How to prepare a Resume to Work in Sweden

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

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

Your Swedish resume / CV can either be written in chronological or reversed chronological order.

Mention whether or not you have a driving license.

In Sweden it is usual for a trade union representative to be present during a public sector job interview.

They are present to make sure everything goes according to the policy.

Work permits in Sweden

• EEA citizens are free to move and work wherever they want to, within the EEA (including EEA).
• 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 Swedish embassy in your home country for more information.

The application procedure in Sweden

• A Swedish recruiter wants to have a full picture of you as a person – prepare for all kinds of questions about
yourself, your motivation, your skills, your experiences, etc.
• Assessment centres are becoming increasingly popular.
• A few employers test all their prospective employees on drug abuse.
Writing a CV in Sweden
• The key focus of your CV should be to persuade the employer to invite you for an interview. Therefore, your
CV is a marketing tool, which should be adapted to the market in which you intend to use it.

The application letter in Sweden

• The Swedish application letter is typed on maximum one page.
• The style should be short and factual, but with a personal touch.
• It is common to attach a photo to your application letter.
• Copies of diplomas can be sent with the application or brought to the interview.

Dos

• Look interested – ask questions.
• Be on time – Swedes are extremely punctual.
• Ask for clarification if you don’t understand the question.
• A personal touch in the application is appreciated in Sweden.
• Provide examples to prove your achievements.

Don’ts

• Describe yourself in terms of creative, ambitious, motivated, flexible, etc.
• Criticise former employers.
• Sit until invited in an application interview in Sweden.
• Show outstanding behaviour and act against team spirit.
• Go over the top – stay calm and stick to the facts.

Management culture in Sweden

• The structure of most Swedish companies is horizontal and functional.
• Decisions are made at all levels of the organisation and people have full responsibility over their actions.
• Swedes tend to be factual and get down to business quickly.
• The process of decision-making is slow because Swedes are only satisfied when reaching consensus.
• People are quick on a first-name basis, regardless function, sex, status or age.
• Appointments and meetings are scheduled weeks in advance with a set agenda.