Working in Denmark

Expats looking to work in Denmark will find a strong economy with desirable work culture. That said, expats looking for employment in Denmark will find that it comes with its fair set of challenges. Still, once they have overcome the hurdle of finding a job, expats should be able to get into the swing of things with relative ease.

Job market in Denmark

Most expats moving to Denmark do so with a job in hand, whether as the result of an intra-company transfer or after having been headhunted. These expats often take up positions in science, technology, research or higher education. Other strong sectors in Denmark that may be a source of employment for expats include agriculture, tourism and transport.

Healthcare and medical services are also in high demand in Denmark. Other booming job sectors in the country, include construction, industrial manufacturing and offshore. Expats with qualifications in these fields typically have little difficulty finding a job in Denmark. 

Many large companies in Denmark have put measures in place to recruit and retain highly skilled expats. Some have also adopted English as their company language, which makes life easier for expats.

Finding a job in Denmark

Networking is an established and necessary part of finding a job in Denmark. There is a high level of mobility in the job market, which is typically facilitated through various networks. LinkedIn is a good way for expats to tap into a social network and get to know local companies. 

Online job portals and recruitment agencies are also good resources, though expats will have to find a way to stand out from hordes of other applicants.

Useful links

• Work in Denmark hosts bilingual job posts across multiple industries. 
• JobNet is among the most popular job portals in Denmark. 

Work culture in Denmark

Most Danish businesses are characterised by a relatively flat structure, and relations between different levels within an organisation are usually quite informal. The downside of this is that decision lines are less obvious, and it might be difficult for expats to know who to talk to about particular issues.

Considerable importance is placed on discussion and reaching consensus; expats will be expected to make a positive contribution to discussions and decisions. Teamwork and cooperation are valued in all sorts of businesses, and employees are expected to be motivated and committed to doing their best.