I am returning to work
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.
Information about the situation
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.
Before sending a job application
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.
- What are the main responsibilities and special requirements of the position?
- Do you need a specific degree or certain type of work experience?
- Do the tasks correspond to your competence?
- What can you learn from the job requirements?
- What kind of person are they looking for to fill the 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 posting 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.
Job application documents
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
- why you are applying for the job,
- how you meet the selection criteria for the position, and
- why you should be selected for the job in question.
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.
- In the subject field, write “Application” and the title of the position you are applying for.
- Upload your CV as an attachment to the message.
- Begin with a friendly greeting.
- Type your application letter in the text field. You do not need to follow the layout of a traditional application letter.
- Explain that your CV is attached to the email message.
- End your letter with a closing phrase and your contact information.
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
- describe your special talents,
- talk about your personality and strengths, or
- provide an example of your language skills.
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
- certificates, recommendations and evaluations,
- samples of various work tasks in the form of brochures, posters, programmes, magazine articles or similar, or
- anything that will help you land the job.
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.
Job interview
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.
- Find out more about the employer.
- Remind yourself of the job description and what is stated in the job posting.
- Go over your competencies and be prepared to describe them concisely.
- Think about the questions that you would like to ask about the job and your potential employer.
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.
- General issues are often discussed in the beginning. The aim is to create an overview of the interviewee.
- In the middle of the interview, the interviewers ask questions with the aim to find out how motivated you are and how you would fit the position. The questions will also involve your career and changes therein. In addition, the interviewers will want to know what kind of a person you are, your values, and your attitude.
- The final stage of the interview focuses on the more practical matters related to the position, such as your salary, working time and start date. The interviewer also often describes how the application process will continue. If necessary, you can also ask questions about the next stages of the process.
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.
- Tell us briefly about yourself.
- Describe your current or most recent employment relationship.
- Why are you applying for this job?
- Why do you want to switch jobs?
- What are your goals for the future?
- What are you like as a colleague or supervisor?
- What are the most important things that you have learned in your previous jobs?
- Describe your dream job or workplace.
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- How will your strengths help you succeed in your task? What have you done or will you do to fix your weaknesses?
- What motivates you as an employee?
- Describe the type of work community that you thrive in.
- Describe your idea of a good place to work.
- Do you prefer working alone or in a group?
- Why are you applying for a position that is not related to your previous work experience and educational background?
- How do you work under pressure? Give a concrete example.
- Are you ready to travel for work?
- Are you prepared to be flexible with your working hours?
- How much salary do you want?
- What have you learned in your previous jobs?
- What achievement are you particularly proud of?
- Why should we choose you?
- What would you like to know about us?
- Who could recommend you for the position?
- If we called the person giving you a reference, what would they tell us about you?
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.
Other matters related to the job seeking process
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
- age,
- health,
- family relationships or plans,
- sexual orientation,
- ethnic background,
- religion, or
- political orientation.
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,
- how you solve problems,
- how well you withstand pressure, and
- what kind of interaction style and personality you have.
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.
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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.
Vocational guidance and career planning help you assess your vocational, education or work options.
Citizens
In vocational guidance and career planning, you discuss the choice of profession, professional development, placement in the world of work and lifelong learning confidentially with a counsellor.
A licensed psychologist may also, with your consent, use psychological assessment methods to examine professional and career options, competence, suitability and work and functional capacity.
To whom and on what terms
In order to receive vocational guidance and career planning, you do not need to be registered as a jobseeker.
Do the following
Contact the employment authority in your area and ask if you can get vocational guidance and career planning.
The Job Market Finland's regional pages contain contact information provided by employment officials.
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You can find more detailed information and instructions in the service description published by the employment authority in your area.
Career coaching guides and supports you in studying different career options.
Citizens
Career coaching might suit you if you have no vocational training, consider changing fields, are returning to employment or consider entrepreneurship.
Career coaching provides you with information, counselling and support that help you get a clearer idea of your choice of profession and career alternatives, applying for education and developing transferable skills. Coaching helps you find your strengths and a new direction for your career.
To whom and on what terms
You can participate in career coaching if
- you have registered as a jobseeker
- the employment authority estimates that career coaching is the best way to support your employment
- coaching is agreed upon in your employment plan.
Do the following
Contact the employment authority in your area and ask if you can get career coaching.
The Job Market Finland's regional pages contain contact information provided by employment officials.
Browse regional services
You can find more detailed information and instructions in the service description published by the employment authority in your area.
