i - interview

Getting an interview is already a challenge for many foreigners looking for a job in Finland. Of course, like everywhere, a good CV and cover letter, answering to a job offer are essential to catch the recruiter’s interest. But there are a few other tips or situations that can help you to get an interview more easily.  

• Send targeted open applications. Answering to a job offer puts you directly in competition with your direct “competitors” on the job market. Sending an open application will make you stand out.  
• Meet as many people in person. In Finland, most of the work culture is based on trust. This translates, for example, in the importance given to personal connections and references in the application processes. See networking. 

• Call and talk to the recruiter in person. Very often you will notice that Finnish job offers mention a day and time at which the recruiter can be called. We encourage you to call, on time, if you have something relevant to say or a specific question. This can be a good time to ask questions about the language requirements, and what they encompass concretely. This is a good way to make the recruiter remember you… for better or worse! 

 
Once you’re called in for the interview, how to do well? 

• The general rules, like everywhere in the world, apply also in Finland. 
  • Prepare your interview by doing a bit of research on the company and the position. Have some questions about the tasks, the team and the company ready. You can also prepare for the very common interview questions such as tell about yourself, explain why you are the best suited candidate, your strengths and weaknesses or your expected salary. 
  • Arrive on time to the interview. Plan your journey ahead and check on a map where the interview is going to be. Being 10 to 5 minutes early will help you be less stressed. 
  • Dress for the occasion and be careful about your clothes and accessories. Your hygiene should be impeccable when going to an interview. 
  • When preparing for the interview, write down a few questions that you could ask. This will help you to feel more confident. Don’t hesitate to also ask questions about what your interviewers are presenting to you. For a first interview, focus your questions on the tasks, the position, the team, the company and the sector
• Interviews in Finland have a few, concrete practical aspects that are not obvious for many foreigners. Here are the main points: 
  • Preparing an interview in Finland might require you more time than in your home country. Remember to devote enough time for your research, as some information might take longer to access. You might also need to rely on your networks to get some insights, such as sector trends or companies specifics, especially if you don’t speak Finnish. Don’t assume that the way things work in your country are the ways things work here and take time to actually look at Finnish specifics (in terms of products, markets, management styles, companies history, socio-economic environment). Interviews in Finland are also prepared simply by attending events and becoming part of a community. Make sure to have enough time for that.
  • Be on time for real. When in many countries being 5 to 10 minutes late means being on time, it is not the case in Finland. Don’t come too early either, being at the interview place 10 minutes early is a maximum. On time in Finland means that you can start at the given time. If you have an interview at 11, the recruiters will expect you to be ready to start the interview at 11 sharp, not that you’ll arrive by that time. If you see that you are going to be late (not able to start the interview at 11 sharp), always call to inform the interviewer. Give a clear and concise explanation and an accurate estimate of how late you will be. 
  • Dress code for an interview might be a bit surprising for foreigners in Finland. “business casual” is usually the general dress code, but you will notice that people might seem a bit under dressed compared to other countries. High heels and suits are not that common, and it all really depends on the sector you are working in. To know how to dress, you can ask to your friends, networks and partner. You can also check how people dress up at the company (on their social media or by going to one of their events for example). 

Another specificity in Finland is that wearing strong perfume is often avoided, especially if you’re going to be in a small closed room for a while. In many countries, wearing perfume or cologne/aftershave is a sign of hygiene and respect. Not here!

• Ask questions but avoid chit chat.  Follow the lead of the recruiter to engage in small talk but try to keep it concise. People are very comfortable with silence in Finland, and you don’t have to fill the gaps. Long pauses and silence during an interview do not necessarily mean that it is going wrong! 

Compliments, especially on outfit or looks are to avoid as much as possible. In many countries, it is polite or at least normal and common to comment on someone’s skirt, haircut, glasses etc. In Finland, it will, most of the time, make people feel uncomfortable. Questions about someone’s personal life could also be avoided, especially if it is not relevant to the interview and just a small talk topic. 

• Lastly, the language of an interview is also a specific to Finland. Depending on your language skills and the position, you might know already of the interview will be conducted in English, Finnish, Swedish or another language. If the position is fully in English and English is the company language, you will probably do the interview in English as well. If the position might require both Finnish and English, be prepared to do an interview in both languages. Based on the skill levels that you have, you may be expected to speak more or less English or Finnish during the interview. If you mentioned that you are a beginner in Finnish, you still might be greeted in Finnish, or asked very simple questions. Part of your preparation should be at least to greet, thanks and maybe introduce yourself in Finnish. An advice that we gave to many of our participants was to learn how to ask to switch a conversation to English. (“Voidaanko vaihtaa Englantiin?”, “Could we switch to English please?”)​ This is a very simple way to stop speaking Finnish if you’re uncomfortable, by still being respectful of your recruiter. ​