Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Moving to Sweden with the ambition of building a career there is exciting… and sometimes bewildering. Many newcomers quickly discover that landing a job isn’t just about online applications. The job market relies heavily on relationships, trust, and referrals. Without a network, even an excellent profile can go unnoticed.
To build your network in Sweden, you need to understand specific cultural codes: flat hierarchies, a cult of equality, the importance of *fika* (coffee break), and an aversion to small talk and showing off. It’s not about collecting business cards or selling yourself aggressively, but about integrating into a professional culture based on modesty, reliability, and a long-term perspective.
This article offers an immersion into these codes, followed by a very practical guide to creating – and maintaining – a strong professional network in Sweden as an expat.
Understanding the Playing Field: What Sweden Expects from You
Before multiplying events and LinkedIn messages, it’s helpful to understand how the country you wish to integrate into works. In Sweden, how you approach people matters as much as what you have to offer.
Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with approximately 10.4 to 10.7 million inhabitants, a member of the European Union, the EEA, and the Schengen Area. The capital Stockholm concentrates a large part of the opportunities, especially in tech and services, but dynamic ecosystems also exist in Gothenburg, Malmö, Uppsala, and several regional towns. The standard of living is high, society is safe, clean, well-organized, with excellent public services.
Concretely, several characteristics structure professional daily life and, by extension, networking strategies.
Lagom, Jantelagen, and a Distrust of Boasting
Two cultural concepts directly influence how to present yourself in Sweden.
The Swedish concept of ‘lagom’, meaning ‘just the right amount, not too much or too little’, is key to effective professional communication. Avoid exaggeration, hyperbole, or monopolizing the conversation to highlight your individual successes. Instead, inspire trust by adopting a measured, factual tone when talking about your skills, and consistently highlight collective contributions over your own.
Then, the famous Jantelagen, the “Law of Jante,” reinforces this norm: don’t think you’re better than others, don’t boast, don’t think you’re special. It doesn’t forbid talking about your achievements, but it requires doing so in a sober manner, focused on concrete results and impact for the team or client.
In practice, this means that a Swedish introduction pitch doesn’t resemble an American “elevator pitch.” It is calmer, more humble, more factual.
Flat Hierarchies, Consensus, and Sacred Private Life
Swedish companies are famous for their non-pyramidal structures. Employees usually call their manager – and even the CEO – by their first name. Decisions are made by consensus after consulting different stakeholders. The manager is more of a facilitator than a boss who imposes their views.
In Sweden, the ‘fika’ (coffee break) culture structures professional networking. It is acceptable for an expat to ask a senior manager for an informal fika, provided you show respect, preparation, and modesty. In return, active listening, a collaborative spirit, and avoiding overtly competitive attitudes are expected from you.
Furthermore, Sweden fiercely defends work-life balance (livspusslet). Workdays often end around 5 PM, non-urgent emails and calls after that time are frowned upon, as is the idea of “living for work.” Trying to impress by replying at midnight or sending messages on weekends will likely project an image of poor organization rather than that of a “hard worker.”
The Central Role of Trust
Studies and testimonials converge: a large portion of hirings and new contracts happen through co-optation, recommendations, and word-of-mouth. The Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) itself emphasizes the decisive weight of personal contacts.
For expats, this can be frustrating at first, especially when sending dozens of applications with no response. But it’s also an opportunity: the day an internal contact is ready to “put their name behind you,” things can move very quickly. The key then becomes understanding how to earn that trust in a country that abhors grandstanding.
Mastering Informal Codes: The Power of Fika
It’s hard to talk about networking in Sweden without mentioning fika, the ritual of coffee accompanied by a pastry (cinnamon bun, kladdkaka [sticky chocolate cake], “seven kinds of cookies”…) that has become a true social and professional institution.
The Swedish fika is much more than a simple coffee break; it is a codified social ritual of slowing down and sharing. It is integrated into professional life, with organized collective breaks one to two times a day in many companies. Some, like IKEA or Volvo, make it a pillar of their corporate culture, even using it as a recruitment argument by mentioning ‘daily fika’ in their job postings.
On average, a Swede spends nearly 52 minutes a day fika, or about ten working days a year. A typical break lasts 15 to 20 minutes. During this time, hierarchies fade: the manager sits with the team, people talk about personal topics, hobbies, current events, much more than ongoing projects.
For an expat, three very concrete implications:
Participating in fika (coffee break) is essential for workplace integration, as isolating yourself is seen as disinterest. This practice is also a culturally accepted way to ask for a professional meeting, more natural than a direct approach. Finally, fika constitutes an ideal format for informal informational interviews.
The etiquette of fika remains simple: be punctual, participate in the conversation without monopolizing it, avoid constantly checking your phone, don’t systematically turn this moment into a strategic meeting. The tone is relaxed, but the effect on your integration is considerable.
