5 Must-Read Interviews You Might Have Missed This Summer
If you missed one of our summer newsletters while enjoying the sun, resting, and recharging for the new year, here are some of our interviews with CCDK members.
Anastasia Loseva, a Senior Accountant, spoke about her relocation journey and gave tips for an easier adjustment. Addressing the challenges of integrating into a new country with a different economic system, Anastasia emphasized the importance of understanding the central pillars in said system, such as the SKAT card, cost of living, and correct alignment of the salary with one’s needs:
“A SKAT card is essential for managing taxes in Denmark. It’s essentially a tax identification card that helps in calculating your tax rate and ensuring proper tax withholding… Once you have your SKAT card, it helps in making sure that the taxes are properly deducted from your salary or business earnings. It’s a crucial step to avoid any issues with the tax authorities.”
“One crucial piece of advice is to be fully aware of the cost of living. Prices for everyday items, groceries, and dining out can be quite high compared to what you might be used to. Careful budgeting is essential to manage these expenses effectively… Factor transportation costs into your budget to avoid surprises.”
“Make sure your salary aligns with your expected living expenses.”
“Consult with a professional financial advisor, especially if you’re new to Denmark or starting a business. Denmark's financial and tax systems can be complex.”
To sum up, Anastasia shared her key tips for a smoother acclimatization in Denmark:
Taxes: Learn the taxing system, the sooner you do so, the better.
Savings: Having sufficient savings is crucial for a comfortable transition. Savings can also grow over time if managed properly.
Cost of Living: It's essential to understand the high cost of living in Denmark, including rent, utilities, and other expenses. Salaries should be evaluated to ensure they are sufficient to cover these costs.
Transportation Costs: Consider expenses for commuting, fuel, tools and vehicle maintenance, especially if living outside major cities like Copenhagen, Odense, Ålborg etc’.
Emily Sode, a Service / UX Designer, opened up about her personal and professional journey, and how those played a part in her career transformation. In particular, she relayed how she felt her own experience on both sides of the gender spectrum provided her with a unique perspective in her work as a UX Designer:
“Having lived as both a man and a woman, I bring a different sensitivity to user experience design. This experience combined with my natural empathy for others, helps me understand diverse user needs more profoundly, which I believe sets me apart in my field.”
Emily also spoke of how her personal transformation was closely intertwined with her professional journey, navigating a career change in a highly specialized field:
“It was crucial for me to choose companies that were proactive about diversity and inclusion. If a company isn’t supportive or isn’t interested in fostering an inclusive environment, it’s best to look elsewhere.”
“This personal and professional alignment was critical.”
“The best way to advocate for change is by simply being yourself. My approach to activism is not about making every interaction a statement but about living my truth and letting that be a form of advocacy in itself. If a company didn’t emphasize these values, it was a clear sign that it wasn’t the right fit for me.”
Emily shared her insightful advice for people in similarly specialized roles:
Identify Your Core Values: Understand what is most important to you in a work environment. For me, inclusivity and respect for diversity were non-negotiable. Ensure that your potential employers align with these values.
Leverage Your Unique Edge: Use your unique experiences and skills to stand out. For me, having a nuanced understanding of user needs due to my personal experiences has been a significant advantage.
Network Strategically: Build and maintain a network within your field. Connections can often lead to opportunities that aren’t advertised widely. Attend industry events, participate in online forums, and engage with others in your profession.
Tailor Your Approach: Customize your cover letters and applications to reflect how your specialized skills and experiences align with the company’s needs. Highlight specific projects or experiences that showcase your expertise.
She emphasized the importance of a supportive network:
“My network has helped me navigate the complexities of my career and personal life.”
Lastly, Emily offered helpful Cover Letter tips:“
Be Authentic: Your cover letter should reflect who you are and what you bring to the table. Authenticity is key to connecting with potential employers.
