The document provides information for students on job seeking in Finland. It outlines the steps to complete a 1 ECTS course on the topic through the University of Turku, including enrolling in the course, attending 5 info sessions, and accessing additional resources on Moodle. It also describes how students can count the info session towards their Career Plan Certificate. The document then discusses why it's important to understand the Finnish working life when applying for jobs and provides an overview of the labor market in Finland, including key industries. It covers topics like labor unions and collective agreements, holidays and pay, employment contracts, working hours, salaries, taxes, working culture, and qualities Finnish employers appreciate in interns. Finally, it offers tips for integrating

1. Working in
Finland
Career Services at the University of Turku
18.4.2023

2. REKRY4 Job seeking in Finland | Study guide 2022-2024 (utu.fi)
If you want to complete the course of 1 ECTS:
1. Write your name and student number to the Zoom chat
(use private message-mode)
2. Enroll for the course in Peppi in your PSP
3. Attend all 5 info sessions
4. Sign into Moodle, where you can find more information:
https://moodle.utu.fi/course/view.php?id=27192
Job seeking in Finland -course

3. EC2U Career Plan Certificate participants
EC2U | The Career Plan Certificate programme
If you want to count this info session as an ”input event” for your personal certificate:
1. Write your name, email and your university’s name to the Zoom chat (use private
message-mode)
2. After the info session the Career Plan Certificate contact person at the University of
Turku will send you a certificate of participation in the info session by e-mail.
Students at UTU please note that if you are completing this info session as part of Job
Seeking in Finland -course, you can’t include the info session in your Career plan
certificate (the activity has to be a voluntary, extra-curricular activity and it doesn’t count
toward the formal study degree)

4. Why is it important to know about Finnish
working life when applying for jobs?

5. What is your idea
about the Finnish
working life?
Write in the chat.

6. Labour market in
Finland

7. • Private sector
• Public sector
• Third sector (NGO’s, associations etc.)
• 99% of the Finnish companies are small/medium size
companies (less than 250 employees)
• 76% of SMEs are micro enterprises, which means less than 10
employees
Labour market in Finland
Työmarkkinat Suomessa

8. • Bio and circular economy
• Cleantech
• Energy industry
• Consumer business
• Food and beverages
• Health and wellbeing
• ICT and digitalization
• Maritime
Key industries in Finland
Keskeiset alat Suomessa

9. • The majority of the work force are members of a labour union or unemployment fund.
• Labour unions negotiate collective agreements (TES) with employer organisations on behalf of employees:
• Wages and salaries
• Working hours, holidays
• Employment contracts
• Occupational safety and health
• Training and development
• Collective agreements lay down the minimum conditions to be met in the sector/industry.
• The minimum wage is specified in the collective agreement, often affected by the position, work experience and education.
• Job advertisements and contracts of employment may read that pay is in accordance with TES.
• Even if you are not a member of a labor union, the terms and conditions negotiated in the collective agreement still
apply to you and your employer.
• The same trade union usually includes people from the same field or with the same education.
• A part from collective agreements, labour laws and regulations also protect the rights of workers and ensure fair
and equitable working conditions.
Labour unions and collective agreements
Ammattiliitot ja työehtosopimukset (TES)

10. • Suomen Ekonomit (organization for graduates and students in economics
and business administration)
• TEK (TEK is a trade union for academic engineers and architects in Finland.)
• Loimu (Loimu is a multidisciplinary union professionals in natural,
environmental and forestry science)
• YKA (Social Science Professionals (Yhteiskunta-alan korkeakoulutetut ry,
YKA) is a labour market organisation for people in public or private sector or
NGOs, typical training background is a university degree in political/social
science, administration, humanities or pedagogics).
• FUURT (The Finnish Union of University Researchers and Teachers is a trade
union that represents all those working in science, research and higher
education.)
• OAJ (The Trade Union of Education in Finland is a trade union for
professionals working in the field of education, training and research – from
early childhood education to adult education and training).
Labour unions for students/graduates of
UTU master’s degree programmes

