High Norwegian salaries are as sweet as honey. So, all the challenges during your search for jobs in Norway for foreigners will pay off. Read on to learn how to find a job in Norway and achieve the income level that you deserve.
How to find a job in Norway: Understand local work culture
Before searching for jobs in Norway for foreigners, check whether you’ll feel comfortable working in this country. People with various backgrounds have different approaches. That’s why it’s natural if the Norwegian work culture initially feels a bit unfamiliar. The locals value:
- Respectful and calm conversations. They avoid confrontations and arguments and try not to speak directly.
- Equality. Bosses and interns can speak to each other and share ideas freely. Everyone is treated as a part of a team—with all the respect and support.
- Work-life balance. Norwegians start working early, around 8 AM, to finish at 4 PM and spend time with families. Staying in the office for overtime is not a common practice.
- Independence. Employers will expect you to be proactive and take responsibility. Don’t wait for the manager to deliver the task; suggest it yourself, approve it, and show the results.
So, to be eligible for the best jobs in Norway, you’ll need to convince HRs that you’re aware of the unique culture and are ready to accept it.
Living in another country can be an emotional rollercoaster. To avoid losing the ground under your feet, stay connected to people back home. One way to do so is to transfer money from Norway. You can do it fast, beneficially, and easily with an online service, Profee.
How to find a job in Norway: CV tips
Language
In Norway, jobs for foreigners are offered in English and Norwegian. If you’re unsure which language to use for your CV, use the same one as in the vacancy description. Don’t be afraid to use simple Norwegian grammar and words if your language level is around A1-B1. It’s still better than sending an English CV when a company expects you to communicate in the local language.
Those who master Norwegian have higher chances of securing the best jobs in Norway—so learn it. The good news is that if you know English, the logic of some grammar points and plenty of words will be familiar to you. Good news №2, Swedish and Danish will come as a bonus after learning Norwegian—the languages are pretty similar (not identical, of course).
Skills
Highlight two sets of skills—required by a company and trending globally. You’ll find the first ones in the job descriptions. As for the second part, the World Economic Forum reported “skills of the tomorrow”. You can pick some of them:
- Analytical thinking;
- Flexibility and agility;
- Leadership;
- Creativity;
- Technological literacy;
- Big Data;
- Cybersecurity;
- Curiosity.
Check the full report here.
In your cover letter and CV, show how you used these skills before. Provide evidence and share the hottest successful cases you had. It will help you to find the best jobs in Norway for foreigners.
Wording
You can phrase one thing in different ways. Surprisingly, even small changes in sentences bring shocking results. Jobs in Norway for foreigners require attention to such detail, so let’s see how to write smartly.
- Change nouns and adjectives to verbs where possible. Instead of describing yourself as “Hardworking”, share what you “Achieved” or “Exceeded”.
- Use an active voice. The task wasn’t completed; it was YOU who completed it.
- Take advantage of numbers. People love numbers because they are concrete. “Increased sales by 25%,” “Managed a team of 10,” or “Reduced processing time by 40%” make your achievements tangible.
- Use keywords from the job description you apply for. If a company uses the term “Building a brand strategy”, put it in the CV as it is. Keywords will also help you to get through the ATS screening.
Make your CV ATS-friendly
ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System. It’s a software that checks your CV before passing it to the HR team. 75% of the applications don’t make it through ATS checks. Here’s what you can do to increase your chances:
- Keep your design simple. Search for some templates online.
- Save files in doc. or docx. Sometimes PDFs are accepted if the text is copyable.
- Use standard fonts, such as Calibri, Arial, and Times New Roman.
- Include keywords from the job description.
- Include information relevant to the position. 1-2 pages is a max for the CV.
- Check mistakes and typos.
Make your CV perfect for the robot and the recruiter and find the best jobs in Norway for foreigners!
Norway. Jobs in demand
When building a strategy of how to get a job in Norway, understand which specialists the country needs to evaluate your chances.
| Sector | Average salary / per year (NOK) |
|---|---|
| Engineering [Ingeniørfag] | 650,000 |
| IT | 637,000 |
| Marketing & Sales [Markedsføring og salg] | 690,000 |
| HR | 590,000 |
| Healthcare [Helsevesen] | 472,000 |
| Teaching [Undervisning] | 550,100 |
| Accountant [Regnskapsfører] | 635,000 |
| Nursing [Sykepleie] | 773,938 |
Overall, the average salary in Norway is 660,000–720,000 NOK, which equals 56,564–61,707 EUR per year before taxes. For some salary negotiation tips read this article.
If your field is not on the list, don’t give up. In Norway, jobs for foreigners are diverse and everyone can find their place, if they know where to search.
How to find a job in Norway: Where to search
Websites
In Norway, jobs for foreigners can be found on:
- LinkedIn;
- Jobsinoslo.com;
- Nav.no;
- Jobbnorge.no;
- Finn.no.
To ease your search, here are some Norwegian keywords you should know:
- Jobb [Job]
- Stilling [Position]
- Stillingsannonser, jobbannonser [Job ads, job listings]
- Ledige stillinger, ledige jobber [Available positions, available jobs]
- Jobbsøker [Job seeker]
- Arbeidsgiver [Employer]
Recruitment agencies
People from the agencies know better how to get a job in Norway, so paying them may be a fast pass ticket to your dream company. But don’t purchase a service from the first company you see—research and compare the offers.
- Manpower.no;
- Airswift.com;
- Isg.com;
- Adecco.no.
It’s only a short list of companies that help international talents land jobs in Norway. Some specialise in certain niches, like tech, while others offer a wide range of vacancies.
Talk to people
One of the most underrated job search strategies is simply talking to others. Make an effort to meet new people—whether it’s through casual conversations, language exchange meetups, or volunteering. Build genuine connections with locals and fellow expats alike. Attend professional networking events, career fairs, or workshops related to your field. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or express your interest in learning more about the industry in Norway. Often, job opportunities arise from a friendly chat or a helpful tip from someone in your new circle. The more visible and engaged you are, the more likely someone will think of you when a job opens up.
May be interesting: Budget planning for digital nomads
How to find a job in Norway: What to say during an interview
Machines approved your CV. HRs did, too. Now, it’s time for an interview.
Background and people
Study the company’s history and current state; it’ll make you a stronger candidate. Plus, check the LinkedIn profiles of people interviewing you. Find something similar between them and you and naturally mention it during the conversation. We tend to trust a person more if they share our interests.
The power of small talk
Norwegians may suddenly ask you about the weather before the interview starts; it’s normal. Go with the flow and make conversation bloom. Mention hobbies and your interest in Norwegian culture, which will add respect points to your profile.
Stay positive
Smile and share positive vibes; show that you’re a real person, not a robot. Norwegians try to support a friendly atmosphere in their workplace, so be lively and respectful.
Show that you’re trying to learn Norwegian
Insert some Norwegian phrases and words and express your determination to learn the language soon. It’ll give you some extra social credits.
Final thoughts
In Norway, jobs for foreigners are possible to find. Adjust your CV, learn the language, use local websites and be social. Remember that Norwegians care about work-life balance and making a job a friendly space. Following advice from this article will help you to start a new chapter in life. Sending money abroad is much easier, though. Especially if you use an online service Profee for fast and secure transfers from Europe to over 90 destinations.
