Gyldendal Norsk Forlag – IT recruitment for a well-known Norwegian publishing company

Nikoloz Khotcholava

Last updated on November 18, 2025 | 14 min read

Introduction

Gyldendal Norsk Forlag, one of Norway’s oldest publishers, was operating on systems that no longer matched its editorial scale. Communication between departments had become slow, and manual production tasks consumed time that could have gone into creative work. By modernizing its digital tools, the company wanted to rebuild workflow speed and renew how editors, authors, and readers connected through its platforms. The business required new specialists to manage upgrades across public websites and internal systems, with technologies such as React, Node.js, PostgreSQL, and Kubernetes central to the plan.

As a major publisher handling author data and subscriber information, Gyldendal Norsk Forlag had to meet GDPR standards for privacy protection. Accessibility carried equal weight since most educational and cultural content in Norway must be usable by readers with assistive technologies. These factors guided both the technical plan and the recruitment of engineers capable of working under strict regulatory conditions.

After nearly three months of internal recruitment, the team had reached a standstill. Local searches brought many applicants, but few combined strong engineering experience with publishing or compliance knowledge. Technical interviews moved slowly as hiring managers balanced daily editorial work with candidate reviews, and the remaining openings stayed unfilled. DevsData LLC stepped in with a structured process that produced the first shortlist within six business days. A UI/UX designer, a Graphic Designer, a Frontend Developer, and a Backend Developer were all hired within 38 business days, allowing the modernization efforts to continue without further delay.

Client overview

Founded in 1925 and based in Oslo, Gyldendal Norsk Forlag is one of Norway’s leading publishing houses. The company combines a strong literary tradition with an expanding range of digital products, including eLearning tools and online distribution platforms for educational and cultural content. Its recent focus has been on strengthening digital publishing infrastructure to support faster content delivery and long-term scalability.

As part of Gyldendal ASA, a company listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, the company operates through four publishing divisions that cater to both traditional and digital channels. With annual revenue reported at $259 million (2025), Gyldendal Norsk Forlag remains a major force in the Scandinavian publishing sector. The ongoing expansion of digital platforms and continued investment in editorial resources underscore its trajectory toward a broader reach and sustainable growth in the Norwegian market.

Project scope and objectives

Gyldendal Norsk Forlag turned to DevsData LLC after internal recruitment delays stalled critical digital work, selecting the firm for its proven expertise in IT recruitment and track record of delivering specialized hires under tight deadlines. The publisher turned to external help after internal efforts stalled on rebuilding its content-management and publishing platforms. These systems powered both editorial work and digital distribution, yet outdated architecture made updates slow and error-prone. DevsData LLC was brought in to find senior engineers who could redesign the infrastructure, keep compliance in check, and restore progress within fixed delivery timelines.

The scope included four senior hires across design and engineering, with direct responsibility for improving public-facing sites and internal editorial systems. Candidates needed fluency in React, Node.js, PostgreSQL, Vue.js, and Kubernetes, combined with experience delivering GDPR-compliant and accessible platforms. Each placement supported platform upgrades while reinforcing stability for high-volume publishing. The new hires improved performance across Gyldendal’s digital platforms, cutting page load times and stabilizing content access during peak school hours. They also introduced accessibility features that made digital textbooks and resources easier to use for students and teachers working with assistive technologies.

Objectives centered on speed and measurable outcomes. The company expected an initial shortlist in under a week and all positions filled within 1.5 months. Longer-term goals included establishing a reserve of vetted specialists for future recruitment needs. By addressing immediate vacancies while building forward capacity, the project helped eliminate workflow bottlenecks and reinforced compliance standards, providing the publisher with a stronger foundation for upcoming platform enhancements.

Challenges and constraints

Recruitment for Gyldendal Norsk Forlag required handling rare talent, complex technical demands, and a strict timeline.

Internal attempts had already consumed months without success, so DevsData LLC had to design a more targeted process.

The table below shows the main obstacles and how they were resolved:

The hiring challenges required far more than standard sourcing. Few candidates combined strong engineering ability with knowledge of publishing systems or GDPR compliance, and most local agencies lacked the reach to find them. DevsData LLC’s experience with regulated industries allowed the team to adapt the process, build targeted outreach across Europe, and identify specialists capable of meeting both technical and legal demands. DevsData LLC employed a tailored recruitment method that aligned with the urgency of Gyldendal Norsk Forlag’s modernization goals and secured specialists who could contribute immediately.

Strategic recruitment approach

DevsData LLC concentrated sourcing efforts across Nordic markets and Northern European talent pools where technical skills align with publishing industry experience. The team prioritized candidates in regions with established digital media sectors and professionals familiar with Norwegian business practices. This geographic strategy provided access to specialists who understood both the technical requirements and the cultural context necessary for editorial platform development.