The Language: Why Swedish Changes Everything for Your Network
Most expats arriving in Stockholm or Gothenburg hear the same phrase: “Everyone speaks English here, you don’t need Swedish.” It’s true the country regularly ranks among the world’s best for English proficiency. However, statistics and feedback from recruiters tell a different story.
9 out of 10 recruiters in Sweden prefer a bilingual Swedish-English candidate over a solely English-speaking one, all else being equal.
Beyond formal constraints, language is a network accelerator. It allows you to understand humor, subtleties, hallway conversations, read between the lines in meetings, and participate fully in fika. It also sends a strong message: “I’m here to stay, I’m making the effort to integrate.”
Learning opportunities are numerous:
| Resource / Program | Type of Training | Target Audience | Cost / Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| SFI – Swedish for Immigrants | Municipality-funded Swedish courses | Eligible newcomers | Free |
| SIFA (Swedish for Academics/Professionals) | Intensive Swedish + professional content | Higher education graduates (engineers, lawyers…) | Funded / subsidized |
| Folkuniversitetet | Language courses, sometimes specialized (e.g., KI) | Broad audience, students, researchers | Paid or free depending on case |
| Municipal courses / libraries | Workshops, språkcaféer (language cafes) | Anyone living locally | Generally free |
| Online platforms (SwedishPod101, etc.) | Video courses, podcast, app, basic vocabulary | Self-learning | Freemium / paid |
Investing in Swedish from the start – ideally upon arrival – profoundly changes the quality of connections you can make. Even an approximate level, used courageously at a café or in a språkcafé, opens doors and elicits goodwill.
Digital Tools for Networking: LinkedIn and Beyond
In Sweden, LinkedIn is not just another social network: it’s the basic infrastructure of the skilled job market. According to estimates, the platform has between 4 and 6.2 million members in the country, up to 72.9% of the adult population, and nearly 60% of Swedish internet users are active on it. It’s also the preferred tool for recruiters, with a majority of large Nordic companies using it as their main sourcing channel.
Building a Profile Aligned with the Swedish Market
A “generic” LinkedIn profile isn’t enough. It must speak to recruiters and managers based in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, or Uppsala, in a language familiar to them.
Several elements are decisive:
| Profile Element | Recommendations Adapted for Sweden |
|---|---|
| Photo | Professional, natural portrait, daylight, discreet smile, smart-casual attire rather than ultra-formal suit |
| Banner | Visual related to your profession (code, design, data, construction…) or Sweden (skyline, nature), clean design |
| Headline | Mini-pitch including function + value + keywords + mention of status (“Based in Stockholm – Open to work – Work permit holder”) |
| Summary (“About”) | Clear, concrete, results-oriented narrative; emphasize teamwork, intercultural adaptation, values |
| Experiences | Describe achievements using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), quantify impact when possible |
| Skills | At least 10 relevant skills, aligned with the local market (e.g., “Agile”, “Sustainability”, “Data analysis”) |
| Location | Indicate the Swedish city where you live or are targeting (e.g., “Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden”) |
| Languages | Clearly mention Swedish and English with approximate CEFR level, + other useful languages |
| Custom URL | Make sharing easy (e.g., linkedin.com/in/firstnamelastname) |
One appreciated trick is to insert a short phrase in Swedish in the summary or headline, even if the rest is in English, to show your integration effort.
Contacting the Right People, the Right Way
Many expats settle for sending connection requests without a message. In Sweden, this approach yields few results. Personalizing your invitations, even very briefly (200 to 250 characters), can double or triple acceptance rates.
A simple structure works well: a hook, context, a small added value, then a very light request. For example: mention that you read an article or post by the person, explain your goal in one sentence (“to better understand sector X in Sweden”), and propose a short virtual *fika* to gather advice, specifying that you understand if it’s not a good time.
Tip for an effective outreach message
Interacting with content before sending the request (commenting on several posts in a relevant way) further increases the chances of a reply. Again, the Swedish logic values long-term relationship building over abrupt solicitation.
Creating Content to Exist in the Ecosystem
Posting regularly on LinkedIn allows you to become visible beyond your immediate circle. In a country very fond of tech, sustainability, innovation, and digital transformation, sharing analyses, case studies, or experiences in these fields can attract attention.
A weekly publishing rhythm, concise and authentic, to adapt to the Swedish style while navigating between two linguistic universes.
A realistic weekly rhythm, with concise, clear posts, sober visuals, and an authentic point of view, without exaggeration, in the Swedish style.
Publish sometimes in English, sometimes in English with a short Swedish summary, to show an ability to navigate naturally between these two cultural universes.
