working in Longyearbyen

[u/d33z3d]

Hi Ive sent my CV about a week ago to the COOP supermarket. few questions:

- how long does it take usually for them to get back to me?

- all the logistics they should do for me? such as apartment, all the other procedures like banks and contract..?

- any other advices?

thanks ahead for anyone who contributes

[u/Kemaneo]

do you speak Norwegian? are they even hiring?

[u/d33z3d → u/Kemaneo]

dont speak norwegian, but i understood english is enough for the beginning at least. and i have no idea if theyre hiring, i only read they hire for the winter season in august/september usually so i sent CV. now i think about it you have a point here :) dont they constantly hiring or looking to recrute?

[u/ShortCod6726]

Did you apply for an actual advertised position, or did you send an unsolicited application? That makes a significant difference. I don’t know the hiring practices at Coop or Svalbardbutikken specifically, but I do know that many companies don’t respond to unsolicited applications, and sometimes don’t even respond to advertised positions unless you are considered a relevant candidate. Is it only 1 week after deadline? That is not a long time normally. Some use months before you get response.

If you don’t speak Norwegian or another Scandinavian language, you’ll probably also end up further down the list, I’d imagine. You can get pretty far with English in Longyearbyen, but there are still plenty of workplaces where Norwegian is the working language, so being able to communicate in Norwegian can be a significant advantage or mandatory.

[u/d33z3d → u/ShortCod6726]

ive sent the CV cause i read they recrute in august/september for winter season, now i think i shouldve acted a bit smarter. dont have norwegian, only english and few more languages, but to organize shelves in a supermarket i thought language barrier is less critical. and yes only 1 week since my mail with the CV so i guess everything normal so far. they publish what they are looking for in norwegian website correct? so anyway if i have only english it doesnt make much more difference if i sent them mail unsolicited i guess?

[u/ShortCod6726 → u/d33z3d]

I do think the language barrier could still be a challenge. The job is obviously more than just putting things on shelves. There are Norwegian product labels, instructions, routines, customers and communication with coworkers, etc.

I’m just trying to be realistic, though. I’m not saying it’s impossible for you to get a job on Svalbard. But if a Norwegian speaking person with relevant supermarket experience applies for the same position, that person will probably be ahead of you in the queue. And there can be quite a lot of applicants when jobs are advertised on Svalbard.

[u/mstivland2 → u/[deleted]]

It’s cute how you think your snarky advice is correct (it’s not)

[u/mstivland2 → u/[deleted]]

You do not need a visa to travel or work in Svalbard.

https://www.sysselmesteren.no/en/entry-and-residence/

[u/ShortCod6726 → u/[deleted]]

🎯