Getting a job in Norway

Moving to another country is exciting. Getting to know a different culture, new people, local food, nature and nightlife is all fun. But moving to another country can also be challenging. Especially when it comes to finding a job.

Last year, the University of Bergen took in 1440 exchange students from all over the world. Another 4315 international students applied for a masters program. 

While some can cover their expenses with scholarships, parental support or savings, a lot of these students need a job to be able to finance their stay. But finding a job in Norway as a foreigner is not always easy. 

Systemic barriers

Carlos Lopez Suarez is an architecture student from Bogotá, Colombia. For him, the job hunt in Bergen has been rather frustrating.

– I applied for many jobs, but most of the time I don't get an answer on my applications. Or I get rejected because I don't speak Norwegian, says Suarez.

Another barrier he faces is access to Norwegian systems such as banking. Most employers only hire people with Norwegian bank accounts. As a foreigner without a Norwegian national identity number, Suarez cannot open a bank account at most Norwegian banks.

Some Norwegian banks have special offers that allow foreigners to open a Norwegian bank account without a Norwegian national identity number. However, those are expensive and require a temporary Norwegian D-number. 

Suarez now works as a freelancer and as a tour guide. Still, this doesn’t give him the stability he wants. 

– The problem with both jobs is that I only have an income when there is something to do. As a freelancer I get paid by projects and as a tour guide, I get paid per tour. So when there are no tours or building projects, I don't have an income, he says.

Suarez is considering leaving Norway, if he hasn't found a stable job by the end of the semester. 

– Easier than in Berlin

Ludwig Gansel is a 24 year old exchange student from Germany, and has a different experience. Back home in Germany, he studies Scandinavian area studies. He is fluent in both English and Norwegian. 

– For me it was actually quite easy to get a job in Norway. I was a high school-student in Oslo for a year and worked there as a teaching assistant after I finished school, so I already had some working experiences in Norway and a good network before coming to Bergen.

He describes the job hunt in Norway as «easier than in Berlin» because of the lack of competition. He got a job as a German teacher at a secondary school right outside of Bergen on his first try.

Language and network is key

Arnfinn H. Midtbøen is a professor of sociology at the Department of Sociology and Human Geography at the University of Oslo. He researches immigration, integration, discrimination and ethno-racial inequalities. 

Midtbøen’s research has documented that Norwegian-born descendants of two immigrant parents face discrimination when trying to access the labour market, even though they speak Norwegian fluently and have relevant work experience. 

According to Midtbøen, migrants face additional challenges when seeking employment in Norway.

– Factors such as lacking language skills and social networks make the job hunt even harder for migrants, says Midtbøen.