Still standing

In Snehal More’s story, Aamna Tauheed highlights the perseverance and quiet struggles of skilled internationals navigating the Danish job market.

Photographs: Snehal More

Text: Aamna Tauheed

“I arrived in Denmark from India in 2024 with extensive experience in sales and business development. I put aside my ambition and hope of succeeding professionally, packing them in with my clothes in my suitcases. Since September 2024, I have been struggling to find a job in the tough Danish job market and have stayed determined despite the rejections and struggles,” said Snehal More, a bachelor's degree holder in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from India. Her story is a true depiction of resilience and courage, and her untapped talent made her worthy of the #TheForgottenGold list - skilled, ready to contribute, yet invisible in the Scandinavian job market.

A promising career back home

“After the completion of my bachelor’s degree, I followed my instinct to shift my career into sales and customer success. I did some relevant diplomas and certifications in sales and business development, and later got a job as a client acquisition manager in the finance sector in India”, shared Snehal when I asked about her professional skillset and career back home.

She also shared what she accomplished during the three and a half years of her career in India. From earning three promotions in a short span of time to managing a team of 15 after transitioning into a leadership role, she was thriving professionally. Her work focused on investment campaigns, client acquisition, and customer relationship management. Despite facing client rejections in her career, she converted many prospects into loyal clients through her confidence and sharp business sense. Snehal was succeeding by every measurable standard.

“We are not asking for special treatment, just a fair and equal chance in the Scandinavian job market.”

The shift from India to Denmark

When I asked her about her reasons for moving to Denmark, despite having a successful career in India, Snehal explained: "My husband is a researcher, and he received a post-doctoral opportunity in Denmark. I also read about Denmark in travel blogs, and I like its work-life balance, Danish culture, and social security, so I decided to move from India to Denmark with him.”

Like many accompanying spouses, Snehal believed that finding a job in Denmark would take only a few months. This belief is common among many internationals who come to Denmark, whether alone or with their families. She explained that securing a relevant professional job in India within two to three months was realistic, and she felt the same about the Danish job market. However, Denmark exposed her to a completely different professional environment.

Her first few months in Denmark involved transitions as she explored the country by travelling, understanding the system, learning the language, and meeting people. She started applying for jobs on LinkedIn a few days after arriving in Denmark, primarily sales roles. A long silence followed!

The Danish way of job seeking and the importance of networking

Sending a generic resume for a job in Denmark will never get you the position. The job application culture in Denmark is entirely different from that of my home country. Through the Copenhagen University dual career network group (a support group for partners of university employees), I discovered that Danish CVs need to be tailored to each job based on the job description. A single generic resume with minimal changes, which is quite common in many parts of Asia, isn’t the Danish way of applying for jobs," shared Snehal as one of her realisations at the beginning of her job search in Denmark.

She also learned the importance of networking because the phrase “networking is the key and helps you in understanding the Danish job market” is repeated frequently in Denmark. Walking into rooms full of strangers in an unfamiliar country and introducing herself without context was a little intimidating for Snehal at first. Still, gradually, she got used to attending the networking events. The networking events give her motivation and an opportunity to integrate into the Danish society.

Internal hiring and transparency

Sharing more of her job-seeking challenges, she mentioned Denmark's internal hiring culture in companies. “Some companies advertise roles publicly while keeping internal candidates in mind, and this is something new for me. Although I understand that organisational policies may require public postings, it can be discouraging for external applicants who have spent time customising their CVs and writing cover letters. What adds to this frustration is that even after applying, we often receive no response at all - not even a rejection.

She also observed differences among companies in their application formats. From including or excluding pictures in a CV to combining or separating technical and soft skills, the recruiting process varies. Some companies consider only the first 50 applicants, regardless of the deadline. For internationals still decoding the system, this variability adds another layer of uncertainty.

The psychological impact

Perhaps the most unnoticed part of Snehal’s journey is the emotional toll.

“I am an extrovert and a confident individual. I had a successful career in India and moved to Denmark, driven by a passion for professional growth and integration into Danish society. I admit that the continuous job rejections over the past 1.5 years have affected my mental health. It creates a strong sense of self-doubt and undermines my confidence in my professional skills. Sometimes I also think, should I wait for some more time or go back to my home country to restart my career before it's too late,” said Snehal when I asked about the psychological impact of the challenges she is facing in the Scandinavian job market.

From the previous #forgottengold participants to Snehal, everyone shared their experiences of how ghosting, automated rejections, and a tight-fisted approach toward internationals have impacted them in the tough job markets of Denmark and Sweden. Despite having a 12 to 13% international workforce, so many internationals are struggling in the Danish job market, calling it an enigma or a jigsaw puzzle for them.

An effort to stay motivated

Despite continuous rejections and the mental toll, Snehal continues to try. She continues to attend networking events and tailors her CV for each application. She actively seeks feedback after submitting applications and also contacts companies to share her experience in business development and client management. She no longer waits passively for responses from hiring managers. When one application closes, she prepares the next. She is also taking courses and upgrading her professional skills to stay relevant in her field. In short, Snehal is making every effort to remain motivated and visible in the Danish job market. Her message to other accompanying spouses and internationals is clear: “Don’t sit back and wait for someone else to help you. The current market situation is challenging, and the massive layoffs at Danish companies add fuel to the fire. I would still say don’t lose hope and keep on trying. It's a matter of time, and sooner or later, a chance will come.”

A message to employers

“We Internationals are ready to integrate and contribute to the Danish companies. Many of us are just looking for a standing ground and an opportunity relevant to our fields of study. Don't consider us as `others´ or temporary outsiders in your country. Danish companies are known for their innovation, inclusion, and a diverse approach, so following these norms would help internationals feel included in the Danish job market,” said Snehal in her message to employers or talent management companies.

#TheForgottenGold

Snehal More`s story highlights why this movement, initiated by The International Denmark, is called #TheForgottenGold. Skilled professionals who come to Scandinavia with extensive experience, hope, and cultural adaptability often find themselves stuck in the maze of the Scandinavian job market. Internationals are navigating a society that takes time to understand and assimilate. Many internationals, like Snehal, believe it’s just a matter of time, and eventually they will get a chance. Companies need international talent just as much as international talent needs them. There will be a company that recognises international talent and values their worth; until then, they keep showing up.