How to prepare a Resume to Work in Iceland

This is a short guide to help you. How to prepare a resume to work in Iceland.

To work in Iceland is very similar to Hungary. Networking is the Key Personal recommendation is important and if you have an outgoing nature this is considered an enormous plus.

The key focus of your Iceland Resume / CV should be to persuade the employer to invite you for an interview. Therefore, your Iceland Resume / CV is a marketing tool, which should be adapted to the market in which you intend to use it.

You can choose between a functional CV or a CV arranged in chronological order.

Finish your Iceland Resume / CV with a professional and an academic reference.

Work permits in Iceland

• Citizens of the EEA are free to move and work wherever they want to, within the EEA (including Iceland).
• You must apply for a residence permit. This is valid for five years and should be issued within six months of your arrival.
• Contact the Icelandic embassy in your home country for more information on work permits.

The application procedure in Iceland

• Finding an apprenticeship is a good introduction to the Icelandic labour market.
• Selection and recruitment agencies play an important role in the marketplace.
• Speculative applications are always a good way to find a job in the small community of Iceland.
• Language is important. You are not expected to be fluent in Icelandic, but an interest in the language is very much appreciated.

The application letter in Iceland

• In Iceland there are no traditional rules on how an application should be written. Try and write a covering letter in Icelandic, or otherwise in English or a Scandinavian language.
• Emphasise your motivation and qualifications for the job.
• Include copies of diplomas, testimonials of former employers and other supporting documents.

Dos

• Be prepared for two application interviews in Iceland.
• Pay attention to your appearance, it should be rather formal.
• Mention your linguistic abilities when applying for a job in Iceland.
• Look interested – ask questions.
• Provide examples to illustrate your achievements.
• Ask for an explanation if you don’t understand the question you have been asked.

Don’ts

• Sit until invited with an Icelandic interview.
• Interrupt the interviewer in Iceland.
• Act too familiar in business situations; Icelandic people always keep a certain conventional distance with foreigners.
• Criticise former employers.
• Go over the top – stay calm and stick to the facts.

Management culture in Iceland

• In Icelandic companies, decisions are made at all levels of the organisation and employees have full responsibility for their actions.
• Communication is open and consultation occurs between all levels.
• At meetings in Iceland, people prefer flexibility and familiarity. Formalities and rules are
unwanted.
• In negotiations, always take your time and do not be too pushy trying to convince people of
your ideas – it often has the opposite result!
• It is very uncommon to use ‘Sir’ or ‘Miss’ when addressing someone.
• Icelanders will not keep their business and private life separate.