Are you returning to work after things like parental leave or family care? At Job Market Finland you can find advice and services to support your job search or change in profession.
You can improve as a job seeker when you master the basics of job search.
On this page, we have gathered tips to help you improve your chances of employment. We provide guidance on, for example, how to get started with your job application documents and how to prepare for a job interview.
At Job Market Finland, you can automate your job search by creating a job applicant profile. In it, you can introduce yourself, highlight your skills, and list your education and work experience. Based on the provided information, you will recieve job recommendations that suit you, and employers interested in your skills can contact you.
The job seeking process consists of several stages, and it is advisable to start by acquiring information. Once you have found an interesting job, try to obtain the best possible understanding of the employer and everything that is involved with the open position. When you have acquired information in advance, it will be easier for you to apply for the position.
When you find an interesting position, read the job posting carefully. It is a good idea to find answers to at least the following questions related to the open position.
Before submitting a job application, you should also familiarise yourself with the employer. Visit the organisation’s website and find out at least the sector, size, and structure of the organisation, as well as its vision, values, and objectives.
Once you have familiarised yourself with both the position and the employer, and you still want to apply for the position, you should consider your next step. Will you contact the employer before sending your job application? Will calling or visiting the workplace, or sending an email help you write your application? Sometimes the job advertisement contains the contact details of the person participating in the recruitment process and the times when you can approach the employer. If you really have questions about the position and feel that it is useful to contact the employer, you can do so before submitting your job application. However, you should carefully consider the most suitable choice for your situation and proceed accordingly.
Although it may seem old-fashioned to draw up traditional job application documents, almost every job application process still requires an application letter and a CV. A one-page application letter and a resume of maximum two pages is usually a good combination.
It may be challenging to formulate your own competence in a comprehensive yet interesting manner. The following instructions will help you create a successful application letter and an interesting CV.
It is a good idea to invest some time and effort in writing your application letter, as what you write can help you get a job interview. The aim of the application letter is to attract the recruiter’s attention so that you will be invited to a job interview.
In the application letter, you will describe
The application letter should give a positive impression of you. It should be concise and targeted specifically at the employer whose position you are applying for. You describe your background and work history in your CV, but in the application letter, the focus is on the future.
Avoid making lists. In the application letter, you can describe yourself and your competence more informally. In addition to subject-related competence, you should also highlight your other strengths that are useful for the position you are applying for. In addition to describing them, it is essential to explain in the application letter what you can offer the organisation.
If you are applying for a position for which you do not have any previous experience, explain how your competence fits the position, and emphasise your motivation, good attitude, and ability to learn.
Finally, you should run a spell check on your text. The application letter is an opportunity to demonstrate your competence, and even small details matter. Therefore, make sure that there are no spelling mistakes in the text.
When working on a CV, try to make it comprehensive yet also clear. You can use creativity when making your CV, but you should not divert too far from the commonly used structure. Express yourself concisely. It is, after all, very important that the recruiter finds the relevant information easily and quickly, as not much time is necessarily given to each individual CV.
A good CV is visually interesting, clear and easy to understand. It quickly indicates whether you meet the requirements of the position.
It is a good idea to describe your work experience and educational information in chronological order, with the most recent experience first. Briefly describe each of your work experiences. Describe what your tasks have included and what you have learned from the work. In addition to work experience, you can also describe your language and IT skills, and provide a list of references.
Check that your resume includes your contact information.
LinkedIn profiles have not superseded traditional CVs, but the service can support your CV in the job application process.
You can also write an application letter in the email message field. Consider the text in your email message as carefully as if you were writing a traditional application letter.
Employers’ own electronic job search services have their own specific characteristics. Recruiters may, for example, perform word searches on them. In other words, search the job posting for keywords describing the nature of the task and the applicant’s characteristics, and use them in your application. Remember to also describe your personal expertise.
When submitting an application in the employer’s online service, read the instructions carefully. It is a good idea to first write your text using a text editing programme and copy it to the form afterwards.
In the case of an open application, update it regularly.
It is increasingly common for employers to request video applications from job seekers. Video material makes it easier for the employer to pre-select applicants. You can use a video to give a more authentic image of yourself than with a traditional job application.
Make a short, 1–3 minute video and upload it to a video service. Send the link to the employer.
You should practice beforehand so that you can express yourself naturally instead of reading from a piece of paper. For example, you can use the video to
A portfolio is a collection of your best and most important work or achievements. You can assemble a portfolio in different ways. It can be a folder, portfolio, demo, plan, drawing, or a photo collection.
