Find Jobs” button to initiate the job search. The website will display a list of job openings that match your search criteria.
3. Browse through the list of job postings and click on the ones that interest you to view more details about the job, such as the job description, requirements, and application instructions.
4. If you find a job that you want to apply for, follow the application instructions provided in the job posting. This may involve submitting your resume, cover letter, and other required documents through the website or via email.
5. You can also create an account on grabjobs.co/sweden to save job postings, track your applications, and receive job alerts for new openings that match your preferences. Just click ‘Job Seeker login’.
6. Additionally, you can explore the website for additional resources such as career tips, advice on living and working in Sweden, and information about the job market in Sweden.
Remember to regularly check grabjobs.co/sweden for new job postings and update your profile and resume to increase your chances of finding a job in Sweden.
We-Xpats.com
Wondering how to find a job in Sweden? Well, search no more. We-xpats.com is a job board for the international community in Sweden, with both jobs from Swedish employers and from expats looking for jobs with Swedish employers.
Here are the steps to search for jobs on We-Xpats:
1. Go to https://we-xpats.com/en/job/eu/se/.
2. Use the search bar to select ‘Employment Status’ and desired location. Click the search icon to continue.
3. Scroll down to see the list of job listings available in Sweden.
4. Once you have found a job that interests you, click on it to see more details and apply for the position directly on the website.
DMW Website
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) provides a platform for job seekers to find approved job orders abroad. If you’re planning to work in Sweden, follow this step-by-step guide to make your job search more efficient and effective.
Step 1: Access the DMW website
Visit the Department of Migrant Workers’ website by typing the following URL in your browser: https://www.dmw.gov.ph/approved-job-orders .
Step 2: Filter the job search by location
On the approved job orders page, locate the “Job Site” filter. Enter “Sweden” in the search bar. This will filter the job orders to display only those available in Sweden
Step 3: Browse through the job listings
After filtering the job orders by location, you will be presented with a list of available job opportunities in Sweden. Browse through the job listings and take note of any positions that interest you.
Step 4: Read the job details
Click on a job listing that interests you to view more details about the position. This will include information about the job’s requirements, qualifications, salary, and other relevant details.
Step 5: Take note of the recruitment agency details
Each job listing will include the name and contact information of the recruitment agency handling the job order. Take note of these details, as you will need to contact the agency to apply for the job.
Step 6: Contact the recruitment agency
Reach out to the recruitment agency handling the job order by calling or emailing them. Provide them with your information and express your interest in applying for the job.
Step 7: Prepare your application documents
Gather your resume, cover letter, and any other necessary documents required by the recruitment agency. Make sure all your documents are updated and tailored to the specific job you’re applying for.
Step 8: Submit your application
Submit your application to the recruitment agency as per their instructions. Keep track of any important dates or deadlines and follow up with the agency as needed.
That’s it! Follow these steps to search for a job in Sweden using these websites and increase your chances of finding employment in Sweden. Good luck with your job search!
II. Getting a Work Permit and Work Visa
Sweden requires a work visa before entering. Apply online or at a Swedish embassy or consulate-general in your country. Work permits and Sweden visas are required for seasonal work under 90 days.
Sweden requires work permits for visa-required foreigners. Sweden does not require work visas for EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens. You don’t need a work permit if you have permanent residency. Study residence permit. Researchers have special residence permits. Asylum seeker, AT-UND (exemption from being obligated to hold a work permit).
Sweden Work Visa Requirements
- Valid passport required
- Job offer/contract required
- Swedish collective agreements require a salary offer. Your job must pay at least 1220€ (SEK 13,000) per month.
- Employers must provide health, life, employment, and pension insurance.
Important: Meet all the above requirements to get a work permit.
Sweden Work Visa Application
Two ways to get a Sweden work visa: Online and Embassy/consulate-general.
Online Form applications are quicker and easier.
Sweden’s online work visa application process:
1. Get hired. You need a Swedish job offer to get a work permit. Before hiring you, the employer must advertise in Sweden, EU/EEA, and Switzerland for ten days.
2. Employers start applications. A job offer from your employer should start the work permit process. Your employer needs your name, birthdate, citizenship, education, and email.
3. Receive email. Your employer will send you a work permit application email after the job offer. If your family wants to visit Sweden, apply for permits for them at the same time.
4. Attach files. Your application must include passport pages and a power of attorney. Scan or photograph these documents.
