Success story and bit of advice

[njmac]

I joined this forum just before I moved to Finland in November 2009 and like so many others had a really hard time looking for work. Several months of receiving no replies to job applications and open applications will certainly get you down. So I share the below just as my own story and opinions in the hope it might help someone.

I starting working for the regional devlopment company Kainuun Etu in April and really enjoy the work. Salary is good, which just goes to show that it is possible to find work but it of course comes down to the skills of the individual and perseverance. I went into an entrepreneurial startup company http://www.intotalo.fi and just spent some time meeting people, talking about projects that were going on and making myself useful. As a foreigner I was regarded as being a valuable resource of information so spoke to groups of young people who were training and also entrepreneurs who have established their own companies. It was all valuable networking, which triggered off conversations, which in turn triggered off introductions to other people and businesses etc etc. I have discovered that in Finland, and especially the north, much happens by word of mouth and a lot of business will occur off the back off conversations that would otherwise have never happened if people hadn't met because of a man who knows a man who knows a woman... etc. It was one such introduction that gave me the chance to speak to the MD of Kainuun Etu and in turn the project managers. I had previously sent my CV to the company but without a physical introduction it may have been forgotten.

It's not a magical solution but on top of sending out CVs it's worth trying to find a reason to meet infuential people and try to be confident without being pushy as you introduce yourself.
If you're in the right area try http://www.intotalo.fi in Kajaani
or Crazy Town if you are in Jyväskylä, Kajaani, Heinola or Pori http://www.crazytown.fi/
There must be other bodies that work in Entrepreneurship so it's worth trying to find them and say hello. Maybe see if you can help in a project voluntarily and see where the new contacts take you? Also any kind of international work or cultural events are good to attend just to see if there are new people to meet. Networking, networking, networking. Remember not to moan about your situation and probably best not to beg but it's worth a try. It took me 5 months to find my job and I consider myself very lucky that there was an opportunity at all.

That all said don't be afraid to try doing something yourself. Ely Keskus http://www.ely-keskus.fi/fi/Sivut/inenglish.aspx is there to help with new businesses and I found them very receptive when I called in to speak to them about an idea I had. Even better if you can get help from the likes of Intotalo, Crazy Town or similar. There is funding available from the job centre and Ely keskus if you become self employed so you have a basic salary (similar to benefits) while you try to establish your business. This allows you to try your idea out without risking losing any benefits you are getting just because you earned a tiny amount at some point. If all goes well you will lose the benefits and support yourself but if it all falls apart you lose nothing. There are also startup grants available to get your idea going. Just try not to lose heart in the bureaucracy of the application forms.
And... if you want to set up a business in a specific area, like Kainuu, there are lots of financial incentives from the EU and local public bodies. Kainuu specifically will allow for the best incentives in Europe presently. Rebates of up to 35% for new business costs (on the provision the business runs for 3 years and you have paid your bills) is an example.

so that's just my '10 cents'. Feel free to disagree or ignore. As I said at the start these are just my own opinions and I'm neither an employment expert or an expert on Finland.
cheers
Nj

[lipko]

Um... What is your profession?

I agree with the things you say, and there are some specific stuff in your post, which I miss in most similar topics.
For example, I didn't know about Crazy Town which I will definitely visit.

It's a common mistake, that people sit on their butts, and browsing mol.fi.
And I know some people from this forum (emailed/PM-d) who are/were here for 4-5-6 months and have no friends at all. Haven't gone out once.And I bet there are a lots of people like that. It's the worst you can do. And I realized it late. Not too late, but I could have save some moths. I'm unemployed for 8 months now, and only started going out 1.5 months ago. And I already have some "tuttu"-s. (unfortunately they are all in a different town now) . And got more tips for them than I had before.

Yes, going out can be expensive. But not as expensive as having no job for months. So it is an investment. But don't rake it as an investment too much: it's your intentions will be too obvious, and you won't have fun either.

[njmac]

ah yes. well in the past I was a business analyst and have a media technology degree. My current role in project coordinator in the Invest in Kainuu project. So the simple version is.. I find contacts in foreign countries (mostly Britain just now) and match them up with opportunities here.

You're absolutely right by the way. You need to make contacts, even if it's new friends because every new friend knows more people and that's more opportunities that might lead to a job. mol.fi and monster will rarely be the answer sadly.

[Pursuivant]

I have discovered that in Finland, and especially the north, much happens by word of mouth and a lot of business will occur off the back off conversations that would otherwise have never happened if people hadn't met because of a man who knows a man who knows a woman... etc.

This is one of those "things everyone knows, but nobody will tell you"

[finlandforumuser]

Salary is good, which just goes to show that it is possible to find work but it of course comes down to the skills of the individual and perseverance.

Just wondering, what is good range nowadays?

[njmac]

it varies it seems. every industry, job title and geographical area has typical salaries that they don't like to deviate from. So it's difficult to even say what a decent salary is. I can only say that I'm now earning a similar salary to what I was getting as a Business Analyst in Britain but it's quite lucky that the opportunity was there for me

[Jord186]

NJ firstly great effort coming back to post after making a success in Finland!

