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Does finding a job feel difficult or has it been a long time since your last employment? A wide range of assistance is available. You can find information about different options at Job Market Finland.
A disability or illness does not usually affect working, getting a job, or choosing a field. However, it can sometimes reduce your possibilities of getting work or keeping your job. When you are choosing a vocation or education, in addition to your interests or predispositions, you must also take into consideration limitations caused by your possible disabilities or illnesses.
While an illness or disability may reduce your working ability and functional capacity, this does not necessarily mean that you are completely unable to work. Your opportunities for working and finding a suitable job are improved by
A specialist at your local TE Office or the local government pilot will help you when you need information about your opportunities for finding work and keeping your job despite a disability or illness. Contact the TE Office or the local government pilot when considering the answers to the following questions:
All public employment services take special needs for service caused by a disability or illness into consideration. You will not be left alone.
You can discuss matters related to your employment with a professional such as a job coach. The municipal social services can also be included in this discussion.
If your job search has continued for half a year or more, and you have not yet found a job, training, or employment promotion service suitable for you, the TE Office or the local government pilot will arrange job search discussions with you.
A specialist at your local TE Office or local government pilot is responsible for referring you to services suitable for your working ability and functional capacity.
TE Offices also employ work ability coordinators who help employers hire persons with partial working ability and support job seekers in matters related to work ability and employment. This means that the work ability coordinator will support you at all stages related to finding employment or staying in working life.
If you are a customer of a local government pilot, your municipality of residence will support you in matters related to work ability and employment.
TE Office’s telephone services are also available to you.
If your job search has continued for half a year or more, and you have not yet found a job, training, or employment promotion service suitable for you, the TE Office or the local government pilot will arrange job search discussions with you. The purpose of these discussions is to find an in-depth job search service that best advances your situation. An activation plan will be made for you to improve your employment and life management.
Career choice, career guidance, and education advisory services help you find options that are right for you, for instance, if you are unsure which industry would suit your work ability. The services may also be helpful if your current job or profession is no longer suitable for you, or you want to look for new kinds of tasks for other reasons.
If you are aged under 30, a visit to a One-Stop Guidance Center can help you get started with identifying your working ability. The One-Stop Guidance Center provides you with information and guidance on matters related to studying, finding employment, and the workings of everyday life.
The job search training process will teach you the skills that you need to look for work independently and in a goal-oriented manner. 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.
A job coach will help you personally when you are looking for a job that matches your work ability.
A work try-out allows you to test how stressful a job is and find out whether it matches your work ability.
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 specialist at your TE Office or local government pilot whether the 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 Abilitator is a free self-assessment method for all people of working age. With the Abilitator quiz you can find out about your situation, strengths, and development needs.
You may also need other support and rehabilitation alternatives to get into working life or stay at work.
You should find out what your current state of health is if it has not been checked in a long time or if you feel like it has changed. If you are unemployed, the TE Office or local government pilot is responsible for providing you with an examination of your working ability and functional capacity. You need a medical certificate so that you can participate in services promoting work ability.
The state of health of unemployed persons can be ascertained in the health examination of unemployed persons organised by the municipality, the state of health of employed persons in occupational healthcare, and the state of health of students in student healthcare.
You may have an opportunity to access a cross-sectoral joint service promoting employment (TYP), if you are struggling to find employment due to problems with life management or limitations in your functional capacity, or if your work ability has otherwise decreased.
Rehabilitative work activities can be a suitable solution when you are returning to working life after prolonged unemployment, starting your career, or rehabilitating from an illness or a difficult time in your life. The purpose of rehabilitative work activities is to assist individuals whose unemployment has been prolonged, who have received unemployment benefits or basic social assistance for a certain time period, and who are unable to participate in the services offered by the TE Office or local government pilot projects.
Rehabilitation may help you when the disability or illness complicates your studies, work, or coping at different stages of life.
