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PRESENTED BY AKADEMIKERNAS A-KASSA

Seven things to consider before switching jobs in Sweden

For expats in Sweden, finding a job to begin with can be a challenge in itself. So leaving your stable job to scout the job market might seem like a terrifying prospect. However, scary as it is, it’s not impossible...

Published: 13 November 2018 08:51 CET
Seven things to consider before switching jobs in Sweden
Photo: Rawpixel/Depositphotos

If you’re fed up of the daily grind and desperate to try something new, go ahead and trust your gut. But there are certain things you should keep in mind before taking the plunge. Presenting The Local’s top seven things to consider if you want a stress-free change of job or career in Sweden.

1. Ask yourself why you want a change

First of all, you should take stock of why you want to change jobs. Has your current job not lived up to your expectations? Is it because you want to try something new after years of sitting at the same desk and drinking from the same cup? Or have you outgrown your role with no chance of progression?

Ask yourself what you need from a job or a company to feel fulfilled. What would this new career bring you professionally or personally? Once you’ve gathered your thoughts, you’ll be in a better position to know whether jumping ship really is the right decision.

Photo: Simon Paulin/imagebank.sweden.se

2. Are you financially stable enough to make the switch?

A career change will, without a doubt, affect everything in your life — not least your financial situation. While the period between jobs may just be temporary, you still need to ensure you have enough money to cover your outgoings. 

If you’re a member of the unemployment insurance fund Akademikernas a-kassa, you qualify for benefits even if it was your decision to leave your job. Just be aware that there is a seven-day suspension period before you can claim if you were made redundant while the wait is nine weeks if you chose to resign. But after that, the compensation period is still 300 days — more than enough time to consider your next move. The same applies if your employer isn’t happy with your performance during your probationary period (provanställning in Swedish). You will usually get a two week notice and be able to claim your benefits after that. 

Find out more about the conditions for claiming unemployment benefits from Akademikernas a-kassa

3. What are your options?

Research your dream job and assess the necessary steps to take that will make a suitable candidate. Would you have to relocate? Or perhaps you’d need to take a course in order to learn some new skills?

While claiming benefits from Akademikernas a-kassa, a fund specifically for people with a bachelor’s degree or higher, you can begin to explore your topic of interest; however, there are certain conditions. You can study part-time for 20 weeks under certain conditions, or you could take a two-week long short course to strengthen your skills.

Photo: Simon Paulin/imagebank.sweden.se

Ultimately, the time will come when you need to find a new job. Your first step is to get in line at your local job agency, arbetsförmedlingen. The Swedish Public Employment Service will help you navigate the Swedish job market, giving you resources to find a suitable position.

If you want to job hunt online (because no one likes to queue — even in Sweden with its efficient ticketing system), there are several websites listing English-speaking jobs in Sweden such as The Local’s job board, Indeed, or Linkedin. Make sure your CV is in good shape before sending it along with your cover letter directly through the jobs board. It’s that easy.

4. Could a Union help?

Joining a union might be frowned upon in certain countries, but in Sweden — where around 70 percent of all employees are unionists — it’s the done thing. There are many benefits to joining a union including access to help relating to career guidance, salary negotiations, professional advice on how to boost your career or helping you solve difficulties in the workplace. 

5. How long is your notice period?

If you’ve decided to leave your job and simply can’t wait to plan your next venture, you might have to hold off for a few weeks (or even months). Take a look at your contract to see how long your notice period (uppsägningstid) is before booking on to any courses or making any immediate decisions. Notice periods in Sweden typically vary from one to six months depending on the duration of your employment; however, it can be negotiated with your employer. This is precisely the time being a member of a trade union may come in handy! 

Protect yourself with unemployment insurance from Akademikernas a-kassa

6. Do you just need a break?

If you decide to take a leave of absence, or tjänstledighet in Swedish, you are able to take some time off (usually without pay, unfortunately) while keeping your employment status and job security. Of course, this can only be taken under certain conditions. Not if you want to climb Mount Everest, sorry. 

Photo: ridofranz/Depositphotos

Leaves of absence have different purposes, but if you want to explore a new path, this could be your chance. You could, for instance, take time out for educational purposes if you wish to pursue a higher position at your company in the future. In this case, a leave of up to six months can be taken (still unpaid — nice try, though). 

7. Do you want to start your own business?

Itching to start work on your new business idea? Becoming your own boss might be an excellent prospect, but it can also be financially risky. Fortunately, Sweden is a very entrepreneur-friendly country — since 1998, employees have had the right to take a leave of up to six months to start their own business provided it doesn’t compete with their current employer. 

