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Work &amp; internships Archives - Study in Sweden

<p>Now that I have found a job in Sweden, I feel I can write this post with more confidence!</p>



<p><strong>Note:</strong> The post is based on my personal experience and are my views and opinions on the topic but are in no way established rules! Your experience maybe different and please feel to share them in the comments.</p>



<p>This post starts with an overall introduction and then is divided into different sections and is mainly focused on graduates from Swedish universities. Let me start by saying that finding a job after moving to a new country is difficult anywhere in the world. For companies, often look at it as a risk to hire someone from a different country. And this risk is not unsubstantiated. A cultural fit into an organization and team is vital if the employee is to stay and contribute to the company in the long-term. And to me, that is the source of the risk. Companies want to know that you think similar to&nbsp;them, and still think a bit different and bring something new. Being an international student the dice is heavily favored to you in the 'bring something new department' but it’s more difficult to show them that you think in line with company culture. Companies in Sweden take a long time to hire and are usually have a stringent hiring process. This might be due to:</p>



<p>1. High salaries and cost of labour - Not only are the salaries high but the companies pay high taxes for employing anyone. So the cost to the company to hire anyone is really high!</p>



<p>2. Firing is not easy - Most industries in Sweden are unionized and it is difficult to fire someone even in 2016. So, if the employee is unproductive or does not fit into the company culture, it is difficult to simply fire them.</p>



<p>So this blogpost is a little bit about that. It is also not about racism, sexism and other kinds of discrimination one might face during the employment process. I didn’t face any of that in Sweden and I am sure it exists but this is how I think about it: I want to work here, and even if there is discrimination, I want to find that job. It is just another hurdle which I have to overcome.</p>



<p>Now let's get down to it! Most tips and suggestions are fairly obvious and straightforward and most of it, you learn from making mistakes and failing.</p>



<p><strong>One. Start early</strong></p>



<p>I cannot stress this enough. I learnt it when I was looking for internships and I started only in January or February and that was wayy tooo late. My friends in Sweden told me starting in January would be okay, but well, apparently not. Also finding an internship is way harder than finding a job in Sweden.</p>



<p>A classmate of mine asked the class and the professors when it is hiring season in Sweden and when she should start. The answer was unanimous: It is never too early to start. Hiring season in Sweden is roughly as shown below. The first 3 categories have some serious competition. Many rounds of interviews, assessment days, presentations, group case solving etc. may precede an eventual job offer. This world is cray cray.</p>



<p><strong>Banking</strong> – September to December – All my friends in Finance were trying to seal something by December.</p>



<p><strong>Consulting</strong> – October to February – Consultancies hire all year round but as a young graduate finding a job after February is unlikely. The silver lining to applying after February is that the competition might be a bit lower as most people look for something before Feb it self. The really cool thing about consulting firms in Sweden is that you can contact HR via phone or email and say that you want to meet someone for a fika to get to know the company and they usually dont say no! Its a great way to get your foot in the company.</p>



<p><strong>Global MNCs</strong> – Graduate Trainee Programmes – December to April&nbsp;– Most Swedish and international MNCs follow this pattern. Link to check for updates:&nbsp;http://www.traineedagen.se/</p>



<p><strong>Start ups</strong> - No real deadline! - Stockholm has a very&nbsp;active startup scene and there are many opportunities for young graduates. <a href="http://sup46.com/">SUP46</a>&nbsp;is probably the best place to start building your network and looking for a job!</p>



<p>Most other jobs – if you want to find a job before summer, you should have something 2-3 months prior. Swedes like to plan ahead and hiring someone is a big deal for most companies (work permits, union regulations etc.) so they would like to close shop 2-3 months before summer.</p>



<p><strong>Two. Network, Network, Network</strong></p>



<p>Networking is probably the best way to calm down fears employers have about cultural fit. If people they know have met you and think that you are fine, it is a big big positive. I feel like it is really important to network before submitting your application. Big companies or small companies, it is a huge plus if the people reading your application already know who you are. No matter how good the application is, it is really difficult to stand out in like 3000 applications. However, if you have networked before then the reader knows you and is more likely to read your application carefully. I know this sounds cumbersome and boring but it is an important step in the hiring process! I wrote a post about how to network here in Sweden <a href="https://blogs.studyinsweden.se/2015/09/24/networking-in-sweden/">here</a>.</p>



