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
Why job titles aren't important in Denmark [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:41
One of the most important words in the Danish language is "ligestilling" – equality. The belief that all (Danish) people are basically equal permeates every relationship and every interaction. Fancy job titles do not fit…
Danish union vs A-kasse: What's the difference? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:43
When you first arrive in Denmark to work or look for work, the last thing you need is another monthly expense. So many foreigners "save money" by not joining a union. And I was one of them. To be honest, joining a union…
The Danish art of taking time off [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:52
When I first began working in Denmark, people used to start saying around April or May, "So – are you taking three or four?" What they meant was, are you taking three or four weeks off for your summer vacation? Now, in t…
The Danish job interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:08
If you've been asked for a job interview at a Danish company, congratulations. Danish companies don't like to waste time, so they wouldn't be setting aside time to meet you if they didn't think there was a solid chance t…
How to date a Dane: The two-speed bicycle and the flexible word [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:35
In Denmark, romance is like a two-speed bike. Speed one is casual sexual affairs with someone you may never see again: speed two is a serious relationship where you'll be expected to go to all your partner's dull family…