Muzzamal Arif and Teres Kenttä, the retail manager of JYSK nord, photographed at JYSK Skellefteå. "It’s not a good thing that Northvolt closed, but maybe we can help more people stay in Skellefteå by offering them new opportunities," says Teres.
Sometimes life takes a turn when you least expect it.
That’s what happened to Muzammal Arif, 39, who found a new job after a 20-minute taxi ride from Skellefteå Airport.
Muzammal worked as an automation consultant at Northvolt, but in April he lost his job due to the company’s collapse. With a wife and three children to support, he needed to find work, fast.
When Muzammal moved to Stockholm from Pakistan to study IT in 2016, he decided to get his taxi licence, thinking it could be useful for his future here in Sweden. That forward-thinking attitude paid off for Muzammal.
His shift work at Northvolt also enabled him to drive part-time for Skellefteå Taxi to earn more money, and when he lost his job with Northvolt, he took on more driving hours.
– I didn’t want to sit at home and feel tired or depressed. So I started to earn some money driving while I figured out what to do next, says Muzammal.
One day in mid-April, he got a booking to pick someone up from the airport.
It was just another job, until he met his passenger: Teres Kenttä, the retail manager of JYSK Nord. At the time, Muzammal didn’t know who she was.
– It was just a normal chat at first. I shared my thoughts about how JYSK stores should feel for customers. I had no idea she was a manager, says Muzammal.
But Teres was impressed.
– He was very sociable, and when he talked about what a store should look like, I got really curious. He had a clear idea of what good customer service should be. I liked that, says Teres.
Even though JYSK wasn’t actively hiring at the time, Teres invited Muzammal to visit the store the next day.
Muzzamal Arif photographed at JYSK Skellefteå. "I didn’t want to sit at home and feel tired or depressed. So I started to earn some money driving while I figured out what to do next."
– I told him to go home and talk to his family first. Then, if he was interested, he could come by in the morning, says Teres.
Muzammal did just that. The next day, he showed up at JYSK. After impressing district manager Natthaile Selegran, he was offered a job as salesman. Now, just a few weeks into his role, he already feels at home.
– This is my fourth week at JYSK, and it’s been great. My co-workers are so supportive. I’m learning a lot and feel like I’m growing, says Muzammal.
For Teres, hiring Muzammal was not just about filling a position, it was about helping someone who had potential and needed a break.
– It’s not common for us to hire people who do not have retail experience. But what stood out was Muzammal’s attitude. He’s fast, careful, and always on time. Those are key qualities in retail, says Teres.
Muzzamal Arif photographed at JYSK Skellefteå. "I never imagined I'd be working in retail, but it's a really good experience for me."
Muzammal tells me he feels lucky.
– I’d been actively searching for jobs in Skellefteå and had applied for several positions without success. But then I had this conversation during a 20-minute taxi ride, and it changed everything, he says.
As Skellefteå continues to feel the effects of Northvolt’s collapse, both Muzammal and Teres hope that stories like this can give others hope.
– It’s not a good thing that Northvolt closed, but maybe we can help more people stay in Skellefteå by offering them new opportunities. We still have 2-3 sales positions and one district manager trainee for the northern part of the region available, says Teres.
For now, Muzammal is focused on his family and his future at JYSK.
– I never imagined I'd be working in retail, but it's a really good experience for me. I think it was meant to be. I feel so fortunate, it’s like a story from a movie, Muzammal concludes.