Unemployment is low in Sweden, and it is not too hard for EU/EEC nationals to secure jobs in the country, particularly if they can speak some Swedish, or have specialist skills which are in demand here. It can be very difficult for the nationals of other countries to find employment in Sweden, although a work permit may be granted if they have scientific, technical or specialist skills which are scarce in Sweden.

Over the next decade there is expected to be a high demand for workers, particularly in the private sector, as a high percentage of the current workforce will move into retirement. Types of jobs for which there is a current or expected future high demand include graduate-level IT specialists; engineers; finance and accounting professionals and marketing and sales professionals.

Salaries in Sweden are well above the EU average, but a high percentage of income is taxed. Wages and salaries for most jobs are set in accordance with collective agreements negotiated by the unions, and working hours are set by law at a maximum of 40 per week, although there is increasingly flexibility in this area. In contrast to the US and many other European countries, Swedish workplaces tend to be 'flat organisations' with very little hierarchy.

There are many on-line jobsites with details of job vacancies in Sweden. Stockholm and the other main cities also have a large number of recruitment agencies, and jobs are advertised in the press. Networking is a very important way of finding jobs in Sweden, and it is reported that more than 40% of Swedes secured their jobs through personal or business contacts.

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