In job search coaching, you can learn job-seeking skills.
Citizens
Job seeking is a skill that can be learned. Job search coaching provides you with support and guidance for independent job search.
In job search coaching, you will learn to use different job-search channels and assess different job options from the perspective of your job-seeking and competence.
To whom and on what terms
You can apply for in job search coaching if
- you have registered as a jobseeker
- the employment authority estimates that you need job search coaching
- training is agreed upon in your employment plan.
The employment authority decides who is selected for job search coaching.
Do the following
Contact the employment authority in your area and ask if you can get job search coaching.
The Job Market Finland's regional pages contain contact information provided by employment officials.
Browse regional services
You can find more detailed information and instructions in the service description published by the employment authority in your area.
Work coaching will guide and support you personally in searching for a job and finding employment.
Citizens
Work coaching is a suitable service for you if you need personal support for applying for work or starting work or if you have been unemployed for a long time.
Work coaching is tailored to your needs. A coach will help you find a job or apprenticeship, conclude an employment contract and establish an employment relationship.
To whom and on what terms
You can participate in work coaching if
- you have registered as a jobseeker
- the employment authority estimates that job coaching is the best way to support your employment
- coaching is agreed upon in your employment plan.
Do the following
Contact the employment authority in your area and ask if you can get work coaching.
The Job Market Finland's regional pages contain contact information provided by employment officials.
Browse regional services
You can find more detailed information and instructions in the service description published by the employment authority in your area.
You can use a work try-out to find out about career choices and career options in practical tasks. You can also use it to support your return to work.
Citizens
A work try-out may be suitable for you if you are considering your own field or want to find out whether a field is suitable for you. A work try-out is also an option if you have been outside of employment for a long period. During the work try-out, you will participate in general work at the workplace. A work try-out is not an employment relationship, and it does not create expenses for the employer.
Agree on the duration and working hours of the work try-out together with the employment authority in your area and the employer. The maximum duration of a work try-out is six months.
During the work try-out, you will receive the same unemployment security as if you were unemployed.
If the costs of participating in the work try-out are incurred, you can receive expense allowance for the days of participation. If you do not receive expense allowance from the payer of the unemployment benefit, that is, an unemployment fund or Kela, the employment authority can pay a discretionary expense allowance.
To whom and on what terms
You can participate in a work try-out if
- you have registered as a jobseeker
- the work try-out has been agreed upon in your employment plan
- the employment authority estimates that a work try-out is the best way to support your employment.
In your employment plan, you agree with the employment authority on whether you will find a work try-out place yourself or whether you need help finding a place.
A work try-out may be organised by a company, entrepreneur, municipality, joint municipal authority, other corporation, foundation or government agency or institution. A private individual may not act as the organiser of a work try-out. You cannot go to a work try-out at a workplace for which you are already employed.
Do the following
Contact the employment authority in your area and ask if you can participate in a work try-out.
The Job Market Finland's regional pages contain contact information provided by employment officials.
Browse regional services
You can find more detailed information and instructions in the service description published by the employment authority in your area.
Labour market training helps you develop your professional skills and promote your employment.
Citizens
Labour market training develops your professional skills and promotes your employment. Labour market training is training organised by the employment authority. The employment authority and the training provider plan the training together. Employers can also participate in the organisation of labour market training.
Labour market training may be:
- training that increases professional competence and capabilities
- training to increase entrepreneurial skills
- integration training.
Labour market training is free of charge, so you won’t need to pay participation or examination fees. However, card and licence training may be subject to a fee.
If you are unemployed, you are entitled to the same unemployment security during labour market training that you get when you are unemployed.
If you incur costs from participating in the training, you can receive an expense allowance for the days of participation. If you do not receive the allowance from the provider of your unemployment benefit, that is, the unemployment fund or Kela, you can apply for a discretionary expense allowance from the employment authority in your area.
To whom and on what terms
In order to receive vocational guidance and career planning, you do not need to be registered as a jobseeker.
Do the following
You can find which labour market training is currently available in the Trainings and services online service.
How do I apply for training?
Apply for labour market training in the Job Market Finland’s e-service
If you are unable to apply online, you apply by filling in the form “Application for labour market training”.
Before submitting your application, carefully read the admission criteria of the training programme you are interested in.
If you are an unemployed jobseeker, you can apply for reimbursement of travel and accommodation expenses from the employment authority when you travel for an admission event or aptitude test for labour market training, or visit the educational institution before starting labour market training if your disability or illness requires familiarisation with the accessibility and suitability of the educational institution.
