Does everyone has the same opportunity in the labour market : a qualitative study about foreign born persons view of their employability

According to various sources, it is more difficult for foreign people to get a job in Sweden than for people who are native born. Statistics show that the unemployment number is higher for foreigners than Swedish born people. It has also been shown that this group of people who are born i another country are exposed to discrimination during the recruitment process. They also have it harder to get a job within their field of education. In this study we have investigated how foreign people find their employability at the Swedish labour market and if the perception differs between men and women. To answer these questions we have interviewed six people who were born in another country and have arrived in Sweden in the last four years, three men and three women. All of the respondents have an academic education from their birth country. The interviews were semi-structured to make the process a bit more flexible. The result of this study shows that the foreign born people experience that it is harder for them to find a job, than people born in Sweden. They think the fact that they do not know the language perfectly is the biggest reason the employer would rather hire a native born person instead of them. They also feel like their education from their country of birth is not valid here, and that they need a Swedish education. The last thing they feel is a disadvantage for them in the labour market is their lack of personal contacts who can help them get a job.