The Art of Networking – Bridging Cultural Gaps for Career Success
By: Pia Prip Hansen, 08.01.2025
Establishing yourself in the Danish job market can be challenging, especially when you're navigating cultural differences or moving into a new industry. One critical element that can make a significant difference is networking.
In Denmark, where many job opportunities are shared informally before they ever reach a public job posting, building a strong professional network can significantly boost your career prospects. Networking also helps you understand workplace culture, which is particularly important in Denmark, where work-life balance and flat hierarchies are highly valued. But where to start? This is where a mentor can play a key role.
A mentor can be a cultural guide as well as a professional one. A mentor not only helps you navigate the job market but also provides valuable insights into Danish workplace norms and expectations.
Back in the summer of 2020, Vaios Adamakis moved to Denmark from Greece to study his Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Design and Engineering at Technical University of Denmark (DTU). However, as Vaios states
“The timing was the worst. All being new and very different from what I was used to, having no working experience and then the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown of the country made it very difficult to establish myself and find a job”.
After a year, Vaios applied for the Synapse Mentoring Programme; Synapse – Life Science Connect (“Synapse”) is a non-profit student-driven organisation for life science students. He was matched with his mentor Jonathan, and according to Vaios
“My mentor really helped me figure out basically everything, because at that time I was very confused, and my narrow understanding of the industry was people in lab coats mixing stuff, but there is so much more behind the scenes you don’t know about as a student. He helped me understand how the pharmaceutical industry looked like from the inside, and understand all the different dynamics, and career opportunities. He later also introduced me to consulting, and I found out that you don’t need to have a certain number of years of experience to be a consultant, but me as a young and energetic person could offer a lot too, and Jonathan helped open the doors”.
According to Vaios participating as a mentee in the Synapse Mentoring Programme helped demystifying everything and made the approach to the Danish job market more tangible.
Networking in the Danish Context
In Denmark, many jobs are filled through personal referrals or within professional networks. This is often referred to as the “hidden job market,” where connections and trust play a significant role. Danish workplaces emphasize trust, informality, and collaboration, and these values also shape how professional relationships are built. While some cultures rely heavily on hierarchy or formality, networking in Denmark often happens in relaxed settings, such as over coffee meetings, during industry events, or even through social activities.
Networking is more than just attending events or handing out business cards—it’s about building genuine, professional relationships. While networking can open doors, knowing how to approach and navigate professional relationships is not always straightforward. A mentor can provide industry insights by sharing their knowledge about trends and expectations, introducing mentees to their professional circles, multiplying their networking reach, or helping refine career goals and strategies to achieve. The importance of networking in the Danish job market surprised Vaios a lot and he states
“One big thing is networking. Writing CVs and cover letters are very different compared to other countries. In Denmark applicants need to focus more on the motivational factor, whereas in other countries the cover letter is more technically based. I was also encouraged to call the company, but as an introvert, that was very much out of my comfort zone. However, I could see that it made a difference. My mentor really helped me understand the cultural differences and provided me with the right tools. It really helped me having someone that I trusted and that I could go pick his brain when needed.
During the Synapse Mentoring Programme, mentees are encouraged to mingle with others, and since I joined the mentoring programme my LinkedIn network has doubled”.
Giving back as a mentor
Vaios wants to give back, and therefore he signed up to become a mentor in the 2024/2025 Synapse Mentoring Programme. In addition to the mentor training he received at the kick-off session, he talks with his daily manager, who helps him become a better mentor.
“I know a lot more now, and I want to help someone else in the same position as I was in. I really appreciate my mentee for trying and working purposefully on her career. Our next meeting is at my company, so she can see a company from the inside, and experience the atmosphere. I hope this will make her more confident with the whole application process and take away a lot of misunderstanding about the Danish work culture”, states Vaios.
Understanding Danish workplace culture and mastering the art of networking are essential skills for achieving a successful career. A mentor not only accelerates this process but also helps you feel more confident and prepared to navigate cultural differences. Mentors can introduce professional networks, increasing mentee’s sense of belonging and their career opportunities. By combining authentic relationship-building with the insights of a trusted guide, you can unlock opportunities in the hidden job market and thrive in your Danish career.
