Sara: »You should be grateful«
Nine persons tells how difficult it is getting into the Swedish finance industry if you have a foreign background, and that advancing in your career is just as hard. Here is Sara’s story. Her name has been changed to protect her identity.
Finansliv spoke to Sara for the first time in 2021. Despite a good education, professional work experience and several strong references, she had a hard time getting into the finance industry.
Eight times higher unemployment rate among foreign born
Today, Sara works at one of the largest asset manager firms in Sweden. A recommendation from a connection was the way in.
– I’m often asked how I got the job, because I didn’t know anyone at the company and you usually have to, so for me it was quite shocking.
– At the same time, I was quite persistent with the recruiter. I followed up every month and showed interest until a position came up. But if I hadn’t had any connections it would have been very difficult, Sara says.
Sara is not surprised by the results in Finansliv’s review. Who handles the recruitments is part of the problem.
– These are often people who have worked 1-2 years. They are looking for someone similar to themselves. I have seen it here too. Those that are invited have attended KTH or Handels, are blonde and blue-eyed or have similar interests such as tennis or golf.
As you can see there’s no one else here that looks like you
Another problem is that the requirements are tough, according to Sara.
– I was under very strong stress the first months, because no one showed me how to plan my work or what was expected of me to do a good job. There is a big gap between those who have no connections and those who have someone at home that can explain how everything works.
At the same time, expectations are higher on Sara than on others, she says.
– I have been told several times, especially by women in the company, that I should be very grateful that I’ve got this job, because »as you can see there’s no one else here that looks like you«. It has been said implicitely, but also to me directly, she says.
How do you feel about it?
– It’s not fun. It feels like I have to carry a burden for a whole group.
– I know I don’t look like everyone else at the company, but that’s also why they brought me in.
