Norwegian Learning Community and Resource

Work culture in Norway 

Many of you are probably learning the Norwegian language or moving to Norway in hopes of landing a job in Norway. Given that Norway has a strong focus on work-life balance, generous parental leave policies, a wide range of benefits, and one of the highest average salaries in the world, it’s not hard to understand why the Norwegian job market is attractive to many. 

What’s next? Finding a job. That sounds straightforward. But, on the contrary, moving to a new country and searching for a job can be overwhelming. As such, we would like to help you to navigate the Norwegian job market and get a glimpse into the Norwegian work culture. 

In a nutshell, the Norwegian work culture is known for its egalitarianism, high level of trust and collaboration, and focus on work-life balance. Norwegians value fairness, equality, and honesty in the workplace and strive to create a comfortable, inclusive, and supportive working environment for all employees. Below we will dive deeper to share some brief observations of Norwegian work culture. 

Egalitarianism 

Egalitarianism can often be noticed in the power dynamic of employers (manager vs. staff), communication (command vs. request), and decision-making (one-person vs. democratic votes). With exceptions, you can expect your boss to be approachable and a team player and to have mutual respect among colleagues. Although there are clear advantages to egalitarian office culture, it can be challenging to appreciate the opposite if you come from a highly hierarchical work background. Learn to adapt, and you might find that flat organization is something for you. 

Experience over qualifications 

Norwegian employers often value relevant work experience more than qualifications. As education is free, even for higher education, and the Norwegian educational system is often viewed as a model of equity, it’s harder to stand out simply with a university diploma. Make sure to highlight your work history and achievements during your job search. 

Norwegian Language 

The majority of Norwegian workplaces uses Norwegian language. It’s a commonly known fact that many Norwegians speak English fluently, and some companies may conduct business in English. However, knowing Norwegian can make it easier to integrate into the workplace and the local community. Many jobs require fluency in Norwegian, especially within communication and customer service.  

Informality 

In Norway, interviews are often informal, but it's still important to come prepared and understand the company and its values. Another aspect of informality in Norwegian work culture is the emphasis on work-life balance. While Norwegians take their work seriously, they also value their leisure time and prioritize their personal lives. This can mean taking time off for family obligations or hobbies or simply being more relaxed and informal in their interactions with colleagues. 

Be frank 

Communication styles between colleagues and managers can be described as frank and direct, with a touch of dry humour. In meetings, people will quickly get to the point, and employees are encouraged to be honest and direct in voicing their views. A further extension of this frankness in communication is the emphasized importance of data over opinions, and actions over words.  

Stay humble 

Humbleness is an essential cultural value in Norwegian work culture, as it is in Norwegian society as a whole. This value is rooted in the Norwegian concept of "Janteloven," which emphasizes the importance of egalitarianism, modesty, and not thinking of oneself as better than others. (See discussion in forum: "Your thoughts on "Janteloven" - Law of Jante" here.)

In the workplace, this value of humbleness can manifest in several ways. For example, Norwegians tend to be reserved and understated in their communication and interactions with colleagues and superiors. In addition, they often avoid drawing attention to themselves or their accomplishments and instead focus on working collaboratively and contributing to the team.  

While the value of humbleness is an important aspect of Norwegian work culture, it's important to note that this does not mean that Norwegians lack confidence or ambition. Rather, the emphasis on humbleness is seen as a way to foster a positive and respectful work environment where everyone is valued and treated with dignity and respect. 

Team over individual 

Norwegian work culture tends to prioritize consensus-building and cooperation rather than individual achievement or competition. This means that employees are encouraged to work together and share credit for accomplishments rather than seeking recognition for themselves. It’s recommended to add a form of “team player” to your resume. 

Be punctual and reliable

Norwegians are known for their punctuality and reliability, so please make sure to be on time and demonstrate your dependability.  

What about start-up culture in Norway? 

Start-up culture in Norway has been growing in recent years, with many new companies emerging in the technology, renewable energy, and creative industries. The start-up scene in Norway is relatively small compared to some other countries, but it is gaining momentum, and there are plenty of resources available to help entrepreneurs get started. 

The Norwegian government provides a range of support for entrepreneurs, including funding, advice, and training. The most significant source of support for start-ups is Innovation Norway, a government agency that provides grants, loans, and other forms of support to help entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground. The Norwegian government also offers tax incentives to encourage investment in start-ups. 

Now that you have a brief understanding over Norwegian work culture, the next step is to actually find your desired job. Let’s move on to job search. 

Joining the workforce in Norway is a big step and can significantly change your life path. It will also most likely provide you with a closer tie to Norway. I wish everyone luck in their next chapter and hope you get your desired job.