You can get support for using the E-service from the Job Market Finland's E-services advice.
- E-services
- Job Market Finland's E-services advice
- Application for labour market training form, in Finnish (suomi.fi)
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You can find more detailed information and instructions in the service description published by the employment authority in your area.
Jointly acquired training is labour market training organised jointly by the employment authority and a company.
Businesses and non-government organizations
Jointly acquired training is labour market training that the employment authority can organise together with the employer, the commissioner of the person intending to become an entrepreneur or the company transferring its business rights so that they participate in the funding of the training.
As an employer, you can organise labour market training to increase the professional competence and capabilities of current or future personnel. You can arrange jointly acquired training when the training is targeted at employees in your service or temporary agency workers, persons hired for your service or persons laid off or dismissed from your service.
Jointly acquired training may also be aimed at you as an entrepreneur when you are starting a business.
To whom and on what terms
The employment authority will investigate whether the prerequisites for the training are met and whether there is a need for training.
If the training is targeted at persons to be employed by the employer, the employer’s contribution to the total price of the training without value added tax is 30 per cent and the employment authority’s contribution 70 per cent.
If the training is targeted at persons laid off or dismissed from the employer’s service, the employer’s contribution to the total price of the training without value added tax is 20 per cent and the employment authority’s contribution 80 per cent.
If the jointly acquired training is intended for employees or temporary agency workers employed by the employer or temporary agency workers whose purpose is to continue working for the employer, the employer’s contribution to the total price of the training without value added tax is 30–50 per cent. The contributions from the total price of the training, excluding VAT, are determined on the basis of the number of employees employed by the employer and the employer’s annual turnover or balance sheet.
Jointly acquired training is not to be used for the financing of regular orientation and personnel training for which the employer is the cost bearer or of training that employers must organise in order to comply with the national training standards.
If you intend to become an entrepreneur, you can organise jointly acquired training to increase your entrepreneurial capabilities if you have few commissioners as an entrepreneur or if you intend to acquire entrepreneurship rights from another company.
Do the following
Contact the employment authority of your area and submit a proposal for jointly acquired training.
The handler of your proposal will contact you to assess training needs and draw up a preliminary training plan.
The Job Market Finland's regional pages contain contact information provided by employment officials.
- Employment services locally
- Business E-services
- Enterprise Finland Advisory Service and help with E-services
- Employer’s proposal on joint procurement training (suomi.fi)
Browse regional services
You can find more detailed information and instructions in the service description published by the employment authority in your area.
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.
Financial assistance for job search and employment
If you are an unemployed job seeker, 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, 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 an economic benefit for employers to cover the pay of an unemployed jobseeker.
Businesses and non-government organizations
A pay subsidy is a benefit intended to promote the employment of unemployed jobseekers that an employment authority can grant to an employer to cover pay costs. The purpose of work supported by pay subsidy is to promote the employment of unemployed job seekers in the open labour market and to improve their professional competence. Pay subsidy also helps people with reduced work ability and those aged 60 or over who have been unemployed for an extended period to find work and participate in the world of work. The subsidy is granted and paid to the employer, but its granting is always based on the unemployed jobseeker’s service need.
A pay subsidy may be granted for
- open-ended full-time employment
- fixed-term full-time employment
- apprenticeship training
- part-time employment if the granter of the subsidy feels that it is appropriate and that it promotes the jobseeker’s possibilities to find employment.
The employment authority assesses whether the subsidy is the most appropriate means of promoting the employment of the unemployed jobseeker and decides separately the duration and amount of each support period. The unemployed jobseeker’s employment plan or pay subsidy card includes a mention of the pay subsidy.
The length of the pay subsidy period depends on the duration of the person’s unemployment and the impact a possibly reduced work ability might have on their work performance. Depending on the duration of the unemployment preceding the pay subsidy, the subsidy would be granted for five or ten months. The subsidy is granted for the duration of the employment relationship at most. The subsidy may be granted for hiring a long-term unemployed person aged 60 or over for a maximum of 24 months at a time.
In most cases, the amount of the pay subsidy is 50% of the salary costs incurred by the person hired with the subsidy. The amount of support granted for hiring a person with reduced work ability is 70% of their pay. The amount of support for an association, foundation or registered religious community may be 100% of the pay. The amount of subsidy granted is between 1,260 and 2,020 euros per month, depending on the grounds for granting. The pay covered with the subsidy is the pay subject to withholding tax that is paid to the employee on the basis of working hours or the performance of a contract.