Portfolios are most commonly used in the creative sector, but they work well in many other fields, too. For example, a chef’s portfolio may include their personal recipes, photos of dishes and customer feedback.
You should assemble a new portfolio for every new application. However, do not make your portfolio too broad in scope.
A portfolio can include
You can send your portfolio to the employer or take it with you to your job interview and present it there. If your portfolio can be found online, remember to include a link in your job application.
You should not think of a job interview as a one-sided interrogation, but as an opportunity for people to get to know each other. For employers, an interview is a way to test the suitability of a job seeker for an open position and the work community. The applicant will also familiarise themselves with the employer and reflect on their suitability for the position and their interest in becoming part of the organisation. Keep this in mind when you attend the job interview.
When you challenge the interviewer and ask questions about the employer or position, you will give the impression that you are motivated and indicate that you are genuinely interested in the position. At the same time, you will gain information on whether the position is right for you.
Next, we will give you tips on how to succeed in a job interview.
When you are well-prepared for the interview, you can relax and be yourself. It is alright to feel a little nervous.
You should do the following before the interview.
A positive first impression goes a long way when people meet for the first time. Dress in a way that suits the position and employer. Remember to take your application letter, CV, work and educational certificates and possible portfolio with you. Be on time.
In the interview, the recruiter will evaluate whether you are genuinely interested in the position and whether your skills and competence are suited for the position. Above all, the interview will reveal your interaction skills and attitude. If there are more than one interviewers present, give each one of them an equal amount of attention.
Remember that your body language, expressions and the way that you speak tell a lot about yourself. Listen to what they are asking you, and take your time to think before answering. When answering, be honest, but remember to also consider what should possibly be left out.
There are usually three stages to an interview.
After the interview is over, think about how it went. Assess what went well and what you could improve on.
If you are not chosen for the position, ask the employer or interviewer what factors were emphasised in the selection, and what were the reasons why you were not chosen for the job.
Practice answering the questions and consider appropriate answers in advance. The better you prepare, the more confident you will feel during the interview.
You may be asked several similar questions, and the order of the questions may seem completely random. This way, the interviewer may simply be testing how you cope under pressure.
It is worth remembering that you do not need to answer all questions asked by the employer. It is also good to be aware that, in addition to the job interview, the employer can examine your suitability for the position by means of personal assessments and aptitude tests.
There are certain topics that should not affect the recruitment process. During a job interview or similar encounter, you do not need to answer questions related to your
The employer is not allowed to place job seekers in an unequal position on the basis of the aforementioned characteristics.
Exceptions to this may include some situations where the listed features have a material impact on the performance of the work tasks.
In addition to a job interview, your competence and aptitude for the task may be evaluated in other ways.
Your professional competence may be tested in different ways. For example, you may be asked to do a demo in a situation that resembles work, participate in group work, or give a small-scale presentation.
A psychological evaluation can be used to assess and predict how you will perform in a task by studying your thinking, expertise, skills, characteristics, or operating models.
Through psychological assessment, the employer may wish to find out, for example,
It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that the tests are based on reliable methods and that the information gained during the testing process is accurate. The people who perform these tests must have sufficient expertise.
The best way to prepare for these types of tests is to be yourself and go in with an open mind. You are always entitled to receive a copy of your test report or oral feedback on it.
Job seeking requires personal intiative, but you don't have to do everything on your own. Various services help you in your job search in different life situations.
If you need help with considering education and career options or clarifying your future plans, you should participate in career and career choice guidance, education and training guidance, or career coaching. At the beginning of your job search, you may need to develop your job search skills, in which case you can participate in group job search training or individual job search training. Through a work try-out, you can get to know a new field, or it can support your return to working life after a long absence. If you need to update your skills or are planning to train in a new field, labour market training or RekryKoulutus Recruitment Training can be a good option.
Career choice, career guidance, and education advisory services help you to reflect on your educational and career options and to clarify your plans.
In career coaching, you will get information, counselling, guidance, and support for clarifying your vocational guidance and career options, applying for education, and developing working life competencies.
The job search training process will teach you the skills that you need to look for work independently and in a goal-oriented manner.
A job coach will help you personally when you are looking for a job that suits you. With the guidance of the coach, you can highlight your competence and strengths in the labour market. When you have found a suitable job, the job coach can help you get started at your new workplace.