Rehabilitation is organised by Kela, public health care, occupational health care, municipal social services, disability organisations, transport and accident insurance institutions, and earnings-related pension insurance companies. Kela and the transport and accident insurance institutions can also secure your livelihood when you participate in rehabilitation. They may also cover costs related to participation in rehabilitation.
Vocational rehabilitation can help you with choosing a suitable vocational field, finding employment, and staying in or returning to working life despite your illness. Traffic and accident insurance institutions, work pension companies, and Kela organise legally mandated professional rehabilitation. Access to rehabilitation requires meeting certain requirements.
You can find out from your doctor or Kela which party organises the rehabilitation that you can apply for. An expert at your TE Office or local government pilot can also help you find out about your possibilities for rehabilitation.
As a client of TE Services, you can ask your local TE Office or local government pilot for a certificate that indicates that you have been entered into the customer register of the TE Office as a job applicant with partial working ability. The purpose of the certificate is to make it easier for job seekers with partial working ability to find employment with large employers. Once you have received the certificate, submit it to the employer.
Employers have an obligation and often also the desire to make reasonable modifications in the work and working conditions if it will eliminate an impediment to work caused by an injury or illness.
If issues such as illness or disability prevent you from doing your work, your workplace can make adjustments to your job. Adjustments refer to changes at work that involve modifying your job description to better correspond to and support your expertise and working ability.
Getting a job or keeping it can require changes at the workplace. You might also need help in some work tasks.
A subsidy may be granted to the employer for the task of arranging working conditions. Discuss with an expert in your TE Office or local government pilot whether your employer could receive the subsidy for arranging working conditions if they are paying you a wage.
You can discuss the matter with your occupational health care provider if you are already employed and feel that changes should be made at your workplace to support your work ability. If the subsidy can be granted, you should mention it to your employer.
If you wish, you can work and earn a salary at the same time as you receive a pension or support related to partial working ability. In this situation, you need to figure out the earning limits. Earning limits define the amount of salary you can earn without the salary affecting the amount of your pension or allowance. If you want to try returning to work that will exceed your earnings limit, you have the option to put your pension on hold. Leaving the pension on hold means that the payment of the disability pension or partial disability pension is suspended for the duration of your employment relationship.
Various organisations offer a wide range of support for employment and the ability to work. The experience and knowledge of these actors complement public sector employment services.
From organisations you can get answers to, for example, questions related to working life or studies, if you feel that you belong to their target group. In addition to providing support, many organisations employ people who have challenges with their work ability.
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If you are thinking about returning back to the workforce, starting your career or undergoing rehabilitation for an illness or difficult period in your life, rehabilitative work activities can help you get back on track with your career.
The purpose of rehabilitative work activities is to assist individuals whose unemployment has been prolonged, who have received unemployment benefits or basic social assistance for a certain time period, and who are unable to participate in the services offered by the TE Office or local government pilot projects.
Rehabilitative work activities are arranged by your wellbeing service county to help you get back into working life. They can help you discover your strengths and provide structure for your daily life.
It can include workshops arranged by a society or a foundation, or activities arranged by a congregation. Wellbeing service counties can also provide the service themselves. Their purpose is to improve your opportunities for finding employment or educational opportunities, and to provide you with tips for managing your daily life.
The number and types of activities are determined on a case-by-case basis. The period lasts at least three months with 1-4 sessions every week. During the rehabilitative work activity period, you will receive €9 per day as an unemployment benefit and expense allowance. You may also be occasionally entitled to travel compensation.
To participate in rehabilitative work activities, you will need an activation plan. Draft your plan together with your TE Office or local government pilot and the social services of your wellbeing service county. If you wish to participate in rehabilitative work activities, you should start by contacting the TE Office of your residential area.
TYP is a model in which TE Offices, wellbeing service counties, and Kela cooperate to provide you with help in your current situation.
You may be able to benefit from the cross-sectoral joint service promoting employment, known as TYP, if you have been unemployed for an extended period of time. TYP may be just the right service for you if the difficulties you are facing in finding employment are not just the result of a lack of jobs or skills and you have difficulty coping or limited ability to function. The service may also be able to help if your work ability is reduced for another reason.
