So you’ve sent 57 applications, written cover letters in your best Norwegian, double-checked by four people, and polished your LinkedIn until it shines brighter than the midnight sun. And still, silence. Not even a “tusen takk for søknaden” (that’s Norwegian for: thanks, but no thanks).
Here’s the good news: it might not be you. It might be… Norway.
1. Your Name Might Be Too… Exotic
If your name is Ahmed, Juan, or Priyanka, employers might hesitate. If your name is Per, Kari, or Ola, they’re probably already picturing you eating brunost on a hike. A 2021 study in Norway showed that if you have a Middle Eastern or African-sounding name, your chances of getting an interview drop by 25%, even if your CV is as strong as candidates with Norwegian-sounding names.
Tip: Some people change their name because of this, and they get more responses. But personally I would never advise anyone to change their name—your name is part of your identity. Even though these statistics are terrible, I believe society and the job market should adapt, not the other way around.
2. Religion and Ethnicity Matter (Even if They Shouldn’t)
Do you have a Muslim-sounding name or do you wear a hijab? FAFO studies show Muslims, especially women, face higher barriers. And if you belong to any visible minority, you may need to send twice as many applications as blond Ingvild from Trondheim to get the same callback.
3. Your Degree Is From Abroad? How Cute.
“Oh, you studied at Harvard? That’s nice. But do you have a diploma from Høgskulen på Vestlandet?” Norwegian employers often treat foreign diplomas like they are unreliable. According to an OECD report, foreign qualifications (especially outside Europe) are systematically undervalued. Which means you, proud engineer from Mumbai, might come from India’s most prominent university, yet your education will be seen as less valuable than a local Norwegian degree.
4. No Norwegian References? That’s Going to Be a Problem.
When applying for a job in Norway they always ask for your references. They might do it as early as the first application or maybe later when you’ve passed the first interview, but this will inevitably happen. References in Norway aren’t pieces of paper. They are actual humans your potential boss will call if they consider you for the job. The challenge is that if you’ve never had a job in Norway, you don’t have references here, and those local references have huge value. If you are in the last round of interviews and they need to choose between you with references called John and Alex in Texas, and someone with references called Lars from that office the new boss used to work in, you don’t really stand a chance. A study showed that recruiters trust Norwegian references much more.
Catch-22: You need a job to get a reference, and a reference to get a job. Nobody said it was easy.
5. No Network = No Visibility
In Norway, between 50% and 70% of jobs are never advertised. They are given to “someone who knows someone.” If you don’t have a network, you’re basically playing hide-and-seek in the dark. I was once invited to a job interview, and as I arrived I was told by the person who was going to interview me that they had decided on the right candidate: “I went to school with the woman who was interviewed before you,” she said. “You can go home.” And I was lucky because I did get to the interview!
This can explain why sending applications on finn.no can seem like shooting in the dark. It might just be that.
6. The Language Wall
“But the ad said English is the working language!” Yes. But in practice, Norwegian is the language of lunch, gossip, and understanding why your colleagues disappear at 3 PM on Fridays. Employers say they want English speakers. What they mean is: “Please learn Norwegian, at least enough to be part of this office.” Other times they require Norwegian, and as I wrote in a previous article, the level of Norwegian required to find a job can be quite high. Trying might not be enough—fluency is the goal.
7. Hiring Immigrants Is Seen as a Risk for Employers
Risks are related to being integrated in the workplace and fitting in. When recruiting someone in Norway, the risk is high because this person will be almost impossible to “get rid of” later on if they don’t fit. So to be on the safe side, Norwegians hire what they know—people who look like them and went to the same schools.
So, What Can You Do?
- Be kind to yourself. Sure, you are not getting answers, but it might not be your fault. You are up against a wall of biases which you cannot do much about. It’s not like you can become blond and from Valdres just to land a job.
- Volunteer or take practice jobs from NAV: Volunteering can be a way in to get a reference, but make sure not to volunteer too much—you can get stuck in a loop where people don’t want to pay you anymore. NAV has a program for unemployed people where they pay a big share of the salary so the risk of hiring is lower for companies.
- Network like a Norwegian: that means skiing, hiking, or joining a choir (don’t worry, they’ll put you in the back row).
- Learn the language: start somewhere and work your way up. That might be what takes you beyond the first interview once you get there.
- Aim for international companies: start-ups, NGOs, or international firms are usually more diverse.
- Study in a Norwegian institution: it helps to have that on your CV. Make sure it’s worth the time and money though.
- Don’t give up.
If you’re struggling to get a job in Norway, remember: it might not be your fault. Norway is like that person who swears they’re “super open-minded,” but when you look at the data, it’s a bit more complicated. Recruiters are often not conscious of their biases. Change is slow, but it’s happening. In the meantime: polish your CV, practice your “hei hei,” and remember, you’re not alone in this fjord.