The Need for Swedes: How to Hire the Best Talent from Sweden

We’ve still only scratched the surface of reasons to hire in Sweden. Here are three takeaways you need to understand about the Swedish workforce.

• Dynamic Workforce Growth: Sweden is experiencing notable growth in its labor force, particularly among the younger population aged between 15 and 24 years, projecting a 2% increase by 2030. This indicates a rejuvenating workforce that could bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to businesses. 
• Diverse Employment Sectors: The Swedish labor market is distinguished by its diversity, with the “strongest employment trend” since 2009 observed in agriculture, forestry, business services, and construction. This variety in thriving industries highlights the adaptability and broad skill set of the Swedish workforce. 
• Engaged Yet Balanced: Sweden boasts a labor force participation rate of 74.5% as of February 2024, reflecting a highly engaged workforce. Alongside this high engagement, Sweden is renowned for its commitment to maintaining a healthy work-life balance, including flexible working hours and generous parental leave policies. Businesses investing in the Swedish market can benefit from a motivated and productive workforce that values balance and well-being.

How does that sound? We know this is a lot of information to take into consideration. That’s why at Multiplier we pride ourselves on offering dedicated, 24/5 support tailored to specific countries–so you can sit back and relax in the knowledge that the professionals have things under control. 

Now you’re speaking their language

Picture this scenario: you’ve hired and onboarded talent from Sweden, and now you’re wondering what makes them tick. Consider these tips for effective communication with your Swedish colleagues, starting with the stuff that helps no matter where they’re based:

1. Clear Communication: Clearly communicate job expectations, company culture, and goals to ensure alignment. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions can help keep everyone on the same page.
2. Leverage Technology: Use technology to facilitate collaboration and communication. Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Trello can help manage projects effectively.
3. Integration: Make efforts to integrate remote workers into the company culture. Virtual team-building activities or occasional in-person meetings (if possible) can foster a sense of belonging.
4. Legal Compliance: Ensure all employment contracts and practices comply with Swedish labor laws, even when hiring remotely. Luckily, with Multiplier, our easy-to-use platform ensures compliance is guaranteed, with automatic contract generation that dots the Is and crosses the Ts.

That’s the easy stuff out of the way, but connecting with your new Swedish hire requires a little more nuance. In Sweden, the love for sports runs deep thanks to a cultural emphasis on health, fitness, and communal participation. That being the case, why not start with some sports chat? Football (or soccer, if you prefer) is the most watched sport, a passion that unites Swedes across the country, closely followed by ice hockey, a sport in which Sweden has achieved considerable international success. Outside the top two, floorball, handball, skiing, athletics, and tennis also enjoy widespread popularity.

That’s not to say every Swede is sports-mad. Swedish culture, much like its sporting scene, is rich and varied. The country is renowned for its contributions to art, music, literature, and design, boasting global icons such as ABBA and IKEA (capital letters seem to be a national obsession for Swedes). More locally, the Swedish tradition of ‘fika’ — taking a break to enjoy coffee and pastries with friends or colleagues — epitomizes the Swedish approach to life: a balance between work and relaxation. So why not set up a digital fika of your own and get to know what makes your Swedish colleagues tick?

Speaking the truth

Of course, if you really want to impress your new hire, you could try picking up some Swedish terminology.  For greetings, “Hej” (pronounced like ‘hey’) is the informal go-to for saying hello, while “God dag” offers a more formal touch, translating directly to “Good day”. “Hej då” (pronounced ‘hey doh’) serves as a common and versatile way to say goodbye, fitting for both formal and informal settings.

While Swedes tend to have excellent English skills (with around 9 in 10 speaking the language), knowing a few Swedish phrases might be invaluable in a professional setting. For instance, when discussing deadlines, knowing how to say “Can we extend the deadline?” which translates to “Kan vi förlänga deadline?” could prove useful. If you’re caught in a situation where a project plan isn’t working out, a Swede might say “Det här går inte ihop”, meaning “This doesn’t add up”. And for those instances where collaboration is key, “Låt oss samarbeta” translates to “Let’s collaborate”. Sorted!

Given Sweden’s status as a tech hub boasting global giants like Spotify, grasping some basic Swedish tech terminology might be polite (though, again, English is probably going to work too). For example, when referring to software development, one might discuss “programvaruutveckling”. If the conversation turns towards startup culture, “start-up kultur” is the phrase you’re looking for. And in discussions about digital transformation or “digital omvandling”, you might encounter terms like “molntjänster” (cloud services) or “kryptering” (encryption).

Did you know?

Now that we’ve got the serious business out of the way, let’s have a quick look at some Swedish fun facts.

Sweden’s history extends far beyond the Viking Age that many people first associate with the country. Notably, Sweden was a major empire during the 17th century, when it was one of the great powers of Europe. Sweden has since transformed from a warlike state to one of the world’s most peaceful nations, with a long-standing policy of neutrality in conflicts.

When it comes to famous Swedes, the list is long and distinguished across various fields. We’re tempted to mention ABBA again, but in the realm of science, Alfred Nobel stands out not only for inventing dynamite (OK, maybe not such a great idea), but also for establishing the Nobel Prizes, awarded annually in Stockholm. 

Finally, the food. There’s no discussing Swedish cuisine without mentioning the iconic smörgåsbord, a buffet-style meal with a variety of hot and cold dishes. If you’ve ever been to an IKEA, you’re no doubt also familiar with meatballs, served with gravy, boiled potatoes, and lingonberry jam. Then, on the less appetizing side of the equation there’s surströmming, fermented Baltic Sea herring known for its strong smell and, ahem, acquired taste. Skål! 

Hungry for more Sweden info?

We’ve got you covered! So far we’ve talked about the big picture, but our talent wiki page contains all the nitty gritty information you need to make your Sweden hiring plans an astronomical success. Click the link for details on statutory leave, public holidays, talent sourcing locations, and much, much more!

Taxes

Employers must contribute 31.42% social security tax

Employee benefits

• Private medical insurance
• Sickness & Disability
• Life insurance
• Work injury insurance

Visa requirements

• There are various types of Swedish work visas that foreign employees may apply for based on the purpose and duration of their employment, including:

1. 1. Sweden Work Permit
   2. Intra-company Transfer
   3. Business Visa
   4. Self-employment visa
   5. Working Holiday visa
   6. EU Blue Card