My First Full-time Job
There comes a time when you are ready for your first adult job. Here is what you should know when that happens.
Where Can You Find Your Dream Job?
Have you completed upper secondary school and are planning a gap year? Or perhaps you are looking for work experience that will give your career a boost? There are several places you can look for your first full-time job.
- Search for job adverts online
- Look for opportunities in the Facebook group "Jobb for unge i Oslo" (also available for other cities)
- Submit your CV and application in person to employers
- Make use of your contacts
- Start as a temporary worker
How to land your full-time job
It can be a bit daunting to apply for and potentially secure your first job. Here are some things you can do to land your first job.
- Apply early – Many summer jobs are advertised early, so be quick to send in your applications.
- Tailor your CV and application – Adapt your CV and application to the job you are applying for, and highlight relevant experience.
- Use your network – Ask friends, family and acquaintances if they know of any summer job vacancies.
- Be prepared for the interview – Practise introducing yourself, and be ready to explain why you are suited to the job.
- Show initiative – Contact employers directly, even if they have not advertised any positions.
What should you consider when starting your first job?
The transition to working life can be significant, with new routines and more responsibility. It is wise to get to know your work environment and colleagues – building good relationships can make the transition easier.
Make sure you familiarise yourself thoroughly with your employment contract – it provides an overview of your rights regarding salary, working hours and duties. You are always entitled to a written contract, so read it carefully before signing. Don't be afraid to ask for help if anything is unclear.
How much holiday pay will you receive?
Holiday pay is a form of salary you earn whilst working, which compensates you for not receiving a salary when you are on holiday. This arrangement ensures you receive holiday pay based on what you earned the previous year, how much holiday you are entitled to, and your age.
How do you calculate how much holiday pay you should receive?
Your holiday pay amounts to a minimum of 10.2% of your income from the previous year. You can check your payslip to see your holiday pay basis!
For example:
If you have five weeks of holiday, and your holiday pay basis for 2024 is NOK 500,000, and your gross monthly salary is NOK 45,000, you will receive NOK 53,077 in holiday pay.
Saving for Retirement
You might think it's a bit early to worry about retirement – you've only just started your working life, and retirement feels far away. But it's actually smart to start understanding what retirement means for you right now.
What is a pension?
A pension is the money you will live on when you become a pensioner.
A pension is made up of three parts:
– The National Insurance Scheme contributes one part.
– Your employer contributes one part.
– The final part is money you save yourself.
If you start saving for retirement when you're young, you don't need to set aside many hundred kroner each month. The earlier you start, the better.
Probationary period
The first few months in a job are often a probationary period where both you and your employer assess whether it is a good match. It is a time to learn a great deal and demonstrate what you can do.
Insurance
Check whether the job offers occupational injury insurance or other relevant insurance policies that may be useful for you.
The insurance you needTax
Register for a tax deduction card and monitor your tax deductions to avoid residual tax. This can easily be done through the Norwegian Tax Administration.
Everything you need to know about tax