What is with this forum?!!!!!

[Travmies]

I arrived in Finland 10 years ago, in that time I have been on Finnish courses, become a youth worker, a part-time English teacher, reeducated myself in the Ammattikorkeakoulu in Helsinki, a autistic client educator, a sosiaali-ohjaaja, and finally a Manager in a social welfare unit. Nothing I have done is unusal, apart from the fact when I arrive in Finland I was a metalworker - welder....

My situation now is after living 8 years in Helsinki my family and I have moved to the countryside, that is when everything changed. The employment, money and lifestyle improve 10 fold.

When it comes to it I have done and taking ever opportunity Finland can offer and made in work for me.

[DMC]

> you instantly become much more employable once you have a job (any job)

That is a very good point, and it doesn't just apply in Finland. The employed are more likely to be offered a job than the unemployed, and one local reference can count for more than several from another country.

Perhaps someone should explain the way references work in Finland. It is certainly different to the UK system, but I don't know a lot about it.

[Travmies]

In my experience, it normally a paper that tells the Job centre your next employer and so on that you have worked for X company. On your CV you should give also references so the future interviewer can speak to your past employers.

[DMC]

> On your CV you should give also references so the future interviewer can speak to your past employers.

Would you name individuals, same as in the UK? I got a strange reaction when I asked one boss if I could give his name as a reference. He did agree, but I got the impression that was not the usual thing in Finland.

[mCowboy]

> On your CV you should give also references so the future interviewer can speak to your past employers.

Would you name individuals, same as in the UK? I got a strange reaction when I asked one boss if I could give his name as a reference. He did agree, but I got the impression that was not the usual thing in Finland.

In my CV I have the companies with short description about my work, education, and references, which is 3 people who have agreed to be my references if so needed, mine are the people/bosses I got along the best during my employment in the company in question.

I don't think they have ever been contacted by the possible future employer during the recruitment process.

[Travmies]

Well, I give names, normally 3 and I have had no problems asking, I think its normal, not that I care if its normal or not because every interview I've had they are happy to see that i have references.

[DMC]

So it seems much the same as in the UK, with the addition of that paper you get from the company when you leave. What does anyone do with that paper? I have never even bothered collecting it, and no-one has ever asked to see it.

[Travmies]

Well, by law you should recieve one, and if you are unemployed they will ask for it. And bigger companies generally ask for to see the paper.

Also, its just good to keep for your personal references.

[kalmisto]

>> I found that working life was the best Finnish language course of all <<

You are so right and that is one of the reasons why I often ( some would say "too often" ) recommend voluntary work for foreigners who want to learn to speak Finnish as quickly as possible :
bb/viewtopic.php?t=23200

>> The employed are more likely to be offered a job than the unemployed and one local reference can count for more than several from another country. <<

Those involved in voluntary work are also more likely to be offered a job than those doing nothing and the important local reference which could land you a paid job might as well come from voluntary work organizers.

>> Of course its not possible to be integrated fully on first arriving in the country, but its not because the language is tough its because Finns use being helpful or friendly as a reason to get a free English course at the detriment of foreigner wishing to speak Finnish. <<

What you say is true of course but there is one thing that I do not understand : If a native speaker of English is interested in getting to know some Finns and leaves a message on a message board very few if any Finns are interested in meeting him/her. Why do you think that is ? Some might say that we Finns are a bit shy and afraid to speak English with native speakers of the language. But that can´t be the correct explanation. If we were that shy about using English we would not switch to English every time an Englishman or an American tries to speak Finnish with us. Here I would see an opportunity to get some free American English conversation lessons :
bb/viewtopic.php?t=25692

Why isn´t anybody interested ? THE CONVERSATION LESSONS ARE FREE !!!

PS. *I* would be interested in some free American English conversation lessons but unfortunately I do not live in Tampere.

[kalmisto]

Travmies

I´ve never been to Elimäki and thus did not know what the place looks like. To satisfy my curiosity I saw the video here :
http://www.elimaki.fi/

Most small towns look pretty in the summertime.

[Travmies]

Travmies

I´ve never been to Elimäki and thus did not know what the place looks like. To satisfy my curiosity I saw the video here :
http://www.elimaki.fi/

Most small towns look pretty in the summertime.

Elimäki is the centre of the world where everything good, sweet as well as sexy

[Hank W.]

Mutta mikä on Elimäen tarkoitus?

[mCowboy]

Mutta mikä on Elimäen tarkoitus?

42, but what's the question?

[easily-lost]

If Hank does know how to revive, guess we can get the answer from Douglas Adams himself.

[debonaire]

I am in dire need of some consolation. I have been going out with my girlfriend for near on 4years now. I, in Ireland, she, Helsinki! I am truly and utterly blown away with the difficulty, nay, stubborness to welcome and accomodate foreigners into finnish society within this forum. I am very well eductaed and have worked successfully in my field for years, yet the phrase (usually from the ultra negative and anti-foreign poster HANK) "not without fluent and complete finnish language skills". What is the problem???? It amazes me that hard working people who are going to contribute to Finland are just dismissed and put on a negative road. This forum should actively encourage and develop links instead of driving wedges between "them" and "us". Think the rationale behind this forum is lost if all it does is discourage and generally take the piss out of people who are trying for what ever reason to live in Finland. Surely your sense of power would be best used to help and encourage us. I for one am getting kind of tired of the immature and unhelpful sarcastic comments thrown out. Get your act together guys.....

Hi jason...I completely agree with you...I thought this forum was meant to help non-finnish people in finding emplyment,to deal with the finnish society and how best to integrate and to understand the finnish culture...But some people,especially HANK and Cowboy,have taken it to be their personal website...Their negative attitude towards outsiders and their selfish,egotist attitudes have clearly hijacked the essence of this forum...Rather than providing consturctive information,they act as scavengers , eveready to pounce on people's mistakes even when it involves typo errors...
All they have done is to highlight the problems associated with Finland...Their negative attitude really sucks...This forum should encourage people who are trying to be a part of finland for whatever reason.