The truth is, networking in Denmark is a subtle art, as Danish society follows different rules than other countries. Here, finesse is key. Real networking is a long-term graft that starts well before you need to find a job with the help of your network. Danes value people who play by the rules, are polite, and prove that they want to belong in Denmark. If you have just moved to Denmark and are looking for a job or you just got laid off, I have written down six points of advice to start taking advantage of your network right now - or building it for the future.

1. Networking events - do it well!
   I know - I am repeating the advice I have just said is absolutely unhelpful, but I think what is important to mention is that most people don’t take full advantage of networking events.
   One of the most common mistakes I see people make - they meet one person and stick to them for the rest of the night. What you should do instead is aim to meet as many people as possible - you have just been admitted to a room full of possibilities, make use of it!
   My personal rule of thumb is to never speak to someone for more than 10 to 15 minutes. After that time, most polite conversations tend to reach a natural plateau, during which I ask to connect on LinkedIn and politely excuse myself to join another group. The day after, I always send a short message, telling them how nice it was to meet them! Most people don’t do this, so it’s a wonderful way to stand out.

   

2. Always befriend the organisers
   One thing people often overlook is that the organisers of networking events, whether they organise the event on their own or are part of an organisation, know most people that come through the doors. That means they possess an extremely valuable set of connections that they are - in most cases - more than happy to share with you!
   Make sure to always find the organiser of the networking event and introduce yourself. They probably won’t have a lot of time to talk to you, as they want to chat with everybody, but make sure you tell them a bit about your background and job searching situation. If they talk to someone who works in your field, they will most probably introduce them to you!
   

3. Check for the unobvious connections
   Whenever you connect with someone on LinkedIn, whether you met them at an event or online, look at where they work. A lot of the time, it will be a company you haven’t heard of, but it is always worth checking whether the company has any positions open.
   Most of the time, if you reach out to that person saying you’ve applied, they won’t mind referring you. If you’re too shy to outright ask, like I have been many times, you can just write them a message asking a question about the company culture or something role-adjacent, which is a subtle way of making them know you’ve applied. You never know, they’re probably having lunch with the hiring manager and will mention you!
   

4. Be bold and dream big
   You’ve probably seen the statistic that over half of all open positions never even make it to public platforms like LinkedIn or Glassdoor. It’s true! As a small society, hiring in Denmark is often done through direct referrals and friends of friends (as the Danes often say “kender jeg nogen, som kender nogen?” - do I know someone who knows someone?). This is why it often pays to be a little bold in your approach.
   Make a list of five companies that would be an absolute dream to work at, given your passions, skills and past experience. I’m not talking about Lego, Mærsk, or Pandora, the giants that everyone always mentions, but thoroughly researched companies that you feel would genuinely be a great fit for you. Find the person responsible for the team where you’d be a fit on LinkedIn and message them! Mention the reasons why you’d be a great fit, what you’d bring to the team, and suggest a short meeting. It’s not a strategy that always works, but remember - you only need one yes.
   

5. Do unpaid things - but show them off!
   This one might be obvious, but a lot of Danish life evolves around volunteering gigs, associations, and events. There are so many to choose from, for example TechBBQ if you are in the tech space. Find something that genuinely interests you and makes your passion shine through, and commit a few hours a week to it. Bonus points if you post about it on LinkedIn - it is widely used by most professionals in Denmark, but conversely, not a lot of people post. So if your newly made networking connections see your post, who knows what might happen next?

   

6. Have a good CV on hand
   Even if you get referred to a job interview through a connection, most of the time you will still need to share a CV. Make sure it’s customised to the job description and written in your own words - recruiters can spot AI in a matter of seconds!
   Some tips for a good CV:
   • There are various opinions on whether a one- or two-pager works better in Denmark. I have been using a two-pager ever since I’ve had more than 5 years of experience, as it gives me more space to describe my work experience, as well as volunteering gigs and additional skills.
   • Keep it to around 3 bullet points per job when describing your past experience. People don’t have time to read more anyway, so focus on the most relevant experiences for the job you are applying for.
   • Since I only use 3 bullets per job, I keep a “bank” of descriptions where, depending on what I am applying for, I copy and paste the descriptions and experiences that suit the position best. That way, I don’t have to rewrite the CV from scratch every time and I only need to do minimal customisation.
   • Include a 1-2 sentence description at the top of your CV that includes your motivation to work at the company, as well as your reason to be in Denmark. Write this one from scratch every time! This “first impression” description is a huge advantage compared to CVs that don’t have it.

These were just six pieces of advice to make asking for jobs a little easier - as you probably noticed, most of them don’t outright rely on asking people for favors, but rather showing the best version of yourself and making valuable connections.

Job searching is scary and finding a job in Denmark is not always easy, as competition is fierce, but doing these things can make you stand out in a really good way beyond just sending out applications from your kitchen table. The most important rule is - if you approach people with a smile and genuine respect and let your true self shine through, you will be surprised at how many good experiences you will get!

