How to Present Work Experience Gained in Norway in Poland?

In Norway, proof of employment is a document called sluttattest or arbeidsbekreftelse. It contains basic information: company name, period of employment, position, and scope of duties. Sometimes, it also includes a brief opinion about the employee – this is where a Norwegian employer might praise your commitment or punctuality.

Unlike the Polish work certificate, the Norwegian document is not an official government document. It is not required by law, but in practice, it is an important element confirming your experience. For a Polish employer, it is proof that you actually worked in Norway and performed specific tasks.

Norwegians highly value referanser, or references from former supervisors. In many companies, these are even more important than a work certificate. They contain a short opinion about you as an employee, often with specific examples – for instance, how you handled your duties, whether you were punctual, and how you cooperated with the team.

It's worth asking for such references before finishing your employment. Even better, if you can add your former supervisor's name and phone number to your CV. In Norway, this is standard practice – and Polish recruiters are increasingly calling to verify information about candidates.

Translating documents from Norwegian to Polish is an important step if you want to present your experience in Poland. The best way is to use a certified translation, which confirms compliance with the original. Such translations are accepted by offices and institutions, as well as by most large companies in Poland.

However, if you are applying to a smaller, private company, a regular translation is often sufficient, as long as it is accurate and understandable. The key is for the translation to convey the meaning of positions and duties, not just translate words literally. For example: lagermedarbeider simply means "warehouse worker," and plukking og pakking can be translated as "order picking and packing." Overly literal translations can cause more confusion than benefit.

Some Poles need translations not only for professional purposes but also for official matters. If you are dealing with formalities with the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Administration, or NAV, you may be asked for a translation of documents for NAV – for example, employment certificates, income statements, or work history.

In such cases, it's better not to risk an amateur translation. NAV documents should be translated by a sworn translator who knows the specific terminology used by Norwegian institutions. This way, you can be sure that the office will accept your documents without reservations, and your matters won't get stuck in bureaucracy.

First, make sure you have copies of all Norwegian documents – contracts, work certificates, references, or employment confirmations. Then, have them translated and attach a brief explanation to your CV describing exactly what you did. Don't assume that a Polish recruiter knows the realities of the Norwegian job market – sometimes it's worth adding a sentence that shows you worked in a large corporation, a logistics warehouse, or in construction in a specific position.

Such details make a difference and make your experience more "tangible" for a Polish employer.

Working in Norway teaches punctuality, responsibility, and high professional standards. All of this is highly valued in Poland. All you need to do is properly prepare your documents, translate them clearly, and, if necessary, take care of NAV translations if your case involves official matters.

Thanks to this, your experience from Norway will not go to waste but will become your asset – opening the door to better jobs, higher earnings, and professional credibility.