<p><strong>Three. Storytelling</strong></p>



<p>Whether&nbsp;it is while networking, in the application or during an interview, the stories you tell about yourself and your life, I believe, make or break your chances of finding a job. Other than the actual content of the stories, the stories also allow people to understand what you think about the world and why you think the way you do. It is a critical part of understanding <em>YOU</em>. Companies put in a lot of time and effort trying to understand you and see if you are a good fit for the company. Someone who can play in the team but still bring something different, something the company is&nbsp;looking for.</p>



<p>In class, they taught&nbsp;us how to tell stories and which stories are important. There are many ways of doing this but staying authentic is really really important. I usually choose stories that contributed to changing me or tested my character, stories that bring out how I am different from others, stories that made me question myself and tested my character. The crux is to highlight stories that have contributed to you making the choices in life that you have made to reach where you are now. When you first start you might come up with 5 stories, keep working with them and you will discover stronger, better, more meaningful stories. Reflect about your life, take a pause and really think about it. Why are you the way you are and why are you where you are? Knowing these things are crucial.</p>



<p>So, I have a repository for around ten stories and each of these stories have been tested and&nbsp; pitched to many people and their feedback has been incorporated in the way I construct and present the stories. I think these small things are vital.&nbsp;It is nice to have a process of doing these things, everyone story could be told better, made crisper. Sometimes you need to be able to tell the story in one minute, or two sentences, sometimes you need to fill five minutes. Its important to know why you are telling the story, what is at its core and then you can tell it in many different ways.</p>



<p><strong>Four. Invest Time</strong></p>



<p>Right from finding companies you like, to networking to building stories, applying and interviewing, everything takes time. It is really important to invest time actively. I don’t think there is any replacement for hardwork and effort. I looked at it like a project which required 10 hours a week. I had to divide time differently and really focus on this. All I can say is that this time is not wasted. Even if you don’t get the job you worked so hard for, it really prepares you for the next application. So start putting 5-10 hours a week on the job search, every minute is useful in long run. It is really connected to the starting early point. In the start you might not have much to do, but you can still try to spend 5-10 hours a week meeting people or crafting stories. I think the job seeking process is a lot about building momentum and putting in a steady amount of work on it helps build momentum. One cannot underestimate the importance of hardwork and just being persistent. There are going to be rejections and disappointments and how we keep going through those and keep working towards the goal is crucial!</p>



<p><strong>Five. Learn Swedish</strong></p>



<p>This is the only thing I didn’t do to find the job. I mean I tried learning but well, so far, I have failed. Learning Swedish opens up many more opportunities and makes the entire process less stressful. There are way more jobs open for you if you know Swedish. It also is a way to convince employers that you are serious about working in Sweden and that you fit in the culture of the country. There are many great posts about how to learn Swedish –</p>



<p><a href="https://blogs.studyinsweden.se/2015/10/31/5-ways-to-learn-swedish-outside-the-classroom/">5 Ways to learn Swedish outside the classroom</a></p>



<p><a href="https://blogs.studyinsweden.se/2015/07/15/why-i-study-swedish/">Why I study Swedish</a></p>



<p><a href="https://blogs.studyinsweden.se/2015/05/14/so-easy-applied-to-swedish-for-immigrants-sfi-class/">So easy! Applied to SFI class</a></p>



<p><a href="https://blogs.studyinsweden.se/2015/03/12/do-i-have-to-know-swedish-for-studies-or-getting-a-job-in-sweden/">Do I have to know Swedish for studies or getting a job in Sweden?</a></p>



<p>Learning Swedish, just like finding a job, requires time and effort and no one else can do those for you.</p>



<p>Best of luck!</p>



<p>Raghu</p>



<p>Featured Image:&nbsp;http://cdn1.theodysseyonline.com/files/2016/01/09/6358796959740944001417665660_the-millennials_lowres.jpg</p>

5 Things to keep in mind while looking for a job in Sweeeeden!

<h1>What comes after master thesis? You might think of securing a job or pursuing PhD study, but what about establishing your own startup? Sweden has more than just the beautiful nature and fika culture, it also offers funding opportunities with policies that promote startups to grow. If you're not convinced, have a look at this feature of a startup based in Uppsala.</h1>



<p>Together with Bowen, Emma, and Raeed, I went to visit a startup called Dirac during the digital ambassadors' latest meet-up in Uppsala. We met Mathias Johansson, the CEO and co-founder of Dirac, who was a PhD at Uppsala University when he started this&nbsp;audio technology company. His startup creates software to optimize sound systems. This idea was a breakthrough at that time when he established Dirac. For Mathias, the journey began with his master thesis. Luckily for us, he was happy to share his experience and tips in setting out a startup.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image size-large wp-image-21188"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://cms.studyinsweden.se/app/uploads/2018/03/Mattias-1024x665.jpg" alt="Mattias Johansson, CEO &amp; co-founder of Dirac (Source: Raeed)" class="wp-image-21188"/><figcaption>Mattias Johansson, CEO &amp; co-founder of Dirac (Source: Raeed)</figcaption></figure></div>