Showcase Your Fit: Highlight how your skills and experiences align with the company’s needs. Make it clear why you are the best fit for the role and how you can contribute to their mission.
Be Concise and Impactful: Keep your cover letter concise but impactful. Focus on the most relevant experiences and skills that demonstrate your suitability for the role.
Demonstrate Your Passion: Show your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Employers want to see that you are genuinely interested in the position and that you are motivated to contribute.
Louise Janning Peterson, a Top Recruiter and Career Advisor, provided a professional, fascinating take on how to use tools such as Linkedin, Networking, Mentoring, and Cover Letters to navigate the challenging waters of employment and empowering one’s career.
To start, Louise shared valuable insights on optimizing Linkedin profiles for job searching in Denmark:
“A crucial tool for job seekers, especially in the Danish market… a nice, professional picture.”
“If you’re looking for a job, you could put your name, email address, and phone number on the banner so people can contact you easily.”
She emphasized the importance of a compelling headline and summary, as well as the often missed opportunity of the ‘Featured’ Section:
“Your headline should quickly convey who you are and what you do. Your summary is your chance to tell your story- what drives you, what your strengths are, and what you’re looking for.”
“Keep the ‘About' section clear and concise. Use bullet points to quickly convey who you are, your professional journey, and your aspirations. Tell recruiters what you've accomplished, what you're aiming for, and what is your dream job. Don't be afraid to use emojis strategically to capture attention and inject personality into your profile.”
“The ‘Featured’ is often overlooked, but it’s valuable real estate. Use this section to showcase your best work, articles you’ve written, or projects you’ve completed. It’s a great way to make a strong impression and stand out.”
Louise also spoke of the importance of filling out all the sections: experience, education, and skills, as well as the recommendations and endorsements:
“Use bullet points to make your experience easy to read. Don’t just list duties—focus on achievements and how you added value in each role.”
“Reach out to colleagues, clients, and supervisors for recommendations. These add credibility and showcase your professional relationships.”
Networking and mentors are also crucial, according to Louise:
“Mentors have played a crucial role in guiding me throughout my journey. Their belief in my abilities and their advice have been invaluable. believe in paying it forward by mentoring others, helping them navigate their career paths with confidence and clarity.”
“Networking is key. Connect with people, join professional networks, and attend events. The Danish job market values connections and recommendations highly.”
“Look for local industry events, join professional associations, and leverage platforms like LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your field. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for informational interviews—they can be incredibly valuable.”
“Networking isn’t just about what others can do for you; it’s about building mutually beneficial relationships. Be authentic, offer help, and stay in touch.”
“Attend events, join groups, and participate in discussions. The more active you are, the more visible you become.
To tie off her interview, Louise acknowledged the possible challenges one could come across, and how it shouldn’t necessarily be perceived as a negative thing: “There were times when I didn’t get the job I wanted or encountered unexpected challenges,” she revealed. “Each setback taught me resilience and the importance of perseverance. I learned to view setbacks as opportunities for growth and redirection.”
Rosa Pires, a Senior Category Manager, spoke about her personal journey in Denmark, and the importance of maintaining a community, both home and abroad.
“I do believe that community made it easier for me in the first two years in Denmark.”
“It is also our responsibility to feed these friendships throughout the year, not just when we see each other here and there. We might expect our community to support us, but we must also invest in order to get back.”
Finding community, according to Rosa, can be challenging at first:
“For the first two years, I was a bit unsure why I didn’t have many Danish friends. After that, I stopped trying to understand the Danes because maybe it is equally hard for them to understand us (internationals). It’s fair. I was expecting to arrive and be accepted but it can also be challenging to let others into your home country and friendship group. I came to good terms with that.”
But there are ways to create that community:
“It’s about being open and ready to connect. We do not need to join a random club and pretend to like it if we don’t. Instead, allow yourself to be open to the world, and the community will come to us if we just let it happen.”
“My network here is ex-colleagues from university, and friends from parent groups, from being part of a book club, and other fellowships. Some are Portuguese, some are not.”