5. Pay and apply. Visa or Mastercard can pay the application fee. After paying, apply. Your application will be emailed to you and your employer.
6. Application processing. After receiving all required documents, the Swedish Migration Agency will decide on your application. Your application will be processed faster if you include all the required information.
7. Residence permit card information. If you get a permit for over 90 days, you get a residence permit card. The residence card contains fingerprints and photos to prove your Swedish residency.
8. Hearing back. You and your employer will receive application decisions via email. Bring your passport.
Embassy Request
Apply at the embassy or consulate-general.
1. Make an appointment. Make an appointment before visiting the embassy or consulate-general.
2. Application form. Sign and complete the work permit application. The application form has instructions.
3. Attach necessary documents. Include the following documents with your application:
- Professional athletes/coaches don’t need job offers.
- Professional athletes/coaches do not need union opinion.
- Passport copies.
4. Apply at a Swedish embassy or consulate-general. Send the application to your local Swedish embassy or consulate general. If you can’t apply in your country, find your neighbour’s embassy or consulate-general.
5. Await a response. The embassy will email you its application decision.
Sweden Work Visa Processing Time
The industry you work in determines Sweden’s work visa processing time. Cleaning, agriculture, forestry, and auto repair can take 2–12 months. The time starts when you apply to the Swedish Migration Agency or a consulate-general.
III. Preparation for Going to Sweden
Get ready for the cost of living in Sweden. Now comes the most fun part. Make a moving abroad checklist before you start packing your bags. And make sure you have enough money. Without rent, the average monthly cost of living in Stockholm is about 10,000 SEK (about $1,200) per person. The estimated monthly costs will be different for each person, but you can get an idea by looking at our list of monthly costs in Stockholm. You’ll also get an idea of how much it costs to live in Stockholm. Most of the trouble that newcomers to Sweden have is waiting for their personnummer (Swedish personal number). This is needed to open a bank account, and most Swedish employers will pay you through your Swedish bank account. In the meantime, you can get lower fees by opening an international bank account with Wise.
Find a house to rent or buy.
If you have a work permit and want to move to Sweden, most employers will let you stay for free for a month while you look for a place to live. It is hard to find an apartment to rent in Stockholm if you need a long-term contract. And apartments aren’t cheap. You don’t have to live in the middle of the city because you can get almost anywhere by metro, commuter train, or bus. Be careful of scams, and don’t pay your deposit until you’ve signed a contract and made sure the apartment is available. People from outside of Sweden can also buy apartments, and the process is easy. You only must have a job for at least 6 months. It is hard to find a place to live in a new country. Take your time and do your research right so you don’t get ripped off. Get insurance for your home as soon as you can.
If you want to go to Sweden, here are some things you should know about the country before you go. It will probably make your trip to Sweden much easier and help you avoid any awkward situations. Here are some things you should know, this includes some information you might not have known about the language, the food, and other things.
1. Most people speak English, but you should try. Even though most Swedes can speak English, don’t just expect them to speak it to you. Put in a little effort and learn how to say “hello” and “thank you” in Swedish (tack). If you’re visiting another country, it’s the polite thing to do. But it’s nice to know that if you’re travelling in Sweden and need to ask a question, you won’t have trouble doing so. So don’t worry about it but learn a few phrases!
2. You can’t always pay with cash Don’t worry if you usually go to the bank before a trip to get cash in the right currency. You won’t have to do that for your trip to Sweden. Even though the currency is Swedish Krona, you won’t need to carry it around with you very often. In Sweden, there are a lot of places that don’t take cash, and it’s not unusual to see signs that say “cash not accepted” in bars and restaurants. All you need is an international card like a Mastercard or Visa.
3. Breathe in the clean air in Sweden Most of the time, the air in Sweden is very clean and is thought to be among the best in the world.
4. People pay attention to recycling Sweden not only has clean air, but also clean streets. Sweden is very serious about recycling because it cares a lot about the environment. Make sure you follow the rules about recycling and put your trash in the right bins. Recycling is easy in Sweden because there are bins for recycling in all of the towns and cities.
5. In summer, the sun doesn’t go down. You may have heard this before, but if you go to Sweden in the summer, you’ll find that the sun doesn’t go down. Around 3:30 am, the sun comes up, and it goes down around 10:30 pm. In the summer, it’s a great place to go exploring, but in the winter, when the sun sets and rises very late, it’s not as fun. And if you live in the northern part of the country, the sun will never set in the summer and won’t even rise in the winter.