To whom and on what terms
A company, municipality, joint municipal authority or wellbeing services county or other entity, such as an association, foundation, registered religious community or parish can apply for pay subsidies.
The subsidy cannot be granted for an employment relationship that started before the decision to grant the subsidy was made. An exception to this is the granting of a new pay subsidy period when the new period begins immediately after the previous one ends.
As an employer, you undertake to pay the employee who has been hired with the subsidy at least the salary specified in the collective agreement applicable to the employment relationship or the normal and reasonable salary if there is no applicable collective agreement. Pay subsidy shall not be granted if the pay of the person to be hired with the subsidy would be determined solely on the basis of their work performance.
The subsidy cannot be granted if:
- the subsidy distorts competition vis-à-vis others offering the same products or services
- the employer has essentially neglected their obligation to pay wages or obligations to pay taxes or statutory payments
- the organisation you represent is a company in trouble as referred to in the General Block Exemption Regulation of EU State Aid or if the European Commission has issued a negative Recovery Order against it, which declares the subsidy as illegal or unsuitable for the internal market.
It is possible to receive support regardless of dismissals or lay-offs when the number of employees in an employment relationship at the time of applying for the pay subsidy is at least equal to the number of employees at the time of dismissal or lay-off. The subsidy may not impair the position of your other employees.
If the person hired with the subsidy is transferred to another employer during the pay subsidy period due to the transfer of a business, merger or division of an entity or the merger of entities, pay subsidy may be granted to the employer receiving the employee for the remaining period of the pay subsidy period granted to the transferring employer. The receiving employer must submit an application for pay subsidy to the employment authority within one month since person hired with pay subsidy has transferred to the employment of the recipient or the receiving organisation.
Do the following
Apply for subsidy well in advance before the start of employment. The employment relationship can only start after a decision on the subsidy has been made.
If you are applying for a pay subsidy extension, submit the extension application before the start of the new subsidy period. The employment relationship must continue immediately after the previous subsidy period ends.
The granted subsidy is paid retrospectively so that the pay periods ended during one calendar month are included in the pay period. You can apply for a payment of the subsidy for several payment periods. However, the subsidy is paid by each payment period.
Submit a payment application to the employment authority within three months of the end of the calendar month during which the last payment period of the subsidy period ends. The subsidy period is the period defined in the decision as the duration of the subsidy.
Apply for subsidy and its payment in the e-service
Apply for subsidy and its payment using an electronic form in the e-service. Log into the e-service with your personal banking IDs, a mobile certificate or a certificate card.
Complete the application in the service and attach the required documents. The service’s internal instructions will help you fill in the application. In the e-service, you can submit an application, respond to requests for supplementary information concerning the application, supplement your application and receive decisions concerning your case.
In the e-service, the application can be submitted by an authorised person. Persons without separate authorisation can act on behalf of an organisation if they have an existing mandate for transactions or a right based on register data. The e-service checks the person’s right to use e-services when logging in.
The mandate theme used for the subsidy is called Applying for pay subsidy.
In addition to the mandate, organisations need a business ID to use the e-services.
You can get advice on using the E-service and how to authorise from the Enterprise Finland Advisory Service.
The Job Market Finland's regional pages contain contact information provided by employment officials.
- Employment services locally
- Business E-services
- Enterprise Finland Advisory Service and help with E-services
- Local government e-service, in Finnish (suomi.fi)
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You can find more detailed information and instructions in the service description published by the employment authority in your area.
The employment subsidy is a financial subsidy for employers for the salary costs of an unemployed jobseeker aged 55 or over.
Businesses and non-government organizations
The employment subsidy is a benefit intended to promote the employment of unemployed jobseekers aged 55 or over that an employment authority can grant to an employer to cover pay costs. The purpose of the subsidy is to promote the employment of those aged 55 or over by improving their professional skills or entrepreneurial skills. The subsidy is granted and paid to the employer, but its granting is always based on the unemployed jobseeker’s service need.
The employment subsidy requires that the unemployed jobseeker hired for the employment relationship has reached the age of 55 and has been unemployed for at least 24 months in the 28 months immediately preceding the granting of the subsidy.
An employment subsidy may be granted for a employment contract valid until further notice or a fixed-term employment contract. The person hired with the subsidy must work for the recipient for at least 25 hours a week. If the regular working hours in the sector are less than 37.5 hours per week, the working hours must be at least 65 per cent of the regular working hours in the sector.
