e - entering the Finnish job market

During our 3 years in Partner’s Path, we have realized that entering the Finnish job market, putting your foot in the door by getting your first opportunity is often one of the hardest steps towards employment. Here are therefore the main entry doors to the Finnish job markets for foreigners with a Finnish spouse. As we mentioned earlier, one of the key factors on the Finnish job market and to be hired in Finland is trust building. As we explain more in our article on the resume, references are extremely important in Finland. When you haven’t had work experience, these can also be difficult to get.
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Here are therefore ways to start understanding Finnish work culture, develop your networks, build genuine relationships with people who could become your references and gain professional experience in Finland.  

• Internship/traineeship
  
  • ​Internship and traineeship are very common in Finland and are one of the main ways to enter the job market, for Finns and for foreigners. Traineeships programs are often advertised on the companies websites, as well as by TE-toimisto who has regularly different kind of offers. These are interesting because they can give you access to some paid subsidy from KELA.  As most of the positions in Finland, internships and traineeships are not necessarily advertised We would therefore encourage you to send open applications via email or to directly ask for an internship or a traineeship. The clearer your idea on what you want for yourself out of that traineeship or internship, the easier it is for your future employer to picture you joining the team. Most internships and traineeships in Finland are paid.  
• Language training
  
  • ​When joining the intensive integration course offered by TE-toimisto, you will have to do language placements. The idea is for you to go to a workplace and practice your Finnish as much as you can when discovering a new work environment at the same time. Our advice would be for you to pick carefully the place where you want to do your language practice. We would encourage you to try to apply to companies or organizations within your field. That way, you could practice Finnish, but at the same time develop networks and showcase your ability to adapt and improve in a Finnish speaking environment, even though you are still working. Carefully picked language training places have been the gateway to employment with tome of our participants! 
• Mentorship
  
  • ​Several organizations have mentorship programs, where one professional becomes a mentor and gives advice and support to a mentee. These mentorship programs may be quite committing, but they allow you to really build a genuine, one-on-one relationship. This kind of trust is a very precious thing to build here in Finland in your work environment, and we strongly recommend you join a mentorship program. The other advantage of mentorship programs is that they allow you to have individual time with someone from your field. You can discuss about specific industry related issues, your specific career plan and your unique traits.  
• Networking 
• Peer-support groups
  
  • ​Peer-support groups might not, at first sight, seem like an entry door to the Finnish job market. But they actually can be. Well-being and mental health are key elements to a sustainable job hunt and a sustainable integration. In a peer-support group, you will meet like-minded people, discuss about specific topics and get to realize that you are not alone. In our peer support groups, our participants have supported each other, give each other advice and tips, shared job offers, contacts from their networks… Directly or indirectly, peer-support groups are a very efficient way to help you integrate and process everything that you are going through. And therefore, to enter the Finnish job market more peacefully.  
• Volunteering
  
  • ​This is one of the pieces of advice that we have given the most to our participants! Volunteer! Volunteering is a very easy and accessible way to Finnish society, Finnish workplaces, new friends, colleagues and networks. Do you feel that you need to practice more Finnish? Volunteer in Finnish! Do you feel that you need to know a field better? Volunteer at some big event in your sector! Do you need new connections? Volunteer on a topic where you will meet like-minded people!
    
  • By volunteering, you will also feel useful and part of the society. Both are crucial elements for you to feel integrated, active, seen and useful. 
• Work trials (työkokeilut)
  
  • ​Work trials are specifically arranged with TE toimisto. They can vary in length and give you access to a smaller pay but supported by KELA.  Work trials often don’t end up in a position but are an excellent way for you to approach workplaces that might be reluctant to take trainees or interns. Our tip, regarding work trial, is to look for the place where you would like to do it, and then present very clearly to the company what it is that you could do for them. These work trial positions are often ad hoc, which means that the more precise you are in describing what you would like to do, how you would like to contribute, the more likely you are to get the trial. This is especially appropriate if you want to work on a specific skill that you have, or in a field that you know well.
    
  • ​Once you have found a trial company, submit it to TE and start your trial!