Going Back to Finland for an IT job

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Aladdin
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2023 10:05 pm

Going Back to Finland for an IT job

Post by Aladdin » Sun Feb 12, 2023 10:10 pm

Hello guys,

Is it common in Finland that companies hire someone from Non EU countries or they always prefer EU citizens or residents in Finland as they won't need to apply to a work permit.

I studied Master in Computer Science and I had an exchange semester in Finland but I couldn't find a job opportunity in my domain ( Data Engineering/Data analysis), so I am thinking to do a 6 months internship in another european country then apply again to companies in Finland after getting some experience.

What do you think ? Does my exchange semester in Finland will give me some bonus while applying again?



Going Back to Finland for an IT job

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FinlandGirl
Posts: 1329
Joined: Sat Nov 09, 2019 10:43 am

Re: Going Back to Finland for an IT job

Post by FinlandGirl » Mon Feb 13, 2023 3:21 pm

Aladdin wrote:
Sun Feb 12, 2023 10:10 pm
Is it common in Finland that companies hire someone from Non EU countries or they always prefer EU citizens or residents in Finland as they won't need to apply to a work permit.

I studied Master in Computer Science and I had an exchange semester in Finland but I couldn't find a job opportunity in my domain ( Data Engineering/Data analysis),
In many Finnish IT companies (and in most companies outside IT) it is required to be able to work in Finnish.
Specialist residence permits for people working in IT are fast and easy to get.
Aladdin wrote:
Sun Feb 12, 2023 10:10 pm
so I am thinking to do a 6 months internship in another european country then apply again to companies in Finland after getting some experience.
Did you fail to finish your degree?
Or what else is the reason that you would be doing an internship instead of looking for a regular job?
And why in another European country?
Aladdin wrote:
Sun Feb 12, 2023 10:10 pm
What do you think ? Does my exchange semester in Finland will give me some bonus while applying again?
No.
What matters are your formal qualifications and work experience.

dreamer1013
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2022 11:32 am

Re: Going Back to Finland for an IT job

Post by dreamer1013 » Wed Feb 15, 2023 8:52 pm

Hi,

I am also in the IT field, came here Sep last year and started an IT job this Jan. To answer your first question, based on my experience of looking for jobs, Finnish companies seem to prefer Finns or those with residence permit already as work permit application can get tedious. I have found several job postings that notes “should be able to work legally in Finland”. My current company actually asked for my rp card before I sign the contract.

Will your internship help? I don’t think so if they prefer someone who can work legally in Finland. But you can always try, there might be a company that will open its door! I actually know someone who works in IT back in our home country and was absorbed by their client/team here in Finland… maybe you can find a company in EU(or somewhere) that has a Finnish location/branch/client and maybe there will be chances of relocation in Finland for you within that company 😊

FinlandGirl
Posts: 1329
Joined: Sat Nov 09, 2019 10:43 am

Re: Going Back to Finland for an IT job

Post by FinlandGirl » Sat Feb 18, 2023 2:49 pm

dreamer1013 wrote:
Wed Feb 15, 2023 8:52 pm
To answer your first question, based on my experience of looking for jobs, Finnish companies seem to prefer Finns or those with residence permit already as work permit application can get tedious. I have found several job postings that notes “should be able to work legally in Finland”.
Often these job postings are for underpaid gig economy freelance "jobs" like delivering food or cleaning apartments.

For normal jobs like in a restaurant the employer has to keep the job open until the applicant has a decision 9 months later and then can start working. This is tedious for the employer.

Every job that requires a university degree in IT will be over the 3000 Euro threshold for a Specialist RP, which has a processing time of 2 weeks and allows you to start working even before the decision.
For these jobs the RP application is not tedious.

betelgeuse
Posts: 4353
Joined: Thu Aug 29, 2013 1:24 am

Re: Going Back to Finland for an IT job

Post by betelgeuse » Wed Dec 13, 2023 9:47 am

FinlandGirl wrote:
Sat Feb 18, 2023 2:49 pm
For normal jobs like in a restaurant the employer has to keep the job open until the applicant has a decision 9 months later and then can start working. This is tedious for the employer.

Every job that requires a university degree in IT will be over the 3000 Euro threshold for a Specialist RP, which has a processing time of 2 weeks and allows you to start working even before the decision.
For these jobs the RP application is not tedious.
Indeed fast track is not tedious. However, many employers who have never hired third country nationals are not aware of this.


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