If you want to start a business in Sweden, you should begin by formulating your business plan and studying the market. Once your research is done and dusted, select the type of company you would like to set up at Skatteverket, the Swedish tax agency. Different types of company are subject to different rules, so pick wisely. Then you’re ready to start your new adventure. Lycka till!

This content was produced by The Local’s Creative Studio and sponsored by Akademikernas a-kassa.

 
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PROPERTY

Should you buy a home in Sweden this summer?

Considering the fickle trends in the Swedish housing market, prospective homebuyers might find themselves at a crossroads this summer.

Published: 4 July 2024 14:41 CEST
Should you buy a home in Sweden this summer?

After a period of falling prices driven by increased interest rates, the Swedish housing market is seeing a rebound, particularly in the biggest cities.

However, it’s also taking longer to finalise home sales.

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Recent data from Swedish property listings site Hemnet indicates that while home sales – and housing prices – are on the rise, the time to complete transactions has notably increased.

For instance, the average sale time for an apartment in Sweden increased to 27 days in the first half of the year, up from 22 days during the same period last year. Similarly, houses now take an average of 31 days to sell, compared to 30 days previously.

The slowest market is in the Gävleborg region, where it takes an average of 44 days to sell a home. The fastest transactions occur in Stockholm, with apartments selling in just 16 days and detached homes in 23 days.

This variation in market activity across the country calls for a deeper look into where the best opportunities might lie for homebuyers this summer.

Renewed market confidence in Sweden’s biggest cities

The confidence in the Swedish property market is on its way up in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö, Erik Holmberg, a market analyst at Hemnet, told The Local.

“I would say that we have seen a weaker market in the last couple of years, almost everywhere in the country, since the Swedish central bank started to increase the interest policy rate, which affected the market a lot,” he said.

“But in the last half of the year or rather in the last year, the confidence has come back in bigger cities – in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö… When we look at price developments last year, in three of Sweden’s biggest cities, we see prices increasing again.”

However, the analyst warned that the opposite is currently true in other areas of the country, which have seen a continued decrease in market activity and flatter developments in the same time interval.

A new trend emerging in Stockholm?

As Hemnet’s analyst explained, in Sweden, housing market trends usually start in Stockholm, when the market begins to change, causing a ripple effect.

“And that’s what we have seen. Now, market activity and prices are increasing again in the bigger cities. Usually, when the market changes, other areas in the country follow, and that could be the case now,” said Holmberg.

“When the rates and inflation situation become clearer, other parts of the country might follow the market in the big cities. Our main scenario is that we will see this spread,” he said, adding that prices in Stockholm have picked up quite fast in the last year but that the demand is still affected by the high interest rates.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw swift price developments in some areas with the highest demand, such as city centres.”

The effect on the rental market

Another aspect to consider is the rental market, which could see significant changes in the short to mid-term.

Holmberg pointed out that properties which fail to sell might enter the rental market.

“What we’ve seen is that it’s harder to sell properties today, so, probably, more people who own homes and can’t sell them will put these unsold homes on the market for a while. This could affect the supply of apartments for rent and, in turn, prices,” the analyst said.

INTERVIEW:

What different types of homebuyers should know

For buyers, the current market presents a mixed bag.

“In Sweden, we often talk of having a seller’s or buyer’s market. Today, it’s good for buyers that they have a lot to choose from; there’s a record-high supply almost everywhere in the country. That means it’s easy to find something,” said Holmberg.

However, he also cautioned that the slow market makes agreeing on terms with sellers challenging, with sales times at record highs.

“Sales take some time in today’s market, and that’s important to understand for both sellers and buyers, especially for homeowners who are changing homes, meaning they’re both buying and selling something; it’s a tough market for them.

“Today, this group often chooses to sell their home before they buy something new. That makes up a big part of record high sales times; we have people waiting for the right bid before moving from the selling to the buying side…” Holmberg said, noting that the market is different compared to two to three years ago when it was “very hot”.

“So, remember that even if prices grow, it’s still a tough or slow market.”

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On the other hand, first-time buyers might find a silver lining in the form of lower prices compared to a couple of years ago, making it a potentially favourable time to enter the Swedish housing market.

“First-time buyers are in another situation, which may be better because the prices are lower than two years ago, of course, and if you’re just buying something, you don’t need to worry about the selling part,” Holmberg told The Local.

“That’s why this could be a good situation to enter the housing market this summer, but even so, despite supply being really high, it could still be tough because many sellers have put down a listed price but don’t necessarily plan to sell at this price.”

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