The Job Applicant Profile Will Become Part of Job Seeking in Autumn 2026

From 1 September 2026 onwards, creating and publishing a job applicant profile will become an obligation for all job seekers.

– The job applicant profile is like a digital business card that allows job seekers to showcase their skills and potential. A well-crafted profile can provide a significant boost to a job search because it attracts employers’ attention and encourages them to get in touch, says Laura Rautio, Process Owner for Employment Services at BusinessOulu.

A job applicant profile is not a traditional CV or job application. Its purpose is to give employers a clear picture of your skills and the type of work you are looking for. The more carefully you complete your profile, the better Job Market Finland can identify job opportunities that match your competence.

What Are the Benefits of a Job Applicant Profile?

A job applicant profile can open new opportunities, even when active job searching feels challenging or when there are only limited vacancies available in your field.

With a profile, you can:

• Make your skills visible to employers.
• Receive job recommendations that match your competence and experience.
• Be discovered for positions that are not widely advertised.
• Use your profile in both domestic and international labour markets.
• Apply for jobs anonymously without displaying personal identifying information.

– Publishing a job applicant profile is one way of casting your net wide. It is a practical networking tool that allows you to make a positive first impression on several employers at once. It may even happen that a job finds you before you find the job, Rautio says.

Remember to publish your profile once you have completed it. The job applicant profile should be seen primarily as an opportunity. Creating it helps you put your skills into words and articulate your strengths. By systematically reviewing your work experience, skills, and achievements, you also create a strong foundation for future CVs and job applications.

Who Can See My Information?

Published job applicant profiles can be viewed by employers and private employment agencies that are logged into Job Market Finland, as well as employment authorities in relation to their own customers.

If an employer finds a suitable candidate, they can send a message through the platform. The job seeker receives the contact request by email. Employers and private employment agencies do not see the job seeker’s email address.

You decide how much information you share about your background and how much identifying information you wish to provide. You can publish your profile yourself by logging into the My Job Path section of Job Market Finland, or you can publish it together with your personal employment coach.

When a profile is published together with an employment coach, information such as work experience and education can be included without identifying details. This allows the profile to remain anonymous unless the job seeker specifically wishes to share more detailed information with employers.

What Should You Include in Your Profile?

A job applicant profile does not need to be lengthy. The most important thing is that it clearly communicates the essential information.

A good profile should include:

• Key work experience, education, and qualifications
• Other skills and strengths
• Career goals and areas of interest
• A short introduction about yourself as a job seeker

It is worthwhile to spend some time on the introduction section. In just a few sentences, you can explain what kind of work you are looking for, what skills you have, and what you could bring to a new workplace. Concrete examples are often more memorable than a simple list of job titles or personal qualities.

– The system allows job seekers to create their profiles in a flexible way and, if they wish, with a touch of personality. Everyone can decide for themselves what information is relevant to their employment prospects and how much detail they want to share, Rautio reminds.

Three Tips to Keep in Mind

1. Tell employers who you are and what you are aiming for. Even a brief introduction helps employers understand your situation.
2. Describe your experience through practical examples. Explain what you have done, achieved, or learned in different roles.
3. Highlight your strengths. Focus on the skills and experience you have today.

What Will Change in Autumn 2026?

From 1 September 2026, new job seekers will generally have 15 working days to complete and publish a job applicant profile after starting their job search. In certain situations, exceptions may apply if there are legal grounds for doing so.

If your job search has started before 1 September 2026, the obligations related to the job applicant profile will begin at your first service meeting after the legislative changes come into effect.

Publishing a job applicant profile is not merely a new obligation. It is also a way to make your skills visible and discover new opportunities in working life. The better employers understand your competence, the greater your chances of being noticed at the right time.