Getting Off the Screen: Places and Events Where Networks Are Built
Digital is powerful, but in Sweden, nothing replaces face-to-face meetings, especially in a country sometimes perceived as a “coconut”: a bit hard shell at first, very warm heart once trust is established.
Co-working, Meetups, and Business Events
The country is full of coworking spaces that also play a community animation role. In Stockholm, places like Helio, Epicenter, The Park, United Spaces, or historic startup scene hubs regularly host conferences, workshops, and after-work events. Gothenburg and Malmö have similar networks (Mindpark, Media Evolution City, etc.).
There are many professional or entrepreneurial groups, notably in Stockholm: IT Professionals Afterwork, Let’s Do Business Stockholm, Stockholm Entrepreneurs, Fryday, Stockholm Investing in Women, Digital People Stockholm, Meaningful Connections in Stockholm… Each group has its own vibe, sometimes very business-focused, sometimes more social.
Chambers of commerce like AmCham (America-Sweden) or the British‑Swedish Chamber of Commerce also organize events, often in English, where international executives, managers, and entrepreneurs mingle.
Sites like Meetup.com and Eventbrite list professional meetups in Sweden, ranging from networking evenings to practical workshops (e.g., writing a CV adapted to the Swedish market or preparing for local job interviews).
Expat Networks and International Clubs
For the newly arrived expat, international communities are often the first step. InterNations has active communities in Stockholm and Gothenburg, with well-attended monthly events. Many Facebook groups complement the picture: “Gothenburg Expats”, “Expats in Gothenburg”, “Les français / francophones de Göteborg”, “Stockholm International Friends Meetup Group”, etc.
In Gothenburg, associations like the American Women’s Club, the International Women’s Club, the Anglo Swedish Society, or more informal clubs around a nationality or language (India, Australia, New Zealand, French-speaking communities) create meeting opportunities in varied settings: lectures, cultural visits, “secret dinners,” family activities.
Expat networks in Sweden offer much more than simple social support. They constitute a valuable resource where experienced expats share practical advice on job hunting, administrative procedures, and local cultural codes. Furthermore, they often facilitate introductions for newcomers to their Swedish contacts, enabling faster and more effective integration.
SFI, Associations, and Language Cafés: The Hidden Network
Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) courses are often seen solely as a language tool. They are in reality a reservoir of talent: you’ll find engineers, doctors, salespeople, designers, researchers from all over the world. Building connections with these classmates, working in groups, proposing fika after class, can lead to information about open positions, referrals, or even entrepreneurial collaborations.
In many towns, libraries and community centers also organize språkcaféer, language cafés where locals and newcomers chat in Swedish. In Gothenburg, an iconic café, Språkcafeet, even dedicates evenings to different languages. Participating allows you to meet both curious Swedes and other expats eager to progress.
Structures like International House (present in Gothenburg or Stockholm depending on projects) also offer information events on employment, practical life, and networking sessions specifically for newcomers.
The Informational Interview: The Secret Weapon of Well-Integrated Expats
Among all the tactics mentioned by well-established professionals in Sweden, the “informational interview” or “coffee chat” stands out as the most effective long-term. The idea is simple: rather than asking for a job, ask for advice.
To integrate into the Swedish job market, it is recommended to contact inspiring professionals directly via LinkedIn or email. The message should be personalized, mention your situation (new arrival or career changer), express your admiration for their career path, and propose an informal 15 to 20-minute chat over a fika, in person or via video call, to learn from their experience.
Several key elements reassure a Swedish contact: having done your homework (mentioning a specific project or talk), remaining humble in your request (“advice on better understanding the sector,” “feedback on my CV in light of the Swedish market”), proposing a specific but short time slot, and leaving an out (“I totally understand if your schedule doesn’t allow it right now”).
Once you get the meeting, the golden rule is to listen more than you talk and ask open-ended questions. Avoid asking directly for a referral. If the chemistry is good, the person will often offer help themselves, for example by saying: “Send me your CV, I’ll take a look” or “I know someone at such-and-such company, I can introduce you.”
Always, a thank-you message within 24 hours is expected. A few weeks later, providing an update (e.g., on the progress of your search, or on applying a piece of advice received) allows you to transform this one-off contact into an ongoing relationship.
Leveraging the Strength of Swedish Organizations: Unions and Mentorship
Sweden also stands out for the strength of its union model and the importance of mentorship programs, which can become valuable relays for an expat.
Unions as Pillars of the Labor Market
Nearly 70% of Swedish workers are unionized, one of the highest rates in the world. Three major confederations structure the landscape: LO for workers, TCO for employees, Saco for university graduates, alongside Ledarna, focused on managers. Powerful unions like Unionen, Sveriges Ingenjörer (the Swedish Association of Graduate Engineers), or Kommunal each count hundreds of thousands of members.