11. How much holiday?
• The amount of holiday time depends on the length of employment. It is typically between 2.5 and 5 weeks per year. Employers must grant holiday time to
employees during the summer months of May through September, but employees can also take holidays at other times of the year if agreed upon with
their employer.
• Employees who work at least 14 days or 35 hours per month are entitled to annual holiday time. However, if an employee works less than this amount,
they have the right to take leave and receive holiday compensation, which is paid out during their time off.
• Generally you gain 2 holiday days per month (when working fulltime)
• In the private sector, Saturdays are counted as working days when calculating holidays
• The amount of annual holiday is calculated from April 1st to March 31st of the following year.
• E.g. if an employee starts a new job on May 1st and works for six months, they would earn two holidays for each month worked, resulting in a total of 12 annual
holidays.
Holiday pay?
• Employees are entitled to holiday pay, which is paid out during their annual holiday time. The amount of holiday pay is based on the employee's earnings
during the previous year. The exact amount of holiday pay varies depending on the industry and the collective agreement that applies to the employment
relationship.
• Holiday pay is a separate payment from regular salary, and it is paid out to employees in advance of their annual holiday period.
Always:
• If there is something you do not understand in your employment contract, contact the HR department/person.
• TYY and ÅAS (The student unions of UTU and ÅAU) also offer Legal Advice that is free-of-charge for the members of TYY/ÅAS.
Holiday and holiday pay
Vuosiloma ja lomaraha

12. • ”Red days”, or statutory holidays that
might affect working (mainly Christian
traditions)
• New Year's Eve, Epiphany, Easter, May
Day/Vappu, Ascension Day, Midsummer eve
(this one always comes as a surprise), All
Saint’s Day, Independece Day, Christmas
• Some fields need to ”keep running” even
during holidays and many shops are open
year-round.
Finnish holidays that might affect working
Työntekoon vaikuttavia juhlapyhiä

13. Employment
contract

14. • Make sure that you have your employment contract in writing
• Negotiate the terms of the contract with your employer
• Contract might include other terms and conditions (e.g. non-
disclosure)
• Trial period maximum lenght is 6 months or in fixed-term contracts
max. half of the working period
• Period of notice – if you want to quit, you need to check your
contract
• Remember to ask a certificate after employment (the employer
might not give it to you automatically, but will make you a
certificate if asked.)
Employment contract & job certificate
Työsopimus ja työtodistus

15. • Work hours are usually followed by timecard calculator or you
need to report the working hours yourself
• With a student permit, Migri has work limitations (30 hours
per week)
• This does not apply when doing an internship and is part of student’s
degree/studies
• Working and internships during studies: https://migri.fi/en/working-
and-internships-during-studies
Working hours
Työajat

16. • Finnish people don’t really like to
talk about salaries (exept when
annual tax information comes out)
• We talk about monthly (not yearly)
salaries.
• Median salary: 3314 €/month in
2021 (stat.fi)
• During internships, an intern is
usually paid 1400-1800 €/month.
• We wouldn’t recommend less than
2000 €/month salary after the
graduation – still depends on
industry.
• If you are asked to present a salary
requirement – include it in your
application.
• Give a precise number but leave it
”open to discussion”.
• Negotiating your salary in the
private sector is typically easier than
in the public sector.
• Labour unions have salary
recommendations on their pages.
A question we get a lot... salary?

17. Preparation
• Check if the salary/job is based on
collective agreements or not
• Even if you can negotiate your
salaries, there are some kind of
limits though
• Know your skills and prepare to
argument to the employer
During the salary discussion
• Make your point clearly and use
examples to make the employer see
your potential
• Highlight your skills, motivation and
potential
Negotiating your salary
Palkkaneuvottelu

18. Finland has a relatively high tax burden compared to many other countries, with the tax-
to-GDP ratio being around 43% (more typically around 20 % though) in recent years
providing comprehensive social benefits to its citizens.
Taxation is the responsibility of the national government and the municipalities.
The main types of taxes:
• Income tax: progressive, individuals with higher incomes pay a higher percentage of
their income in taxes (Individuals - vero.fi)
• Value-added tax is levied on most goods and services at a standard rate of 24%.
(reduced rates of 14% and 10% for certain items such as food, books, and
pharmaceutical products).
• Social security contributions are deducted from an individual's income and are used to
fund social welfare programs such as healthcare, unemployment benefits, and pension
schemes.
Taxes
Verot

19. What about Finnish
working culture?

20. • Punctuality and respecting personal space are important -
sign of respect for your colleagues and their time.
• Equality and flat hierarchy - hierarchies tend to be flat, and
communication between colleagues and superiors is usually
direct and informal.
• Work-life balance - it's common to have flexible working
hours or the option to work from home. Employers usually
prioritize their employees' well-being and recognize the
importance of a healthy work-life balance.
Traits of Finnish working culture
Suomalainen työkulttuuri

