This thesis examines how the term social competence is interpreted by professionals, as well as what message it carries at an individual and contextual level when used in the recruitment of new employees.

The study includes an analysis of recruitment advertisements that specify social competence as a requirement, of letters from applicants responding to a number of these advertisements, and of reflective conversations with 11 informants. During the analysis process, meetings have been held with two human resources managers.

The term social competence emerges as a construction that serves to convey both a message about personal characteristics, and a message about the contextual conditions for social interaction, the latter often construed as a requirement for certain individual attributes. The expression is thus also be given with a meaning that carries a message of adaptation and discipline.

When used in a recruitment advertisement, it is not unusual for the expression to be interpreted in the sociocultural context in question. An applicant who responds to a requirement for social competence in the “wrong” way will be considered an undesirable employee.