Congratulations on reaching the interview stage of the recruitment process. Now comes the next challenge: preparation. What should you anticipate, and how can you get ready? In the Swedish recruitment process, the job interview plays a key role so drawing on conversations with recruiters and HR professionals, as well as my own experience, I’ve outlined some practical tips to support you. Please note that these insights reflect common patterns and may not apply to every situation.

A friendly welcoming

Swedes tend to more friendly professionally than many other nationalities. Upon arrival, offer a warm smile and/or a firm handshake (outside of COVID pandemic times). You will most likely be offered a coffee or a glass of water. Accept it, as it is perceived as being courteous. You can address the interviewer(s) by their first name, and follow their lead to an informal chit chat about the weather, your weekend or the journey to their office. For common interview mistakes international candidates make in Swedish interviews, see → Three mistakes international professionals make at job interviews in Sweden

How to dress?

It will depend on your industry and role, but generally, men should avoid wearing a tie (unless you are a banker or a lawyer). Dress professionally – smart casual, business casual is ideal – which could mean smart trousers/skirt & jacket or even jeans & jacket. If you are in the creative industry, you might get away with trainers. Ultimately, dress like yourself, one level above your everyday casual attire.

A conversation, not an interrogation-In Recruitment Process

Recruiters see interviews as an opportunity for both parties to get to know each other. They want to know if you are a good fit for them. They also expect you to be inquisitive and evaluate if the role and the company are a match for you.

Prepare your mindset: confident, positive and curious. Leave aside superiority/inferiority feelings. During the recruitment process, enter the room ready for an engaging conversation about you, the role, the company, and what each of you needs and expects. The interviewer will want you to feel at ease and on an equal footing.

Prepare and ask questions. It will demonstrate that you are genuinely interested in the position and that you are making a conscious choice about your future employer. Explore more interview tips in our Work in Sweden guides → Work in Sweden Guides / Interview Resources  For a detailed list of common interview questions and how to think about answers, see this guide from the Swedish Public Employment Service → Arbetsförmedlingen Interview Questions.

Focus on your motivations and personality

Contrary to more suspicious nationalities, Swedes trust that your CV is accurate. Recruiters will rarely question your competences and diplomas in the recruitment process. But they might ask for additional details. Your profile was selected because they believe you have the right skillset. During the interview, they will want to find out if you are suitable for the company culture and for the team.

Are you someone they would want to spend 40 hours per week with? Will you thrive in their culture? They will ask about your personality, behaviours and motivations. Why are you interested in the position? What makes you happy at work? What drives you? Which type of environment or manager do you need to be successful? Have your answers ready. For advice on job applications, interviews, and how recruitment works in Sweden overall, check the official Swedish guide → Applying for a Job in Sweden (sweden.se).

It’s “we” not ‘I’

One of the strongest Swedish values is collaboration. When sharing your previous experiences and successes, be sure to be inclusive. Use ‘we’, instead of ‘I’ as it is generally accepted that no one achieves anything alone. Bring a handful of examples showing how you contributed to your team and its success.

Don’t brag. Recruiters won’t be impressed if you oversell yourself in the recruitment process. It can even be perceived as a sign of weakness. Be confident, but humble.

Honesty is another Swedish value. The recruiter’s goal is to get to know you. They don’t expect you to be perfect. Be yourself and do your best. As one recruiter told me ‘you can’t force a marriage’. Good luck!

Further reading

• Arbetsförmedlingen: Skriva CV
• Unionen: CV templates (English)
• Work in Sweden guides.