Norway Job Search

In Norway’s job search, if you want your job application to be taken seriously you have to consider all national differences. Though, Norway job search requires more than just the obvious Norway CV with Norway cover letter writing and translation – it requires thorough preparation because you will need to pass Norway job interview.

You will face problems that in all probability did not even cross your mind once you decided to start seeking jobs in Norway. Do not take too lightly the influence Norway’s job search can have on the result of your adventure! For example, you will experience the unfamiliar immigration rules and practices, strange job application procedures, bizarre job selection trends and weird management culture.

Most visits to Norway are trouble-free but you should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers like restaurants, hotels, clubs and shopping areas. In recent years, the Norwegian authorities have carried out a number of investigations and operations against terrorist networks.
Monitor local news broadcasts and consular messages. Ensure that your travel documents and visas are current, valid and secured in a safe place. Carry a photocopy of your travel documents in lieu of the originals. Maintain a low profile, vary times and routes of travel, and exercise caution while driving. Making local contacts quickly and seeking support from other expatriates will greatly increase your comfort and safety.

There are two Norwegian languages, Bokmal and Nynorsk. Bokmal is used by the majority of the population and is the major language for business.

When applying for work in Norway, you may use either Norwegian or English, depending on the company and your fluency. Foreign job seekers are expected to have at least a basic understanding of the Norwegian language because knowledge of Norwegian is considered necessary to cope with daily office life and life outside work.

On the other hand, in the IT and tourism industries, for example, there is a fair chance of finding a job when you are capable of just speaking English.

The job skills shortages in Norway have made it necessary to recruit health-care workers, construction workers and engineers from other European Economic Agreement countries.

Most Norwegians speak and understand English. English is accepted in business. Not reading and writing Norwegian will not necessarily hurt you. Keep one thing in mind – municipalities offer free Norwegian language classes for those who have received job offers.

Many people believe that having studied a foreign language at school or college means you are able to speak that language – but do not be mistaken. Having to convince your boss or pass an interview in a language that is not your native tongue could prove a lot more difficult than you might expect.

The Norway job search has changed dramatically over the past few years, thanks to mass online recruitment databases and opportunities to email job search applications. Enhanced technologies have brought immediacy to the Norwegian job search process as never before. Job candidates can now have their job application in front of a recruiter virtually seconds after a fruitful telephone discussion.

In the effective Norway job search, you should complement online job search by methods that are more traditional because employment in Norway is advertised in different ways and some employment is not advertised in traditional forms at all. More than half of all jobs in Norway are not advertised and are filled through referrals or networking. We refer to this as the “hidden job market” and it is a very important aspect of the job search process.

Quite often with Norway job search, it is not what you know but whom you know

A common way in Norway job search is to find jobs through recommendations of friends, relatives and colleagues. This type of interpersonal recommendation is generally difficult for expatriates to access, but they can get around it by joining one of many networking groups upon their arrival in the country.

The website for the Bronnoysund Register Center contains information on more than 280,000 business enterprises. Expatriates in Norway can find good connections and business opportunities through a number of networking associations, such as Rotary and Lion’s Clubs. In addition, many Norwegian cities have their own chambers of commerce.

Temporary staffing firms are also beginning to make an appearance in Norway. Temporary employment agencies are present in major cities and are available on the Internet. An applicant who already has a specific idea of where s/he would like to work can apply to these companies directly.

Professionals seeking jobs in Norway must have internationally recognized degrees, preferably at the master’s level or above. Practical experience is very important as well, and can sometimes compensate for a lack of formal education. Different professional fields require different types of certification, with some recognizing only Norwegian certification and others accepting international documents.

For Norway job search, use the most powerful job-search engine!

To run a Norway job search, simply type keywords into the Søke jobb som/what box describing the kind of job you want, and enter a town, city or state in the hvor/where box. Then click the Finn/Find button or hit the Enter key on your keyboard.

Careerjet runs a Norway job search on all of the major job boards, newspaper sites, niche industry sites and corporate job sites. Those include:

monster.no, monster.se, careerbuilder.no, idg.no, jobbdirekte.no, finn.no, jobbnorge.no, access-personnel.no, jobbdirekte.no, stepstone.no, kommunestillinger.no, postennorge.no, zett.no, skift.no, jobs2web.com, oas.no, aurskog-holand.kommune.no, hio.no, karrierestart.no, backup-personell.no, thecareerengineer.com, haugesundregionen.no, rcc.no, rettbemanning.no, centerpoint.no, aftenposten.no, helsedirektoratet.no, vex.no, statsjobb.no, shdir.no, upsource.no, aftenposten.no, bjerkeluther.no, partner1.no, lederjobb.no, fagjobb.no, vekstrek.no, jobbnorge.no and hundreds more.

If you are unhappy with the presented jobs you may use another powerful job search engine covering the different job sources.

You may run your Norway job search right now, but when you find jobs you must instantly apply with your current Norway CV and Norway cover letter.

Remember that your Norway CV must be targeted, scannable and generate hits. If you have difficulty with your CV writing, instead of staring at a blank piece of paper, use CV samples and CV templates.

We recommend that you send your CV together with a cover letter. If you have difficulty with your cover letter writing use a cover letter sample and cover letter template.

In recent years it becomes increasingly popular to join the LinkedIn or Facebook social networking websites for professionals, where you may search for jobs and have your keyword-optimized, rich content profile with a current CV. Hiring managers use them more frequently to consult your profile and supplement or check against the CV you send along. If you do not have an account, create one and include your social media link(s) on your CV.
However, you should manage your online presence. Eliminate any photos and statements that could reflect poorly on you. From an employer’s point of view, someone who emphasizes partying on a social networking site is not focused on jobs and those who post complaints about work or colleagues are less desirable candidates. The online CV should not include sensitive information as it could show a lack of respect for confidentiality and discretion.

Other Norway Job Search Info

To be successful in your Norway job search and get the job you want, you need to prepare a Norway cover letter and Norway CV which you must email instantly to the prospective employers selected during a job search in Norway.

When you receive an invitation to the Norway job interview, you may apply for a Norway visa and Norway work permit. Then prepare yourself for a job interview and take a look at Norway’s dress code because how you dress is one of the most important attributes in being hired.

Check the job interview dos & don’ts and other job search skills pages. Find out why people are not hired for available jobs.

In addition, on the international info, job search, visa, work permit, cover letter, CV & resume, job interview and dress code pages you will find many useful tips for overseas job seekers.

Good luck with your Norway job search!