Registration as a job seeker

International Housen työntekijä opastaa asiakasta palvelutiskillä. Image Tero Takalo-Eskola

Visit us at Employment Services

Kaksi henkilöä pöydän ääressä tietokoneiden kanssa. Image Tero Takalo-Eskola

Interaction and document delivery to Employment services

What to do if you are about to become or have just become unemployed?

If You are a foreign national, register as an unemployed job seeker in E-services or on a paper (FI):

You can register as a job seeker in E-services if you are a citizen of an EU or EEA member state and you either have online banking codes, a mobile certificate or a smart ID card.
Please note: E-services are in Finnish.

If you are not a citizen of an EU or EEA member state or do not have online banking codes/mobile certificate/smart ID card, you can register at the local Employment services. Take your ID and a valid residence permit with you for registration.

Jyväskylä Employment Services, Hannikaisenkatu 11—13, Jyväskylä, 40100 Jyväskylä.

Register no later than on your first day of unemployment. After registering, you may be invited to an initial interview soon, so keep your phone on and answer calls. This way, your matter will proceed as smoothly as possible.

Handling official matters and registering as a job seeker for citizens of different countries can be found on the Job Market Finland.

Certificate for Unemployed Job Seeker for Granting Discounts

As an unemployed job seeker, you can receive discounts on services such as sports and cultural activities.

The certificate is valid for three months at a time. You can also prove the validity of your job search in the services of the City of Jyväskylä by logging into Job Market Finland's E-services. Show the "Status" section at the checkout. The statuses that entitle you to a discount are "unemployed," "laid off," and "in an employment-promoting service." You can also print the front page of the E-service, which shows the start date and validity of the job search.

If you are unable to use the E-service, you can also obtain a certificate of the validity of your job search by visiting Työntalo (Hannikaisenkatu 11-13) in person or by requesting it from your personal coach.

How to register as a job seeker

1. Register as a job seeker online or with a form

Register in E-services online service. If you do not have online banking credentials, you can register with a paper form.

Registration as a job seeker

Return the form to the Employment Service (Hannikaidenkatu 11-13, Jyväskylä). If you do not have a job, register as a job seeker no later than on your first day of unemployment. You can also register as a job seeker before the start of unemployment or temporary lay-off, preferably a few days before. Please note, however, that you can receive unemployment benefit from the date of registration at the earliest.

After registering as an unemployed job seeker, an initial service employee will call, text, or email you. Depending on your situation, the invitation to a meeting can come as early as the next day. Answer calls and be prepared to come in person in the coming days. During the meeting, you will be assigned a personal coach, and you will also be able to agree on the time of the next meeting. At the first meeting with an employee of Initial Services, you will draw up your employment plan together.

Employment services will issue an unemployment security statement, which will be sent either to Kela or to your unemployment fund, depending on your situation. Kela or the unemployment fund decides on and pays the unemployment benefit.

Do you have any questions about unemployment benefits?
Information and guidance about unemployment security on the Job Market Finland

2. Read more about the rights and responsibilities of job seekers

3. Prepare for the initial interview

Your personal coach will support you in your job search. The personal coach will go through your current life situation with you and find a route back to working life or a service that will help you.

Before your first meeting with a personal coach, think about these things:
1. Are you looking for a job or are you planning another option, such as studying?
2. Can you find vacancies that are suitable for you? Read more: Where can I find a job? page
3. Are you familiar with job seeker services? Find out more about coaching, training opportunities and alternative routes to the job market.
4. Are you worried about your own health and work ability?
5. Did you know that an employer can receive financial support for your hiring?
6. Are you interested in entrepreneurship?
7. Are your CV and job search skills in order?

In the future, you can always leave a contact request to your personal coach in E-services. Your personal coach will also give you a phone number that you can call from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 3 pm.

4. Get acquainted with the services for job seekers in Finland

As an unemployed job seeker, you will meet with your personal coach several times. In your employment plan, you will agree on a personal obligation to seek work, i.e., how many jobs you should apply for during a certain period.

Employment plan on the Job Market Finland
Read more about handling matters in the employment services

On the Job Market Finland, you can read more about jobseeker services, such as coaching and labour market training. In addition, you can browse jobs and create a job seeker profile that employers can use to contact you.

5. Update your information and notify the end of your job search