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Making it in Sweden: A matchmaking Norwegian

Ellen Cabrinetti from Norway is a relative newcomer to Sweden. But despite the natural sibling rivalry between the two countries, she’s settling in quite nicely.

Published: 17 October 2008 15:51 CEST
Making it in Sweden: A matchmaking Norwegian

Name: Ellen Cabrinetti

Age: 27

How long have you been living in Sweden?

I moved to Stockholm in August 2007.

Do you speak perfect Swedish?

Well, I like to think so sometimes! However, the truth is that I have only succeeded in switching an amount of words from Norwegian to Swedish to a point where the Swedes understand me at least 98 percent of the time. Even though the languages are quiet similar and we communicate well, there are times when I know nobody understands my attempt to make a joke.

What do you miss about Norway?

One of the privileges of living abroad but still close to my home country is that I get to see my family and friends more than on holidays. However, one of the things that comes to mind is to be able to go skiing on a snowy mountain less than an hour’s drive from the capital. Besides this, I miss small things like reading a Norwegian newspaper in the morning.

Do you know any good jokes about Norwegians? The Swedes seem to love those.

I am still amused with the jokes featuring “the Swede, the Dane and the Norwegian”. The Norwegians are without exception described as clueless and stupid, people who for example “will bring sandpaper to the desert as a map”.

Tell us a bit about your job.

I work with Parship, which is the largest premium online matchmaking service in Europe specifically for people who are serious about forming a lasting relationship. I work with the online marketing activities Parship carries out in Scandinavia and I also work closely with our media partners. The job doesn’t really have a title, but my area of work revolves around marketing. The job includes quite a lot of travelling to Parship headquarter in Hamburg and Scandinavia.

What’s the best thing about living in Sweden?

Working abroad and living in Stockholm is a new experience for me. I would say the best thing is to spend time and learn new things with my friends and colleagues in a great city that has a lot to offer. I love the pulse of the city, and the fact that you can always see crowded restaurants and cafes any day of the week.

And the worst?

Accepting the fact that when Swedes joke about Norwegian success and happiness, and blame everything on the oil money… they are not really joking.

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WORKING IN SWEDEN

Five things you need to do right away if you’re getting laid off in Sweden

Facing a layoff in Sweden? Here are the key things you should do right away.

Published: 13 August 2024 10:26 CEST
Updated: 9 September 2024 14:38 CEST
Five things you need to do right away if you're getting laid off in Sweden

Employment levels in Sweden have been quite volatile in 2023 and 2024, with several major companies in the country announcing significant layoffs. On September 9th, Northvolt became the latest company to announce it would be reducing its workforce.

In early August, the Swedish Labour Ministry announced that the country was facing its highest unemployment rate in a decade, excluding the pandemic period.

This economic landscape has left many workers uncertain about their job security.

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And while receiving a layoff notice is undeniably stressful for anyone, this stress is often magnified for foreigners who may not be completely familiar with the Swedish employment system and their workplace rights.

Without proper knowledge, you might agree to terms that aren’t in your best interest. This can, in turn, lead to decisions that could have long-term career consequences.

The Local has consulted experts in the field to compile an overview of the critical actions you should take if you ever face a layoff in Sweden.

Don’t rush to sign anything

Amanda Herzog, founder of Intertalents in Sweden, a consultancy that helps international job seekers find their dream job in the country, published a popular post on LinkedIn Pulse in December 2023 with multiple excellent tips for workers regarding the Swedish layoff process.

She told The Local Sweden that her recommendations still stand in mid-2024, permitting us to re-share her tips, and pointed to some of the more important ones.

“Never, ever sign a termination agreement on the same day you receive the news,” Herzog advised, noting that the emotional shock can cloud your judgment.

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Instead, find a union immediately, preferably the same day, to get a second opinion on the terms and conditions.

“During my first layoff, I joined a union and sought advice the same day. It took a week to accept their terms, which worked in my favour as the company was keen on a voluntary headcount reduction,” Herzog shared.

Contact a labour or immigration lawyer (if you’re on a work permit)

Losing your job affects your right to stay in Sweden if you’re on a work permit.

You typically have three months to find a new job and submit a work permit application with your new employer (The Local has a more detailed article on the layoff implications on your work permit, which you can find here).

However, Saaya Sorrells-Weatherford, co-founder of the relocation consultancy Emigreat, told The Local that as a foreigner, you might not be familiar with the nuances of the Swedish employment system and could agree to terms that shorten your stay in Sweden.

“If you are given your termination notice, contact a labour or immigration lawyer immediately,” she said.

Consulting with a lawyer ensures you understand your rights and work through facts and applicable regulations, not word-of-mouth anecdotes.

Negotiate your severance, use leverage

Herzog also singled out several necessary actions that workers who are about to be laid off need to consider regarding severance contracts.

“Severance contracts can be negotiated,” Herzog emphasised.

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Nothing is final until you sign the agreement. The company might present the decision as final, but you have leverage.

“A union process can be time-consuming for the company and may not end in their favour,” Herzog said.

Use this to your advantage to negotiate better terms.

“I was able to negotiate a raise during my first layoff, even though I would no longer be working, as well as negotiated two extra working months from the termination date.

“This meant I had seven months total of future salary coming to me. I was also able to negotiate a free cell phone and laptop that I was using at work,” she noted.

Get recommendations early – and build a portfolio of your work

Asking your coworkers for recommendation letters and LinkedIn recommendations before your last day is imperative.

“People forget and move on and are less responsive when they no longer see you daily,” Herzog said.

So, make sure to secure these endorsements while your contributions are still fresh in their minds.

Furthermore, you should compile a portfolio of your work as soon as possible.

Companies can restrict access to files and systems post-layoff, making it crucial to collect relevant data while you still can.

“Start collecting work samples, case studies, photos, results, and important contacts in the same week you receive the news,” Herzog suggested.

Ensure that your layoff is being handled properly

Make sure your layoff is handled appropriately and legally.

“One of my layoffs was mishandled, and I used union support to hold the company accountable,” Herzog recalled.

While legal advice can be expensive, it’s far more affordable than fighting deportation, Sorrells-Weatherford told The Local.

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