Job prospects in Norway

Hi harbardog,

The unemployment rate is Norway is low and there are lots of job opportunities for expats. But because the market is so small, you might struggle to find a job that fits your background and profile. Its best do some research beforehand to see the situation with your chosen industries. 

It really does help if you have some experience of the Norwegian market. Once you've secured a job in Norway, you will find that the working in environment is very favourable. 

For more information check out the Working in Norway page.

Late answer, but will give you or others some basic info. It may not be so easy to get a job in Norway, for several reasons. 1. you don't speak Norwegian. 2. You are over 40 years old. Many businesses want younger employees. 3. Your education and experience may not be (fully) relevant to Norway. You are not educated in the regulations, sertifications and stuff that is necessary.. 4. You compete with people from Sweden and Denmark that understand Norwegian and are understood by the Norwegians. And they have a very similar state of mind / upbringing / eduaction system and so on. 5. Most easy to get jobs are jobs that recuire university level eduaction, and science focused educations like: engineering/mechatronics/technology. I have met many from the US for example, and some of them have had higher eduation, plenty of experience and stuff - but in either arts/social studies or stuff that hardly excists in Norway. Many have NO IDEA how few people that live in Norway, and how important where you live is - to be able to get some jobs. That job may only be available in 1 place in Norway - and there are sometimes just a handfull of these jobs in all of Norway. And sometimes you need to start from fresh, because the eduaction is not the same. I met a man that used to be a police officer (for 2 years) from Texas. He thought he could move here, and get a job as a police officer here. Since he was one in the US. But he does not speak the language, and he had 12 weeks of education to become a police officer. In Norway that is 3 years. So he would have to learn Norwegian, and pass a test. He would then have to take some extra classes (4 subjects) that he did not have in collage. Then he would have to apply for the police education in Norway, pass physical/swimming/diving/psycological tests and go to school for 3 years, to get the bachelor degree. During this time, he would have to live on a student loan. I've also met a woman that thought she could get a job as a hand bell musical instructor.. It depends also on what kind of job you want, and how long you are willing to wait for it. You will have to learn some Norwegian, and it is absolutely recomended that you join a club with one of your hobbies - to get into contact with other Norwegians. Many jobs are given to people they know. Because it is hard to fire an emploee in Norway. So it's a way for an employer to get a "good guy". An employee will not recommend a person he does not know, because it may backfire.. Not that I want to be super negative here - but many come, and find out that it require some work to get a job. Maybe even more school, certifications and stuff that take time, money and lots of effort. If you were an engineer, a surgeon/doctor, go for it. If not, come here on a short holiday first. Check out the possibility to get a job. Before you sell your house, and move here. I think most people could be able to get a job here, but it may not always be what they thought to begin with. Keep in mind you move away from friend, family and a society you are familiar with too.

I agree my son has a class 2 SKIPPERS licence from the uk but not any good in norway and he speaks fluent norwegian as is mother is from norway he was told if he came from Denmark or Iceland they would allow it he asked for this in writing witch they refused to give him