A path to building a career in Denmark

Through Maren’s experience, Aamna Tauheed uncovers the untapped potential of skilled internationals - the “forgotten gold” of Denmark’s workforce.

Photographs: Maren Johnston

Text: Aamna Tauheed

“I moved here for love. But not in the typical way you often hear, because of a spouse or partner, but for the love of the place. I feel more at home here than anywhere else I’ve ever lived - including my countries of origin: Germany and Scotland. More than anything, it’s that feeling that drew me here. So it’s mostly irrational. But looking at it rationally, of course, there is the slower pace and the quality of life for families, which I observed during my visit before moving here with my son. Truth be told, I never thought I’d end up being unemployed here for so long. In that sense, I was maybe a bit naive, but I do want to contribute to this place in whatever way I can. However, if I’d waited until I had it all figured out, I probably never would have relocated here. Sometimes you have to take it one step at a time. I want to thrive, not just survive, because no one can or should pour from an empty cup, right?! Especially a solo mum.” Maren shared with me during our online conversation the reasons she moved to Denmark.

Maren already had several years of professional experience in communications and language acquisition when she came to Denmark in 2025 with her son. Her inspiration for this migration was Danish culture, higher living standards and social security for families. She came with the motivation to contribute to Danish society and add value to the job market with her social and professional skills. She reached B1 in Danish within 7 months of arriving here. What Maren didn`t bring along with her to Denmark was “certainty and professional luck.”

Originally from Hamburg, Germany, with Scottish heritage, Maren worked for over ten years as a translator at the German central bank in Frankfurt. She studied in the UK, earning a four-year master’s degree in Translation and Interpreting with a focus on French and Spanish. She has a strong passion for languages and sees them as fundamental to her identity. “Languages are a gateway to culture and connections, not just tools of communication.”

Restrictive professional stability and love for Scandinavia

Maren built a long-term career in Hamburg, working in the banking sector as a translator. However, stability became restrictive as automation and artificial intelligence dominated the translation industry. At the same time, she was on a journey of personal and professional growth. To describe her situation more explicitly, she said with a smile, “It felt like a ‘now or never’ moment for me. I had always been drawn to Scandinavian culture and values. I learned Swedish and Norwegian in college, so moving to either of those countries would be easier, but I chose Denmark. I thought and felt that Copenhagen is the right place for my son and me because it is safe, organised, and supportive. These are qualities that matter most to me. My son is also happy here and made friends in school.”

“I came for a better life and a future for my child - but building a career here has felt like a marathon with no finish line.”

A challenging beginning and administrative delays

Maren faced many challenges after moving to Denmark, especially with registration and housing in Copenhagen. She didn’t expect to face such difficult situations in her initial days in Denmark. Even though she’s an EU citizen, the bureaucratic process of settling here proved slow and ambiguous.

“For the first few months, it felt like I was living in a kind of limbo because even being living here physically, one cannot do anything without the registration number and essential banking services. Due to the constant administrative delays at one point, I received an official letter from the government that I am residing here illegally, and that was shocking,” she recalled.

After some delays, everything eventually fell into place. Her son got a place in the Danish kindergarten, and she began to integrate into mundane life. She discovered one of the most natural ways to integrate into Danish society through her child. “It is easier for kids to integrate and adjust than for adults. I connected and engaged with the Danish community through my son.”

She also began learning Danish by taking language classes and gradually building confidence in everyday conversations. Maren finds Denmark similar to Northern Germany in many ways, especially in cultural prospects. Culturally, she finds Denmark familiar in many ways, especially compared with northern Germany. “I find people polite and respectful here. They are a bit reserved, but I sometimes feel that it is an upgraded version of Northern Germany,” she shared her thoughts.

The professional struggle: A never-ending marathon

While integration into Danish life advanced steadily, the professional path proved much more challenging for Maren. Even after being part of a European region, having extensive professional experience and studying at one of Scotland's prominent educational institutions, seeking a relevant job is like running a marathon with no end in sight.

“I started applying for jobs even before I moved here, and I applied for 80+ jobs over the past year, but nothing has worked out so far. I sent applications for communications and copywriting roles at local and multinational organisations, but received no response.” Maren shared her struggles with her job search in Denmark.

Maren further described this job-seeking period as frustrating and mentally taxing because she spent hours on applications and customising her CV, only to be ghosted or met with long silence from recruiters.

“I feel stuck in between because, with this experience, I am overqualified for internships or student jobs, yet I am also unable to secure a full-time or part-time role. To support myself financially, I am relying on my savings and have started working as a newspaper distributor because I also have a child who is completely dependent on me. I know it is not enough to meet my financial needs, but it is a relief to some extent that I am contributing, even if it is small.”

Modification of job strategy and developing networks

Maren decided to modify her job search strategy after months of making no progress professionally. She joined a job-seeking community and began focusing on networking and strengthening her online presence.

“Being unemployed for a long time can feel very isolating. I needed a sense of community and wanted to connect with people who could understand or relate to my situation. I started working on my visibility and expanded my professional network by attending networking events and via LinkedIn,” said Maren confidently.

Apart from networking, coffee meetings are another recommended strategy to increase visibility in the Danish job market. Many internationals and job seekers request to meet with recruiters and working professionals at the “coffee” to introduce themselves and gain insights into the latest trends in the Danish job market. Maren smiled meaningfully when I asked about having coffee meetings with professionals who are already working successfully in the job market.

“I am not saying that I find it intimidating, but I still struggle with the idea of asking someone to take time out of their day to talk to me. I know that a coffee meeting could be a gateway to landing a job or at least to a closer look at the requirements of the job market,” she admitted.

A need to be heard

Reflecting on her journey, Maren delivers a clear message for employers.

“Look beyond the checklist because not everything is about ticking every box on a job description. If someone is motivated and competent, they can learn. Internationals are not “others” in Denmark and wanted to contribute to the Danish society with their knowledge and professional competencies. They are resilient and courageous enough to navigate life in a new country from scratch, so hiring them won`t disappoint you.”

The gold waiting to be discovered

Despite the social and professional challenges, Maren is hopeful and committed to building a successful career in Denmark. She is here because she loves many of this country’s qualities. She is also careful not to portray her experience as divided between “Danes vs internationals.”

“I don’t think anyone is intentionally trying to exclude people. It’s more about systems, habits, and perhaps a preference for what’s familiar”, said Maren firmly at the end of our conversation.

Like other international residents in Denmark, Maren seeks a professional opportunity to contribute to the Danish market. As part of the #TheForgottenGold movement, her story highlights a broader issue affecting skilled internationals across Scandinavia. The stories of these resilient and determined internationals emphasise persistence and focus. They are the “gold,” not lost but waiting to be discovered, so forgetting them would be a loss of talent in Scandinavia.