The first thing that comes to mind for me is registering with Arbetsförmedlingen (the national employment service) as soon as possible.

If you don't already have a job lined up in Sweden when you arrive, it can be quite difficult to get that first job. Arbetsförmedlingen can help BUT they are quite difficult to work with. So keep these things in mind:

1. Register as soon as possible because they have so many cases, it ill take a long time for anything to happen. (You need a personnummer and ID first.) I made the mistake of waiting a few months until I learned more Swedish and now I wish I had gone there sooner.

2. Arbetförmedlingen will not say much on what they can do for you. You must know about what programs they have and insist on them if you want it. You can find that at their website, www.arbetformedlingen.se. Tip: check out "Jobbcoach", "Instegsjob" and "Nystartsjobb".

3. Don't wait for them to get back to you- be persistent! It's very easy to get lost in the shuffle. When I registered, I was told to wait for a letter in the mail with contact information once a case worker was assigned to me. After waiting a month I went back only to find that a case worker had been assigned shortly after I registered- he just hadn't found the time to let me know. (I never got any letter, by the way.) This isn't unusual for them, so keep on top of your case!

4. It's very important to understand that Arbetsförmedlingen is not there to call you about jobs or send your info to employers. You must find the job yourself. They can give advice on how and where to find work, as well as sponsor you in an incentive program.

The help you get is important and worth fighting for. Just remember that any governmental unemployment agency in ANY country can be frustrating to deal with- and Sweden is no different! :)

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Do you need any work part time or full time? Please contact me. I am Peter at tpspubco@hotmail.co.uk
Work in Sweden available. Address and personummer required

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