6. Be prepared to enjoy fika When learning about Sweden, it’s important to know about the tradition of fika. Fika is a popular thing to do every day in Sweden. It’s a place where friends get together for a break with coffee and sweets. People try to do this at least once a day because it’s a great way to meet new people and eat tasty treats.
7. You don’t have to wear flashy clothes. Sweden is a pretty casual country in many ways, but especially when it comes to clothes. It’s not like London or Paris, where people might be dressed up to the nines. Everything in Sweden is done in moderation, from everyday clothes to going out to clubs in Stockholm late at night.
8. Swedish food is more than just meatballs. Yes, the meatballs are delicious, but that’s not all that Swedish food is about. There are tasty pastries, stews, fish, lingonberries, and their famous pea soup. It tastes great. Many Swedish cafes have great lunch deals that cost between 70 SEK and 120 SEK (about $7.50 to $13), which you should try.
9. Vegetarians and vegans don’t have to worry about food. There is a lot of vegetarian and vegan food available, especially in the bigger cities. You don’t even have to miss out on meatballs because many restaurants now offer veggie-balls. Don’t just go to Stockholm. Sweden’s capital is Stockholm, but it’s not the only place worth seeing in the country. Gothenburg is a great place to visit, and Malmo and Skne are also great.
10. Get your drinks early… Make sure you get your beer or wine early if you want to drink it in your Airbnb or hotel. Due to laws about alcohol, stores tend to close early, so make sure you get there before 6 pm during the week or 3 pm on Saturday. They are closed on Sundays.
11. Know that alcohol won’t be cheap, which is something to keep in mind. This is true whether you buy it from a store, restaurant, or bar.
12. Yes, it costs a lot. The last thing you should know about Sweden is probably something you already knew: it’s expensive. Hotels are expensive, and so can food, drinks, and activities. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go. Even if you don’t have a lot of money, you can still find places to stay and food that won’t break the bank.
IV. Moving in Sweden
Here are 10 things you need to do in order when you move to Sweden.
1. Get a residence permit. Almost always, this is the first step. The Migration Agency in Sweden (Migrationsverket) is in charge of immigration, visas, permits, and citizenship. You might have already gotten the residence permit you need to live and work legally in Sweden before you got there because of a job, family, or school. But if you need to renew your permits, you may still want to find the field or head office of the Migration Agency that is closest to you.
2. Sign up with the tax office. As a new resident, the most important thing to do is to register with the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). This registration process (called “folkbokforing”) makes sure that you are in the system for tax purposes, personal identification, keeping track of your marital status, getting your mailing address, and getting insurance. When you sign up with the Tax Agency, you will be given a unique number called a “personnummer” (similar to the British National Insurance number). This key number is a big part of your legal identity in Sweden. You need it to do things like open a bank account and get paid by your employer. A place to start is the website officialswedishservices.se is a hub for different government agencies and a good place to start for anyone moving to Sweden.
3. Look for a home. Start looking for a place to live as soon as you can, especially if you plan to live in a big city like Stockholm, Gothenburg, or Malmo. In Sweden, you can rent something “first-hand” or “second-hand.” First-hand (forsta hand) means you sign a contract with the owner of the building. Second-hand (andra hand) means you sign a contract with someone who owns the flat or has the first-hand contract on the flat. In big cities, it usually takes a few years of waiting in line to get a first-hand contract. There are a lot of websites just for second-hand housing contracts. Most of the ads are in Swedish, but some are in English. If you’re a student moving to Sweden, check with the university you’ll be attending first. Some universities make sure that international students have a place to live, but not all do. Most universities offer some kind of service to help students find a place to live.
4. Get a photo ID. Once you have your personal identity number, you should go to the Swedish Tax Agency to get a Swedish identity card (identitetskort or ID-kort). A Swedish ID card is the main way to prove who you are in the country. It is needed to open bank accounts, use credit cards, get packages from the post office, and go to the doctor, just to name a few uses.
