We got interviewed by Tana Storani, Career/Linkedin Strategist & Personal Brander, on recruitment on the Swedish market.
Beyondo is recruiting internationals and Swedish home comers for jobs on the Swedish market. We bring personal experience on what it is like to move to a country, learning a new culture, a new language and adopting to the local market. Looking for a job in a new country brings challenges and that is where we are to help!
This is a continuation of the interview on job search in Sweden. In the first part you can find information on the Swedish recruitment market and how to optimize your CV. Click here for part 1.
The use of LinkedIn when looking for a job in Sweden
Do you see LinkedIn as a strategic tool in the search for candidates? Why?
LinkedIn is a frequent used channel in Sweden, so to be seen and found by recruiters and employers, I would advise to have a good LinkedIn profile. You can also, as a job seeker indicate that your profile is available for recruiters. You can also insert ‘available’ or ‘looking for a job’ in the header. If you already live in Sweden, make sure your location says Sweden. That optimizes the chances to be found by a recruiter on LinkedIn.
Do you feel comfortable being contacted by candidates via LinkedIn? What do you like to read when you are actively approached by a candidate?
Yes, no problem. However, I am limited to assist when a candidate would need a permit, so it might be that I do not accept an invitation as I see I can not be of added value anyway.
Should candidates connect before or after the interview? Or don't ever connect with recruiters and hiring managers?
If you are going through an agency, I would not advise you to connect with the hiring manager at all, until you get the job. However, if you have had an interview and you had a good ‘click’, who says you could not? But do respect that the contact goes via the agency.
If it is applying to a company directly, I would not advise connecting before you have been in for an interview anywhere.
Interview – how to prepare for a job interview in Sweden
During an interview, what should a candidate do and what should they don't?
Be polite, listen carefully to asked questions and keep it short and simple. For a ‘bubbly’ person that might be difficult – but one should always ‘be you’ and not try to fake or hide something. DO NOT chew gum during a meeting. Not even in an online meeting!!
Which are the TOP 5 interview questions for candidates to prepare?
Why are you interested in / a good fit for this position? What experience do you have in….? What are 3 good things about you? Where do you see yourself in x years (personally I do not like this question), how do you work in a team?
When you ask "do you know about the company", what do you expect the candidate to have researched?
This is a very good question! Never attend an interview before having researched the company. You do not need to know all details about the company, but you should know the core business and what markets they operate in. Should you go for a financial position for example, it is good if you have looked into that before a meeting.
What are good and bad answers to the questions "tell me about your strengths and weaknesses"?
Good: be open and honest, do not hide things, goes for strengths and weaknesses.
What if the candidate says one of the weaknesses is the level of English?
It all depends on the job. If it is a job where English is not necessary, and the candidate possesses qualities that the company is needing, it should not be a weakness. However, as the level of English among most Swedish speakers is high, one should be aware of the fact that a high level of English is a must here.
What is a good answer to the question: how do you see yourself in 5 years? Should they consider themselves in the company?
One should always be open and honest I think. If your dreams are beyond what the company can offer you, then it is perhaps not a company for you. However, I am aware that one would like ‘a job’ to get on the market. But of course, you should always aim to stay if possible within one company, as there is a huge investment for a company to hire someone in Sweden (this is because the labour law is not so flexible, so a company can not let go of people very easily).
Do you recommend the STAR technique to candidates? What do you like to hear in competency-based questions such as "tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult situation?"
This would be a question one could be prepared to get. Using the STAR technique is one way to give a short and simple answer, so if you master the technique, I would definitely use it.
"Why should I choose you?" Candidates sometimes feel they have to pretend to be overbearing. How can candidates better prepare for these questions?
Again, be open and transparent. You should answer/give information you feel is showing who you are and what you are comfortable saying. If you give false information just to get the feeling you give a good answer, you are not being honest – which is not beneficial for you.
"Tell me about a time you failed" - what do you really want to know behind this question?
Perhaps to check if people are comfortable showing their weaknesses? It is human to ‘fail’ and no one Is perfect.
What would be the best piece of advice in relation to how to better prepare for an interview?
Make sure you wear clothes that feel good to who you are, even if you need to also make sure it fits the company profile. Even if you love sneakers, you would probably not wear sneakers to an interview for a CFO position, I guess!
What is the best structure to answer the question "Tell me about yourself?" - do you like to hear the candidate career overview and specifics of the job or all experience from the past to present?
I would like to hear in short who you are as a person, what has made you do international moves, for example, and why you have taken certain jobs and why certain studies. But again, here you need to have a pitch ready where you feel comfortable speaking about yourself. This is your moment in ‘selling’ you for the job.
Do you have any examples of answers given during an interview, which were rude and made you feel uncomfortable?
Yes, when people are too aware of their qualities and when people do not listen to the questions.
Candidate Behavior during an interview when attending a job interview in Sweden
Is it ok to email candidates after the interview requesting process update? How many days would be acceptable to get an email from a candidate after the interview?
This is a very tricky question, especially in Sweden. I hear that a lot of candidates never get any feedback on their applications. Even no feedback after an attended interview. Then, of course, I would personally also wish to reach out to see what the status is. However, if it is via a recruiter, you could definitely reach out and ask what the situation is. If it is directly to the hiring manager, I would just await and see. On the other hand, it shows that you are pro-active if you DO reach out. However, if you have had meetings with a company that does NOT give any feedback within a few weeks – you will have to ask yourself – do you wish to work there?
Does body language influence the interview? Strong handshakes? Smile?
Absolutely!
The right body language gives you the opportunity to convince the interviewer, as 93% of human communication is conveyed via body language! Such as gestures, facial expressions, posture and even your tone of voice can play a role.
Make sure you maintain eye contact (however a bit weird during video meetings, as the camera is elsewhere compare to where you see the face on the screen). Make sure you have a good posture, avoid fidgeting, try not to touch your face, and avoid crossing your arms.
I guess handshakes is not so relevant anymore as we are progressing. However, should you have a F2F meeting, it shows respect if you are aware of HOW to greet someone now, now when the handshaking is not accepted anymore.
Should the candidate message the hiring manager?
No per se, but if you have been given the number to call to say you have arrived, then it is OK. Also depends on the connection during the meeting.
Should a candidate ask about salary? What is the best practice in relation to a specific topic?
If a recruiter is involved, you can ask the question to the recruiter. I would not bring it up during the meeting with the hiring manager, unless the hiring manager brings it up.
Recruiters see the nervousness of the candidate. Any tip to make the candidate more relaxed?
It is human to be nervous. If you are very nervous – just tell them! Break the ice – if they turn you off because of that – you do not want to work for them anyway!
In relation to COVID-19, unfortunately, many professionals lost their jobs. How can the candidate add this reality on the CV? How do you best answer interview questions if in the future you may have a career gap?
Be open and honest! Everyone in the world is aware of the Covid-19 situation and what it has done to the job market. Nothing to be ashamed of!
Do you see online courses as a plus?
Absolutely! All relevant education is a plus! Knowledge is gold and no one can take that away from you! Make sure you included passed courses on your resume!
Here you can view this interview online!
Do you have any further questions regarding working in Sweden? Do not hesitate to reaching out to us at contact@beyondo.se