I think your post has highlighted some of the problems I am having getting a job in Finland. I'm applying remotely from the uk, scouring Mol.fi and monster and all the top international companies etc etc... to no luck. I've had my downbeat miserable few weeks over christmas where I thought there was no hope to find work at all. But since then I've jumped back on the wagon and I'm back in the game, upbeat and eager to get to Finland as soon as possible.

I work in a similar field as a business analyst in the uk, have a similar degree subject as yourself and I'm a qualified management accountant. I'm moving in with my girlfriend in Helsinki mid February 2012 and have cash to survive 6 months ish.

Admittedly (and with brutally honesty) until I read your post and also the response from lipko, my plan was to move over to Finland and spend my time tirelessly applying for everyjob with a relevant job title on Mol.fi. I could get lucky but it seems clear if it's my only tactic it could take a long time to come good.

I guess what i was thinking was that I will find work easier and quicker by being in Finland by some sort of absorbtion of Finnishness and a lot of language lessons. True, it will be easier to get work actually being in the country that you're applying, but only if you take advantage of actually being there. i.e. Not Sitting there on my computer in Finland which is pretty much the same as sitting here on my computer in the UK!

So getting out meeting people and making friends and contacts could make the difference, if not only to help get work, but also to enjoy life in Finland. Sitting around applying for jobs endlessly from home, is essentially going to make me fat, raggedy and cranky! So even if a job doesn't come from it, atleast you get to meet some people and maybe have a few beers!


Once again cheers for the post

j

[njmac]

You're absolutely right mate. It's a tough call to risk everything and live off whatever cash you have saved up if you move here but it seems like there's more chance you'll meet the right people if you're here and probably a prospective employer will be more willing to take you seriously if you've already here. You say your girlfriend is in Helsinki.. Will you be planning to work there or are you open to working in other areas? On one hand Helsinki has more of an international community, companies that work internationally etc and so it would seem that it's the most likely place to get work. On the other hand you'll find the greatest concentration of non Finnish-speaking immigrants in the Helsinki area and then larger Souther cities so you'll have most competition there.
In your case though you're well educated and well qualified so hopefully that should be enough.
It depends on the industry you want to work in/are qualifie din too. I have an Irish friend who wanted to live in this area because his girlfriend comes from here but they ended up in Helsinki because that's where he found a job (in construction).
So anyway, good luck and give me a shout if you need to
cheers
nj

[Jord186]

Hi mate,

To be honest I'm pretty open to positions of a commutable distance, I've always had to travel 1 hour plus to work, so adding a bit more isn't really going to bother me. There is also the option to go a bit further afield to Tampere, Turku and others , if its the difference between being unemployed and getting my first job in Finland I'll go to Rovaniemi no problem

Helsinki does seem to have fierce competition from non-finn speaking immagrants and natives alike in this field, problem is they mostly have the appropriate masters and/or native language skills, which I don't. That said I think sooner or later something will come along, but not if I don't go and make it happen.

When it comes to industry and analyst jobs etc, I'm pretty open to a change, in fact I think I'd welcome it. If I was staying in the UK I would look to change to a more general controller role. I also liked the sound of the smaller start up companies, it's something I'd like to get involved in.

The other thing that really surprised me about Finland, is that job agencies (even ones I am familiar with Adecco, Manopower) don't want to know at all. In the Uk they'll try to place you in any old job so long as they get their commission!

chrs for your help

J

[njmac]

I'm surprised that the agencies aren't interested at all. Is that based purely on a lack of Finnish language skills? I know what you mean about UK agencies. They'll send you to a Siberian mine with promises that it's a cushy number if they think there's a remote chance you'll stay for the minimum period that gets them their commission.
If you have an existing network of people with money by the way it makes you valuable in my line of work - FDI attraction. The BA skills are an excellent grounding to start off on too.

[Jord186]

Yeah I wasn't getting anything back on my applications with the agencies, so I started calling them when new jobs came up. The only one that gave a hint of opportunity was 'Studentwork', and she was pretty honest and said that the chances of me getting a finance job without Finnish language were very low, but that she would meet with me when I arrive. So there is hope with that agent at least.
Now that I think of it she will offer me a job down the mines!

Unfortunately I'm not sure my network is right for FDI, they mostly have no money!

[njmac]

haha. nah we don't invite poor people to tour the region
Good news on the agency at least. I don't know about the mines but I know you can't get a job at Talvivaara (open cast mining) near me without speaking Finnish and probably a Masters in geology too! Maybe it's donating various bodily fluids?

[Jord186]

Hahaha chrs yeah you never know the agency may be able to help me out, and keep me going with cash etc
But I set the limit at bodily fluid extraction, medical trials and anything involving leather chaps, redlights or poles, even if the agent tells me I'm perfect for it!

[njmac]

never say never