The unemployed jobseeker’s employment plan or pay subsidy card includes a mention of the subsidy.
The amount of employment subsidy is 70 per cent of the wage costs. The aid may be granted for a period of 10 months but not longer than the duration of the employment relationship. The maximum amount of employment subsidy paid is €1,770 per month. The pay covered with the subsidy is the pay subject to withholding tax that is paid to the employee on the basis of working hours or the performance of a contract.
To whom and on what terms
A company, municipality, joint municipal authority or wellbeing services county or other entity, such as an association, foundation, registered religious community or parish can apply for employment subsidies.
The subsidy cannot be granted for an employment relationship that started before the decision to grant the subsidy was made.
As an employer, you undertake to pay the employee who has been hired with the subsidy at least the salary specified in the collective agreement applicable to the employment relationship or the normal and reasonable salary if there is no applicable collective agreement. The subsidy shall not be granted if the pay of the person to be hired with the subsidy would be determined solely on the basis of their work performance.
The subsidy cannot be granted if:
- the subsidy distorts competition vis-à-vis others offering the same products or services
- the employer has essentially neglected their obligation to pay wages or obligations to pay taxes or statutory payments
- the organisation you represent is a company in trouble as referred to in the General Block Exemption Regulation of EU State Aid or if the European Commission has issued a negative Recovery Order against it, which declares the subsidy as illegal or unsuitable for the internal market.
It is possible to receive support regardless of dismissals or lay-offs when the number of employees in an employment relationship at the time of applying for the subsidy is at least equal to the number of employees at the time of dismissal or lay-off. The subsidy may not impair the position of your other employees.
Do the following
Apply for subsidy well in advance before the start of employment. The employment relationship can only start after a decision on the subsidy has been made.
The granted subsidy is paid retrospectively so that the pay periods ended during one calendar month are included in the pay period. You can apply for a payment of the subsidy for several payment periods. However, the subsidy is paid by each payment period.
Submit a payment application to the employment authority within three months of the end of the calendar month during which the last payment period of the subsidy period ends. The subsidy period is the period defined in the decision as the duration of the subsidy.
Apply for subsidy and its payment in the e-service
Apply for subsidy and its payment using an electronic form in the e-service. Log into the e-service with your personal banking IDs, a mobile certificate or a certificate card.
Complete the application in the service and attach the required documents. The service’s internal instructions will help you fill in the application. In the e-service, you can submit an application, respond to requests for supplementary information concerning the application, supplement your application and receive decisions concerning your case.
In the e-service, the application can be submitted by an authorised person. Persons without separate authorisation can act on behalf of an organisation if they have an existing mandate for transactions or a right based on register data. The e-service checks the person’s right to use e-services when logging in.
The mandate theme used for the subsidy is called Applying for pay subsidy.
You can get advice on using the E-service and how to authorise from the Enterprise Finland Advisory Service.
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You can find more detailed information and instructions in the service description published by the employment authority in your area.
You can get compensation for travel and accommodation costs when you are applying for a job or participating in a service that promotes employment.
Citizens
You can apply for compensation for travel and accommodation costs if you are an unemployed jobseeker and
- you applying for a job
- you apply for labour market training, coaching or trial
- you participate in an expert evaluation organised by the employment authority.
You can apply for compensation for return trips made in Finland for a job interview if the work lasts at least two weeks and the average working hours are at least 18 hours. Compensation may also be granted for a job interview trip to another Member State of the European Union or to a country belonging to the European Economic Area.
To receive compensation, you must be an unemployed jobseeker. Costs may be reimbursed if:
- you participate in an admission event or aptitude test for labour market training
- you will familiarise yourself with the educational institution providing labour market training before the training begins so that you can check the accessibility and other suitability of the institution for your studies due to a disability or illness
- you visit the employment authority so that your visit is considered necessary and you need transport services due to a disability or illness
- you participate in an expert evaluation organised by the employment authority.
The basis for reimbursement of travel expenses is the distance in kilometres multiplied by €0.21. The part of the travel expenses exceeding €12 shall be reimbursed up to a maximum of €200.
Compensation is granted for accommodation expenses based on the costs incurred, up to a maximum of €80 per day.
To whom and on what terms
You can be reimbursed for travel costs if the employment authority considers the reimbursement of costs appropriate for the availability of labour and the employment of the unemployed.
