Find a job in Finland

Search for vacancies on employment service websites, newspapers or social media services (for example, Facebook and LinkedIn). To find web pages for jobs, write “avoimet työpaikat” (vacancies) in the search engine’s text field.

Networks are useful in seeking employment. Recognise and utilise your own network. Teachers, fellow students, acquaintances, ex-colleagues and supervisors may also be part of your network.

Ask other people for tips on job hunting or help for writing your job application. Also consider whether there is a person in your own network who could tell you about employment opportunities or recommend you.

Be active. Maintain your skills, follow the events and news of your own field, participate in further training and develop your previous competence.

Maintain and expand your network. Even short employment or practical training can help you expand your network. Visit professional events of your own field, engage in voluntary work or apply for mentoring activities. Bear in mind that voluntary work may affect your unemployment benefit. You can do voluntary work at organisations, for example. Usually, it is not possible to do voluntary work in companies. You should be paid if you work in a company.

Read more about voluntary work on the InfoFinland web page Voluntary work.

Once you can speak some Finnish, it is easier to find work and take care of your affairs in Finnish society. In some areas, it is important to speak Swedish. You can study Finnish and Swedish in various courses or independently on the Internet.

Read more about studying languages on the InfoFinland page Finnish and Swedish.

Social networking services such as Facebook and LinkedIn are good tools for seeking employment. Many employers also use Twitter as a communication channel. In these services, you can search for information on vacancies and build professional networks. You can receive important information on the operation of different organisations and topical matters in different fields or participate in discussions.

You can contact interesting organisations directly and ask if they have vacancies. A large number of vacancies are hidden jobs. These vacancies are not advertised publicly, employers look for employees through their own networks. You can call the employer directly or send an open job application by email. Many companies also offer online open job application forms on their websites.

You can also seek employment through companies that offer employment services. The work may be short-term, but it can give you useful experience and expand your networks. You make a contract with the company, which sends you to work at another employer. You can also find permanent employment through a company like this.

In Finland, employment services are always free of charge for employees. Never pay for employment services. Doing so could result in you becoming a victim of crime and losing income.

Freelance work means that you work for several clients without permanent employment based on a contract. As a freelancer, you must take care of tax matters and pension payments yourself.

You can invoice your work though an invoicing service without establishing your own company. This is called light entrepreneurship.

You can also start your own business. Find out more about starting a business on the InfoFinland web page Starting a business in Finland.

Bear in mind that working as a freelancer or an entrepreneur may affect your unemployment benefit.

If you do not have a job when you move to Finland or if you become unemployed in Finland, you must register as a job-seeker at the TE Office. You are entitled to unemployment benefit only if you have registered as a job-seeker.

The TE Office can assign you to become a client of the employment services in your municipality of residence.

The TE Offices and municipal employment services provide job-seekers with guidance on job-seeking and information on vacancies and training opportunities intended for unemployed job-seekers.

Read more on the InfoFinland page If you become unemployed and Unemployment benefit.

If you have only recently moved to Finland and need support for integration, you can get to integration training municipality through the TE Office or your municipality’s employment services. The integration training can include Finnish language studies, other education or work try-out. You can also seek training yourself. You must make an agreement municipality with the TE Office or your municipality’s employment services regarding your training before starting it.

Read more on the InfoFinland page Settling in Finland.

If you are under 30 years of age, you can get information on work, training and other everyday matters in Ohjaamo.