To help figure out your options in choosing a profession and career path, you can use the work try-out to familiarise yourself with working life. A work try-out can also be used to support your return to working life after a long absence.
Labour market training is training acquired by TE Services that is planned and implemented in cooperation with educational institutions. In addition to labour market training, you can apply for recruitment, targeted or change training. They are organised as cooperation between TE Services and employers.
Labour market training offers education and training that promotes your employment and vocational qualification. It can be to complete vocational qualification, or a further or a specialist vocational qualification, a vocational qualification module, further or continuing education, entrepreneur training, or integration training for immigrants.
Are you looking for a job, but you do not have a suitable education and you do not want to complete a degree that requires years of study? In RekryKoulutus Recruitment Training, you will acquire skills that suit the employer's needs and will be employed by the organization at the end of the training. The trainings are implemented in cooperation between TE Services and employers. They combine theoretical studies completed at the educational institution and learning on the job in the company that organizes the training.
Recruitment Training is implemented in several different fields. The trainings are aimed at job seekers who are suitable for the job they are applying for and are motivated to train in the field. Some trainings require previous skills. However, in the majority of trainings, students are trained in a new field from the basics, and you are not required to have previous skills. If you have just graduated or are returning to work after, for example, parental leave, Recruitment Training may be just the right option for you.
See what kind of Recruitment Trainings are currently accepting students.
If you are aged under 30, a visit to a One-Stop Guidance Center can help you get started. The One-Stop Guidance Center provides information and guidance according to your needs, for example on matters related to studying, finding employment, and the smoothness of everyday life.
The Abilitator is a free self-assessment method of work ability and functioning for all people of working age. With the Abilitator quiz you can find out about your situation, strengths, and development needs.
If you are an unemployed job seeker at a TE Office or local government pilot, the employer can be granted a pay subsidy for your hiring costs. If you are over 55 years old and unemployed as a job seeker in a TE Office or local government pilot, the employer can be granted employment subsidy for job seekers aged 55 or over. When you apply for a job or accept a job as an unemployed person in a location that is far from where you live, you can receive compensation or assistance for travel and accommodation costs or commuting and moving costs.
A pay subsidy is a form of financial support that the TE Office or local government pilot can grant to an employer to cover the salary costs of an unemployed job seeker and as compensation for the time spent on work supervision. Your employer may also be granted a pay subsidy if you have a disability or illness that affects your ability to cope with your work tasks.
Discuss with a TE Office or local government pilot specialist whether your employer could receive a pay subsidy for hiring you. If the subsidy can be granted, you should mention it to the employer when you are applying for a job.
When agreeing on work covered by a pay subsidy with your employer, explain whether you are a TE Office or a local government pilot customer. The employer needs this information for submitting an application for a pay subsidy.
If you find employment supported by a pay subsidy in your municipality of residence, i.e. the municipality is the applicant for the pay subsidy or the pay subsidy is funded by the European Social Fund, the pay subsidy is granted by the TE Office.
The purpose of the subsidy is to promote the employment of those aged 55 or over by improving their professional or entrepreneurial skills. The subsidy is granted and paid to the employer, but the essential part of granting it is the service needs of the unemployed job seeker.
The employment subsidy requires that the unemployed job seeker to be employed has reached the age of 55 and has been unemployed for at least 24 months during the 28 months immediately preceding the granting of the employment subsidy.
Discuss with a TE Office or local government pilot specialist whether your employer could receive a employment subsidy for hiring you. If the subsidy can be granted, you should mention it to the employer when you are applying for a job.
Read what kind of compensation and subsidies you can get for travel and accommodation costs caused by looking for a job, as well as commuting and moving costs when you accept a job far from your current place of residence as an unemployed person.
This website is part of the European Commission's Your Europe portal. Did you find what you were looking for? Give feedback! (europa.eu)
Are you planning on working abroad? Before you begin applying for work abroad, evaluate your language skills, expertise, and the employment situation of your field in your destination country.
As a Finnish citizen, you have the same work-related rights and responsibilities in EU and EEA member states and Switzerland as their own citizens.
If you want to work in one of these countries and find information about job vacancies, training, and the labour market in the country, you should check out the EURES online service.
The EURES network helps job seekers from EU countries as well as Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. You can get support from EURES member and partner organisations throughout the job search process. The service is free of charge.
From a EURES advisor, you can get, for example, guidance in the international job search and help with the country-specific preparation of the CV and application.
