Breaking into the Danish job market requires active self-promotion, career story shows

Foreign job seekers in Denmark can boost their careers by taking direct initiative.

A German actress built a career without speaking fluent Danish at first.

She ignored traditional local social rules against self-promotion.

Her experience offers clear lessons for international residents in Copenhagen.

Lisa Riesner moved from Berlin to Denmark during the pandemic.

She landed a role in a TV2 crime series quickly.

She did not know about Janteloven when she arrived.

Janteloven is a Nordic concept discouraging people from standing out.

Local friends warned her against promoting herself openly in public.

Riesner ignored these warnings and kept promoting her work online.

She posted updates regularly on social media and Facebook groups.

Because others avoided self-promotion, she stood out easily.

She actively reached out to directors and union representatives directly.

Her active approach opened doors in the competitive film industry.

She starred in the Danish short film Moder soon after.

She practiced Danish every night to match her role perfectly.

She also launched CHOSEN, a professional network for film workers.

Finding work in Denmark often requires stepping outside traditional application steps.

Riesner advises job seekers to attend events and contact decision-makers directly.

Direct communication can help internationals overcome language and network hurdles.

This report is based on coverage by CPH Post.