Percentage of your last salary that can be covered by unemployment insurance managed by the unions in case of job loss.
For a foreign worker, approaching the union corresponding to their sector upon hiring or even before can be doubly useful: understanding your rights and obligations in a market regulated by over 650 collective agreements, but also accessing a network of colleagues, representatives, and well-connected advisors.
Mentorship Programs: Shortcuts to the Network
Swedish culture strongly emphasizes peer learning and knowledge transfer. Several organizations offer structured programs where experienced professionals mentor younger profiles or international talent.
The Mitt Livs Chans program is free and intended for people born outside Sweden (or with foreign-born parents) who have a post-secondary degree and are actively seeking employment. It offers four months of mentorship, including at least four meetings, with the objectives of decoding the Swedish labor market, strengthening your professional network, and working on your CV and interview techniques.
The Swedish Institute also runs online mentorship programs via its alumni network, combining training (five one-hour sessions) and practice with several mentor-mentee meetings. Other professional or associative structures – chambers of commerce, industry organizations like Innovationsledarna – organize their own tracks over several months, with group seminars and individual meetings.
For an expat, being selected for such a program means gaining direct access to well-established managers, executives, or experts, but also being integrated into a cohort of peers with whom strong bonds are formed. Studies conducted, for example on the Global Bridges program for health science researchers, show that such a scheme can durably generate collaborations, joint publications, and a densification of the international network.
Choosing Where to Settle to Optimize Your Network
Not all Swedish cities are alike in terms of networking opportunities. Depending on your sector and lifestyle, some places will be more strategic than others.
Stockholm concentrates the largest number of companies, headquarters, international structures, and startups – over 20,000 in the country, with an ecosystem valued at over $25 billion. The capital is often described as the second region in the world for “unicorns” per capita after Silicon Valley. For tech, financial services, consulting, digital marketing, it’s a prime location.
Presentation of three major Swedish cities, highlighting their economic, cultural, and academic specificities.
Second largest city in the country, combining industries (automotive, maritime), innovation, and a relaxed quality of life.
City very connected to Copenhagen, home to a dynamic creative and digital scene.
Historic university town, a major hub for research and biotechnology.
Other regions (Örebro, Västerås, Umeå, Luleå) offer tighter but active communities, useful for those looking to get away from expensive, highly competitive metropolitan areas. Coworking spaces often play a pivotal role there, as do sectoral clusters (green energy, industry, data, etc.).
The housing issue, often complex and costly in major centers, can also influence your choices. Coliving platforms like certain residences dedicated to nomads or remote workers regularly organize events, workshops, or networking evenings, which facilitate meetings upon arrival.
Adopting the Right Daily Habits
In an environment that bets on the long term, it’s the small daily habits that, accumulated, make the difference.
Being on time – or a few minutes early – for a meeting or event is non-negotiable. Punctuality is seen as a form of respect. Notifying if you’re running late, even by ten minutes, is a mark of consideration.
Participating in fika, after-work events (AW), and team lunches, even briefly and without staying late, is a strong signal of integration. For introverted profiles, regular presence is enough to establish familiarity with the group.
Checking in with your contacts from time to time, without an immediate ulterior motive, maintains the connection: an article shared with a short personalized note, a congratulatory message after a promotion, an invitation to an event that might interest them. Offering something – information, a connection, an outside perspective – before asking for a favor, significantly strengthens trust.
Prioritize calm and precise communication, without excessive emphasis. Accept silences in meetings or fika, as they often indicate reflection in progress, not discomfort. Avoid interrupting, even if the pace seems slow. Present your ideas concretely, backing them up with facts or data.
Finally, respecting vacation periods – especially July, a month when activity slows drastically – avoids frustration. It’s not the time to launch a major outreach campaign or expect quick responses.
Patience, Authenticity… and Strategy
Building a strong professional network in Sweden when arriving from abroad takes time. It’s not uncommon for expats to report taking a year or more to land a “real” position commensurate with their skills, despite hundreds of applications. This delay should not be interpreted as personal failure, but as a reflection of a market where trust is earned gradually.
To maximize your chances of finding a job, mobilize several levers simultaneously: learn and practice Swedish daily, use LinkedIn strategically and with focus, frequent relevant networking places (coworking spaces, meetups, chambers of commerce, SFI, language cafés), request informational interviews (fika) by preparing carefully, join mentorship programs, and leverage the network and influence of professional unions.
By respecting local values – lagom, humility, punctuality, respect for private life – while remaining true to your personality and strengths, you will eventually find your place in this ecosystem. And the day this network starts working for you, talking about you during a fika or recommending you for an unpublished position, you’ll realize how much investing in these relationships, with patience and sincerity, was the best possible strategy in Sweden.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
