Summer is fast approaching. When between two and three million people go on holiday, it provides a golden opportunity for students to gain a foothold in working life, and maybe even land the dream job.
Anna Hestdal Borstad (20) will work at Illums Bolighus in Trondheim for the second year in a row. She says she is looking forward to summer.
– I love interiors and think it’s great to work here. It is especially fun in the summer, because then it feels like you are a bit of a permanent employee, says Borstad to TV 2.
The experts’ tips can be found further down in the case.
– I wish I was young now, there are so many opportunities, says Henrik Øhrn, subject manager in HR Norway.
He says that it is an employee’s market and that there are good opportunities to find a summer job you really want, rather than accepting what is available.
– HOT MARKET: The head of HR Norway, Henrik Øhrn, says that he has never experienced a similar demand for labor. Photo: Sverre Chr. Jarild / Lysbordet
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– The labor market is very hot during the day. I would say far above normal, if you compare with 2018 and 2019, says Øhrn.
In the first three months of 2022, more than 204,000 positions were advertised, according to figures from NAV. That is almost twice as many as in 2018 and 2019, when just over 113,000 and 133,000 were announced.
The possibilities are many, but that does not necessarily mean that it is easy to find the job you want.
– At least 40 percent of all jobs are never advertised. You have to go to the companies to a large extent and knock on doors yourself. It can be both tough and challenging for many, says Ørhn.
He adds that this trend is particularly well known when it comes to seasonal work, part-time positions and practical work.
Career Counselor Advice
– Many get jobs through celebrities. I would recommend everyone who wants a summer job to look in some places they want to work, and then call or step up at the company, says Ørhn.
Do not take it for granted
Anna Borstad says that she thinks it is a luxury to work with something she is interested in.
– I used to work in a grocery store, but applied here because I think this is more rewarding. I do not take it for granted to be able to work with something I like, she says.
– OPPORTUNITY: Anna Hestdal Borstad says the summer jobs have been a good springboard into working life. Photo: Private
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According to Borstad, she has not heard of anyone who has struggled to get a job.
– Almost all my friends have jobs. In any case, no one who wants a job has not got it.
She herself heard about the possibility at Illums Bolighus through her brother-in-law.
– He was involved in planning the building the store is located in and told me that there was a possibility. Then I went to the store myself and said I wanted to work there. I think you simply have to be a little on even if you have to stand out, says Borstad.
In these occupations, there are most vacancies
The following large industries stood out with the most vacancies in 2021 compared with the normal year 2019, according to the Free Trade Union Movement.
- Accommodation and dining: (30,459)
- Construction: (24,806)
- Wholesale trade (49,096)
- Industry: (23,382)
- Health & Social Services: (109,734)
– Some industries have struggled for a long time for various reasons. The construction industry has struggled with many new projects and little access to foreign labor. IT has had a challenge for many years with explosive growth in needs in the companies, says Henrik Øhrn from HR Norway.
Therefore, horticulture is dependent on foreign labor
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He adds that the pandemic may also have scared people away from several industries, especially the restaurant and hotel industry.
– It is probably natural to think that many are a little reserved about applying for positions where it has been seen that there is a chance of being laid off. The restrictions have been lifted now, but several industries will notice the after-effects of this, says Øhrn.
Gets more picky
The lack of labor provides greater opportunities for summer temps to pick and choose in current jobs. As a result, young people and recent graduates become more picky, according to Bjørn Wiik, Executive Vice President of Commercial Activities at Adecco Norway.
– Still, a number of candidates are picky. There are better opportunities to negotiate both salary and holiday, says Wiik.
Therefore, Arild (42) chose to resign from her job as a GP
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He points out that shop work or work that can be done outdoors is among the most popular this summer.
– There are far fewer who want a job in transport and logistics than before, where we struggle to get people. Many Swedes who previously filled up the restaurant industry in the summer have also disappeared. It opens up for more serving jobs for Norwegians.
He emphasizes that he has never seen a similar labor market in recent Norwegian history.
– These are very demanding times for many employers, says Wiik.
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