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Opinion

Just say it as it is: Step out of your comfort job to land your dream job in 2022
Leslea Petersen

January 30th, 2022


This article is more than 2 years old.

Time to hit some goals in the bullseye (photo: Pixabay)

It’s the time of year when we set goals. 

Last year I signed up for my first mini-triathlon and can honestly say it was one of the greatest moments of my life when I crossed the finish line. 

I am not a natural athlete (old men cycle past me), but that medal hangs proudly on my mirror to remind me that it’s good to set yourself challenges.

Sharing is caring
Completing a triathlon is one thing, but facing a challenge like moving to a new country and trying to establish yourself in a new career is a situation all of my clients face.  

For some, it’s a simple transition into a new job, but for others, they may need to reinvent themselves. All of them need support to figure out how to communicate what they have to offer and guidance to take those next steps.

I arrived 14 years ago with huge expectations for my career progression, but as somebody who did not understand the ‘unwritten’ rules of job searching in Denmark, I floundered. 

Today I can tell my clients – who come to me sometimes after years of applying – that I genuinely understand. Having worked for some awesome organisations since then, I can share my knowledge of the Danish workplace to guide clients in their search for their dream role!

The right way to stand out 
The start of the year is a perfect opportunity as January and February are great months to apply for a job. How do you get your CV noticed? The main point is to show you understand the local culture and communicate that in your application. 

The Danish workplace has a flat work hierarchy, no micromanagement and staff are encouraged to contribute their views. You also need to show you are a team player and it’s not about your individual success – Danes are a modest bunch – but how well you collaborate with others and you will fit in. 

Knowing what job you can do, lots of research to find companies that are a good fit, and learning more about the local culture means a new job is waiting for you in 2022.  

However, it may need you to step out of your comfort zone and set a new challenge to get you successfully over that finish line. You might not get a medal but starting a new job is worthy of a celebration.

About

Leslea Petersen

A Brit married to a Viking who landed on Danish shores 14 years ago, Leslea is the head of English Job Denmark. With over 20 years’ communications experience in both the business & not-for-profit sectors, Leslea is passionate about coaching professionals & businesses in effective communication.


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A survey carried out by Megafon for TV2 has found that 71 percent of parents have handed over children to daycare in spite of them being sick.

Moreover, 21 percent of those surveyed admitted to medicating their kids with paracetamol, such as Panodil, before sending them to school.

The FOLA parents’ organisation is shocked by the findings.

“I think it is absolutely crazy. It simply cannot be that a child goes to school sick and plays with lots of other children. Then we are faced with the fact that they will infect the whole institution,” said FOLA chair Signe Nielsen.

Pill pushers
At the Børnehuset daycare institution in Silkeborg a meeting was called where parents were implored not to bring their sick children to school.

At Børnehuset there are fears that parents prefer to pack their kids off with a pill without informing teachers.

“We occasionally have children who that they have had a pill for breakfast,” said headteacher Susanne Bødker. “You might think that it is a Panodil more than a vitamin pill, if it is a child who has just been sick, for example.”

Parents sick and tired
Parents, when confronted, often cite pressure at work as a reason for not being able to stay at home with their children.

Many declare that they simply cannot take another day off, as they are afraid of being fired.

Allan Randrup Thomsen, a professor of virology at KU, has heavily criticised the parents’ actions, describing the current situation as a “vicious circle”.

“It promotes the spread of viruses, and it adds momentum to a cycle where parents are pressured by high levels of sick-leave. If they then choose to send the children to daycare while they are still recovering, they keep the epidemic going in daycares, and this in turn puts a greater burden on the parents.”