Job Search and Career Counselling
Relocating and living in another country can be both challenging and exciting. There are often many practical matters to figure out, including job search. One of the most important questions you might ask is: “How do I find a job in Denmark?”
Applying for jobs in Denmark may be a very different process than in your home country. ISM, through the career counselling program, will be able to assist you in understanding this process, gaining the needed skills and knowledge in order to embark on your career in Denmark.
We offer a personalised approach that will suit each individual's unique needs by providing support, inspiration and hopefully creating excitement around your job search. We are also able to offer support over phone and via Skype if you are unable to meet with us in person.
The individual career counselling sessions are ongoing, in-depth, and confidential meetings with a professional career consultant. The career consultant has had extensive training and specialisation in career development areas. The first meeting will be to create an overview of your job search process and evaluate your employment interests and needs.
Together with you, we will next determine the strategy and objectives to help you reaching your career goals. When the strategy and objectives have been clarified, we will then proceed with a coaching process to create new perspectives, push past one's mental barriers and blind spots to achieve your personal goals.
Finding a new job can be a challenge, especially bearing in mind possible language barrieres. Therefore, when you arrive, you might consider learning Danish even though some jobs are offered in English.
There are many positions in Denmark where proficiency in Danish is not a requirement but there are also many positions that might require you to be able to read & write in Danish. We would strongly advise you to start learning Danish as soon as you arrive. This will increase your career options immensely.
There are different ways to look for a job and it is worth mentioning that in the private sector, they are not always advertised. Over 60 % of positions in the private sector are filled through internal connections and personal references. Many companies go through their employees’ networks to indentify candidates or they simply hire a recruiter.
There are typically four methods available when job seeking in Denmark:
- Post your CV in a database (job portal or recruitment company)
- Search for a specific job advert
- Send an unsolicited application
- Search via your network
Depending on the kind of position you are looking for, you will need to decide which route is the best for you. If you are looking for a position in the public sector, then you should apply to job ads, as all positions will be advertised publicly. All public organisations, such as Universities, are obliged to post vacant positions.
If you would like to work in the private sector, you will need to expand your professional network and adopt different methods to make sure that you are noticed by the companies that you are interested in.
See Job Search Websites in the box at the right-hand side of this page.
The purpose of your cover letter and CV is to open the door for a job interview. The cover letter serves as an “appetizer” to entice the recruiter to be interested in meeting you in person and taking your application process a step further.
Many candidates tend to send a standard CV and cover letter to all companies. If you wish to increase your chances of being called for an interview in Denmark, it is advisable to target and personalise your CV and cover letter to highlight why you are a perfect match for the job.
We will provide assistance in reviewing your cover letter & CV, and providing suggestions to strengthen your job application material.
See CV templates in box on the right-hand side of this page.
Congratulations!
You have been invited for a job interview but would like some assistance in improving your verbal and nonverbal communication. Or you might like to learn some skills to overcome nervousness and stress before and during an interview.
At ISM we offer individual job interview coaching sessions to break down the process and to bring focus to the essentials when going for an interview.
Mock-interview sessions can be conducted to help you with challenges you might face e.g fear of difficult questions etc. We will also provide feedback on your performance and pointers to sharpen your interviewing skills.
Networking is about building relationships and connections in a meaningful and organised way. The process of meeting new people, either through a contact that you initiate, or through an introduction by a third party.
In Denmark, it’s said that a large percent of jobs are never listed and usually filled through networking. Whether you are looking for an internship, your first job, or changing career paths, networking will provide you with valuable information at every stage of your job search process. We will be able to guide you in this process and provide with hands-on tools on how to network in Denmark.
Use LinkedIn to promote yourself professionally whether you’re employed, looking for a job, or a business owner, think of your LinkedIn page as a personal website that can be used to share your accomplishments with your connections.
We offer individual counselling on how to use LinkedIn as a strategic tool when you are job seeking.
In order to get started, you need to fulfill some basic requirements. We advise you to seek assistance and information from your local “Erhvervscenter” (business centre) to get a good grasp of the local laws and regulations. The business centre will also be able to provide you with advice on several aspects of your business such as marketing, accounting, pricing, recruitment, etc.
Copenhagen Business Service provides free business advisory support for start-ups and businesses located in Copenhagen. They offer a number of important services for start-ups including courses, workshops, counselling and a business mentoring program.
Job Sites in English
Work In Denmark is the official Danish job source: