What does Arbetsförmedlingen do?

Pär Axelsson:

Why doesn't Arbetsförmedlingen find me a job as a job seeker?

Isn't that Arbetsförmedlingen's job? Or what does Arbetsförmedlingen actually do?

Pär:

Welcome to the New in Sweden podcast where we explain, give tips, and offer advice on working in Sweden. Today we will talk about Arbetsförmedlingen and how they can help you when you are looking for a job. I'm Pär Axelsson, and I'm joined today in the studio by job search expert Ziza Madani.

Ziza:

You're pretty good at this too, Pär.

Pär:

We'll see. Hey, Ziza, I asked a friend of mine what she thought when she heard the word Arbetsförmedlingen. Do you know what she answered?

Ziza:

No.

Pär:

You provide jobs. You can tell that by the name, it means the Swedish Public Employment Service. In other words, finding jobs for job seekers.

Ziza:

Yes, I recognise that. Many people I've met say the same thing, and it is sometimes tricky to understand Arbetsförmedlingen's mission. Or maybe one could say, easy to misunderstand. But we are here to explain and clarify.

Pär:

Exactly, so I thought we'd take it step by step. We will start by asking what Arbetsförmedlingen is.

Ziza:

Yes, and it's like this: Arbetsförmedlingen is a government agency in Sweden and that means that the government and the parliament decide with what and how Arbetsförmedlingen should work. Those who govern Sweden give Arbetsförmedlingen a mission.

Pär:

Okay. So, what is Arbetsförmedlingen's mission?

Ziza:

Arbetsförmedlingen's mission is to help those who are looking for work to find and get a job.

Pär:

Okay. Can you explain with an example?

Ziza:

Yes. If we say this: Arbetsförmedlingen exists to help job seekers and employers to find each other. You, as a job seeker, need a job and the employer needs the right staff.

Pär:

So, it's not Arbetsförmedlingen that looks for jobs for you.

Ziza:

No, and this is important: It's you who find and apply to the available jobs that suits you.

Pär:

Okay, but then I'm thinking: Where should you start if you're new to Sweden and looking for a job?

Ziza:

I have two answers to that question, a short answer and a longer one. The short answer is check “Platsbanken.” It's Sweden's biggest job search site, with hundreds of new jobs. Some don't require an education, but most of the jobs do.

Pär:

So, do you go to “Platsbanken” and search for jobs?

Ziza:

Absolutely. And this is my slightly longer answer to the previous question: To apply for a job and get a job, you need to understand the Swedish labour market. For example, meeting the requirements that the employer has set in the job advertisement.

Pär:

The employer's requirements, what does that mean?

Ziza:

It means that you need to have the knowledge and competence that the employer is seeking, but also you have to have a good CV and a good cover letter.

Pär:

This is great information. But what should you do if you don't have the knowledge, competence, and education?

Ziza:

Then you can get help from Arbetsförmedlingen.

Pär:

In what way?

Ziza:

I have asked a colleague who is knowledgeable on the subject. His name is Fredrik Möller.

Fredrik Möller:

Arbetsförmedlingen can help you with support and information. We can inform you about how the labour market is and what jobs there are to search for right now. And if you lack any skills or education, sometimes Arbetsförmedlingen can help you with education also.

Ziza:

I'm also wondering about another thing. What if I need even more help to find and manage a job? How does Arbetsförmedlingen help me with that?

Fredrik:

We have a lot of different kind of supports. We have “starta eget” if you want to start your own company. We also have “arbetspraktik,” “rusta och matcha,” “nystartsjobb” and you can read more about this on our website. There we also have films and webinars and lots of other things that can help you on your way to find a new job.

Ziza:

What do you think of that, Pär?

Pär:

It was a lot to take in, but very, very good. Especially the part what Arbetsförmedlingen can help with, for example that you can take occasional training or other courses, and we have many webinars and films in different languages with good information on different subjects that help you find a job.

Ziza:

And now I have a question for you, Pär.

Pär:

Do you think that I've been asking too many questions?

[both laugh]

Ziza:

No, absolutely not. But I also know that you have a good understanding about this.

Pär:

I'll give it a try.

Ziza:

For example, if someone has a disability, diagnosis, illness, or other difficulties, what do you do then?

Pär:

It works much in the same way. Then you can get the right support from Arbetsförmedlingen when you're searching for a job, preparing yourself for a job, and even when you're working. You as the job seeker should get the right support from Arbetsförmedlingen to find and apply for jobs. If you need extra support in your job search, you will get it after an assessment by Arbetsförmedlingen.

Ziza:

Assessment, what does that mean?

Pär:

It means that Arbetsförmedlingen looks at your knowledge and competence. For example: Do you have experience in a profession? Do you have an education? Grades? Then they decide what you are entitled to and what is best for you as a job seeker.

Ziza:

Do you want to clarify that?

Pär:

You may need to improve your language skills. Then you can take a course in professional Swedish. You might need to show employees you can do a profession, but you don't have proof. Then you can do a so-called validation and get papers on your knowledge, which you can use when applying for jobs.

Ziza:

Thanks, we have an answer for that too.

Pär:

So, have you covered everything that Arbetsförmedlingen does?

Ziza:

Not really. Arbetsförmedlingen also has other functions.

Pär:

Okay.

Ziza:

If you are a job seeker, you may be entitled to compensation from the unemployment insurance fund or from Försäkringskassan. If you participate in a program, for example “rusta och matcha,” the job and development guarantee, the establishment program, or if you take a training course through Arbetsförmedlingen.

Pär:

So, do you get money every month?

Ziza:

Exactly. But to get unemployment benefits, or other compensation, you have to show that you are actively looking for jobs and following your plan with Arbetsförmedlingen. Arbetsförmedlingen checks that those of you who are registered as job seekers at Arbetsförmedlingen do this so that you receive the right amount of money from for example, The Unemployment Insurance Fund and The Social Insurance Fund.

Pär:

So, do you have to report it every month to Arbetsförmedlingen?

Ziza:

Yes. You have a plan with Arbetsförmedlingen that you have to follow. For example, you can meet with Arbetsförmedlingen to check on your job search and get support and tips. And you must report which jobs you have applied for and what else you have done each month to find a job. You do this by submitting an activity report every month.

Pär:

What happens if I don't submit my activity report?

Ziza:

If you are receiving money from The Unemployment Insurance Fund, for example, Arbetsförmedlingen will notify The Unemployment Insurance Fund. The Unemployment Insurance Fund then decides whether you should continue receiving benefits or not.

Pär:

Okay. So, I can be without compensation for a few days?

Ziza:

Exactly.

Pär:

That was great information Ziza, but it feels as though we need to do a few more episodes to cover this properly. A part two? Or maybe a part three? What do you think about that?

Ziza:

That sounds like a good idea. But if you want to know more about this right now and perhaps read in peace and quiet, you can visit the Arbetsförmedlingen website at arbetsformedlingen.se. There you will find all the rules in several different languages.

Pär:

I hope we've been able to answer some questions today.

Ziza:

I hope so too. And I also want to thank Fredrik Möller for all his help.

Pär:

Yes, thank you, Freddy. And thank you to all you who have listened. In four weeks, we will be back with a new episode of the New in Sweden podcast. Don't miss it!

speaker voice:

You have been listening to the New in Sweden podcast by Arbetsförmedlingen. You can find all previous episodes at arbetsformedlingen.se/play. Have you got any questions, tips, or ideas? Please email us at podcast@arbetsformedlingen.se. This episode was produced in the Spring of 2023.