Getting a JOB as a Foreigner in Norway

I came here on my big old high horse (remember?!) and fell flat. It's HARD to start from square one in Norway, and I've had to realize that. I didn't have a degree when I came here, so starting all over in school is hard, too, but at the end of the day is the shiny carrot: A job! Getting a job in Norway is NOT easy. It may hurt some feelings, but it's the truth.

Being a foreigner in Norway, I can tell you a thing or two about TRYING to land a job over here... It AIN'T EASY. Well, even if you will learn Norwegian language, STILL it will not be easy to find a job. The priority is always for people who got education in a certain field. Now, this is my experience and the experience of all of my expat friends over here. There are of course those with some wonderful education in a specialized field who will tell you that getting a job over here is EASY, maybe for THEM it was! But for the rest of us... not so much. When I arrived here, having a Bachelor degree, I thought it would be a BREEEZE landing a job. That is what my husband told me. Why wouldn't someone want me?

In other countries specially in the Philippines, most employers think that if you have a degree with a good background, you can be TAUGHT to do anything. Oh you have a BA in Communication? sure you can work on TV, teach, etc. BUT not so much here. In Norway, MOST people work with their degrees, not so much flip flopping as in the U.S. or any other countries. So as you can imagine there wasn't (still isn't) a huge demand for those qualifications in my area. For the first few months I lived here, I scoffed at some of the jobs my husband suggested. PLEASE...I am not going to do THAT or THAT or THAT. Well after a few months of NADA!!! Some of those jobs were looking PRETTY darn good. Too bad those jobs I thought I had been too good for didn't want me either. The easiest job I noticed was to offer cleaning services in every houses, office, etc. (it's better if you can drive to move around) or newspaper girl. I ended up offering a cleaning service. Since I can use my International driver's license for one year in Norway, I drove around the area and put some ads on the stores/malls. I had ZERO knowledge on Norwegian language that time, so I offer the business idea to my new found friend who's also a Filipino but she's been staying here for 5 years (can speak Norwegian). In the beginning it was okey... just to be able to contribute. We were earning better, clients keep on calling us... I enjoyed it because it's tax free and we had a flexible schedule. When I started being really serious on this kind of business... I've got a chance to have a part-time job in a hotel (housekeeping department). The salary was far better... even better than a salary of a doctor working in the Philippines (sad reality!!! don't get me wrong). I was quite lucky to get the job since I don't have any background in hotel plus I can't speak fluent Norwegian langauge. So, we just maintain our clients in our cleaning services (additional income).

I think I could get the job if I could only get my foot in the door. But again... it was not easy!!! I was just praying before that hopefully I can get at least 50% fast jobb (permanent job). Just getting an interview proved almost IMPOSSIBLE. Then finally I saw an ad on the internet offering a 100% permanent job in a new hotel, (with many applicants and I'm not yet fluent on Norwegian language,) I GOT LUCKY! I passed the initial interview and the panel interview. I just signed the contract last month. Then, an amazing thing happened, when I gave my resignation letter to my previous job, they don't want me to go, they said they're willing to offer me a 100% permanent job too and with an increase on my salary. I was confused and I cried infront of the manager... I was overwhelmed!!! She told me to think about the offer. I asked for signs and really pray hard. My heart says grab the new opportunity (new hotel). I feel like I'll have a better future on my new job because they offered me a different position, not just in housekeeping department. What I mean is they know I have a potential and they are willing to give me a chance. So I quit on my previous job. I just hope that I made the right decision.

Many Filipinos who's been in Norway for many years now told me that I'm very lucky to get a permanent job in just one year. (I REALLY feel VERY lucky!) PLUS I'm also working on a new project in line with my passion. I love meeting new people and sharing my knowledge of writing to the refugees. I feel that this opportunity has come at an ideal time in my career as I have been looking for ways to integrate the various strands of my work and market myself as a product. I feel really blessed because everything fall into place. But everything's possible if we have a lot of patience... hard work... an open mind... and FAITH in God!

GOODLUCK!!! :)

A Letter to my Dear Mother-in-Law

Anne Lisbeth is a one in a million Mother-in-Law (sorry you’ll not find any naughty Mother-In-Law jokes here). She lives in Tromsø (North of Norway) where my husband grew up but she visits us often as she can, enjoying the perfect beaches in sunny Stavanger (South of Norway). When I first met her, I don't know how to call her. Since my son used to call her Bestemor (grandmother), sometimes I also call her that way. But after a year, when she visited us again, I'm starting to feel at ease on calling her Svigermor (mother-in-law). It's her birthday today! :)

Dear Svigermor,

On such an important day I haven't forgotten you and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your hospitality, for the good treatment I have received from your family, for all the conversations we have had. I would also like to congratulate you for the marvelous way in which you have brought your son up, something rarely seen nowadays and I sincerely wish you happiness today and forever.

Please know that there is not a day that goes by without you on my mind. I love and respect you as a woman, a mother, a fellow human being, etc. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for opening your own heart to me. You have an incredible mind and soul which you've so generously shared with me. I am honored and awed... a daughter-in-law, you welcomed into your heart.

Thank you for sharing me your secret recipe on your amazing cream cake, and other very important and delicious cakes. My own mother’s not an avid baker but I love it; there’s something amazing about losing yourself in cake mix, the smell of chocolate cake wafting through the house before feasting on your own creation afterwards… And then feasting a little more..then a little more before realizing you really have lost yourself in cake mix- although ‘losing’ is clearly not the operative word when you get on the scales. Maybe it’s best I don’t have more time to bake.

Thank you for fixing and sorting out things for me. This includes everything from socks to my son's clothes. I’m a bit of disorganized if I’m honest, and on your recent visit, you organized everything for me... now it's easier to find things.

Thank you for Geir. Meeting my husband Geir changes my life. He’s one of the good guys and I know that’s greatly thanks to you and Svigerfar. Geir is a loving, patient and oh so supportive husband and father. Oh yes and he’s also very VERY gorgeous. Thank you Svigermor indeed. Good genes and well brought up. What’s not to love?

Thank you for teaching me to be a better mother, your subtle advice on food (homemade rusks anyone?) to not sweating the small stuff, (I’m a pathological worrier) but you're always brimming with great advice. Seeing your unconditional love for Zander is amazing.

Thank you for always making me feel at home. That it doesn’t matter how far you are from your family, you can still be very close. You always make it a point to call us from time to time.

Thank you for you kindness and support. For being there whenever we need you... for always making me feel like one of the family.

Thank you for taking good care of Zander while Geir and I had a vacation in Italy. That vacation meant a lot for both of us. It helped our marriage grew stronger.

I want you to know that you've made such a difference in my life with your warmth and kindness. You have taken me into your house, into your arms, and into your life with a smile and total acceptance.

Thank you for your friendship and all the times when you've listened and understood.

Thank you for loving me as if I were your own.

Please know how much I love you and how much you really mean to me.

Gratulerer med dagen Svigermor! På bursdagen din, jeg ønsker deg alt godt, men det meste jeg ønsker deg helse, kjærlighet og lykke. Jeg vil alltid være takknemlige for at du åpnet ditt hjerte og la meg i, så en ny familie for meg kunne begynne. Stor klem!

Your Daughter-in-Law,
Shelley

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