5. Open an account at a bank. This one is quite simple: Take care of steps 2 and 4 first! Most of the time, you need a Swedish ID card or a Swedish personal identity number plus a valid passport to open a bank account in Sweden. You can get the credit cards, debit cards, and banking services you need from the bank. Bills and salaries are often paid online, so having a bank account is very helpful. Also, make sure to download the BankID app to a smartphone and order a BankID from the Swedish bank you’ve chosen. In Sweden, the BankID is a pretty important way to prove who you are online, so it’s pretty important to have one. We recommend that you also download the Swish app once you have a BankID. Bringing a pet? Check with the Swedish Board of Agriculture to see what the rules are for bringing animals into Sweden. Getting your stuff checked with Swedish Customs to see what the rules are for certain things, especially food, medicine, tobacco, alcohol, vehicles, and expensive things.
6. Figure out Swedish. Don’t wait until the steps before this one is done. Start now! If you know a little Swedish, it will be easier for you to fit in with Swedish people. You can sign up for free Swedish classes through the government program Swedish for Immigrants once you have a Swedish personal identity number (SFI).
7. Pay Swedish taxes. Sweden is known for having a strong social welfare system, which you will have to help pay for if you move there. The Swedish Tax Agency is in charge of collecting taxes, which depend on how much money a person makes. If you work for a company, taxes are taken out of your pay automatically every month. The Swedish Tax Agency has an English summary of the situation. The tax system is a little more complicated for people who work for themselves. If you want to start as a sole trader, you will need to sign up for F-skatt. The “F” stands for “entrepreneur,” which is what “foretagare” means in Swedish. Businesses can find out more about taxes at the Tax Agency. Forsakringskassan is the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, where you can learn more about Swedish social insurance.
8. Get a Swedish license to drive. If you want to drive in Sweden, find out if your current license (korkort) will work or if you’ll need to get a new one. Get to know the Swedish rules for driving, road signs, and parking. Most people need to get a Swedish driver’s license after living there for a year. You should talk to the Swedish Transport Administration about that (Trafikverket).
Video: MGA TANONG TUNGKOL SA PAGIGING AUPAIR | AUPAIR IN SWEDEN | MISTYVLOG#24 ♥️
This video talks about Au Pair in Sweden. Questions about being an Au Pair are being answered in the video.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the frequently asked questions about searching and applying for jobs in Sweden.
1. What is the standard format for a Swedish CV?
A Swedish CV should be concise and typically no longer than one to two pages. It should include personal details, a summary of your skills and qualifications, work experience, education, and relevant references. A photo is optional but not mandatory.
2. Is a cover letter necessary when applying for jobs in Sweden?
Yes, a well-crafted cover letter tailored to the specific job and company is essential. It should highlight your relevant skills, explain your motivation for applying, and demonstrate your understanding of the company and its values.
3. How important is it to know Swedish when searching for jobs in Sweden?
While proficiency in Swedish is not always required, it can significantly increase your chances of securing a job. Many companies prefer candidates who are bilingual, and knowing Swedish can help you better integrate into the workplace and society.
4. What are the standard working hours and annual leave in Sweden?
Full-time employees in Sweden typically work 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Employees are entitled to a minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, in addition to public holidays.
5. How do I prepare for a job interview in Sweden?
Research the company, understand the job requirements, and be prepared to discuss your relevant experience, skills, and qualifications. Dress professionally, arrive on time, and maintain a polite and respectful demeanor throughout the interview.
6. What is the average salary in Sweden?
Salaries vary based on occupation, location, and experience. On average, the median monthly salary in Sweden is around SEK 38,000 (approximately USD 4,300). However, it is essential to research salaries specific to your industry and role.
7. How is the job market in Sweden for international job seekers?
Sweden has a competitive job market, and finding a job may take time, especially for those not proficient in Swedish. However, there are opportunities in sectors such as IT, engineering, healthcare, and education for skilled professionals with the right qualifications.
8. Can I apply for jobs in Sweden without being physically present in the country?
Yes, you can apply for jobs remotely, and initial interviews may be conducted online or over the phone. However, some employers may require in-person interviews or expect you to relocate to Sweden before starting the job.
Summary
Before applying to any job, do your research about the company and the responsibilities and skillset required for the job. Write a resume that reflects your knowledge and experience in your chosen field. Add extra weight to your application by taking the extra time to handwrite a personal thank you note, even if you have submitted an online application. Sending one shows the employer that no matter how small the gesture, Filipinos are willing to go above and beyond what is asked of them.
References
https://visaguide.world/europe/sweden-visa/long-stay/work-visa/
https://thatadventurer.co.uk/things-to-know-about-sweden/
https://sweden.se/work-business/moving-to-sweden/moving-to-sweden-in-10-steps