Finding a Job & Building a Future in Denmark

Finding a job & building a future in Denmark

By Tonia MichalopoulouCulture Analyst | Intercultural Communications &

Experience Facilitator LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/toniamichalopoulou/

Email: c.a.michalopoulou@gmail.com

About me...• My name is Tonia and I am from Athens, Greece.• I moved to Copenhagen in April 2016 to create a new life with my

Danish boyfriend.• I have studied & worked in 5 different countries/ cultures (incl.

Denmark).• I am an... information “junkie” and naturally curious about what

makes people tick.• I mainly work in the fields of cultural research and analysis,

customer experience and intercultural communications.• I still haven’t found my dream job...• ...but I don’t give up!

Ideas/ tips to keep in mind... • Coming to a new country means that you get to make a fresh start.• So try to look at your new situation from a new, positive perspective

– leave your pre-assumptions behind! • Your background (studies, work experience, values etc.) makes you

who you are and can help you in your job search but you need to be competitive in the new environment, so learn more about the environment and the people and try to adjust and blend in!

• Learn the language*• Look for an internship• Look for a job as an unskilled worker (e.g. at a restaurant)**• Network• Be proactive!

Things are not always what they

seem...

Cultural Intelligence (CQ)“Cultural intelligence (CQ) is the capability to relate and work

effectively in culturally diverse situations. It goes beyond existing notions of cultural sensitivity and awareness to highlight a

theoretically-based set of capabilities needed to successfully and respectfully accomplish your objectives in culturally diverse settings.

[...] Awareness is the first step, but it’s not enough. A culturally intelligent individual is not only aware but can also effectively work

and relate with people and projects across different cultural contexts.”

Source: Cultural Intelligence Center

Lose your “cultural” glasses!

Article: “Looking Another Culture in the Eye” by Erin Meyer

Speaking of leaving pre-assumptions behind...

>> NemCV!

• Creators: Franco Soldera and Zubair Quraishi • A different approach to writing a Cover Letter and making a point about

why you should be hired by a company • Interview: http://

cbslife.dk/interview-with-nemcv-how-to-get-more-job-interviews• “Get Your Dream Job” Meetup group • >> Why not share your personal experience with the group? Connect with

other expats and get feedback. Also, help the group grow and help others!

Useful job search resources provided by Κøbenhavns Kommune

IFirst Job Copenhagen http

://www.forstejob.dk/ Copenhagen Host Program http

://ihcph.kk.dk/artikel/copenhagen-host-program

Useful job search resources provided by Κøbenhavns Kommune

IIInternational House Copenhagenhttps://ihcph.kk.dk/events/grid

• Welcome Reception Spring• Leisure Guidance and Networking• Volunteer Fair Spring• Danish Workplace Culture!!!• Etc.

“Work in Denmark”• https://www.workindenmark.dk/Find-a-job• https://

www.workindenmark.dk/About-Workindenmark/Our-services/Jobsearch-seminars

• >> Next seminar on March 7th (09.00-14.00)

Here are some links to help you look for a job, but...

• https://www.workindenmark.dk/• https://www.jobindex.dk/• http://www.thelocal.dk/jobs/Denmark/• http://www.jobsincopenhagen.com/• https://www.jobfinder.dk/en-gb/ (for engineering and IT)• https://www.glassdoor.co.uk• http://gastrojob.dk/ledige-stillinger/• LinkedIn Jobs• Plus >> Vikarbureauer i København*• Video: Welcome to Denmark by www.ida.dk

...Building a network is very important!

• In Denmark, a great amount of jobs are not advertised! • More likely to find a job if someone recommends you• Networking can help you find the job of your choice... >> if you

meet people strategically!

Networking tips IEvents

• Join groups of interest at www.meetup.com• Facebook events & groups• ...such as: “Expats in Copenhagen”• Internations Copenhagen• Eventbrite>> https://www.eventbrite.com/ • Places like: Space10 >> https://www.space10.io/• Different co-working spaces e.g. Rocket Labs • Your own language school (they can also help with

one-to-one tips)• Your own union• Volunteer! (Voluntering.dk: The largest portal for

volunteer jobs in Denmark http://frivilligjob.dk/volunteeringdk/volunteeringdk)

LinkedIn• Join groups of interest

(search with keywords)• Follow companies and

people in your sector• Post regularly• Comment on posts >> start

a discussion & get noticed• Strategically ask people to

connect (always leave a personal note with the invitation!)

• Follow up with interesting links that your contacts might like

Networking tips IICreate your own Meetup group!

• You can choose to either teach or simply host the events and be the one to bring people together under a theme of your choice

• >> Network with people in your sector• >> Learn new things• >> Explore the market • >> Establish yourself as an event organizer in your sector/ area of

expertise

Networking tips IIICreate your own Blog!

• You can write about your... Meetup group OR• ...about your area of expertise OR• ...about a topic that you want to become an expert in (if you want

to change careers)

>> Get noticed by showing your work>> Gather followers>> Establish yourself in the market

Keep learning!

• MOOC courses e.g. Coursera, EdX etc. • Evening courses = Aftenskole >> e.g. FOF• Københavns Biblioteker• Different types of events... Keep your eyes open!

When things go ‘wrong’ I• Issue: Low income and/ or weird working hours >> difficult to ‘build’

relationships by going out for coffee on a regular basis• Solution: Go to as many free networking events as possible and a) follow up with new acquaintances, b) be honest with the people you would be interested in building a friendly relationship with (you can meet at a house for coffee!)

When things go ‘wrong’ II• Issue: No Green Card/ CPR • Solution: a) Go to as many free networking events as possibleb) Free language courses at Bethesda church in Nørreport (check out this link)c) Look for an internshipd) Network with other people who are in Denmark working on a Green Card scheme: http://fitfordenmark.dk/

Don’t give up!!!

“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” - Albert Einstein

“If ‘Plan A’ didn’t work, the alphabet has 25 more letters.” - Unknown

“Just don’t give up trying to do what your really want to do. When there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.”

- Ella Fitzgerald

Feel free to connect with me

Tonia MichalopoulouCulture Analyst | Communications & Experience

Facilitator LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/toniamichalopoulou/

Email: c.a.michalopoulou@gmail.com