Networking in Denmark: 5 useful tips for making Danish business contacts

Networking in Denmark: 5 useful tips for making Danish business contacts

Author: Kay Xander Mellish October 23, 2016 Duration: 10:56

Networking in Denmark is tough, even for Danes. This is a culture where it's considered bad manners to talk to someone you don't know, unless you're drunk, in which case all bets are off.

That said, most jobs in Denmark are found via networks. Somebody mentions on their LinkedIn profile that they're looking for a new team member and the cv's from friends of friends and old classmates start flowing in. And since "fitting in" is such an important part of the Danish work culture, someone from the network is more likely to seem like a known quantity when it comes to being a "good fit."

"Flexicurity" means you can be laid off at any time
So what does this mean to you as a foreigner? It means you're going to have to figure out how to network in Denmark. And you can't stop once you already have a job.

The famous "flexicurity" economic system in Denmark means it's very easy for an employer to get rid of you, and then you'll be back in the job market again.


For anyone curious about or currently navigating Danish life from the outside, How to Live in Denmark serves as an essential, on-the-ground guide. Hosted by Kay Xander Mellish, an American writer who has made Denmark her home for over ten years, this conversation cuts straight to the heart of the everyday realities in one of the world's most homogenous-and often puzzling-societies. Rather than lengthy lectures, you'll find concise, ten-minute episodes packed with practical advice and cultural translation. This isn't just about travel tips; it's a deep dive into the unspoken rules of Danish social etiquette, the nuances of the local workplace, and the sometimes surprising path to feeling at home in a country frequently labeled the world's happiest. Mellish draws from her own long-term experience to explain everything from navigating the infamous Jantelov to understanding the Danish approach to business meetings and casual Friday night hygge. As Denmark's longest-running English-language podcast, it has become a trusted resource for internationals, whether they are planning a move, newly arrived, or have been settled for years but still occasionally find themselves wondering, "Why do Danes do it that way?" Each episode feels like a chat with a well-informed friend who helps decode the complexities of a fascinating culture, making your time there richer and a lot less confusing.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

How to Live in Denmark
Podcast Episodes
Arriving in Denmark: Some tips from my experience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:29
August in Denmark brings the first signs of fall: a crisp chill in the air, the changing color of the leaves, the annual posters warning drivers to be aware of small children riding their bikes to school for the first ti…
Danish babies: Rolling Royalty and Tribal Names [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:02
Denmark is a small country, and Danish people tend to think small things are good. Small cars. Small homes. Small ambitions when it comes to international team sports. But one thing in Denmark is never small – a baby car…
Danes and Fear: What is there to be afraid of in Denmark? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:03
In general, Denmark is not a fearful country. You could argue, what is there to be afraid of in Denmark? It seems like a safe little corner of the world. Tax-funded social programs make it unlikely you'll go hungry or ho…
Spring in Denmark: Hot Wheat Buns and Highly-Educated Drunks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:53
It's spring in Denmark, and spring is by far my favorite season here. The wonderful white Scandinavian sunlight is back after the dark days of the winter, the flowers are coming out on the trees, and everybody's in a goo…
Danish Birthday Traditions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:05
It has been said that Danish birthdays are the most important in the world. Adults, children, even the Queen of Denmark make a big deal about birthdays. And there is specific set of birthday rules and traditions for ever…
Danes and Singing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:00
There have been very few international singing stars from Denmark, and that's a surprise, because Danish people love to sing. Joining choirs is very popular, and Danish schoolchildren often start the week with a song – i…

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