Not all vacancies require a written application. Often a phone call or personal visit will suffice. Certain companies have their own forms that have to be filled in. Please read job adverts carefully to find out how to apply. It is also important to check the advert carefully to see what are requirements and what are preferences. If you do not meet the requirements, it is seldom worthwhile applying. However, it is not always as important to have qualifications described as preferred or recommended.

Application 
A written application consists of a personal letter and a CV (curriculum vitae). Certificates or testimonials should only be enclosed if requested in the advert. The same applies to photographs. On the Swedish Employment Service’s website under the heading ‘Jobbsökaren’ (Job Seekers) there is a lot of good advice and examples (in Swedish only) of what and how to write. The personal letter should be very short, no more than one side of A4, neatly typed, and state clearly the job for which you are applying. It should be written in a rather informal style. It is important to describe the qualifications and personal attributes you have which make you the right person for the job in question. Leave all details and dates concerning previous experience for your CV. Do not forget to date and sign the letter. 

Your CV should contain

• personal details (name, address, telephone number, date of birth, marital status, nationality)
• educational background (formal education, courses)
• work experience (perhaps with a brief description of work duties)
• other attributes that may be of interest (positions of responsibility, driving licence, computer skills)
• language skills
• leisure interests
• references (preferably from two different people, of which at least one should be a previous employer).

Information on education and work experience should contain dates and should be listed in reverse chronological order (i.e. the most recent information comes first). Large companies usually send an acknowledgement of the receipt of your application, often with advice on when you may expect to be contacted. If some time passes and you have not heard anything you can call them yourself. In that case, make sure you ‘sell yourself’ to the person you speak to. Taking the initiative to call or write to an employer for whom you would like to work is common and is usually seen in a positive light. 

Job interview
Make sure you prepare yourself well for the interview. Try to find out as much as you can about the company. You will have to answer questions about your education, previous employment and leisure interests. It is also common to be asked to describe your strengths and weaknesses and how they may impact on the job for which you are applying, and about your family situation, leisure interests, etc. You will also be expected to ask questions of your own at the end of the interview. Think in advance about what questions you would like to ask. Take copies of your certificates and testimonials to the interview. As well as a personnel officer, or other employer representative, a union representative and/or future work colleague will often also take part in the interview. Sometimes you may be called to a second or even a third interview and/or asked to take tests of various kinds, depending on the type of job in question.

Text last edited on: 11/2009