TYP is a model in which TE Offices, wellbeing service counties, and Kela cooperate to find a solution to your situation. The service allows you to access services provided by different authorities in one place. TYP may be able to give you access to the social, health, employment, and rehabilitation services you need. While you are using the service, you will have the opportunity to consider training, education, and work opportunities with the help of a professional. The service providers will work with you to create a multidisciplinary employment plan.
Your TE Office, wellbeing service county, or Kela can guide you through becoming a TYP customer. You can ask your TE Office or local government about accessing the service.
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When unemployed, you have plenty of different possibilities to develop your competence or try something completely new. If you are registered as an unemployed job seeker, it is important to always contact your expert at the local TE Office or local government pilot before starting your studies.
You may be entitled to receive an unemployment benefit during your studies under certain conditions. Before you start your studies, your expert at the local TE Office or local government pilot will assess whether you meet the conditions for the unemployment benefit, so contact them as early as possible. If you are an unemployed job seeker, it is important to remember to notify your expert of all studies before starting them. Notifications are required for all studies, even if you do not receive student financial aid.
Vocational labour market training allows you to complete a vocational qualification, a further or a specialist vocational qualification, or a vocational qualification module. Further or continuing education is also provided in many sectors. Vocational labour market training is free of charge, and it is provided at vocational adult education centres, higher education institutions, and private educational institutions.
If you plan to start your own business or are considering it, you can take part in entrepreneur training organised in the form of labour market training. Starting a business can be flexibly combined with entrepreneur training.
If you wish to develop your competence during unemployment and you are over the age of 25, find out more about options for independent study. The term ‘independent study’ refers to education provided by an educational institution, which is also responsible for the student selection. The studies are not provided by TE services. The studies must be agreed upon with your expert.
If you are over the age of 25, you have previously interrupted studies just short of a degree, or you wish to take a short complementary course, it may be possible for you to study short-term on the unemployment benefit. The studies can last up to six months.
Independent study is an option for the TE Services integration training. Independent study is useful if the TE Office or local government pilot cannot offer you a place in integration training or you can find some other training that is better suited to your needs. Sometimes independent study can help you find work and integrate faster.
Studies which do not prevent you from working full-time and applying for full-time employment are considered part-time studies. They can consist of learning a new skill, completing basic studies at an open educational institution, or completing previously interrupted studies leading up to a degree.
If you find it challenging to find employment because you are missing some of the required areas of competence, you may be able to find a job with a pay subsidy. This allows you to develop your professional competence while working.
Ask your expert at the local TE Office or local government pilot if you are entitled to a pay subsidy. If yes, you can contact employers you are interested in and tell them they may be granted a pay subsidy if they hire you.
Are you dreaming of a new step in your career? Do you want to discover a hidden job? Are you looking to find your next job opportunity in Finland? When you create and publish a job applicant profile at Job Market Finland, you give employers looking for employees the opportunity to contact you.
Read moreDo you wish to develop your competence? There are many different ways to expand your expertise.
Are you aware of all your areas of competence? It is important to acknowledge what you already know and what you could still learn if you are seeking to find a new job or to develop your competence. You can attend higher education institutions to complement your existing competence and degrees, or study at any institution of your choosing alongside work.
Higher education institutions allow you to complement your previous degrees or take studies in an entirely new field. These non-degree studies can also be taken alongside work to expand professional competence.
If you are working, you can take multiform studies or ask your employer about the possibility of taking study leave.
Multiform studies are designed to be taken alongside work, so contact teaching is reduced and mostly takes place in the evenings and on weekends. Multiform studies combine different forms of study, which may include contact teaching, online learning, working in study groups and independent study, for example.
Policies on study leave vary from workplace to workplace, so discuss them with your own employer.
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)
This website is part of the European Commission's Your Europe portal. Did you find what you were looking for? Give feedback! (europa.eu)