Compensation for travel expenses incurred from visiting the employment authority may be granted to an unemployed individual client who, due to a disability or illness, needs transport service in order to be able to visit the employment authority. A precondition for compensating travel costs is that a personal visit to the employment authority is necessary.
Travel and accommodation expenses for attending a job interview or a service can be reimbursed only if you are unemployed and registered as a jobseeker with the employment services in your area.
The length of the trip is calculated so that the journey begins from your actual place of residence.
You can be reimbursed for overnight stays if, due to traffic conditions, staying overnight has been necessary and costs have been incurred.
Do the following
Apply for reimbursement of travel and accommodation costs from the employment authority within one month of the end of the trip. The employment authority may pay the compensation in full or in part in advance.
If you are applying for the reimbursement of travel expenses, you do not need to attach receipts to your application. If you were staying overnight on the way, attach a receipt for the overnight stay costs to your application.
Apply for the allowance primarily using an electronic form in the e-service. Log into the service with your personal banking IDs, a mobile certificate or a certificate card. Complete the application in the service and attach the required documents. The service’s internal instructions will help you fill in the application. In the e-service, you can submit an application, respond to requests for supplementary information concerning the application, supplement your application and receive decisions concerning your case.
If you cannot use the e-service, apply for compensation using the printable form. Submit the form to the employment authority.
If you have been granted compensation for travel or accommodation expenses in full or in part in advance, submit the supporting documents for the costs incurred to the authority that made the decision within one month of the end of the trip.
If you have applied for compensation in the e-service, you can supplement the information needed for payment in the e-service if necessary.
The Job Market Finland's regional pages contain contact information provided by employment officials.
- Employment services locally
- Local government e-service, in Finnish (suomi.fi)
- Application for Reimbursement of travel and accommodation costs, in Finnish (suomi.fi)
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You can find more detailed information and instructions in the service description published by the employment authority in your area.
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.
EURES helps you find a job abroad
EURES (European Employment Service) supports free movement between its Member States. In addition to EU countries, EURES covers Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.
Free movement gives all citizens in the region the right to work in another Member State. As a Finnish citizen, you have the same rights and obligations when working in the EU and Switzerland as the nationals of those countries. You must register your residence in the new country, but no separate residence permit is required.
If you want to work in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland and are looking for information about open jobs in the country, education and training, or the labour market, check out the EURES online service.
EURES advisers provide guidance on international job searches and help you prepare a country-specific CV and cover letter. In addition, you receive support from EURES member and partner organisations throughout the job search. The service is free of charge.
The EURES portal is a recruitment site for the EU. In addition to open jobs, it also contains a wide range of useful information on matters such as living and working in other EU countries and the contact details of EURES advisers in different EU countries.
You can also register in the EURES portal and create a job seeker profile and a CV there. You can publish your job seeker profile on the CV database where the employers registered in the service can find it. If an employer considers you to be a suitable candidate for a vacancy in their organisation, they can contact you and offer you the job. You can transfer your job applicant profile data from Job Market Finland directly to the EURES portal.
Usually the job posting will specify what kind of an application the employer is looking for. The content of cover letters and CVs elsewhere in Europe is usually very similar to what is required in Finland. However, note that there may be some practical differences. In Germany, for example, it is common to attach copies of certificates to job applications.
You can ask the EURES advisers in the destination country about country-specific practices; you can find their contact details in the EURES portal. You can also find country-specific tips for drafting a cover letter and a CV in the Living and working conditions section of the EURES portal. You can also read the country-specific information on job search processes in the ‘Ready to make the move?’ guide which is available on the website of the European Commission. You can download the guide in PDF format or order a print version.
It is a good idea to use the Europass CV template as the basis for the CV. Europass has been developed with international recruitment in mind and easily gives the employer an overview of your professional skills and competence.
Targeted Mobility Scheme provide financial support for promoting labour mobility in the EU. There are several projects, which are currently coordinated by the Swedish and German employment services and EURES.
You can receive a mobility subsidy e.g. if you have a job or a job interview in another EU country, Norway, or Iceland, and you need financial support for travel or relocation costs.
EURES Targeted Mobility Scheme support for mobility in Europe
The European Online Job Day (EOJD) events are virtual recruitment fairs. They are organised by different EURES member states. Participation is free of charge for you. At the events, you can search for vacancies, chat with employers, watch videos and even participate in a job interview. You can also create a profile on the event platform. At EOJD events, you can easily find job opportunities abroad and hear about living and working in different countries. For more information on the events, contact an EURES adviser or the event platform.
