Working in Norway

Expats with a job lined up in Norway can count themselves lucky, as the country is consistently identified as one of the best countries in the world to work in.

The majority of Norwegians are said to feel satisfied and secure in their job, while most workers believe they could find another job if they wanted to. A strong, mixed economy and welfare state have created an environment of trust, confidence and optimism within the labour force.

Norway’s work culture is generally supportive of employees and puts a strong emphasis on good work-life balance. A Norwegian boss may even be concerned that an employee is working too hard or too much.

Job market in Norway

Norway has a mixed economy, meaning the government is a significant employer alongside private enterprises. Some of the largest employers in Norway, include Norsk Hydro, Telenor, Orkla, Aker Solutions and Equinor. Important industries in Norway are petroleum and natural gas, mining and shipbuilding, as well as fishing.

As such, Norway’s robust economy offers many opportunities for expats, particularly in these fields, as well as engineering, IT, research, finance and teaching. Just as oil and gas is a major sector, Norway is also investing in clean energies, including hydroelectric power, and the development of green technologies is a growing field.

Many expats considering self-employment or freelancing can find a job in fields ranging from freelance writing to web design. Foreigners considering self-employment opportunities in Norway must apply for the appropriate visa and work permit, though.

Norway's economy has remained relatively stable and has come out strong in the face of global financial crises. Average earnings are high across all professions, whether it's as a teacher, accountant, architect or receptionist.

Finding a job in Norway

With an overall low unemployment rate of a little over three percent, there are often many open positions in Norway. That said, it being a small market, it may be a challenge to find a job that perfectly fits an individual's background and profile.

Multinational firms are known to hire expats even if they don’t speak Norwegian. Otherwise, the general feeling is that expatriate employees should be able to speak the language and have some experience in the Norwegian market. Expats with specific qualifications should find out if these are recognised in the country and, if not, may need to undergo some vocational training after arriving.

Expats have the option of going through a recruitment agency to secure a job. The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration is one of the best places to start the search, as it provides tips for jobseekers and guidance on how to find job vacancies. Alternatively, there are listings of jobs available online via portals such as FINN.no and Manpower Norge, while having a strong LinkedIn profile is also advised.

Work culture in Norway

The work culture reflects Norwegian society at large in that it's egalitarian and there is no real hierarchy. Any employee can comment on a project, while top-down communication channels are not as specific as in other countries.

Doing business in Norway is rated as easy, and while employees work hard, typical working hours are shorter than in many other destinations. Employees also benefit from the wide scope of social benefits and great working conditions, which contribute to a happy work-life balance.