HOW TO: Navigate your career in Denmark.
- The International
- Mar 7
- 6 min read
Photographs: Various / Misael Silva
Text: Natália Šepitková
Pratik Hariharan is an Outbound Marketing Specialist at CEMAsys in Copenhagen. He is also involved in various projects. He is a board member and Communication Specialist at the Brotherhood for Professionals of Color and a reporter and LinkedIn Lead for Last Week in Denmark. Weekly, he publishes The RentCulture Newsletter, which highlights the impactful stories of internationals in Denmark who have significantly contributed to Danish society while preserving their cultural identities.
Q: Why did you decide to move to Denmark?
A: I never planned to move to Denmark. While pursuing my master's in Aotearoa, New Zealand, I met a visiting exchange student from Aalborg University. We fell in love, and we've been married for three years. I moved to Denmark to support her career as a fermentation scientist.
Q: What was your first job in Denmark?
A: My first job in Denmark was as a volunteer at an alternative school in Roskilde during the pandemic in 2021. I helped with building maintenance, gardening, and cooking meals for the school's staff. I had this job for a year.
Q: Is finding a job here challenging?
A: Based on my experience, finding a full-time job in Denmark as a non-EU communications/marketing professional has been incredibly challenging. While I can't speak for everyone, I found Danish companies often favoured other European, British, or American candidates, perhaps perceiving them as a better "cultural fit."
Q: Have you struggled to find work, or have you worked since arriving in Denmark?
A: I've been working in Denmark since day one, but my experience hasn't been one of consistent, paid employment. For over three years, I pieced together a living through unpaid internships and volunteer positions. Frankly, it was a struggle, and I wouldn't advise anyone to follow that path. I was fortunate to have my partner's income to rely on, which allowed me to keep pursuing opportunities and gain experience. Without that support, I don't know how I would have managed, as living in Copenhagen on a single salary is a significant challenge. It's been a long and difficult road to establish myself professionally here.
Q: How did you get job offers?
A: LinkedIn has been my primary job-seeking tool for over a decade, and it's proven particularly useful in Denmark. I've even been advised in workshops for internationals that networking and connecting on LinkedIn is the most effective way to find opportunities here.
Q: What was the process from finding a job to signing the employment contract? Was it simpler than other countries, or compared to your homeland?
A: I was born and raised in Southern India before my family moved to Mumbai, one of the largest cities in the country. The process from receiving a job offer to signing the contract is similar to my experience.
Q: What was your interview experiences like?
A: I haven't had many interviews during my job search here. My experience has varied: internships and volunteer roles usually involved a single interview, while full-time positions often had multiple rounds. These rounds can cover technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and checking for a cultural fit. I've even been asked to create entire marketing campaigns as part of the interview process, which is a common practice in Denmark.
Q: What would you say is most crucial when looking for a job in Denmark?
A: There's no single magic bullet for job hunting in Denmark, but networking is crucial. Many companies are small to medium-sized, and with teams of just 8-10 people, open positions are often filled through existing connections. If you are a total stranger like I was when I first arrived in the country, find that one person who can vouch for you internally. Recommendations are powerful in Denmark, but they are not guaranteed.
Q: Is it necessary to know Danish to find a job here?
A: It depends on the industry. IT and STEM roles are often English-friendly, while marketing, communications, and advertising usually require Danish. While exceptions exist, and some companies with international clients hire English speakers, competition for these roles is fierce, especially for non-EU professionals. The perception of "native" English speakers often favours British or American candidates, adding another layer of challenges.
Q: Is volunteering an advantage when looking for paid work?
A: Volunteering is highly valued in Denmark, and I've been actively involved since arriving here. For me, it's a way to make a difference. I currently volunteer as a reporter and lead the LinkedIn team for Last Week in Denmark, a newsletter for internationals. I serve on the board of the Brotherhood for professional men of colour. These communities have been essential to me, providing support and resilience, and they offer similar benefits to others. While I can't directly link volunteering to paid work, it's certainly a valuable experience.
Q: Does Copenhagen offer more job opportunities for internationals?
A: While I've lived and worked in Copenhagen's media industry since moving from Roskilde and believe opportunities exist for internationals, landing a job here is incredibly challenging. There's no magic formula; advice ranges from learning Danish to simply sending countless applications. However, my experience interviewing internationals in other Danish cities like Aarhus, Aalborg, Odense, Vejle, Billund, and even Bornholm suggests that opportunities exist throughout Denmark, not just in Copenhagen.
Q: In your opinion, which professions and positions are most in demand here?
A: I have no idea, and I wish I did. The best answer I can give is to check the skilled employment list released by SIRI on its website.
"LinkedIn has been my primary job-seeking tool for over a decade, and it's proven particularly useful in Denmark. I've even been advised in workshops for internationals that networking and connecting on LinkedIn is the most effective way to find opportunities here."
Q: Can you give specific advice from your experience to those seeking employment in the Danish labour market?
A: While I wouldn't recommend my job-seeking path, here's some advice based on my experience in the Danish labour market: If you're outside Denmark and planning to move, connect with people in your industry here to get a realistic picture of what to expect for yourself and your family. If you're already in Denmark, find a community that offers a sense of belonging. Denmark is a country of unions and associations—if you can't find the right one, consider starting your own. Job searching here can be isolating and will surely test your patience, so having a supportive community is invaluable.
Q: Do you believe you have better employment, work environment, and career opportunities in Denmark compared to your homeland?
A: The work environment in Denmark is vastly superior to what I experienced in India, mainly due to the famously flat hierarchy. While I appreciate that, I don't have better employment or career opportunities here. Despite my previous experience, I essentially had to start over. While some argue this is simply the nature of the Nordic market, most of my skills are transferable, and the challenges I've faced feel disproportionate.
Q: Do you envision your professional future in Denmark?
A: Yes, I absolutely envision my professional future in Denmark. Despite the challenges I've faced, this country has given me the invaluable opportunity to pursue my passion for copywriting and communications. It hasn't been an easy journey, but the chance to build a career in a field I love makes it all worthwhile. I'm invested in my future here and excited to see what I can achieve.
Q: What is your dream job?
A: My background as an engineer with a focus on business management and entrepreneurship gives me a unique ability to bridge the gap between technical and commercial teams. I'm fascinated by brands that transcend cultural boundaries, and their success lies in compelling storytelling. My dream job is to lead a team focused on branding and communication, crafting narratives that resonate with audiences and drive meaningful connections. I envision myself working with a company that values innovation and understands the power of story to shape its identity and connect with the world. I want to contribute my skills to building brands that not only succeed commercially but also make a positive impact.
