Sambla launches financial guide for young people as summer jobs increase

Ahead of summer 2026, employers across Sweden are advertising more summer jobs than they have in several years, according to an analysis from Sambla. For many young people, a summer job is the first real step into the labour market – a chance to earn their own money while learning how personal finances work in practice. Sambla is now launching a guide that supports young people all the way from job search to first pay cheque.

To support young people right now, as the application period is in full swing, Sambla is launching the guide “Young people’s first guide to jobs & money”. The guide offers practical tips on how young people can find and land their first job, and how to make smart use of their first earnings.

“Landing a first summer job is about much more than scrolling through online job ads. Those who succeed best combine different approaches – from walking into shops and asking if they need staff to talking to parents, coaches and teachers who may know someone looking for summer help. With this guide, we want to show what actually works to get the job, what to consider before saying yes, and how to make smart use of the salary from day one,” says Hans Skruvfors, CEO of Sambla Group.

From side jobs to payslips and saving

The guide is based on the reality young people face today. It explains which types of jobs are common at different ages, from simple side jobs to positions during upper secondary school and university studies. It also describes how work can be combined with school, how much one can earn without affecting student aid, and what happens to the salary once tax has been deducted.

A large part of the guide focuses on the job search itself. Young people get advice on how to combine job platforms, personal contacts and speculative applications, how to write a strong CV even without previous work experience, and how to prepare for a first job interview. The focus is on concrete tools that genuinely increase the chances of getting hired.

The second part centres on the money that comes with a first job. The guide shows how to create a simple budget, why it pays to start saving early, and how to avoid common spending traps, such as impulse purchases and multiple small subscriptions that together risk eating up the salary. It concludes with a glossary explaining terms such as net salary, budget, interest, payment default and creditworthiness.

The first job sets the tone for financial habits

“What a first job teaches about money is often underestimated. When young people learn to read their payslip, understand how much tax is deducted, decide to always set aside a certain share of their income and turn down that first ‘buy now, pay later’ offer, they begin to take real control of their finances. It is not theory that makes the difference, but actually doing this with their first own money. The summer job then becomes more than three months of income – it becomes the start of a financial mindset that can last a lifetime,” says Marcus Karlsson, personal finance expert at Sambla.

The guide is available digitally and is designed both for young people to read on their own and as support material for schools, career counsellors, youth workers, associations and other adults who meet young people on their way into working life.

In connection with the launch, Sambla highlights six concrete tips from the guide for young people applying for summer jobs or their first part‑time job:

1. Use your network
   Letting family, friends, teachers, coaches and other adults know that a job is being sought can open doors. Someone who knows someone is often the way to a first job.
2. Read up on the employer
   Finding out what the workplace does, who its customers are and what the environment is like builds trust and shows that the applicant is not just looking for “anything at all”. It also helps determine whether the job is a good fit.
3. Prepare for the interview
   Practising common interview questions, thinking through personal strengths and what one wants to learn makes it easier to feel confident. Bringing own questions about tasks, working hours and expectations leaves a better impression.
4. Tailor the application to the job
   Sending the same CV and personal statement to every employer reduces the chance of standing out. Highlighting experiences that fit the specific role – such as involvement in a sports club, babysitting or previous service work – increases the likelihood of being invited to an interview.
5. Let the summer salary be the start of good habits
   Deciding in advance how much of the salary will be saved, how much is needed for essentials and what can be spent on leisure helps build sound financial habits. Getting used to always saving part of what one earns gradually creates financial security that lasts long after the first summer job.
6. Do not give up
   Even though there are many jobs, competition is tough. Those who keep applying, follow up when they do not receive an answer and take their own initiatives have a better chance of success. Employers value drive and persistence.
   
   Download the guide here. (In Swedish)