Erfaring

Erfaring is a noun used in Norwegian and Danish to denote knowledge or skill gained through involvement in or exposure to events or activities. It is commonly found in compounds such as arbeidserfaring (work experience), faglig erfaring (professional experience), and livserfaring (life experience).

Erfaring is distinct from formal education; it reflects practical understanding and tacit knowledge that comes from doing rather than studying. It can supplement theoretical learning and influence judgment, problem solving, and credibility in professional settings. In many contexts, erfaring shapes how a person applies knowledge to real situations and how others perceive competence and reliability.

People acquire erfaring through work tasks, internships, volunteering, on-the-job training, study abroad, and various life challenges. Types include praktisk erfaring (hands-on experience), faglig erfaring (disciplinary or professional experience), and livserfaring (life experience). The concept emphasizes the quality and applicability of what is learned, not only the duration of exposure.

In recruitment and professional contexts, erfaring is often quantified by years or specific responsibilities, but it can also be evaluated qualitatively by the complexity of tasks, level of autonomy, and outcomes achieved. It is frequently used as an indicator of reliability, judgment, and the ability to apply knowledge in real-world settings.

The concept exists across Danish and Norwegian, with similar but not always identical idioms and compounds. It is closely related to notions of experiential learning and tacit knowledge, and remains a key criterion in assessing a person’s capability beyond formal credentials.