Job search skills in Finland

Looking for a job is something you can practice and learn. Job search skills include a range of knowledge and skills. They are things you should know, understand or be able to do if you are looking for a job in Finland.

There are 6 areas of job search skills: 1) job search channels, 2) job search tools, 3) informaton about working life, 4) your skills, 5) language skills and 6) an active and positive attitude.

Below we explain what is involved in each of these areas. Click the + sign to see the text. Use the examples to test how well you know the job search issues.

What do you know or can do already?
What skills you don't need?
What skills do you need to practise?

If some of your skills need training, come to the Expertise Centre to learn and practise those! See our activities: International Jyväskylä courses and events (Jyväskylä Events' Calendar web page).

Or, read our guide: Job searching in Finland: Tips and links for international job seekers (SWAY presentation)

Test your job search skills!

1. Job search channels

Where and how to apply for jobs?
There are many channels for job search in Finland. Job search sites list job vacancies, but some jobs are not announced publicly. You can also find job vacancies by contacting companies and talking with people.

For example, do you master these things about job search channels?

Job search sites are websites that advertise job vacancies.
•   I can find the job search sites that suit me on the internet.
•   I can search for job vacancies on job search sites.
•   I can submit my profile to a job search site, to receive job advertisements.

Contacting employers is also useful.
•   I know which employers in my area offer the kinds of jobs I am looking for.
•   I can ask for more information about a job vacancy.
•   I can ask about hidden jobs.
•   I know how to contact employers in Finland in an appropriate way.
•   I can write and send a job application for a hidden job.

Networks are the people you know or groups you are involved in.
•   I understand what networking is and how it helps me to look for a job.
•   I can name the people in my network and know how they might be able to help me in my job search.
•   I can find the right places and people for me to network with.
•   I know how to broaden my network.

Recruitment agencies are companies that look for employees for other companies.
•   I know what recruitment agencies are and whether they can help me find a job.
•   I know the recruitment agencies that are most suited for my job search.
•   I can submit an open application to a recruitment agency.
•   I can apply for a job advertised by a recruitment agency.

2. Job search tools

What documents or skills do you need when applying for a job?
When you apply for a job in Finland, you almost always need a CV and a cover letter. Sometimes it can also be useful to have a video CV, a portfolio or an online CV, for example on LinkedIn webservice. You will usually be interviewed for a job, so it's also worth practising for a job interview.

For example, check if you can do these things?

•   I know what tools I need for my job search.
•   I know what a portfolio, a visual CV and a skills-based CV are.
•   I can make templates for job search papers (CV, job application) from which I can always adapt the papers to a new job.
•   I recognize what I can do and what I am good at.
•   I can read a job advertisement so that I can write the application papers correctly for each specific job.
•   I understand what to highlight in my job search in Finland and what not to focus on.
•   I can tell about my skills and personality in a way that interests the employers.
•   I can apply for a job so that I stand out in a positive way.
•   I can think about possible interview questions and how to answer them.
•   I can say something in Finnish during an interview.

3. Information about working life

What do you need to know about jobs and the labour market
As a job seeker it is good to know Finnish working life and its rules. For instance, you may need licences or qualifications for some jobs. In addition, it is useful to find out about matters related to hiring employees, or what employers hope from employees.

For example, do you know these things about working life?

Licences and qualifications
•   I know whether I have the right to work in Finland and if there are any restrictions.
•   I know whether I need a licence, qualification or card (e.g. hygiene pass, liquor licence, safety card, hot work licence, professional qualification) to do the work I am interested in.
•   If my training does not directly allow to do the same job in Finland, I know how to apply for the recognition of my qualifications.

Work tasks
•   I know what kind of jobs you can get in Finland without education.
•   I know how the work in my profession is different in Finland from my home country.
•   I know what kind of work I can or cannot do. For example, work time, location of the job, what kind of fitness the job requires, how stressful the job is, what kind of Finnish or other language skills the job requires, what omputer skills the job requires?
•   I understand how recruitment processes work in Finland and what influences them.

Hiring of employees
•   I understand what Finnish employers usually want from an employee.
•   I know how, for example, work try-out, language practice period, substitution or voluntary work can help in getting a job.
•   I know how TE Office services can help me get a job (e.g. work experience, pay subsidy, labour market training).
•   I know how to get a tax card for work.
•   I know what matters need to be in the employment contract.

4. Your skills

How can you improve your chances of getting a job?
Besides professional skills, other skills are also needed in working life.
Can you identify what you can do and what you are good at?

For example, do you know these things about your skills and how to develop them?

Professional skills
•   I know how education affects getting a job in Finland.
•   I have a vocational qualification or degree that I can use in Finland.
•   I know what kind of training or skills I need.
•   I know what and where I could study to get the competence I need.
•   I have competence from work experience and I know how I can show that to potential employers.

Other skills
•   I know what kind of communication and interpersonal skills are needed in Finnish working life.
•   I know what computer skills are needed for the jobs I am applying for.
•   I can describe the skills I have learned in my own life, hobbies, or voluntary work.

5. Language skills

Do you know enough Finnish or other languages?
Many jobs require good Finnish skills. In some jobs you willl also need other language skills

For example, do you know these things about language skills?

•   I understand how Finnish language skills affect getting a job in Finland.
•   I know how much Finnish I need to know for a job that interests me.
•   I know where and how I can improve my Finnish language skills.
•   I know what other languages I need to know for a job that interests me.
•   I can tell the employer about my language skills.
•   I know whether I need to get an official certificate of my language skills for a job.

6. An active and positive attitude

How to approach the job search?
An active and positive attitude helps when looking for a job. Sometimes looking for a job can feel too difficult. Know when to seek help. Also, find other things to do to make you feel good and have a positive experience.

Do you understand or know these things about having an attitude that helps when looking for a job?

•   I understand that looking for a job is challenging, and it can take a long time to find the right job for me.
•   I can maintain my own well-being and patience if the job search takes a long time.
•   I understand that not everyone's path to work is always straightforward. I also know the different opportunities and routes to work.
•   I understand that I cannot influence everything and that not all failures are my fault.
•   However, I have the skills and energy to think about what more I could do or what I could do differently in my job search.
•   I know where I can get help and support to find a job.