The Swedish Interview Process
In the last six months, I've been on several different interviews. The one thing that was common between them - all the companies have a business in the IT industry. There were different styles of companies: a consulting company, a product company, a start-up, big and medium companies.
What is the most interesting part of the interview process? You meet new people and understand how they work. It is a good possibility to upgrade your presenting skills, understand the current market better, and highlight your weak and strong parts.
What is different in the Swedish job market? From my perspective, employers here are very careful, even though a standard probationary period lasts for six months.
As a social-oriented society people in Sweden like to have a lot of interviews with a candidate to be able to discuss and make a decision team wise.
Another interesting detail is that most of the companies like to give an IQ and psychological test before the last interview. To be sure that a candidate will fit the team spirit.
How to be successful in all those steps?
The first tip is to speak Swedish or learn to speak. But not speaking can deprive you of some opportunities.
The second tip is to be patient, nothing is happening quickly. Sometimes it can take months to be in an interview process with one company. And still, you can be rejected at the end.
Linkedin can help a lot. Most of the companies are using an agency's help with hiring new talent. It could help in the first stage because very often they have too many unrelated applications thrown on/at their website and are not very attentive to them.