As a rule, you need a work permit issued by the immigration authority of the destination country to work in countries outside the EU and EEA countries and Switzerland. As a job seeker, you will be personally required to find out the necessary prerequisites and procedures related to the work permits. For more information, contact, for example, the embassies of the countries that you are interested in.
An internship abroad supports your professional development, language skills, and readiness to work internationally.
If you are studying in a vocational institution, you can apply for a workplace learning spot through your educational institution.
If you are a higher education student, traineeships from abroad can be provided to you by, for example, your own educational institution, in case of EDUFI internships, through the Finnish National Agency for Education, which is responsible for international mobility and collaboration as well as international student organisations.
As an unemployed job seeker, you are allowed to go to another EU or EEA member state or Switzerland for three months to look for work and still retain the right to an unemployment benefit that is paid in Finland. During your job seeking trip, you will only be able to receive earnings-related unemployment allowance and basic unemployment allowance. You cannot receive labour market subsidy during the trip.
To be able to receive unemployment benefits while you are abroad, your unemployment before your trip must have lasted for at least four weeks. The expert at the TE Office or the local government pilot can reduce this period at its discretion and for a special reason, for example, if you have already agreed on a job interview. Your unemployment period can also be calculated to include the time that you have participated in a service that promotes employment.
Report the travel date to the TE Office or the local government pilot well in advance of your departure. It will inform the payer of the unemployment benefit that you will be leaving to look for work in another EU or EEA member state or Switzerland.
Remember to order a U2 form from Kela or your unemployment fund well in advance of your departure, as you will need to take this to the labour office of your destination country. Kela or your unemployment fund will determine whether the prerequisites for transferring the unemployment benefit that falls within their domain are met.
After you have arrived at your country of destination, remember to register as a job seeker at the local labour office within seven days. This will allow you to receive your unemployment benefit for the duration of your trip. If you register later, you will only receive money starting from your registration date.
During the job seeking process, you are required to comply with the obligations and supervision methods that have been mandated by the labour officials of your destination country.
Your unemployment allowance is paid by Kela or your unemployment fund. During your job seeking trip, you can apply for unemployment benefits as usual online, or you can post your unemployment period notice to the payer.
Your TE Office or local government pilot can reimburse you for any travel and accommodation costs for a return job interview journey to another EU or EEA country if the work you applied for will last for at least two weeks and your working hours will be at least 18 hours per week on average. Reimbursement of travel and accommodation costs cannot be granted for job search trips to Switzerland.
When you return to Finland, register immediately as a job seeker. Your unemployment security may change if you do not return to Finland and you do not register as a job seeker at the latest on the return date mentioned in the U2 form. This will prevent you from receiving any unemployment benefit before you have been employed or have participated in labour market training in Finland for four weeks. You may be entitled to a labour market subsidy.
For more detailed instructions, contact your TE Office, local government pilot, Kela, or unemployment fund.
If you are not a citizen of an EU or EEA member state or Switzerland, contact the TE Office or local government pilot and the payer of your unemployment benefit.
This website is part of the European Commission's Your Europe portal. Did you find what you were looking for? Give feedback! (europa.eu)
Which profession is right for you? Choosing a profession is an important decision, but it won’t determine who you are for the rest of your life. That’s why it’s better to think of the process as a lifelong one, as you may change professions several times throughout your career, either to follow your passions or due to circumstance – for example, if there are changes in the job market or in your health.
The starting point for career planning is to assess your interests. Think about what hopes and wishes you have for your future career and how your values may influence your choice of profession. It’s also important to identify your personal strengths and limitations. After that, you can begin thinking about different professions and which options may suit you best. Find out what types of education and training are required to access the tasks that interest you. You should also familiarise yourself with the future prospects of your chosen field and profession.
You can receive help and assistance from the psychologist's service for career choices and career-related guidance. You can also participate in career coaching, where you will have the opportunity to reflect on your career path together with a career coach and other individuals who are in a similar situation. And if you feel like talking to a professional who can help you weigh your educational options, don't hesitate to contact the TE Services’ Education Advisory Services. Those under the age of 30 are also eligible for free help and support from the One-Stop Guidance Centers, which can help you with a variety of issues, such as your studies, employment, or housing.
There are many different professions, and finding a suitable profession or position may seem difficult at first. You can watch the following short videos to reflect on your ideas and choices.
After watching the videos, you can learn more about different career planning tools and information resources.