<h2>#1 Look for all the available paths</h2>



<p>There are many ways to Rome, so does the path to establish your startup. Mathias shared that he, and five other PhD students and professors, won a business plan contest which gave them contacts and funding to smoothen out the process of starting a company. Further, he mentioned about <a href="http://www.uuinnovation.uu.se/develop-your-idea/">UU Innovation</a>&nbsp;from the Uppsala University which offers guidance and funding for students and researchers to develop their business. It is not only Uppsala University that provides support for students in opening up a company as my good friend and colleague, Andrés, told me that there is a similar support in Chalmers University - also, in KTH (I think many Swedish universities must have this then). With many supports available, I can understand why Sweden is the best place to create your startup.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image size-large wp-image-21193"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://cms.studyinsweden.se/app/uploads/2018/03/Presentation-1024x586.jpg" alt="Attending presentation about startup (Source: Sania)" class="wp-image-21193"/><figcaption>Attending a presentation about the startup (Source: Sania)</figcaption></figure></div>



<h2>#2 Students are experienced entrepreneurs</h2>



<p>Research and industry do not have to be mutually exclusive. Despite having different goals between the two, both require you to have a good at time management if you want to succeed. I think we all remember a Venn diagram visualizing student life with three circles each represent social life, good grades, and enough sleep. From that diagram, we understand that only a small number of students can have all three at the same time. Does it mean only selected people can be successful? No. Starting a company has flexible time requirement but demands a lot of your time, so the key is to work a lot, as Mattias said. Listen to Emma's interview with him on this topic, dear fellow students/entrepreneurs in making. Say goodbye to your ten hours daily sleep, or twelve hours of party every week.</p>



<p>[audio mp3="https://cms.studyinsweden.se/app/uploads/2018/03/DIFF-BETWEEN-STUDYING-AND-WORK.mp3"][/audio]</p>



<h2>#3 Start in Sweden</h2>



<p>Entrepreneurial&nbsp;spirit comes from the smallest step. Mathias told us that the leap that we took to move and study, where the winter occurs 6 months a year, shows the entrepreneurial spirits inside us. I think the long cold season promotes innovation as many people tend to stay indoors and get their mind active by creating or researching innovations. Mathias shared that in Sweden, many businesses start to focus on the international market from their first day. It is because this is a small country which means that the national market is also small, so if they want to be bigger they have to target the international market. Especially with many international students coming to Sweden to pursue a master degree, the chance to open up your network is very likely in here.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image size-large wp-image-21195"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://cms.studyinsweden.se/app/uploads/2018/03/trial-1024x657.jpg" alt="Bowen, Emma &amp; I in the testing room for cars sound system (Source; Raeed)" class="wp-image-21195"/><figcaption>Bowen, Emma &amp; I in the testing room for cars sound system (Source: Raeed)</figcaption></figure></div>



<h2>&nbsp;#4 Language is a tool</h2>



<p>This point is related to the previous tips. What skill that an international student can bring to the table? Multiple language skills. Master studies in Sweden require you to have a fluent ability in English, and since this is not your mother tongue (except for Emma) so you can speak more than one language already. Since many businesses in Sweden has an international mindset, your unique background is very much valuable. Does it mean that speaking Swedish is not necessary anymore to work in Sweden? Listen to Mathias' response to Emma's question.</p>





<h2>#5 Be imaginative</h2>



<p>Just because we feel that every technology has been found, it does not mean that there is no room for innovation. Despite sound system technology had existed for many years, Mathias and his colleague believe that the experience should be improved. Right now, we can listen to music from our smartphone instead of holding a boombox that is bigger than your backpack. How convenient is that? Think the unthinkable. Now imagine your startup and check out this cool video by Raeed.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-video"><video controls src="https://cms.studyinsweden.se/app/uploads/2018/03/Dirac-From-Research-Thesis-to-a-Revolutionary-Comapny.mp4"></video></figure>



<p>The ultimate advice is to keep having the mindset of a startup as it boosts your mind to be creative in your business. What is a startup mindset? Scroll down for more posts about startup from fellow digital ambassadors.</p>