You see, in other countries, your life revolves around work. It’s the first thing you say when you introduce yourself besides your name and nationality, it’s the thing you think about when you can’t sleep, and naturally, it’s the place where you spend most of your waking hours. I’m not saying that we don’t work 8-hour days in Denmark, but the way we approach labor is highly different.

The other day someone asked me, “besides the bikes, what makes Denmark so special to you?”. My answer was instant (almost like I had rehearsed it, which maybe I had) - Denmark expects you to build your life in layers, like a beautiful mosaic where each shiny stone is a different way to express yourself. Work is just a small part, and in fact you’re expected to build a life outside of it. Between volunteering gigs, sports clubs, associations, language exchanges, study groups, and artistic outlets, people in Denmark build their life around what they’re passionate about. I call that a portfolio personality - the fact that you’re not defined by just the thing you do to make money - you’re also defined by the things that move and interest you. In fact, it is estimated that two thirds of all Danes belong to at least one association - and two thirds of those associations are sports clubs.

Take me for example - besides my work, which I love, I also volunteer, play in a band, study economics, and attend sustainability events. The people I meet in each of these areas all have various backgrounds, and they each know a different part of me, just like I only know a small part of them. Meeting people through shared interests and values is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to build strong bonds and lasting friendships, as you know from the beginning what it is that connects you. It’s also one of the best ways to befriend Danes, which I know is a struggle for many internationals. Besides, with the job market being as finicky as it is, making connections in as many social circles as possible is a strategically sound move! You never know who will be hiring for the exact job you are looking after - and like it or not, the Danes are notorious for hiring within their inner circles. Your padel buddy could be your referral to your next gig!

When I got laid off from my dream job earlier this year, it took me some time to say goodbye to that part of myself and process the grief. What ultimately led me out of the dark hole was the fact that my life wasn’t revolving about just that one job - I could turn to other parts of myself, like my music and my studies. I ultimately ended up getting a job I love even more - through the connections I had made at my volunteer job, which I am very enthusiastic about. I strongly believe that when people see your passion shine through in the various “after school” activities you’re part of, they are much more likely to form a bond with you and refer you for a job if their organisation is hiring. It has worked for me, just like it is working for many Danes on a regular basis, who have cracked the code a long time ago.

What I’m also starting to realize is that in the age of AI, no job is truly stable and exposing yourself to as many activities as possible is one of the best things you can do for your career right now. That’s not to say you should try and monetize every single thing you do - that would probably take the joy away from a lot of it - but rather treat your interests and passions as a way to keep your brain active and your network fresh.

If you’re to take one thing from this article, it’s this - if you can confidently define yourself without resorting to describing your job title, you have successfully executed your Danish portfolio personality. If you still can’t quite do that, maybe it’s time for a knitting club or sports association membership?

Useful websites to check out (for various activities):

• Frivillig center - a volunteer center that sends you volunteer job recommendations based on what you would like to get involved in! You just need to fill out a form.

• Frivillig job - Denmark’s biggest volunteer job website - NGOs and local organisations are regularly on the lookout for volunteers for all sorts of work.

• Ud i naturen - Denmark’s guide to outdoor activities - find a park, hiking route, or camping location!

• Musiker kontakt - a great place to connect with fellow musicians, start a band, or play casually!

• FOF - one of Denmark’s biggest “aftenskoler” - you can find courses on basically anything at an affordable price!

• Absalon - a wonderful community center in Copenhagen with activities every day at an affordable price. I would recommend the community dinner!

• Huset - Denmark’s first “kulturhus” (community center). You can find events within music, theater, and literature.

As someone who has navigated the tricky Danish job market more than once and built a fulfilling life in Copenhagen, I know how hard and lonely it can be, especially in the beginning. This is why I have started this substack.

When I first moved to Denmark with my fiance 6 years ago, we navigated our newly built Danish life together, figuring out unwritten rules and social norms as we went. There wasn’t anyone to ask for help or advice in the beginning - and I remember wishing we had known some locals to guide us through the journey.

Which is exactly the purpose of this substack! I aim to help people who are new to Denmark find their dream job and build the life they want. From your first job after graduating to potential career pivots down the line, I have seen it and lived through it all. If I help even one person feel less alone through my writing, I will feel that my mission has been achieved.

The way I write and the topics I choose - I’m imagining that I am addressing myself from 6 years ago. Therefore, think of me as your older sister in Denmark :)

If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to connect on LinkedIn!

A bit about me:

Originally from Poland, I have lived in Denmark for 6 years and feel most at home here. With a background in marketing in B2B SaaS, I’m currently in the midst of a career pivot to work in the NGO sector. Besides work, I volunteer regularly, as I feel it is my mission to help migrants find their home in Denmark. You might have heard me on the Last Week in Denmark podcast. When I’m not volunteering, you can find me making music, studying economics, or brushing up on my Danish.