Hello,
I have already put this question on the topic "Finding a Job in Finland - version 2", but I think it would be better to make this new topic, maybe more of you will read it and gime me your opinion.
I'm citizen form a young EU country and I have just obtained a contract - from my country - in IT field to a company from Helsinki.
I have not yet moved in Finland, I start the job in october. The salary I've obtained is bigger that in my country, but this is completly non-relevant because I leave in a poor, ex-comunist country.
My husband will come with me in Finland. I have a question and I would appreciate any opinion because this really troubles me.
Me and my husband we have many years of experience in IT Managers positions. For me everything is ok, because I have obtained this job.
But concerning my husband I'm really worried. He have worked many years ago as a System Enginner, having at that time good practice of networking, administration, security, etc. But, since many years he is a very good IT Manager, he knows very well manage an IT business, he is a very good team leader, he manages budgets and projects in a very professional manner. But he haven't done any more networking himself since longtime...
Do you think there is any chance for him to find an IT job, knowing that he does not speak Finish?
Thank you for your answers.
PLEASE ADVICE! - IT JOB POSSIBLE?
You got a job before moving to Finland.
That is very good, you should count your blessings.
As for your husband, the future is not so bright.
He has become a "manager" and let his practical skills slip away.
That means he has little changes to get a practical job and without Finnish no changes in getting a management job.
That your salary is more than in your former country is irrelevant.
The costs of living in Finland are probably much higher than where you live now.
That is very good, you should count your blessings.
As for your husband, the future is not so bright.
He has become a "manager" and let his practical skills slip away.
That means he has little changes to get a practical job and without Finnish no changes in getting a management job.
That your salary is more than in your former country is irrelevant.
The costs of living in Finland are probably much higher than where you live now.
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cristina_b
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- Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2007 4:53 pm
Thank you for your answer. Do you think it's a good thing for us to move in Finland in these conditions? I mean we will leave both of us from one salary witch is less that the commun income in the original country.
My salary would be around 2900 euro net. I'm not sure that it is enough for 2 persons.
In plus, I agree with you that my salary is irrelevant, it's what I was saying in my first message (I've written "non-relevent, witch is not correct
I really don't know what to do..I would not want to be responsible for the "fall down" of my husband..
My salary would be around 2900 euro net. I'm not sure that it is enough for 2 persons.
In plus, I agree with you that my salary is irrelevant, it's what I was saying in my first message (I've written "non-relevent, witch is not correct
I really don't know what to do..I would not want to be responsible for the "fall down" of my husband..
> He has become a "manager" and let his practical skills slip away.
> That means he has little changes to get a practical job and without Finnish no changes in getting a management job.
I disagree. I have had IT management jobs in Finland which required no hands-on development, and I don't speak Finnish. So it certainly is possible.
> That means he has little changes to get a practical job and without Finnish no changes in getting a management job.
I disagree. I have had IT management jobs in Finland which required no hands-on development, and I don't speak Finnish. So it certainly is possible.
Confirm whether this is net or Brutto(total) as 2900 net is a very very good salary for 2 people in Finland ( even with 1 to 2 kids)..but if it is brutto(total), your taxes will vary from 20-30% depending on here you stay.cristina_b wrote: My salary would be around 2900 euro net. I'm not sure that it is enough for 2 persons.
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cristina_b
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2007 4:53 pm
I agree. I know a couple of project managers and even sales managers in IT business here that don't speak a word in Finnish. I would be optimistic in Cristina's husband case.DMC wrote:I disagree. I have had IT management jobs in Finland which required no hands-on development, and I don't speak Finnish. So it certainly is possible.
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Hank W.
- The Motorhead
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Project managers with experience get shanghaied... same thing if you've got J2EE and multiplatform experience. Say solaris and add something funny on top like oracle.... then again if you've been sniffing glue the past 30 years with NT, its not that dire either 
Cheers, Hank W.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
I would be very cautious giving this advice as you are only raising their "hopes" a lot. I would put it as being hopeful. As Hank puts it, Jobs in IT management are possible without Finnish, but it doesnt mean that they are dime a dozen as there are plenty of IT managers here and plenty more systems engineers who would like to become some IT managers..aniorek wrote:DMC wrote: I would be optimistic in Cristina's husband case.
Given this, its better that her hubby starts networking and throwing resumes to every hi-tech company and see the response ( or no response).. But the best bet is "Who you know" and not What/how much you know, especially when it comes to management.
The best bet is for them to come here and then try as she is earning well enuff to support their family, provided they dont start living in the high-end apts, buy 2 cars and start living the high-flying lifestyle..
( suburbs are better for those purposes as you get a better deal with housing rent as well as with your salary a good car purchase if you plan to stay here long-term)..
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cristina_b
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2007 4:53 pm
Thank you all for answers.
My busband does not have his own company, he always worked for multinational foreign companies, English speaking ones. The problem for him is what DMC said, that he "let his practical skills slip away". He became manager ew years ago and he was a good one. He succeded in raised companies and bring them benefits by the decisions he made.
In these conditions he is not any more a technical specialist, he is a good manager, not Finish speaker...
Lot of you had good words and encouraging, so I feel anyway more courageous. All that is important for me is that we both be satisfied of moving in Finland. I don't want that one day one of us say : I could have been a better professional or have a better life if I didn't leave, But anyway our decision is taken already: we will move in Finland at half of october
Any comments and opinions from you are welcome!!
