Photographs: Unsplash
Text: Leslea Petersen
With a buoyant job market in Denmark, jobseekers are posting about their new roles daily on LinkedIn. As an empath, it’s a joy to join in their excitement but it always makes me think how others feel who are also applying for jobs but not getting that final ‘yes’. Happiness that some have found employment but twinged with disappointment that it’s not them, maybe?
For those that know me well, you will have heard me say this many times, ’Job seeking in Denmark as an international is not for the fainthearted!’ It can feel like an endless slog - you can lose your confidence and wonder what you can still offer in the workplace. September and October are historically some of the busiest months to find employment, with jobs aplenty after the post-summer holiday changes. If you have been job searching for a while, you might be wondering what it is that you need to do to land your dream role when it becomes available.
What gets you excited about your job?
I recommend, before you even start looking, that you really know what you can offer and what type of company you want to work for, and this takes time. It’s not just about tailoring your CV and cover letter or building your LinkedIn so you stand out in the marketplace. You must first think about what is important to you. What part of your job gets you excited? What is essential to your happiness when you think about your dream role? Is it working in an office or working remotely? Working within a team or on your own - create a list of what you want and what you don’t want.
Now you know what type of environment is important, what skills do you require to do your job effectively? Check out your competition! Search on LinkedIn who is doing your role in the organisations where you want to work. What are their qualifications or courses that they have covered that would be something you could add to your portfolio? Do you need to upskill to achieve an even playing field? Do your job aspirations really meet Danish requirements? Back in the UK, where I am from, experience counts for a lot, but in Denmark, education is free, so professional roles require a certain level of education. Keeping abreast of the latest technology to remain competitive might mean signing up for a course or going back to university.
"Back in the UK, where I am from, experience counts for a lot, but in Denmark, education is free, so professional roles require a certain level of education."
What’s your story?
Although you adapt your job applications to the Danish style, you are unique, and what makes you happy in the workplace will not be the same as someone else in your field. Don’t lose yourself in the process because you are panicking about getting a job (Been there and done that, and it doesn’t help). I recommend to my clients that they complete a ‘values’ exercise which really gets them to narrow down what it is that will bring them happiness at work. No point in accepting a job offer when in six months you are job searching again because you don’t like the company! Understanding what drives and inspires you will help you define the right role, and your excitement will be evident in your application.
Defining your values not only helps you communicate your unique offer and skills but also gives recruiters clearer insight into who you are and whether you will be the best fit for their team. Telling your story and expressing your motivation is so much easier when you know what drives you and where you will thrive in Denmark.
All good companies go through the process of defining their values and a great company will involve everyone to realise that so each individual buys into the vision. It’s no different to you, job seekers! If you have just started your job search or have been looking for a while, spend some time deciding on what you want and where you will be the most content. You can then target companies where you are a good fit for them but more importantly, also a good match for you. You and your soon-to-be company will thank you for it.