Landing a job in Norway can be challenging, especially for internationals navigating a new culture and job market. But according to three recruitment professionals working closely with jobseekers and companies, a mix of networking, cultural understanding, and clear communication can make all the difference.
Kim Hale works at Umbrella, a consulting and recruitment company that also hosts events for jobseekers. In March 2025, she launched Splash, a new initiative focused on talent acquisition and retention.
“The first edition of Splash had over 100 attendees, 15 languages, and brought together community members, jobseekers, media, and hiring companies. Jobseekers had the chance to build networks and go on stage in a more interactive format – you are guaranteed to meet hiring firms,” Kim told The Local.
When asked about the current hiring landscape, Kim is direct: “The global recruitment situation today is very bad. It’s not exclusive to Norway, but here it hits differently. I think people are just exhausted. And now it’s becoming a conversation because it’s affecting Norwegians too, with massive layoffs.”
Her advice for jobseekers is to “figure out how that company operates – is it a more traditional Norwegian company or does it work more internationally? Should you be yourself or be Norwegian? Each company is different. So make sure you know who you’re talking to.” And for interviews: “Lean into old-school professionalism, then read the room to adapt. Be adaptable.”
Originally from the UK, Kim worked in New Zealand and Canada, and moved to Norway in 2023 when she experienced the job search challenges herself. Before the relocation, she had visited Norway several times and already had a sense of what life here would be like. With years of experience leading onboarding processes and helping teams grow from 11 to 77 employees, she brought valuable international expertise with her.
READ ALSO: What recruiters in Norway ask – and focus on – during job interviews
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“I’m a ‘pre-packaged model immigrant,’” Kim says with a laugh. “I knew the culture, had friends here, I’d messaged people – I knew something about Norwegian culture, so I knew it was going to be hard.”
Determined to build a local network, she immersed herself fully in the startup ecosystem. “I did everything – volunteering at Startup Extreme and SHE Conference, going to every event, and practicing my Norwegian. At some point, I got a recommendation for a job at a startup community and worked at two events with StartupLab. The exposure was important so I could show what I can do. I wanted to showcase my skills and be useful.”
Networking, she emphasizes, is essential in Norway. “Seventy percent of the jobs are not posted. There’s a big hidden market.”
READ ALSO: How can I find volunteer work in Norway?
Keep it simple — and show results
When applying for jobs in the tech industry, Anna Duong, People Operations Specialist at Aize, says clarity and focus are key.
“Tips really depend on the type of role. Sports and volunteer activities are great to include if you’re a student, for example,” she begins.
“But for a professional CV at a tech company, you don’t need to add personal details like nationality, marital status, or even your national ID – at least not for international companies like Aize. To minimize unconscious bias, we even remove profile pictures and other personal details. The tech space tends to take a more modern approach.”
Anna recommends keeping the CV design simple and concise – no more than two pages.
“Recruiters have limited time when reviewing a CV. They should be able to locate your expertise right away. Be ready to talk about your experience with any of the technologies listed, and always tailor your CV to the specific job,” she says.
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She also shares a simple formula: “In one sentence or bullet point, include what you did, unique details about it, and why you did it. You might even realize that some tasks aren’t strong enough to include.”
For the interview part, she believes the candidate should be able to communicate how they use their skills and deliver results.
“One thing I always tell people is that your main goal throughout the interview process should be to reduce the perceived risk of hiring you. If you don’t think the employer needs to know a detail early on, leave it out during that initial call. As you progress through each stage, you’ll build rapport with the different hiring team members, and from there, you can decide to share more relevant or personal details about yourself…if you feel comfortable,” she says.
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Final tip from Anna: companies value honesty when communicating your flaws. “Tell the truth but frame them constructively, and always end on a positive note. People should be confident in their abilities, but it’s also important to stay humble and hungry.”
Learn the Norwegian work culture
For Lisbeth S. Størli, founder at mentoring and consulting agency Contento, understanding the local work culture is crucial to fitting in — and succeeding.
‘You’ll be on your own after 4pm’: The Norwegian office culture you need to know
“Get to know Norwegian work culture,” she says. “Be on time for interviews, address people by their first names, and don’t get hung up on titles. Respect the strong work-life balance, equality, low hierarchy, and high-trust culture – and show a willingness to learn and speak Norwegian.”
Lisbeth emphasizes that while Norwegians are open and approachable, relationships take time to build. Showing genuine interest in the culture and language goes a long way toward establishing trust and belonging in the workplace.