You can find out more about different fields and professions in Job Market Finland’s Professional Information section. The job descriptions in this section contain information on the competence and educational requirements and salaries for each profession. You can also read interviews with people who represent different fields to discover handy tips for your career planning.
You can read the career stories in Job Market Finland's Current Topics section to learn about the career paths of different people and the knowledge and experiences they have to share.
You can use the AVO career choice programme to consider your personal areas of interest and what wishes you have for the content of your future career. Based on your answers, the programme can offer you suggestions for suitable professions.
The Töissä.fi website provides information on the careers of those who have graduated from a university or university of applied sciences. You can also read what different graduates have to say about the tasks and positions they have worked in.
The Labour Force Barometer allows you to examine the employment opportunities that are available in your field of choice in different regions. The Labour Force Barometer contains useful information on the employment prospects and development trends of over 200 different occupations.
The Skills Needs Compass contains information on what kind of competence is needed in our society and what changes can be observed in our competence-related needs. The Compass also contains information on various professional fields.
The Abilitator service allows you to assess your work-related abilities and capabilities and examine your strengths and development areas.
Once you have discovered a profession that interests you, find out if it requires any specific education or training. You will typically have a lot of different options at your disposal, as you can develop your competence and vocational skills at a wide range of educational institutions and in many different ways, such as through contact teaching or distance learning.
Studyinfo is a national education information service that contains important facts and figures on the degrees, professions and studies offered by Finnish educational institutions. You can use the service to find and apply for different educational paths and options.
Many people also choose to work for themselves as entrepreneurs. Find out what it takes to become an entrepreneur and whether entrepreneurship could be a good fit for you. If you are interested in entrepreneurship, remember that you can also participate in entrepreneurship training or career coaching.
Mervi's story: What will I become when I grow up?
Career story
An employment relationship is created when you agree with your future employer on what work you will be doing and what kind of compensation you will receive for your work.
A well-functioning employment relationship is based on a carefully prepared employment contract. The employment contract may be written or verbal, but it is usually a good idea to prepare it in writing so that the terms and conditions of the employment relationship can be easily checked. The employment contract specifies the rights and obligations of both the employer and the employee, so to avoid misunderstandings, the employment contract should be drawn up carefully.
You can freely agree with your employer on tasks, working hours, pay and other benefits and conditions, as long as these comply with the law. Labour legislation contains boundary conditions concerning issues such as working hours, workload, and pay. A generally binding collective agreement may also affect the terms and conditions of the employment agreement if one is used in your industry. Legislation and collective agreements aim to ensure your rights as an employee.
An employment contract is made to be either valid until further notice or for a fixed period. In a fixed-term employment contract, you agree in advance on the end date of the employment relationship. There must always be a valid reason for a fixed-term employment relationship. You can read about when there are grounds for drawing up a fixed-term employment relationship on the website of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
If you want to ensure that your employment relationship is legal and that your rights are realised, you should read more about the topic.
If you are a young employee, ask for your employment contract to be made in writing. Make sure that your salary is paid correctly and that you get to take the holidays that you are entitled to.
If you have reached the age of 15, you may conclude, terminate, and cancel the employment contract yourself. If you are under 15, your guardian’s consent is required for the employment relationship.
Under the legislation, young people may not be hired for work that could be excessively hard or impede on the young person’s school attendance. The involvement of young people in certain jobs and work tasks is either limited or forbidden entirely. As a result, it is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the special regulations of the employment relationship so that you know your rights and obligations.
If you are unsure about your rights, take a look at the Young worker web page on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration website. The One-Stop Guidance Center also provides support and answers to questions related to work.
This website is part of the European Commission's Your Europe portal. Did you find what you were looking for? Give feedback! (europa.eu)
Are you returning to employment after taking, for example, parental leave or time for providing informal care?
If you are returning to work after a break from employment, you should make use of the various services that promote employment.
If you need help in applying for a job, effective help can be found through job seeking training, job coaching and the job search advice and guidance provided by TE services.
Are you interested in a whole new profession or sector? The psychological service for career selection and career guidance, career coaching, labour market training, and work try-outs are all options that can help you start a new career. It is also worth exploring apprenticeship training, which is one way of training for a new profession.
If you are returning to working life after a longer period of sick leave, it is worth exploring options for rehabilitative work activities
This website is part of the European Commission's Your Europe portal. Did you find what you were looking for? Give feedback! (europa.eu)