<p>Thank you to Mathias and Weiwei from Dirac for showing us the difference between listening and experiencing the sound, also for the&nbsp;crash course in creating a startup. Check out Study in Sweden podcast by Emma in <a href="https://soundcloud.com/swedenand">SoundCloud</a>, Raeed published video on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/StudyinSwedenOfficial">our YouTube channel</a>, also Bowen's blog (in Mandarin) on <a href="https://www.weibo.com/studyinsweden?is_hot=1">our Weibo</a>. For more information regarding starting a business in Sweden <a href="https://sweden.se/business/how-to-start-a-business-in-sweden/">click here</a>, for the startup experiences can be found <a href="https://sweden.se/business/how-to-start-up-the-swedish-way/">here</a>. Perhaps you have experience on starting a startup, do share it with us in the comments below!</p>

Five Tips on Creating Your Startup

<h2><strong>I didn't get it right the first time ...</strong></h2>



<p>My very&nbsp;first master thesis is in economics. My thesis partner and I struggled as we&nbsp;had a very short time to come up with the&nbsp;thesis topic and research question. We already knew we were going to write thesis together and we started on schedule&nbsp;(which means late). What we should have done was to <strong>get started</strong> <strong>way before</strong> the thesis semester began. It does not have to be in-depth but at least to have a concrete&nbsp;idea on the topic&nbsp;and research&nbsp;scope from the very beginning.</p>



<h2>It doesn't matter which subject the thesis is about. As a kick-start to writing thesis, it is good or even&nbsp;essential to go&nbsp;beyond lectures&nbsp;and textbooks to find&nbsp;inspirations for writing thesis.</h2>



<p>For&nbsp;my current thesis, I &nbsp;have been thinking about it&nbsp;since the first semester. To be honest, I don't know what topic&nbsp;to focus on since I'm new to textiles at that time, but thinking about it means being open to different and outside perspectives. My 'thesis ideas' change all the time as I'm exposed to new&nbsp;studies and learnings.&nbsp;The more places I look, the more inspirations I get and the more I know what I want to write about. This time, I don't feel as lost as before.</p>



<h3>Other than lectures and books, where could be the inspirational&nbsp;sources&nbsp;for the&nbsp;thesis&nbsp;topics &amp; research questions?</h3>



<ul><li>
<h2>Watching Documentaries</h2>
</li></ul>



<p>I get the most inspirations from watching documentaries related to my field of studies. A way to view things from new perspectives and different angles.&nbsp;'<a href="http://truecostmovie.com/learn-more/human-rights/">The True Cost</a>' is one of the documentaries that triggers my thesis inspirations.</p>



<ul><li>
<h2><strong>Attend Events&nbsp;and Networking</strong></h2>
</li></ul>



<p>Campus&nbsp;events like conferences and career events are good ways to network as well as to gain insights and stay tune with the industry development.</p>



<p>My biggest takeaway was from&nbsp;'<a href="http://www.hb.se/Textilhogskolan/The-Design-of-Prosperity/">The Design for Prosperity 2014</a>' conference in Borås University where <a href="http://www.hb.se/Textilhogskolan/The-Design-of-Prosperity/Speakers/">global speakers</a>&nbsp;present construction of new models of sustainable prosperity for a sustainable transformation of our present and future. It touches upon understanding of&nbsp;the ethical, aesthetical, ecological, technological, economic, and social challenges of our global societies. I felt like I had been given a dose of freshener. It's about consolidating&nbsp;the different angles and putting the pieces together and together taking concrete actions towards a common sustainability goal, truly inspiring.</p>



<ul><li>
<h2><strong>Job portals</strong></h2>
</li></ul>



<p>Check out job&nbsp;portal on the university website or other global job sites for&nbsp;thesis collaborations and research with other companies. It is a also good way if you want to search for companies that are interested in collaborating with&nbsp;your thesis topic.</p>



<h3><strong>The rest is reading up everywhere and being open to related&nbsp;</strong><strong>blogs, journals and trade&nbsp;magazines etc. I get a lot of inspirations from talking to different people of all ages. Apart from people I met in school, speaking&nbsp;with my colleagues and friends, having discussions and debates with them on my ideas also brings in new perspectives.</strong></h3>



<h3></h3>

Finding Inspirations for writing Thesis

This blogpost series will answer all your questions about working in Sweden after your Master's program.

Work After Study: The Series - Study in Sweden

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My name is Supritha and I'm from India 🇮🇳. I studied a Master's in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Infrastructure at KTH Royal Institute of Technology.

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