21. • Trust and independence - employers tend to trust their employees and
give them a high level of independence in their work. Micromanagement
is generally not well-received in Finnish working culture.
• Informal dress code - suits and formal wear are usually only worn in
very formal situations (or in some sectors), or important business
meetings or ceremonies.
• Efficiency and productivity - meetings are usually brief and to-the-point,
and there is a strong emphasis on getting things done in a timely
manner.
• Honest and direct communication - directness in communication, even if
it means delivering bad news or criticism. Diplomacy is important, but
avoiding difficult conversations is generally not well-received.
Traits of Finnish working culture
Suomalainen työkulttuuri

22. What Finnish employers appreciate in
interns?
Self-directing
Interest and
ability to learn
something new
Being active
Positivity and
enthusiasm
Ability to
comprehend
things on bigger
scale
Kindness Self-initiative Critical attitude
Flexibility
Courage to ask
and take
responsibility
Interaction skills Substantive
competence
Activity and
diligence
Attitude
Conscientiousne
ss and diligence
Written skills
• The intern’s initiative, learning
alibity adn diligence were
clearly emphasized in the
employer’s responses
• Realiability and adaptability to
the community are also valued
qualities
• Other imporant factors were
e.g. attitude, industry
knowledge and courage

23. How to integrate to
Finnish working life?

24. Do an internship during your studies
• Internships = “entry-level positions”
• Internships for university students and graduates are advertised in the same way as regular jobs.
• JobTeaser is the main portal for finding internship positions
• You can reach out to an interesting organisation and describe what kind for tasks you would be interested in
working with.
• Most internships last between 3 to 6 months and are carried out full-time.
The scope of the internship:
• gain experience within a field that is interesting to you
• broaden your network.
The University of Turku offers the possibility to use an internship subsidy (which is paid as a
reimbursement to your employer after the internship period). Only for Master’s degree students.
Please read more about internships on the UTU intranet.
How to integrate to Finnish working life
Kuinka integroitua suomalaiseen työelämään

25. • Limited knowledge of Finnish is a barrier to find employment for a person of foreign
background in Finland
What can you do?
• You don’t need to have a perfect vocabulary – Start using the words that you already
know
• Go to hobbies where you can use and hear Finnish
• University’s Finnish courses
• Ask Finns to speak Finnish with you, even a little
Finnish language skills
Suomen kielen taito

26. • Most of the Finnish employers aren’t used to hiring a international
employee yet
• So that’s why the first hiring can be a big threshold  So don’t be
discourage if you don’t get an answer to the first message
• Finnish policy makers know that we need international talents here and
are trying to make the employment situation better
• Even though Finns can speak quite good English, lot of employers/co-
workers struggle shifting to operate in English
Good to keep in mind
Hyvä pitää mielessä

27. • Toissa.fi - provides statistical information about jobs, professions and income.
• stories written by professionals that give idea about the working life: what kind of skills are needed, what is a
typical workday, how to apply for jobs etc.
• StudyinFinland.fi CIMO’s (Finnish Centre for International Mobility) very good site with general
advice and links related to working in Finland, either during or after studies
• Job Market Finland - Public employment and business services
• ThisisFinland - Jobsearching hints and facts and stats
• suomi.fi - Information on public services in Finland
• InfoFinland.fi
• InfoFinland is your source of information for moving and living in Finland. Check our tips on permits, jobs,
housing and education & find local contact information
• GoinGlobal
• This website offers information about different countries and has career guides. This link will take you to
Finland’s career guides and offers lot of valuable information (UTU/ÅAU VPN on).
• International House Turku
• Counselling and guidance services promoting and supporting the integration of immigrants and international
newcomers in Turku
Good websites for more information

28. • TE-services – register as soon you graduate
• TE-services
• During/after studies, check if you want be part of a labour
union or unemployement fund or neither
• As a non-EU-citizen, you can apply for a residence permit to
look for work for up to 2 years
Unemployment after graduation
Työttömyys valmistumisen jälkeen

29. • Once you are employed in a Finnish company, you have an
opportunity to learn Finnish through Workplace Finnish
Training
• The idea of this training is to improve your capacity to
manage your work tasks in Finnish. The training included
learning useful vocabulary needed in the working life.
• All of the employers might not be familiar with this
opportunity, that’s why is necessary to ask about it from your
possible employer
Workplace Finnish Training

30. Questions?