Full name: Hau Hai Nguyen
Home country: Vietnam
Previous university: Foreign Trade University
Program at BI: MSc in Business – Logistics and Supply Chain Management
TIPS TO FIND A JOB IN NORWAY AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
“How can you secure a full-time job in Norway as an international student?” is the question I often get asked lately after successfully getting two offers from two companies in Norway: Aker Solutions and Norwegian Air Shuttle.
I must be honest that with the language barrier and residence permit requirements, applying for a job in Norway can be quite daunting. But here’s the good news: BI’s Graduate Job Market Survey 2022 revealed that 85% of international students find a job within 6 months of graduating. BI’s graduates are highly sought after in the job market, and in this blogpost, I’m thrilled to share some tips gleaned from my personal experiences that I believe can aid your job-seeking journey.
Leverage job search platforms
The first tip is to utilize online job search platforms. Here are three key platforms that I often use to find vacant positions:
- Finn: Finn is a prevalent job portal in Norway. It advertises a wide range of job opportunities across various industries and sectors.
- LinkedIn: LinkedIn is very popular in Norway. Building a strong LinkedIn profile and actively networking within your professional domain can elevate your profile’s visibility. In addition, as many Norwegian companies post job vacancies on LinkedIn, setting up job alerts and routinely checking them can enhance your chances of discovering relevant opportunities.
- BI’s Career Portal: This platform has connected many BI students with internship, part-time, and full-time positions in Norway, so it’s definitely worth exploring.
Besides these platforms, I also visited the websites of companies I’m interested in to check for any job openings and set up alerts for updated vacancies.
Start applying early
Companies in Norway typically begin hiring for summer internship and graduate positions a year before the start date. Therefore, don’t wait until you graduate to start applying for jobs. It’s recommended to start applying for internship positions during your first semester and for graduate positions in the beginning of your second year at BI.
Use BI Career Services
One of the perks for BI’s students is access to BI’s Career Services. These services offer invaluable support and guidance on crafting a good CV and cover letter, preparing for different types of interviews, and improving your LinkedIn profile. With their expertise in the Norwegian job market, you can be confident that you are provided with the best tips to boost your job opportunities in Norway. Personally, I used the CV and cover letter templates from BI’s career services. One of my interviewers gave me the feedback that the main reason I was selected for the initial interview was due to my excellent cover letter. Therefore, I strongly recommend utilizing this free resource to achieve your career goals.
Learn Norwegian, if possible
There are several companies in Norway where the working language is English. For these companies, Norwegian is not a requirement. I don’t speak Norwegian, and both positions I received offers for didn’t require Norwegian language skills.
However, I still recommend starting to learn Norwegian early if you aim to secure a job in Norway. This can expand your job search and increase your opportunities, since many companies prioritize candidates with Norwegian proficiency. Furthermore, even if you’re not fluent, showcasing your efforts to learn Norwegian on your CV demonstrates your interest in working in Norway and embracing its culture, leaving a positive impression on your future employers. Here at BI, you can register for Norwegian courses which are free and conveniently taught on campus.
Be Patient
The final tip is to be patient. Navigating the job-seeking process myself without speaking Norwegian and lacking prior experience was challenging. It took me several months to get the first offer. Always keep in mind that good things take time, and don’t let rejections discourage you. Instead, continue to refine your applications, learn from failed interviews, seek guidance from Career Cervices and adapt your approach based on the job market.
Good luck!