More information
- Eures (eures.europa.eu)
- Search for EURES Advisers (europa.eu)
- Working abroad and unemployment security (ytk.fi)
- Taxation of income earned abroad (vero.fi)
Job seeking trip to an EU or EEA country or Switzerland
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 your entitlement to the unemployment benefit you receive in Finland. During your job seeking trip, you can receive earnings-related unemployment allowance or basic unemployment allowance. In other words, you cannot receive the 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 employment official may, at its discretion, shorten this period for a special reason, for example if you have already agreed on a job interview or your spouse has got a job in the destination country. Your unemployment period can also be calculated to include the time that you have participated in a service that promotes employment.
Please report your travel dates to your local employment official in good time before your departure. The official will inform the payer of the unemployment security 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 employment official of your destination country. KELA or your unemployment fund will determine whether the prerequisites for transferring the unemployment allowance that falls within their domain are met.
After you have arrived at your destination country, remember to register as a job seeker with the local employment official within seven days. This will allow you to receive your allowance for the duration of your trip. If you register later, you will only receive money from your registration date. You can search for your future country of employment on the European Commission’s website.
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 an unemployment fund. During your job seeking trip, you can apply for unemployment allowance online as usual, or you can post your unemployment period notice to the payer.
More information
- European Network of Public Employment Services (employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu)
- Doing an Internship Abroad: All you need to know (study.eu)
Register as an unemployed job seeker after the trip
Once you return to Finland, notify your local employment official immediately. Your unemployment security may change if you do not return to Finland and you do not notify the official at the latest on the return date mentioned in the U2 form. This means that you would not receive any unemployment allowance before you have been employed or participated in labour market training in Finland for four weeks. You may be entitled to receive labour market support.
For more detailed instructions, contact the employment official, Kela, or the unemployment fund.
If you are not a citizen of an EU or EEA member state or Switzerland, contact the employment official and the payer of your unemployment benefit.
For more information, contact your local EURES adviser.
More information
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 will not determine who you are for the rest of your life. This is why it is 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 is 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. 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.
Browse regional services
More information
How can I find a profession that suits me?
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.
- Career management skills: Towards a new direction (youtube.com)
- Career management skills: Insights for a personalized career path (youtube.com)
- Career management skills: Reach for the new opportunities with confidence (youtube.com)
After watching the videos, you can learn more about different career planning tools and information resources.
Job Market Finland’s 'Professional information' service
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.
Job Market Finland’s career stories
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.
Career Skills tool
Career Skills is a digital tool that helps you assess and develop your career management skills.
Töissä.fi
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.
Labour Force Barometer
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.
Skills Needs Compass
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.
Abiliator
The Abilitator service allows you to assess your work-related abilities and capabilities and examine your strengths and development areas.
Training for a profession
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.
Read more
Studyinfo
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.
Interested in entrepreneurship?
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.
Read more
More information
- Entrepreneur test: Suitability to become an entrepreneur (ely-keskus.fi)
- We are JA Finland (nuortennyt.fi)
-
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.
More information
- Labour legislation (tem.fi)
- Employment relationship (työsuojelu.fi)
- Collective agreement (tyosuojelu.fi)
- As a foreign employee in Finland
- As a foreign employee in Finland (tyosuojelu.fi)
Employment relationships involving those under 18 have special conditions
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 get to know 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.
Read more
More information
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 employment 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
Nationwide services
Browse regional services
- Vocational guidance and career planning
- Career coaching
- Advice and guidance to jobseekers
- Work try-out
- Job-search training
- Job coaching
- Labour market training
- Pay subsidies
More information
Services
You can use a work try-out to find out about career choices and career options in practical tasks. You can also use it to support your return to work.
Citizens
A work try-out may be suitable for you if you are considering your own field or want to find out whether a field is suitable for you. A work try-out is also an option if you have been outside of employment for a long period. During the work try-out, you will participate in general work at the workplace. A work try-out is not an employment relationship, and it does not create expenses for the employer.
Agree on the duration and working hours of the work try-out together with the employment authority in your area and the employer. The maximum duration of a work try-out is six months.
During the work try-out, you will receive the same unemployment security as if you were unemployed.
If the costs of participating in the work try-out are incurred, you can receive expense allowance for the days of participation. If you do not receive expense allowance from the payer of the unemployment benefit, that is, an unemployment fund or Kela, the employment authority can pay a discretionary expense allowance.
