What jobs are out there?

[aspartame]

I hope the old-timers would forgive me for posting a job search for my first entry. I am not in Finland just yet, but I have plans of moving there, so I presume it's forgivable to register and join the forums for the purpose of job hunting.

I am presently in China, and I have been working here for more than three years teaching (American) English. I have experience in teaching primary school students, teens and adults (conversational and business English). However, I am half-Dutch, half-Filipino, so I don't think I fall under the category of "native speaker."

I also have call center experience (web hosting technical support), as well as legal transcription and proofreading. I have also worked as a front desk officer in two different hotels when I was younger.

I guess my question would be: What kind of job should I expect to get if I do go to Finland? I do not speak Finnish, and this will be my first visit to the country. I have four cousins living there, and I may end up asking for their help with job-hunting, but I'm trying to see if I can find a job on my own.

Also, I'm not picky with what job to get.

Thanks for reading, and I want to hear what you think!

Sarah

[rinso]

I have four cousins living there, and I may end up asking for their help with job-hunting, but I'm trying to see if I can find a job on my own.

Use their help, networking is the best way to secure a job in Finland.
On your own you have very little chance of finding a job (or securing a residence permit).

[Rosamunda]

(or securing a residence permit).

....he's Dutch. Doesn't need one.

Getting TEFL work will be difficult since you are not a native speaker but if your English is fluent it is not impossible. However, TEFL work is usually on a freelance, self-employed basis in Finland so you will not get a full-time permanent contract. That means you would probably need to combine teaching with some other work in order to make a living. If you have other languages (Chinese?) you might be able to find some niche work teaching English to foreigners but it would probably not amount to much in terms of hours/week.

Look on http://www.mol.fi for job ads, sometimes there is call-centre work, ad-hoc testing work, proofreading etc for non-Finnish speakers. But again, most of it is freelance, so you never get a permanent contract.

You almost certainly won't get work in a primary school (or any other kind of public education institute) unless you have recognised teaching qualifications (eg Masters in a subject, M.Ed, PGCE etc)

I agree with Rinso, networking through your famly is probably the best way to do it.

[aspartame]

Thank you for your responses!

Yeah, I guess asking for my relatives' help really is the way to go.

I'm really nervous about this possible big move, though, as I have lived in Asia all my life. But there is this strong urge to discover what's out there in Europe and finally use my Dutch passport (I have dual citizenship). One of my cousins (who has been working in Finland for over a year now) has been trying to convince me that there are better work opportunities there (he does cleaning work but earns more than I do). I haven't really gotten the opinion of my other cousins who have been working there for over a decade, but perhaps they share the same view.

I would be giving up a lot if I do make the decision to fly to Finland. I have an English-teaching job in China, and I'm living with my fiancé and our three cats. But I'm turning 28 soon, and I feel it's time for another great adventure, however cheesy that may sound. My fiancé understands, and he's very supportive. My contract is ending soon, so I really am at a fork where I need to choose to continue working here or move on.

I must apologize for the sappy story. I think this entry should have been posted in an advice forum.

So there. I don't really know what replies to expect after this, but I just thought I'd let it out. Oh, Finland, should I really come for you?

Here, the beer's on me.

[interleukin]

(he does cleaning work but earns more than I do)

I hope you have factored in how expensive everything is around here?

[rinso]

has been trying to convince me that there are better work opportunities there

Really? He must be living in a different Finland then.

he does cleaning work but earns more than I do

He must just to survive. A recent study shows that Finland is the most expensive country in the Euro zone.

I would be giving up a lot if I do make the decision to fly to Finland.

Think carefully, success is not guaranteed.

[makaveli]

Use their help, networking is the best way to secure a job in Finland.
On your own you have very little chance of finding a job (or securing a residence permit).

What this guy said. Although to do this you should be physically in the country. Get around make your face known, aqauint with those in positions of power, go to events, speak out blah blah blah. It is actually quite easy to make a positive reputation of yourself here.

There are thousands of micro and family run businesses in Finland, Im sure if you make friends with at least 10 people, the chances are at least one of those will run a business. This is exactly what I did, got introduced through family and even though my Finnish is far from perfect he gave me a contract to build a website for his company and also this opened doors for a few more contracts through word of mouth.

Alternatively use your dutch and filipino background to your advantage, look for firms from your homelands who operate in Finland, or have subsidiaries or partners.