How usefull are Nordic languages coming from IB London?
I know not knowing another language is like not attending a target school, but what is the case for us native Nordic speakers? Personally, I am a native Norwegian speaker and am wondering if I'm at a disadvantage because Norway is quite a small country (5,5 million). To be fair, the difference between the Scandinavian languages are quite small, so I would be able to speak with Danes and Swedes as well.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, Nordic languages are considered less useful compared to languages like French, German, or Italian when it comes to Investment Banking (IB) and Private Equity (PE) in London. However, they are still valuable, especially for roles that require regional expertise or coverage of Nordic markets.
For IB, Nordic languages are ranked below French, German, Italian, and Spanish in terms of usefulness. Similarly, for PE, they are also ranked lower but can still be advantageous for funds or teams focusing on the Nordic region. Your ability to communicate with Danes and Swedes due to the similarities in Scandinavian languages is a plus, as it broadens your regional coverage capabilities.
While Norway's smaller population might seem like a disadvantage, your language skills could still be a differentiator for firms with Nordic-focused mandates or clients. Additionally, many funds and banks have dedicated teams for specific regions, and being a native speaker could position you well for such roles. To maximize your opportunities, consider networking with headhunters and professionals in the industry who specialize in Nordic markets.
Sources: 20 Most Frequently Asked Questions - London Edition, 20 Most Frequently Asked Questions - London Edition, Why do MBAs seem to favor consulting over banking nowadays?
Swede here, how tf are you able to talk to Danes?
I would guess that it is advantegous. Im also native in Norwegian and conversational in Swedish. You will probably be placed in a nordics coverage team where most people will speak a scandinavian language. So im guessing that the usefulness will depend on how many norwegian speakers there currently are in said team
Meeting a fellow Norwegian here on WSO is so rare… where are you in your career right now? Uni-student (if so; where?) or have you entered the work-force?
Yeah there arent alot of Norwegians here. Im currently finishing my first year at SSE. What about you?
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