To whom and on what terms
You can participate in a work try-out if
- you have registered as a jobseeker
- the work try-out has been agreed upon in your employment plan
- the employment authority estimates that a work try-out is the best way to support your employment.
In your employment plan, you agree with the employment authority on whether you will find a work try-out place yourself or whether you need help finding a place.
A work try-out may be organised by a company, entrepreneur, municipality, joint municipal authority, other corporation, foundation or government agency or institution. A private individual may not act as the organiser of a work try-out. You cannot go to a work try-out at a workplace for which you are already employed.
Do the following
Contact the employment authority in your area and ask if you can participate in a work try-out.
The Job Market Finland's regional pages contain contact information provided by employment officials.
Browse regional services
You can find more detailed information and instructions in the service description published by the employment authority in your area.
By registering as a jobseeker, you start your job search and become a customer of the employment services
Citizens
You will receive advice and guidance on job seeking when you register as a jobseeker with the employment services in your area. As a jobseeker, you can apply for unemployment benefit from Kela or your unemployment fund. The employment authority issues a statement on the matter to Kela or the unemployment fund.
The employment authority will advise and guide you in applying for work and selecting the right services. Your employment will be supported through an initial interview, an employment plan and job search discussions.
Once you have registered as a jobseeker, the employment authority will arrange an initial interview with you within five working days. In the interview, you and an expert will discuss what kind of jobs you could apply for or whether you need to acquire training or change fields. The employment authority will also draw up an employment plan with you.
During job search discussions, you will be in regular contact with the employment authority in your area. Between the discussions, you apply for work independently or participate in services promoting employment in accordance with the employment plan.
To whom and on what terms
If you are unemployed and your employment situation could be improved by using labour, social, health and rehabilitation services, the employment authority, wellbeing services county or the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) can direct you to a multisectoral assessment of service needs.
You can use the joint service for multisectoral support promoting the employment of young people if you are under the age of 30. You can also use the low-threshold service anonymously.
Do the following
If you have a Finnish personal identity code and can identify yourself electronically, start your job search in the e-service.
If you do not have a Finnish personal identity code or cannot use the e-service, contact the employment services in your area.
You can get support for using the E-service from the Job Market Finland's E-services advice.
Browse regional services
You can find more detailed information and instructions in the service description published by the employment authority in your area.
Work coaching will guide and support you personally in searching for a job and finding employment.
Citizens
Work coaching is a suitable service for you if you need personal support for applying for work or starting work or if you have been unemployed for a long time.
Work coaching is tailored to your needs. A coach will help you find a job or apprenticeship, conclude an employment contract and establish an employment relationship.
To whom and on what terms
You can participate in work coaching if
- you have registered as a jobseeker
- the employment authority estimates that job coaching is the best way to support your employment
- coaching is agreed upon in your employment plan.
Do the following
Contact the employment authority in your area and ask if you can get work coaching.
The Job Market Finland's regional pages contain contact information provided by employment officials.
Browse regional services
You can find more detailed information and instructions in the service description published by the employment authority in your area.
In job search coaching, you can learn job-seeking skills.
Citizens
Job seeking is a skill that can be learned. Job search coaching provides you with support and guidance for independent job search.
In job search coaching, you will learn to use different job-search channels and assess different job options from the perspective of your job-seeking and competence.
To whom and on what terms
You can apply for in job search coaching if
- you have registered as a jobseeker
- the employment authority estimates that you need job search coaching
- training is agreed upon in your employment plan.
The employment authority decides who is selected for job search coaching.
Do the following
Contact the employment authority in your area and ask if you can get job search coaching.
The Job Market Finland's regional pages contain contact information provided by employment officials.
Browse regional services
You can find more detailed information and instructions in the service description published by the employment authority in your area.
Vocational guidance and career planning help you assess your vocational, education or work options.
Citizens
In vocational guidance and career planning, you discuss the choice of profession, professional development, placement in the world of work and lifelong learning confidentially with a counsellor.
A licensed psychologist may also, with your consent, use psychological assessment methods to examine professional and career options, competence, suitability and work and functional capacity.
To whom and on what terms
In order to receive vocational guidance and career planning, you do not need to be registered as a jobseeker.
Do the following
Contact the employment authority in your area and ask if you can get vocational guidance and career planning.
The Job Market Finland's regional pages contain contact information provided by employment officials.
Browse regional services
You can find more detailed information and instructions in the service description published by the employment authority in your area.
All situations
This website is part of the European Commission's Your Europe portal. Did you find what you were looking for? Give feedback! (europa.eu)