Things you should consider when applying for a job in Denmark

You’ve noticed an exciting job posting for a job in Denmark. But before applying and getting excited about the prospect of moving to Denmark, there are a couple of things you should know about the country and the workplace culture.

What’s it like to live in Denmark?

You’ve probably heard about ‘Hygge’. In Denmark, we value social get-togethers with no other purpose than enjoying each other’s company in a relaxed atmosphere. This cultural phenomenon balances out our rapidly growing tech industry.

The Danish labour market is best known for its ‘Flexicurity model’, a welfare state model that combines a flexible labour market with social security for all workers. This model helps secure a homogenous society with a high degree of equality. Wages are higher, but so are the taxes. In Denmark, we pay 45 % of our wages back in taxes on average. On the other side, we get paid substantially more per month than most European countries and the average workweek is 37 hours.

We’re one of the happiest nations in the world. No one can figure out exactly why. Maybe it has to do with the fact that we bicycle a lot, we have a low degree of corruption and easy access to institutions like hospitals, schools, and kindergartens.

What’s the Danish workplace culture like?

Most workplaces have the attitude “freedom with responsibility”. Flexible working hours and working from home are two concepts that are often used because employers trust their employees. They expect you to do your job and work on your projects but allow you to balance work life and personal life by having the freedom to work from home or leave work early one day and stay longer the next. Most employers believe that as long as your work benefits the company, you don’t need to sit by your desk 37 hours a week.

Most Danish tech companies are characterized by a flat hierarchy and working in teams. They don’t hide you in the corner far away from the rest but integrate you in the team in order to develop a homogenous and effective team. Furthermore, superiors and C-level executives are highly approachable and often sit in the same room or workspace as everyone else. They don’t need to show who’s the boss because the hierarchy is already implied.

How's the salary compared to other countries?

Before deciding on accepting a job interview you should research the average salary and living expenses in Denmark and in the city where the job is located. Salaries vary depending on the region, thus a job in Copenhagen will pay significantly more than the same job in the Region of Southern Denmark. But don’t worry, because living expenses vary just as much, so the cost of a 4-room apartment in Odense is cheaper than the equivalent in Copenhagen.

If you’re in doubt, we will help you facilitate the salary negotiations with the company. The single most important thing is that you get paid a fair and decent wage in accordance with Danish salary standards.

What’s the tone of communication like?

Believe it or not, Danes are not very fond of the old-fashioned formal tone. We don’t use Ms., Mrs, Mr. or Sir when addressing each other, not even our bosses and superiors! After the first introduction to another person, it’s actually expected that you only use their first name when talking to them. Academic titles are also rarely used in everyday life at work nor in social situations. As you can imagine now, Danes are very casual in their tone of communication.

Why do we ask you personal questions during the interviews?

Because we want to know you from a personal perspective too. We are almost just as interested in your personal life, your personality, and your hobbies and interests as we are in your skills and competencies. It might seem weird and you might feel we cross your personal boundaries, but we show interest because we want to know if you can function in the team structure the company has set up. These questions help us assess if you are a good fit with the team and a great match with the company.

Do as much research as possible before applying

The more you know before applying, the better your starting point when initiating interviews with us will be. Do as much reading and research about living and working in Denmark as possible before you apply for a job so you know what to expect from the local culture. If you have any doubts you are always welcome to contact us before applying - we are happy to help you!

Need to know info: When moving to Denmark

Read our blog on rules and regulations as well as advice and guidance when moving to Denmark for work.

Interested in working in Denmark?

See all our job openings in Denmark!