HOW TO APPLY FOR A JOB IN DENMARK Heidi Ås & Florian Schmidt

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2 HOW TO APPLY FOR A JOB IN DENMARK Heidi Ås & Florian Schmidt

3 Programme Tips for your job search A Danish CV Break Back on track A Danish motivation letter A Danish job interview

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7 The job market today and in the future? Unemployment rate: 6% (Gross) Many companies are still stand-by Denmark will continue to lack skilled employees in the future (due to the demography, the labour force will shrink henceforward)

8 Tips for your job search

9 Danish working places Danes are reserved Danes are informal du Danes enjoy their work Humor Work life balance Social events and activities Independence and responsibility Flexible - flexible working hours Punctuality be on time Culture of discussion - consensus

10 What is important to find a student job/ graduate job in Denmark? Network Language The right mix of three kind of competences: specialised, academic and personal Being active + research!

11 Language skills Learn Danish English is important too Your own language is valuable

12 Networking About 50 % of all jobs are found through personal or professional networks Let your network know you are looking for a job! Types of network (friends, foreninger, etc.) Others:

13 Be active: jobfairs, websites etc. Fairs: An excellent chance to meet the companies faceto-face! Research on the internet keywords in Danish: Jobmesse (job fair), karrieremesse (career fair)

14 Use internet (jobs and CV-bank for foreigners - in English). (Danish top 1000 companies in English) careergate.cbs.dk (CBS job bank) (all professions public and private in Danish) (overview of companies hiring through graduate programmes In Danish) (studentjobs) (translation)

15 Your jobseach what to do? 1. Ask yourself: What is my market value? 2. Find companies who could be interesting for you and not least interested in you! 3. Think in broad terms: focus on possibilities, not only the job of your dreams! 4. Target your CV and cover letter 5. Sell yourself be active

16 Strategy for applying thinking out of the box? This I know also: Not something they asked for, but still interesting You The job This I match: Put your focus here This I can learn: Do not touch upon this before the job interview

17 CV How to write an effective CV?

18 A good CV: is oriented towards the past is like a product description has to show factual information about you should leave a good impression of you just by scanning it A CV is your promotion and sales material!

19 Before writing a CV Make a profile of competences: = overview of all your working and education qualifications and personal characteristics (professional, social & personal) Make a long list with the duties you had in your former jobs Helps you to target your CV and delete less significant competences

20 Preparation for a targeted CV Read the advertisement Select the competences you want to highlight Target your CV to the specific job Danish or English Decide which type of CV you want to make

21 Two types of CV Skills-based: Focus on skills and competences Interesting when you have limited work experience or very different experience Chronological: Focus on your specialised/targeted work history Provides a good overview over time In Denmark always the latest experience first

22 How to structure your chronological CV 1. Personal details 2. Personal profile 3. Work experience 4. Education 5. Language Skills 6. IT Skills 7. Interests 8. References

23 Personal profile = brief and targeted summary about yourself What are your main skills? What are your personal qualities? Think in keywords Target the content Keep it short and to the point

24 Work experience List your most recent experience first. Give the dates of employment, job title, name of company and your tasks and achievements. Well known companies in your country may not be known in DK Use an appropriate job title if the one you actually have is misleading. If your professional work experience is lacking, you can also mention any internships

25 Education Start with your most recent education first List the subject and where you studied If you have a degree please state the level and skills you achieved We also recommend listing any exams or diplomas that you have passed

26 Language skills Understanding Speaking Reading Writing French Mother tongue Mother tongue Mother tongue Mother tongue English Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Spanish Good Basic Basic Limited Danish Basic Limited Limited Limited IT skills Which IT programmes do you know (e.g. Microsoft Office, Lotus Notes, Acrobat Writer)

27 Interests Particularly relevant if you were involved in activities in which you had leadership responsibilities, or part of a team. Be precise, e.g. Reading [what exactly? i.e. 20th century fiction], Sport [which sports? i.e. tennis or squash]. If you have been involved in any type of volunteer work. Hobbies and interests can give a more comprehensive picture of the candidate.

28 References There are two options here: the generic statement 'References are available on request. names and contact information of relevant references on the CV, if you have approval. 2-3 references is fine.

29 Points to remember Max 2 pages Use simple language Documentation: do not send documentation unless mentioned in the job ad Have someone read over your CV Do a spell check! ( I speak fluent Englesh, Inglish, Eniglish does not really instill confidence) CV in Pdf. Print out your CV

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31 The Elevator speech Turn to your neighbour (two and two) You have 2 minutes each (take turns): Present yourself to this potential employer Now turn to your other neighbour One of you present yourself for 30 seconds!

32 The Letter of Motivation

33 Content of the letter of motivation A good application is future-oriented and directs itself to the tasks in the given job Show that you have understood the job and how you can meet the demands Stay focused on the tasks to be solved Explain what special skills and qualities you can bring to the job Show both your professional and personal competences Demonstrate your knowledge of the company Show your MOTIVATION

34 Preparing your letter of motivation Start by Researching the company well Reading over the job description thoroughly Preparing your letter by thinking about the following points; 1. Why do you think you are specifically suitable for the role? 2. What are the competences you possess that match the role? 3. Why would you want to work for that particular company?

35 Some guidelines headline to present yourself no Dear! Be brief and accurate Use examples Only one page Check for errors

36 Finally: The Interview

37 Job interview in Denmark Preparation is everything More than one interview More than one person present Tests could be involved (personal, practical etc.) You should be active and ask questions Informal atmosphere Dress code

38 Frequently asked questions How would your friends and family describe you? Describe a situation of conflict you have experienced. How did you solve it? Which role do you have in groups? Describe a good colleague and manager. Why this company? Mention 3 of your weak points / strong points.

39 Thank you for your attention