Candidate identification utilized DevsData LLC’s internal database of 65000 technical professionals alongside targeted outreach through specialized communities focused on UI/UX development and educational technology. Direct recruitment from established media companies yielded additional qualified profiles, while professional networks provided referrals from practicing developers with relevant portfolio work. Alumni networks from leading technical universities helped reach experienced engineers who remained active in those communities and had deep knowledge of modern frameworks.

Instead of relying on resumes, the evaluation prioritized hands-on demonstrations of technical skill. For content-heavy platforms, portfolio analysis reviewed UI/UX projects, focusing on usability and design clarity. Proficiency in React and Vue.js was assessed through coding tasks that simulated common editorial workflow challenges. In live sessions, problem-solving exercises demonstrated how candidates could transform complex publishing requirements into functional interface features.

Communication skills assessment measured remote collaboration capabilities essential for distributed publishing operations. Candidates demonstrated familiarity with Norwegian workplace standards and showed understanding of educational content creation processes. This evaluation ensured new hires could integrate effectively with editorial teams while contributing to technical platform improvements.

Interview processes incorporated scenario-based discussions around GDPR compliance and accessibility standards required for Norwegian digital publishing. Cultural alignment verification confirmed a genuine interest in literature and educational content development, extending beyond purely technical implementation.

“Publishing recruitment requires candidates who understand content workflow alongside technical implementation. Our evaluation process tested both coding ability and editorial platform sensibility to ensure hires could bridge traditional department boundaries effectively.” – H. Avagyan, Senior Technical Recruiter, DevsData LLC

Results and impact

DevsData LLC completed recruitment for all four senior positions within the 38-day project window, securing a UI/UX Designer, Graphic Designer, Frontend Developer, and Backend Developer after Gyldendal’s internal search had extended beyond three months. The initial shortlist was reached by stakeholders in six business days, thereby accelerating the selection timeline. Total recruitment expenses dropped 22% below previous agency costs when calculated against successful placements.

Key outcomes included:

• Stabilization of publishing systems through integration of senior specialists into existing engineering structures.

• Establishment of a vetted candidate pipeline, with nearly 100 profiles prepared for Gyldendal’s future recruitment needs.

• Reallocation of internal engineering staff back to long-term development priorities once recruitment coverage was no longer required.
• Streamlined technical interview framework that increased alignment between Gyldendal’s expectations and candidate performance.
• Consistent collaboration schedules arranged across Norwegian and European time zones, improving responsiveness during the hiring phase.

This engagement eliminated the recruitment bottleneck that had threatened digital transformation timelines. Client leadership confirmed that all hired professionals integrated successfully into Norwegian publishing workflows while meeting strict GDPR and accessibility compliance requirements for the modernized platform.

Conclusion

Gyldendal Norsk Forlag faced a recruitment crisis that jeopardized its digital platform modernization efforts after internal attempts spanning nearly three months failed to secure the essential technical talent. The Norwegian publisher required specialized professionals capable of integrating modern development practices with established editorial workflows, yet conventional hiring channels proved inadequate for identifying candidates with this dual expertise. Without a rapid resolution, critical system upgrades faced indefinite postponement, while operational inefficiencies continued to undermine productivity across editorial teams.

DevsData LLC addressed this challenge through targeted sourcing within Nordic and European technical communities, implementing structured evaluation processes that verified both programming capabilities and cultural alignment with Norwegian publishing standards. The recruitment cycle concluded in 38 days, with complete role fulfillment, and established a candidate pipeline containing 89 additional pre-screened professionals for future organizational needs. Newly onboarded team members contributed immediately to platform improvements and workflow optimization projects that had stalled during the prolonged vacancy period.

The engagement demonstrates DevsData LLC’s ability to resolve specialized recruitment obstacles across international markets and technical disciplines. Organizations requiring rapid talent acquisition for digital transformation initiatives, compliance-sensitive environments, or niche technical expertise can benefit from methodologies proven effective across various sectors, including Nordic publishing, Swiss data science, Australian cybersecurity, and Indian cloud infrastructure.

For recruitment support addressing your specific technical or regional requirements, contact DevsData LLC at general@devsdata.com or visit www.devsdata.com.

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Nikoloz Khotcholava Copywriter and Marketer

Nika Khotcholava is a dedicated copywriter with four years of experience crafting engaging content across various platforms. His background in social media management has sharpened his ability to communicate ideas effectively and collaborate closely with designers to bring creative visions to life. Nika thrives in fast-paced environments and enjoys learning something new every day.

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