How to get a relevant student job in Denmark

It can be quite overwhelming where to start when you are to find a student job in Denmark. In this guide, we give tips and tricks on how you can find a relevant student job in Denmark based on an interview with the international student August from DTU.

Use LinkedIn to get noticed by potential employers

LinkedIn is a great way to meet potential employers as a student in Denmark. The first thing we recommend you to do is to create a LinkedIn profile if you don’t have one already. Your LinkedIn profile will help to establish yourself as a professional in your industry. Many employers use LinkedIn to scout potential student workers, so being visible at the right place and time might lead you to a relevant student job.

Also, LinkedIn can help you to kickstart your networking skills. Try to be active on the platform by engaging with content. Like, comment, share posts there's relevant for your field to get yourself noticed by professionals in your industry. Psst, a little tip; LinkedIn has a feature that lets you create job alerts so that you can be one of the first to apply!

“Search, search, search. And don’t take rejection personally, it has been a learning experience.”
August

Use your student network

If you’re a university student in Denmark you’re probably familiar with the tons of Facebook groups which entail everything from student housing to student clubs and much more. However, these Facebook groups are also great to find a job in Denmark. The Facebook groups tend to be easy to find; try searching for the name of your course or the name of your campus/institute.

Many students may list job posts from companies looking for student workers they work for which can help you get a foot in the door. They are most likely relevant for your studies which means that you are a good candidate for the job. Otherwise don’t hesitate to share a post where you suggest that you are looking for a student job – someone might see your post and contact you.

Also, some companies will hang up posters with job listings around the school, so keep your eyes and ears open!

Wanting a job that challenges your skills

You have probably also tried looking for jobs on the generic job sites but ended up with irrelevant listings that don’t challenge your abilities. Try using Excelerate job platform! Excelerate is a recruitment platform only for companies looking for students or newly graduates. We match you based on your study background and matching interests so you easily find the perfect match.

Many start-ups look to hire students to be a part of their team – especially if you’re studying something within their field. This is a great way of learning new skills as well as looking good on you CV!

How August landed his dream graduate job just after he finished studying

But all of the above is probably easier said than done. Therefore, we had a chat with August Lytzen who is a CBS student studying his third semester in European business. He landed a graduate job in Denmark roughly 10 months ago at the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI).

What does DI do and what role do you play?

August could tell me that DI basically works to help employers get the various help they need; like trade unions do for workers. Beyond securing the rights of employers, DI also help convey issues, employers are standing in front of, to the government. For instance: What do we do when we’re missing 40,000 employees in the workforce? August’s title is student assistant. You may be thinking; what does that cover?

“I counsel and help like-minded people come together and network and share work experiences together. For example, we might have a network for HR managers who seek a network of similar people whom they can discuss and learn from. DI facilitate those networking events.” August

August told me that his job also entails reaching out to potential employees of DI’s member companies who could be interested in joining as well as managing the networking meetings.

Which aspects of your job do you appreciate?

“There is always projects to do. And even though we’re student assistants we have a voice and get to share our ideas. The responsibilities also get bigger and bigger the more you prove yourself. You could say that you have ‘freedom with responsibility’. And DI also has the world’s best canteen.” Beyond that, August tells me how using his theoretical learning from university in practice is a great learning experience. Since August is a part of facilitating the meetings he must stay on top of relevant news and keep himself updated on business trends.

“I also get to meet some inspiring colleagues who share their life experience and it’s a great way to network as well.”

August

How was the process of getting this job?

“I probably applied to 15 different jobs.” August tells me with a smile.

He had both searched on Google, various jobsites, LinkedIn – you name it. But his spirit was high throughout because “everything is a learning experience” he says.

August had been at a job interview which didn’t result in the job – but that is a part of the process, and you can learn from that, he told me. He went to talk about how he believed that being a little critical – but only a little – would help land a cool job and from there on you get to network more and more and thereby get better work experience before you have to land your ‘adult job’.

I asked if he had any advice for people searching for relevant study jobs: “Search, search, search. And don’t take rejection personally, it has been a learning experience.”

Kickstart your working journey in Denmark as an international student

Are you considering moving to Denmark? Or perhaps you already moved and want to learn more about how to get started working in Denmark as a student? Understanding the Danish tax system is essential before starting a student job in Denmark.

Read our guide on how to work as an international student in Denmark.