My busband does not have his own company, he always worked for multinational foreign companies, English speaking ones. The problem for him is what DMC said, that he "let his practical skills slip away". He became manager ew years ago and he was a good one. He succeded in raised companies and bring them benefits by the decisions he made.
In these conditions he is not any more a technical specialist, he is a good manager, not Finish speaker...
Lot of you had good words and encouraging, so I feel anyway more courageous. All that is important for me is that we both be satisfied of moving in Finland. I don't want that one day one of us say : I could have been a better professional or have a better life if I didn't leave, But anyway our decision is taken already: we will move in Finland at half of october
Any comments and opinions from you are welcome!!
With 2900 € net, you'll have no financial problems if you make the sensible decisions.
In reaction to DMC I think raamv put it right. Don't raise your hopes. Although there are examples of people who succeeded, it is not the standard. You will need to find another route for him to become useful.
Starting his own business is a good one. You don't need much investments and if you can live of your salary the profits are less important. But it keeps your husband active in the field and gives him a lot of contacts over time. And the human networking is what will get him a job. (and he has time to learn some Finnish
)
In reaction to DMC I think raamv put it right. Don't raise your hopes. Although there are examples of people who succeeded, it is not the standard. You will need to find another route for him to become useful.
Starting his own business is a good one. You don't need much investments and if you can live of your salary the profits are less important. But it keeps your husband active in the field and gives him a lot of contacts over time. And the human networking is what will get him a job. (and he has time to learn some Finnish
)raamv write:
> Given this, its better that her hubby starts networking
Always a good idea
> and throwing resumes to every hi-tech company
I think the "shotgun" approach could be less effective than a targetted approach. I had a good success rate when I researched a company well, and wrote a CV that highlighted those aspects of my experience that really fitted in with them and the job advertised (or the job I wanted if it was a "cold" application). A blanket approach of sending a standard CV to lots of companies may not even get a response.
>But the best bet is "Who you know" and not What/how much you know
It is obviously an advantage if you know people who can tell you of opportunities and/or vouch for you. I don't agree with people here who claim they are essential. I have found work without them. Personal contacts are great if you have them, but you can get work without them.
> especially when it comes to management.
When it comes to management the most important thing is experience. (At least when it comes to project & programme management level posts - I can't comment on upper management positions). Sure, there are always plenty of systems engineers & the like who aspire to management positions, but someone with real management experience has a huge advantage over them, regardless of who they know.
> Given this, its better that her hubby starts networking
Always a good idea
> and throwing resumes to every hi-tech company
I think the "shotgun" approach could be less effective than a targetted approach. I had a good success rate when I researched a company well, and wrote a CV that highlighted those aspects of my experience that really fitted in with them and the job advertised (or the job I wanted if it was a "cold" application). A blanket approach of sending a standard CV to lots of companies may not even get a response.
>But the best bet is "Who you know" and not What/how much you know
It is obviously an advantage if you know people who can tell you of opportunities and/or vouch for you. I don't agree with people here who claim they are essential. I have found work without them. Personal contacts are great if you have them, but you can get work without them.
> especially when it comes to management.
When it comes to management the most important thing is experience. (At least when it comes to project & programme management level posts - I can't comment on upper management positions). Sure, there are always plenty of systems engineers & the like who aspire to management positions, but someone with real management experience has a huge advantage over them, regardless of who they know.
To each his/her own advice..its not that there are plentiful jobscompanies in Finland to research them here... Many startups, with little capital..and very few big ones..So Unless you have a niche management experience, your best bet is to fire on all cylinders or crash n burn..DMC wrote: > and throwing resumes to every hi-tech company
I think the "shotgun" approach could be less effective than a targetted approach. I had a good success rate when I researched a company well, and wrote a CV that highlighted those aspects of my experience that really fitted in with them and the job advertised (or the job I wanted if it was a "cold" application). A blanket approach of sending a standard CV to lots of companies may not even get a response.
Yo might not agree with people here and might be the lucky one ..but many minds here share that opinion with me...Without a vouching from a local its difficult to get an IT MANAGEMENT position...let alone the position of a programmer..It is obviously an advantage if you know people who can tell you of opportunities and/or vouch for you. I don't agree with people here who claim they are essential. I have found work without them. Personal contacts are great if you have them, but you can get work without them.
BS...What experienced IT manager from outside Finland has had much luck finding a job handed over to them without the whole shabang..> especially when it comes to management.
When it comes to management the most important thing is experience. (At least when it comes to project & programme management level posts -
( Any luck Finnmom from the US ??? )
...you dont seem to see things from the top, do you?I can't comment on upper management positions).
Define real management experience? a degree? many years of service ? managing many people? organizational management?Sure, there are always plenty of systems engineers & the like who aspire to management positions, but someone with real management experience has a huge advantage over them, regardless of who they know.
ultimately if Jukka says that
A is a good manager from Hungary and has 5 years skills as an IT manager in Hungary and has worked with Jukka before no Finnish
B is a good systems engineer from company E and has 5 years of work experience and graduate from TKK and who aspires to be a manager and Jukka knows him from TKK. B is a local.
C has an MBA from Tuskers University in London and has sent in the resume by email...and no Finnish
K is a klingon from USA, has been a CEO of a small company and wants to move to Finland for some bizzare reason and no Finnish...
Guess who Jukka's boss is gonna pick.. ( Gotcha) BACK to the basics..