Rosa also mentions CCDK, and how important it is for women to work together instead of against one another:
“Often, women tend to fight with each other – in any country – instead of teaming up, like men do so often. Career Club DK is the opposite of this. It’s a place where we help each other grow, and to acknowledge that we all have value.”
In addition, Rosa offers a few words of wisdom about adapting to a different culture, the balance between work and life, and the importance of giving back when you can:
“Whatever we brought in our luggage to Denmark (perhaps thinking we know it all?), we should be reminded to learn things from scratch, especially in dealing with people in a new city.”
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions. In some cultures, it may be considered rude to do so. In Denmark, that is not the case – it’s seen as curiosity and showing interest in the work.”
“My aspiration for tomorrow or in five years is that I have the right balance for my life. As long as I feel the right balance between my work, my family, and myself as a unique person, then I will be happy. I want to keep a balance between the professional and the personal aspects of my life at all times.”
“Growth and advancements in the career go hand in hand with personal development. I am responsible for my own wellbeing and for what makes me feel happy and fulfilled. It is also healing, growing, advancing, and having fun. This can only have a positive impact on my job.”
“The reason why I wanted to join is because I believe it’s important to help when we don’t need anything (such as with work) – we can simply give back. I gain community from the people within Career Club DK, and my interest at this point is to give back and share my experience.”
Rosa ties the interview with a final piece of advice:
“Own it. There is only one person responsible for making me happy - me, says my mind. There is only one place where I’ll have to live forever, my body. Your community. Seed it, water it, cherish it. Grow together with your tribe.”
Last but not least, Daniela Hummelgren, a Danish Language Teacher, shared some invaluable tips about mastering a new language and jump-starting a business.
“It is much more effective to study a little every day (maybe just 10 min) than just once in a while but for an hour or two. It helps a lot to create a routine around language practice. With my clients I try to find out what can be fun and doable for them and then help them make it happen by setting aside specific times during the day for short, focused language sessions.”
“It could be as simple as reviewing vocabulary during your morning coffee, listening to Danish podcasts on your commute or talking to yourself about your day when you are cooking in the evening. Consistency is key, and integrating language learning into your daily routine can help you stick with it.”
Daniela emphasizes the important of gaining confidence by practicing speaking Danish:
“Set yourself up for success and set small, achievable goals. Choose a situation where you can predict the conversation topics and prepare for it in advance… Choose topics that interest you.”
She shares interesting facts about the Danes speech habits:
“Danes add many English words into their day to day conversations without even noticing it. So in a way, adding in English words makes you sound more native rather than less.”
“Danes often don't understand each other!”
The power of community building and networking seems to be an important factor even in language learning:
“People group around their hobbies and sports and it is a great way to get to know new people and make friends in a natural way. Everybody is welcome and there are often also social events that offer possibilities for networking or testing your Danish.”
“I want to highlight the importance of these social networks, not only for language practice but also for building a sense of belonging.”
Lastly, Daniela also shares her insights when it comes to starting a business, coming up with the right strategy and building crucial habits for independent business owners:
“Start by identifying a real need in the community… Focus on providing value and building relationships rather than just making a profit. Networking is also crucial. Attend events, join professional groups, and connect with other entrepreneurs. Lastly, be patient and persistent. Building a successful business takes time and effort, but the rewards are well worth it.”
“Time management and organization are great things to master. Set realistic goals for yourself and assume that everything will take longer than expected. Be adaptable and open to feedback… The ability to pivot and make improvements based on client needs and market trends can make a significant difference in your business’s success.”
“It’s important to stay connected with friends and family, and engaging in hobbies outside of work helps maintain a healthy balance.”
“Celebrate small victories and don't be afraid to make mistakes. They are a natural part of the learning process.”
You can follow and learn more about Danish language learning with Daniela on her Facebook page or website.
Article by
Ofri Ben David
